The Portland daily press., 1874-06-09
May %, 1874.
A Protest.

Certain men-not many in number but of
great activity and s'experience''-are varying
the monotony of their official duties under
the federal government by travelling up and
down the state and informing all and singu-
lar whom they may meet, with the utmost
positiveness and assurance, that the U. S.
senatorship question is settled-that Mr..
Hamlin is to be his own successor, and that
the suggestion of any other candidate is mere
idle folly, worthy only of derision. If any
one ventures to intimate that there are a
good many people in Maine, and that they
may take notion to be heard in this matter,
he is looked upon with sort of plying con-
tempt as one who is hugging an absurd delu-
sion, and who has not yet learned that all
these things can be ''fixed" without special
reference to public opinion. 1t is true that
these fuglemen are experts, that they are ia
miliar with all the wiles of politics, and are
potent in organizing victory in quiet times
but it is equally true that they are strong on
ly in the tolerance and indifference of people
and that their deliberately rugged craft has a
very insufficient hull and can live only in
summer seas.
These men may as well understand first as
last that there is to be a contest for the sena-
torship, that the result is not yet assured and
that the disgust of the people at this AFRO
giant assumption of power to control their
verdict may react powerfully against the pur-
poses Of these professional politicians. Mr..
Hamlin is gentleman who has done good
service to the state of which the people have
often expressed their appreciation. He has
the noble distinction Of an exceptionally long
public career untarnished by any stain or
shadow of personal or official dishonesty.
That these henchmen of his, nourished by
his bounty-at government expenses should
exert themselves for the perpetuation of his
power, in the interest of their own bread and
butter, is not surprising. Their perform
ances, however, are distasteful to the public
and discredltable to Mr. Hamln and the fact
that his success involves continuance of
their regime is strong reason against him
in the minds of many people.
But there are other candidates who have
merited and have received tokens of public
approval and who would fifty represent the
state in the Senate of the United States. Of
Hon. Sidney Pe1ham, who has been long
prominently mentioned for the position, only
good words can be spoken. He is sincere,
able and upright man whose services as rep
resentative in Congress and Governor of the
State have been honorable TO himself and his
constituents. He is identified with all the
moral and social reforms of the time and is
er with the people is great and does not war
rant the derision which it receives from some
OF Mr.. Hamlin's retainers. Gov. Perham
will impress himself forcibly upon the
senatorial contest.
There seems, however, peculiar fitness in
more special representation of the maritime
and commercial interests of the state-inter-
ests which are more affected by congression-
al action than all others-and as Portland is
the center of this class of business, it seems
desirable, other things being equal, to select
senator from this city. Portland presents
two candidates-Hon. J. 81. Drummond and
hon. Israel Washburn, Jr. Mr.. Drummond
mas been candidate since last summer, and
MS merits have been very thoroughly can
'assea ana discussed. He is gentleman Of
hlgh character and attachments, a singularly
liberal, unselfish and popular man personal
ly, and has filed satisfactorily all places of
public trust to which he has been called.
His wide and favorable acquaintance with
prominent men in all parts of the country
would also aid to make him powerful in pub
lie life. He is certain of strong support.
Mr.. Washburn has but recently consented
to be a candidate, though he has long been
talked OF in that connection. His eminent
ability and sterling integrity are well known
to the people of Maine. He was one of the
foremost of those sturdy northern heroes who