Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1874-05-22
THE NEW CONNECTICIE SENA-
AIOR-THE DEAD DDEsIOGKaCY.

The Democrats in the Connection
Legislature held a caucus on Wednes
day night last. and on the first ballot
nominated as the candidate of the
party for United States Senator, Hon
William ". Eaton, of Hartford.
MIR. Eaton is one of the most promi.
nent men in his State, and has always
been a Democrat of the most straitest
sect. Residing for few years, while
young man, III the State of South
Carolina, he became an ardent admir-
er and follower of Mr. Calhoun. Nor
did he change his principles on his re-
turn to Connecticut, where, engaging
in the practice of law, he soon became
a marked man.
When the war came on he was SO
open and avowed in his opposition to
it,and to all measures taken to promote
its success, that he became the central
figure of the opposition in all New
England His character for honesty,
integrity and ability is conceded by
even his bitterest enemies.
The New York Et'Gning Post (Re-
publican J speaking of the nomination
says:
AS the Democrats haye a clear ma
jority in BOTH hrances of the Connect
icut Legislature and appear to be har-
monious, it is safe to assume that Mr..
William W. Eaton will lie the United
States Senator from that STATE to sue
ceed Senator Buckingham. Mr.. Eaton
was nominated last night by the Dem
ocratlc Legislative caucus, and the
nomination is received with general
satisfaction, the opposition to him at
any time having been rather the result
of local prejudice than personal dislike.
He will doubtless be elected on the
first ballot next Tuesday, each house
acting Independently.
This nomination shows what stub
born perseverance in politics, as well
as in commercial affairs, may do for
man. Ten years ago we should have
said that OF a thousand of the more
prominent Democrats il. Connecticut,
Mr.. Eaton would lie the last to receive
the honor he ls now upon the verge
of receiving. He Is SO strict a con-
structionist i'll matters of cOnsti-
tutional law that he is apt to assume
false position III politics. That IS to
say, while there Gan h,s 10 defence for
his stubborn refusal to acgniesce IN
the war measures to suppress the rebel
lion, it is but fair to attribute his attl-
tude at that time rather to his habit of
worshipping the letter of the Constitu-
ton at the sacrifice even of the Union
itself, than to any absolute desire for
the success Of tiIe rehsls. We do not
believe what has often been charged,
that he was in favor of a dissolution of
the Union, but he evidently did err in
thinking That war was unnecessary and
llnwarranted.
However, this question is not now
in issue, and Mr. Eaton has lived
down the prejadice which it raised
against him ten years ago. Whatever
his error may have been, he has con-
vinced the people of Connecticut that
he has convictIona. and is not afraid to
maintain them against the passions Of
the hour, aud that it is bet.
er to err in such cause than to
stumble in the path of integrity
There has been SO little real backbone
in the Senate of the puited States of
late years that it seems as though the
people have determined to put some
of it there, even if there are some other
bones in the skeleton not altogether to
their liking. Mr. Eaton is q straight
forward man III business as i'll politics,
and it is gratifying 10 believe that his
course in Congress will never be look
ed npon with suspicion by tho%e who
regret the prevalent immoralities of
legis lation. He is we'll informed in law
and in public affairs, and has an op-
portunity to be, if not one of the
ablest. one of the most use full members
of the Senate. He is Democrat of
the old school, one of the few that
train under that name who adhere to
Democratic principles, or in fact to
any principles, long at time.