The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-06-24
Mr.. Hamlin aud the Boston Custom
House.
Was il good policy for him TO rcsigns

To the Editor Of the Press:
The Bangor Wing, in its article on the Sena-
torshIp in Fridays issue, refers to Mr.. Wash
burns remaining in Office under Andrew John
son, while Mr.. Hamlin resigned his place, and
inferentially approves Mr.. Hamlns course and
condemns Mr.. Washburn's. Now, with all
submission, L believe that Mr. Washburn took
in the matter referred to. And l do not say
this because think Mr.. Hamln's action was
governed by his ambition purely, or that he re.
signed in order to enter the field for Senator
against Mr.. Morrill,, thinking by his resigna-
ton to gain eclat and prestige which would aid
him in his canvass-for do not know whether
he was influenced by any such considerations
or not. let that pass and proceed to consider
the action of these gentlemen upon the merits.
Mr.. Hamlin's decision implied and was based
on the theory that the Office of Collector per-
tanned to President johnson; Mr. Washburn's
on the theory that it belonged to the people.
Mr.. Washburn held that because johnson had
deserted and betrayed the Republican party
and the country, it was no reason that the
patronage which had been given to him
by the Republicans should be handed over to
the party to which he had carried himself. 1t
was upon this theory that the Republicans in
Congress passed the act regulating the tenure
of civil officers-passed 1t, too, by two thirds
vote over the veto of the President If Mr..
Hamlin was right in surrendering his Office
and the fate of two or three hundred subordi-
nate officers to the tender mercies of johnson
ut time when he was maligning Grant and
endeavorng to destroy Stanton, then it would
have been right for a Congress of Republicans
to have left the same power to him in regard to
all the other offices. Mr. Hamln's act then
was in the teeth of the Republican opinion,
while Mr.. Washburne's was in harmony with
it. -t1asr 5fff aH
Will the Wing maintain that it was wrong
In Messrs. Washburn, Wngate of Bangor,
Talbot, Surveyor of the Port Of Portland, or
any other Republican officer to remain in place
after Johnson's treason was made manifest?
Will is not rather say that they did we'll and
faithfully to the people in holding the bridge
against johnson and the copperheads, at
time when extreme danger was impending,
and could hardly have been averted had the
public offices of the country been surrendered
to a faithless President?
1t SO happened that after Mr. Hamin's resig
nation, johnson fell into trouble about some
matters in Massachusetts,, and, in order to have
his way in reference to some other things, was
compelled to nominate Republican as Mr..
Hamhns successor. Had the President been
position to carry out his own desires, there
is no doubt Democrat of the most extreme
type would have been appointed, and every
subordinate in the Boston custom house who
would refuse to betray his principles and his
party would have been removed to make place
for a Democrat.
That all this was risked when Mr.. Hamlin re-
signed, rs certain; that it ibid not happen was
his good luck, through Johnson's necessity, at
that time Was 1t to his praise that he for
any purpose, personal or otherwise, whether
for the Senatorship or to show his opposition to
johnson should have voluntarily thrown the
immense political power of the Boston custom
house into the hands of Zone whom he believed
to be deadly enemy of the country? That
circumstances prevented the use of the power
by johnson is not to be pleaded in pallation or
excuse of Mr. Hamlin's act He will not pre-
tend that he had any assurance or belief that
Republican would be appointed in his place
Who believes that if Mr.. Washburn had re-
signed when Mr.. Hamlin did that the new Col
lector of Portland would not have been a Dem
ocrat? Who doubts that the entire influence
OF the office W ould have been thrown into the
hands of those whe ''swung around the circle ,
with johnson, and against the Republican poll
cy of Congress? f.aa,
At any rate it would seem that Mr.. Wash
burn did not read his duty to his party or the
country as permitting him to desert his post at
moment when the enemy was prepared to
step in and occupy it. Nay, it is known that
be was most obnoxious to johnson, who would
have taken off his head in a moment had not
the Act of Congress protected him. When bis
term expired johnson refused to re-dppoint him,
but he held over in defiance of Johnson by au-
thority and under the direction of the people,
who, by actlof their representatives, had exer.
cised their power and declared their will in this
regard. Mr.. Washburn obeyed tter nstruc-
tons and stood at his post. Does the Who
condemn him for so doing? Does any Repub-
lcan? If SO let them remember that they con-
denim Congress and every Republican in office,
save only Mr.. Hamin.
70. HAMLIN MAN OF "SIxTY-EIGHr."