The Portland daily press., 1874-12-10
MIR. Hamlin as a Martyr.

BANGOR, DEC., q, loIt
1t is urged by the supporters of Mr.. Hamlin
as one of the weiehty reasons for his return to
the Senate that be has ''always been true TO
his party" as if that were his peculiar ebaTae-
teristic, and one which we might vanly look
for in any successor other than himself Con-
cedng the fact of that devotion, let us measure
its merit by reverting to the sacrifices he has
endured in maintaining it.
Taking no account of his fealty to the Demo
cratic party, which he had the heroism to ex-
hibit until that organization lost coutrol Of the
state and had no longer senatorship within
its gift, we behold his first emarkable display
of that sentiment towards the Republican par
" in his accepting gubernatorial, then sena-
terial, honors at its hands, and protected by
his giant compeers, finging safe defiance at
his late associates, like the boy who on tie
right side of the pasture fence shakes his red
bandanna at the bull.
During the three years next succeeding his
first election as a Republican senator, state
after state wheels into the Republican column,
and increases almost to q certainty, the proba-
bility that it is to come forth victorious from
the presidential campaign OF go, and 10! -.
Hamlin sacrifices himself upon its altar as "A
candidate for vice president. Elected, aud hay-
ing served four years, behold him again in '6i
willing to repeat his self-mmolation upon the
same altar! But that bitter cup passed by, and
for two years spared the pangs OF roasting
again in the zenith of martyrdom, he but vio-
leutly perspires in its horizon, as collector ot
Boston.
But the sacrifcial tortures to which he has
been subjected, have not destroyed his spirit OF
uusel6sh devotion to the party, and in CD be
again offers himself as an Oblation, and makes
his pious zeal ever memorable, by gathering
with his own hands in the legislative halls at
Augusta, the fagots which are TO feed the
flame. ror six years more, the victim writhes
upon the burning pile-a lot which compass
sionate people behed with sorrow-and still
sustained by the fortitude Of the devotee, lie
now calls for more tagots.
Such is the martyrdom which Senator Ham
lin has endured in behalf of the Republican
party. The pet OF powerful organizatioh
constantly gaining strength; the recipient from
the date Of its formation OF the highest honors
within its gift; surrounded by body guard of
well-paid parasites whose fortune she has made,
our 'never-retiring SENATOR exhibits forsooth,
the wonderful magnanmity OF being true TO
his party!'
This is the picture of martyrdom which is
displayed for our admiration. A mountainous
landscape of honors laid one upon another, and
the senator comfortably slumbering on the top
most peak A work of mediocrity, Illuminated
by Lo touch cf genius, lacking all traces OF =
masters hand like that of Sumner or Fes-
seuden which could paint picture OF UNIVERSAL
craftsmanship and philanthrophy and write be-
meath it the sentiment which inspired their
lives: Humanity, then Country. then Party,
and bearirg only the ingloriols inscription:
'Mr Hamln voted yea" or "Mr. Hamln
voted may aud was true to his party.
Gentlemen of the next Legislature, you are
about to show by your votes, your appreciation
of Mr. Hamln's disinterested allegiance to par
ty. III he has net received full equivalent
therefor, be just and render it now; il he has
been more than compensated, be even gener-
Gus, and Claiming not thine own" close the ac-
count At any rate let US bave settlement
with him, and for the future put price upon
party martyrs which one generation can pay.
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