The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-11-30
TERMS $500 PER ANNUM IN ADVANCE

MI: Hamln was literally dricen TO decide
Which party he would serve, and it was,
speak or die" politically.
tenacious OF life as he is now, what u ust
nav nase oeeh MS obstinacy and determination TO
i've, twenty years ago? His old party could
show but $4,000 voters on its rolls. with Samuel
Meiis at its head. The Republican party had
Just cast at the polls more than 1000 votes.
without MIR, Hamlin's vote which was cast for
WI. ~ Wens, lts organization was perfect the
cseGk u mad received by the unholy coalition
OF the Democratic and Whie narties canseJ
not the slightest Generalization in jts ranks
anu IL was daily being made stronger by ac-
cesslons from the Wing party who refused TO
be transferred to the Wells dynasty.
think Mr.. Blaine even, will admit that
the senator exhibited no more than his usual
sagacity and his native, early developed now
ers to scent "bread and butter" (patriotism
aside, whea he determined to leave the Demo.
cratic camplwhch had given him notice of sure
5ecu,teat, ana seek shelter and home under the
oroad roof OF the new party. He came; was pro-
moted leo the brilliant campaign of '56;" was
elected Governor and Immediately, on the
meeting of the Legislature, sent back to the U.
o. senate; and from that day to the present, has
held the best places in the gift of the party that
adopted him IN the hour of his peril, and
spatched him as brand from the burnfuas
NO man understands better the correctness of
TINS historical sketch Of Senator Hamlin than
Mr.. Blaine. No man appeared to be more ar
dent for the retirement of MT. Hamlin six
years ago. 1T the Senator has earned addi-
tional laurels and brought the party so deeply
IN debt to him since that date, which Mr..
Blaine In his extreme intimacy with the Sena-
.or mas detected; If proper for the public TO
Know, and not inconsistent with individual ar
arrangements it is hoped the Speaker will dis
close for the benefit of his friends who think
his letter has mixed matters unpeasantly.
Would it be unkind TO ask Mr. Blaine, who was
tresn from the battlefield of the November
electlOnS that xuac urtt st.
booming OF the enemy's victorious cannon had
any tendency to hurry up its publication and
inspire the writer to sing the praise of the
great senator In such happy and inimitable
strains OF panegyric? Is Mr.. Hamlin alarmed
at the result of those elections where caucus
nominations have been ignored by the masses
ana old public functionaries have fallen right
and lett! Does he feel the danger of the reyolu-
tlon reaching Maine in season to upset his well
laid cancus plans? Is it possible that Mr..
Blaine sees less clearly within his reach The
tenancy of the white House." and would con-
sent 10 be made Senator, not n0lc, but when he
shall have served the Kennebec District in
the NLiVth Congress" and when Mr.. Hamlin
No man OF ordinary information and fairness
VIII contend that Mr.. Hamlin would stand the
remotest chance of an election if the people
were permitted to vote his successor; vet he and
MS piacemen rely on what packed caucuses
have done and will do for his success. His
sappers and miners are incessantly burrowing,
and will fill the lobby when the Legislature
meets. The zeal with which Mr.. Blaine comes
TO MS support may not be initiated by other
members of Congress, though Mr.. H. boasts of
their entire support. The assertion looks pre-
posterous. do not believe that they are all
bartering the interests of theirconstituents and
the party for the gracious smiles and promises
OF the Senator. The letter of Mr.. Blaine will
not be likely to beget passion for Congres
sional eulogy for the benft of Hamlin. The
honor should not be divided. The Speaker
should be permitted to wear his laurels without
competition. Whatever influence Mr. Baine's
letter may have on. the fortunes of Mr.. HAM
lin, it can but prove a bad investment for the
author. An earlier issue of that paper would
have lost Mr.. Blaine his election in lthe district
he represents. His best friend can but view
the act an irreparable blunder;it is considered
much graver offence by the thoughtful and I'M
partial reader. KENNEBEC.