The Portland daily press., 1874-11-21
The SenatOrShiD.

We take the following letter from the col
umns of the Biddeford Journal:
Allow me little. room in your next on the
Senatorial issue. .r.f---..r "a
To be, or not to be, that's the question for
Republicans of our country and state now to
settle. Who shall be the surviving partner of
the firm, Hannibal Hamlu or the Republican
party? I am fully persuaded that the two can
not longer abide in the prosperity of the past
For months there has been much serious
thought and speech among our good men and
true in this section of the state touching this
matter, and OF late the feeling grows more out
spoken.
Politicians, I mean those who manipulate our
primaries and conventions, those who foist
themselves into the party as leaders, may cry
peace, peace, but there is no peace.
This is ghost that will not down at one's
bidding, b. G. j., or whoever else may assume
the task.
There is an under current of deep conviction
among the masses, that may not yet have reach
ed the senses OF our more prominent men be-
cause of their height, that Hamlin's usefulness
is ended. We have naught to say against his
past record. We would not, nor could we tar
nsh it in the least.
He may never have "given vote that was
not in harmony with Names best interest; new
er swerved from the strictest line of principle;
never failed in any emergency to he present at
the post of duty; never broken faith with any
man; never proved false to any obligation;
never been touched even by the shade of sus
picion of his high personal honor and purity"
Grant him all this as prominent champion
claims, and could his ready pen have claimed
mores it would not have dried there. We need
more than this. Twenty-Five years of expert
ence in the U. S. Senate should bring with it
an ever ready tongue and commanding voice
to rebuke iniquity of every kind, both within
and without the party. Senator Hamlin is not
one vf those who will save Republicansm from
its enemies of its own household This is the
whole of it. During his past term he has not
been prompt to condemn the wrong by his voice
in the Senate chamber, be it from want of abil-
ity, experience or courage.
=, And why not? Pray tell us, ye who urge
"hs claims"
Years agone, by his potent speech he hesitat-
ed not to wa-h the Democratic party himself
then member) of Kansas and kindred out
rag es. How proudly then he stood up and ex-
posed wrong. The intervening years should
have brought him greater ambition and infu-
ence in upholdng the banner of right
What's the explanation?
Also! the statesman has turned politician,
the fate of too many whom long lease of power
has robbed of their best estate and whose stand
ard has thus been lowered.
Lowered! Yes; use the word advisedly,
Our honorable Senator may not be aware Of j..
but it is nevertheless true. -"
When United States Senator hints chs
friends before his country, then good bye to
Hamlin in office, saw the birth of the Re.
publican party of Maine. Shall he in office
land because thereby see its death?
In other words, and mark well these words.
which OF the two great parties of Maine shall
choose his successor? The one soon. or the
other later? '1o
That somebody's quaking that somebody's
cause is weakening needs no better proof than
the fact that the most prominent man Maine
90 proudly boasts of, must come to the rescue.
But he speaks from his own standpoint.
Senators and Representatives elect of York
county, yes OF Maine. heed we'll the lesson SO
decidediy taught. Give us new men, give us
better men, give us stronger men.
Come down among your constituents, talk
with them, and if you are not already convinc-
ed OF your duty in all the premises, then take
advice of them.
Thus will you be wise. Thus will you save
what is worth saving.
Will you save Hamin and shis friends" or
that party which has saved the nation?