The Portland daily press., 1874-12-02
The Senatorial Question
A Voice from the Fifth Dissriet.

RocKLAND Nov. 30, 1874.
10 the Editor of the Press:
The matter of the next Senatorial succession.
winch by shrewd and mysterious manage
ment was kept carefully concealed from
the public vision at the last election. has
at length become exposed to popular criticism,
and Is receiving that attention which its i'm
portance demands Throughout the state Il is
coupled with the recent Republican reverses
and made the topic of almost universal dis
cussion, which, wherever it arises, mapifests
an earnest and a deeply-seated, though not
venoInous opposition to Mr.. Hamlin's return to
the Senate. The basis of this opposition
appears to be in no degree q sentiment
OF hostility to him, but rather feeling of
WEAKNESS, begotten of long continued labor in
sustaining him in high posi- itions, mingled with
conviction that the day of his usefulness to
the nation, the state and the party has gone
by. Men talk in substance after this man.
ner:
'For almost generation we, and in many
instances our fathers and grandfathers before
us, have been cOnferring public offices and
their emoluments upon Mr.. Hamlin, in re-
turn for which we have received from him, it
is said, an honest, though it must be admitted,
charge of his duties. Reverting to the organi-
cation of the Republican party in this state, we
hnd that its first important act was to elect
him Governor an honor which the first Re-
puoncan Legislature hastened to supplement
by making him Senator, and that from that
time to the present all our political action,
from the choice of members of Congress down
TO tnat OF our county and municipal officers,
has been moulded and trimmed to a greater or
less extent, with view TO the interests of Mr.
Hamlin In this sticking by that Senator
we claim to have rendered full equivalent for
the glutinous fidelity manifested by him to, the
party and more especially to the doughty
knights who are galloping from their post
ohces and custom houses to take the field IN
his behalf. .F
Any man whose political digestion was not
absolutely indestructible, would have been sur
1eited by feeding so long and continuously up
on the dainty dishes with which we have sup
Piled his larder; but no traces of Indigestion
are obvious in our Senator, who, having feasted
as Representative in Congress, United States
Senator, Governor, again as Senator, then as
vice PRESIDENT, then as Collector of Boston,
and subsequently again as Senator, now hclds
his platter for more, and blessed with as good
An appetite as ever, smacks his lips in antici-
patton of the good cheer yet awaiting him.
HIS present demand is favored with selfish
hess to degree that does not meet our approx
al, and outrages our notions of fairness towards
other gentlemen in the state, who, possessing
ability, integrity and fealty TO Republican prin-
ciples equal to his own, have for so many years
unselhshly stified their laudable ambition TO
succeed him. We perceive too, with regret,
since it reminds us Of his declining life, that
he has forgotten his earnest petition of six
years ago. to be elected then solely as an act of
reparatlon for the injustice which he had suf-
fered at the hands of the National Convention
of GA as well as his promise, il elected, to re-
tire at the end of that time.
Our sentiments towards Mr.. Hamlin are Of
the klndest nature, and we point to ths record
IN proof OF our assertion; we would not be
guilty OF the slightest injustice towards him,
put with all the Difference due to his age, abil-
ty and experience we recognize the necessity of
hlling his seat in the Senate with a younger
and an abler man, who will be the peer of the
vigorous intellects OF the opposition with whom
ne viii be brought ia contact. ''The easy, and
apathetic way of looking at the most solemn
questions which has lately characterized our
Senator, his apparently increasing feebleness
both OF thought and speech, would be but
leaden swords with which 10 do battle in the
comDats OF which the Senate is socn to be the
arena"
Mr.. Editor, it is conceded on all sides that
every former Presidential campaign must sink
to the insigni6cance of mimic warfare when
compared with the conflict which awaits us in
'76 Maine will go first to the front, Clearing.
we trust, the banner Of a distinguished son)
and if in her September skirmsh she puts the
enemy to rout and utter discontinue as she Is
won't to do, victory will attend US all along the
line in the general engagement in November.
A humble member of the Republican party
fiom the date of its formation, believing in the
intelligence and purity Of its masses, admiring
tie much that is heroic in its history, venerat-
ing the memories of its dead heroes and not
forgetful of their counsels, and hopeful of its
continued ascendency because thoroughly dis
trustful of its foes, would have the choice of
Senator be determined solely by the wishes
OF the people, and our Legislature-elect, rising
above the influence of old personal affiliations
and private predictions, give heed only to
those considerations which may involve the
very existence Of the party.
There are certain qualities which distinguish
the Senator whom the times demand, of which
are vigor and independence of mind, aggres-
sive honesty, freedom from entangling alliances
and a subservience of selfish ends to the well
fare of the country and the party. He must
be true to the party" by using his best endea-
vors to make the party worthy of the conf
dence and support of the people, and must re-
gard the people as the friends to whom also
ne should be true, instead of those men who
make merchandise of politics and sell their SER
vices for office. COMMERCIAL TRAVELLER.