Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1875-03-04

pronounced by Hon. Eugene Hale in the
House Of Representatives. Feb. 20. upon
the late Hon. samuel +. Herscy. Member
Of E,ryraSs frntp rhe Enur,h nf-t,;...

pronounced bv Hon. Eugene Hale, in the
House of Representatives. Feb. 20. upon
the late Hon. samuel +. Hersey. Member
of Congress from the Fourth District
Mr. HALE. of Maine. Mr. Speaker. we are
but five in all in this House from the state Of
Maine when all are present. and one Of our
number has been taken away by death. Hon
SAMUEL FREEMAN HERsEY. who represented
the fourth district Of Maine in this Congress.
died st his home in Bangor on the 81 DAY Of
this month. The fatal disease that n last
ended in death fastened upon him many months
ago aud broke down the physical strength
which had been marked in his previous, life
IL iuierfered seriously with his duties in the
last session Of this Congress. driving him from
the Capitol in the late winter months after he
had resolutely fought its approaches, turned
his home during the summer and fall into a
house of sickness. and inexorably forbade any
attempt TO share in the labors and duties Of the
present session. The resOluie will OF nv late
colleague and friend was noticeable feature
in his character that shall be well borne out
BY those who knew him best in saving that
nothing less than the painful disease under
which he suffered could have kept him away
from the post 10 which a trusting people had
called him. A. | remember him and recall an
acquaintance Of many years. there arises before
the no instance when he shrank from a duty
laid u Don him.
-
county Of Oxford, and State Of Maine on the
22d Of April. 1872. lie came from revolution
airy stock, his maternal grandfather has ing
been an officer in the war for Indepe ndrnce (;
and he was reared in the best school for early
bOyhood which the New England fireside kill
side. and school-house furnish. When al the
age Of twenty-one he entered upon mercantile
business for himself; he had secured the good
education that the district school and the coun-
~ academy afforded, aud was well fitted to
enter into the conflict Of active life. In bust
ness he almost always prospered, increasing
his ventures and his gains from year TO year,
and latterly extending his operations into
Minnesota, Wisconsin, and other northwe stern
States. He was prompt and energetic in affairs
honest and conscientious in his dealings and
rs his fortune increased gave literally Of his
store.
he wa. always trusted by the people among
whom he had lived. representing the town OF
Milford in the lower house Of the Maine Legis-
lature in 1872; the city Of Bangor, TO which he
afterward removed, in one branch or the other
OF the State legislature in 1857, 1865, 1867, and
1867; besides serving for some years as a MEM
Der Of the executive council. After filling other
important State offices. he was first elected to
this House IN September, 1872, and was re-
elected in 1874. From participation in what
promised 10 be the stirrifg scenes Of the Forty-
fourth Congress, he has been cut of. Had he
lived. his position must always have been
clearly defined. His was never hating or
doubtful course. His religious and political
beliefs were part Of his life and he accepted
the consequences Of those beliefs boldly.
This posifiveness Of character led him not TO
fear antAgonism; but his kindness Of heart
raised up friends and prevented lifelong enmi-
ties.
Mr.. Speaker. our deceased colleague will be
greatly missed in our own State, where be has
been for years a prominent citizen; 10 his
neighbors and friends the loss will come nearer !:
TO his family it can never be repaired. On this
floor those who knew him during the brief
weeks that he was in attendance know that
this House has lost an honest, useful member.
But awful as Is the coming Of death, and
SOLDERING - must be its contemplation, the way
along which human life is sometimes led TO
il is beset with suffering and agony that to
our limited vision the final summons must then
seem more like a relief than doom.
General Hersey's disease was severe and
protracted. II never broke down his mind or
his spirit, but it wasted his body and racked
him with pain such Is few men fortunately are
ever called to endure. 1t was incurabis: and
at last be sank under it. But he died I'm his
own house, with bis wife and children about
him. and loving hands spaoothed his winter
shroud. Thinking Of how yexed had been his
last days and how peaceful was bis death, who
will not ask with Spenser-
q not short pain well borne that brings long else
And lays the soul TO rest in quiet gravsf