Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-01-08

was born in the town of Turner. county OF
Androscoggin. A. D., 1887. and is therefore
A years of age. Mr.. Hale's father was
man Of small means, but he did what he
could for his children. At an old brick school
house in the town Of Turner, near his father $
farm, young Hale began the development Of
his talents. He never had the advantages OF
gently employed his time during the brief
period which his fathers limited means en-
abled him To devote to educational attain
men:s, that at the conclusion of his academic
course he possessed an excellent fund Of
learning. Mr. Hale studied law and was adj
mitted to the bar in 1857. and while in active
practice made a very brilliant record. After
his removal to Ellsworth, he was elected
county attorney for Hancock county, and his
retention in that position for nine consecu-
tive years j. a sufficient evidence of the faith
! full manner ia which he performed the duties
entrusted to him as chief prosecuting officer.
| In 1871. Mr.. Hale was united in mar
rage with the accomplished daughter and only
child Of Hon. Zacharlah Chandler, then L.
s. Senator from Michigan. Mr.. Hale's mar
rage was the first act in drama Of domestic
| happiness which has been uninterrupted
during all the varied phases Of his private
and public career. In 1866 Mr.. Hale was
elected to represent the city of Ellsworth in
the State Legislature. In 1861, he was re-
elected By an increased majority. The two
Legislatures of 1868, in the light Of history
were remarkable for their composition Men
who have since occupied positions of the
highest trust in orr State and National gov
ernments, were numbered almost by scores
| in the seats of the Representative Chamber.
Frye was there, and with him could have
been seen Shepley, Lord, Stevens. Titcomb,
Chase, Paine, Wakefield, Barker. Oak,
Plaisted, Dingley, Reed, May, Goss, Rust,
and many others. men whose names have
| been closely identified with the political
chronicle. of our State and Nation during
the past ten years. IL was here among this
array Of talent, that Eugene Hale, the Young
Ellsworth lawyer, found field for the exer-
else OF MS abllltles. Az mat time, great
questions engrossed the attention of the peo.
pie. A colossal Rebellion had but lately
been put down. and issues of vital interest
were at that time unsettled. Not the least
of these was the social and political status Of
our colored population. Mr.. Hale was at al
times fearless champion of the rights of the
negro.
In speech of February eth, 1851
he made a vigorous argument for the repea
of ''the law prohibiting the intermarriage OF
races and concluded in these words Let IL,
not be bound by any of our ancient preju
dices OF desires so as to be prevented tron
fully doing our duty to all classes, nor fettered
in our efforts to attain higher civilization
by any causeless dread of consequences
which arises solely from those old and obso
lete prejudices." The State educational in
situations were also sedulously looked aftc
by him, and his voice was always heard il
| their defence. IL was mainly due to the
earnest efforts CT Mr.. Hale, that the estab
lishment of the Eastern Normal Schoo
| WIS secureu NJ tastlne- but tiie croWnlnt
effort of Mr.. Hales career in the leg
islature of lS61-s was the great speecl
made by him on the olst and 22nd days %
February 1868, in which he arragncd III,
democratic party as the champion of treason
and rebellion. Mr.. Hale said "The demo
cratic party to-day. and the rebels at tn,
South are consistent, the same cry comes from
each, the nnrepentant rebel at the South ask.
us to forget the past and to give up Who'll,
States to the power of men who fought u
in the field and are not today repentant fol
so fighting. The democracy of the Soutl
says forgive the rebel, forget our record. anC
give back power and place to those who. al
through the war opposed it. To-day the
democratic party at the North and its allie,
at the South send up the same appealing cry
To-day these old allies shake hands across tn,
battle-Aelds where lie an hundred Thousand
ofour dead soldiers, and ask US to forget tina
it was the same alliance that filled thos,
graves. do not mean for one that it shall
be forgotten. If | go before the people il
WIS p'iitNdi oattiS VI Noitt sii'ii w
constantly lifted in denunciation of thi
blood-stained record of democracy" Thi
speech was widely circulated. and was al
element of strength in the campaign whicl
followed
Mr.. Hale WAS elected to represen
the Fifth Maine District. in the Fortv-first
Forty-second, and Forty-third Congresses
In 1874, President Grant offered him til,
portfolio of the Post-office Department, bu
he preferred to remain in the House. II,
was reelected to the Forty fourth and Forty
ifth Congresses, and upon the election o
Mr.. Hayes to the Presidency he was agair
rendered cabinet position, but as before de
clined. At the close of the Forty fth Con
eress, he Was overwhelmed by the green
back food in the Fifth District, but hi
old Ellsworth constituency, were not statistic,
that his abilities should repose, even for
brief season, and in January. 1850. Mr.. Hal,
again found himself representing his Easter,
home in the Legislature of Maine.
Mr.. Hale's Congressional record wa