Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-01-11
HANNIBAL HAMLIN.
From the Boston Traveller. Dec. 81

I " the men I'D p'iiticai Tile IN TINS e q
try, no our has hid 30 long a continn -
IN Tromh ent places as the senior $ ,,.d L
from Maine, whose present TIN - the
5, nate will expire on the fourth IT NJ ,rch
next, aud whose successor will - ch sen
next month. lie has held seal ~ the Ma
tional Senate, either as presiding Ufiic r or
ON the floor, most OF the time for more
than thirty years, and among his colleagues
when he first entered that body were Dan
lei Webster, John G. Calhoun, Dixon II.
Lewis "a giant 10 body and mentally
great), Stephen A. Douglas, Jesse ID.
Bright, John j. Crittenden, Reverdy john
son, Honest John Davis OF Massachusetts,
Lewis Csss, Jefferson Davis, Thomas ii.
Benton. Charles G. Atherton, John L.
Hale, Bsdger and MaDgum Of North Caro-
lima. William Allen and Tom Corwin OF
Ohio, John Bell OF Tennessee, Daniel 5.
Dickinson and John A. Dix Of New York,
Simon Cameron. ). S. Phelps, X. I. NJ.
Hunter, j. NJ Mason and Sam Houston.
Among the distinguished men whom he
proceeded, and who became his colleagues
a little later, were W. H. Seward, Salmon
Z. Chase, Judah Z. Benjamin, John Slidell,
VIM. Pitt Fessenden. Charles Sumner,
Henry Wilson. Hamilton Fish, Robert
Toombs, Ben Wade, Foot and Collamcr of
Vermont. James IA Bayard, Lyman Trum
bull. lack Chandler, j. X. Doolittle, Will
ard Salisbury and Andrew Johnson, most
of whom tinishsd their work on earth years
ago. Among the great men with whom he
associated he very soon became recog-
uized leader, aud when few years later he
abandoned the party with which he had
acted, his DETECTION was regarded as seri-
Gus loss. aud he carried with him State
IL has never recover, d. Although he Is re-
markably vigorous in body aud active In
mind for man who has passed the years
OF three score ana ten, II Is probable that
his public career will practically close,
when he retires from the ), Ate just TWEEN
" wears from the time when by the voice
nf III. people OF the country he became the
president of that body, and the second
highest officer OF the government He was
born ut Paris, In the State OF Maine, aud
will reach his sev.nty-second year next
August.
Tn, son of farmer, he spent the years
of his minority in agricultural pursuits,
though he found time 10 prepare himself
for college b, fore the Intervention OF cir
cumstanccs that prevented him from Sc
curing the liberal education he desired.
Subsequently he worked In 4 printing Of
ace aud the practical Inform alton he there
scouir,d was OF so much value 10 him that
he has never regretted his inability TO take
a colleriate course. He graduated from
the printing office at the age Of twenty
four, and having improved his opportunl-
ties for the study flaw, became member
of the bar, aud had successful practice
until he became absorbed In the duties OF
pnlitical office. and abandoned his profess
sion. At the age of nty-scyen he WAS
elected 10 the Maine Legislature, aud took
80 prominent rank that the next year he
was elected 10 the speakership. succeeding
Jonathan Cillry. who became the victim OF
, nolitIcal duel AFTER hi, election 10 Con-
gr-ss This position Mr.. Hamlin held, by
successive elections, for three years. He
ran ON the Democratic ticket for Congress
I'm $40. and WAS beaten by Elisha II. Allen,
who subsequently, went . The Sandwich
Islands, sud j. now the Hawaiian Minister
a, Washington. lie was elected 10 Con-
yrrss In 1872 and again In lSit, aud gained
such distinction that In 1915, he was
elected 10 the Senate. where he has passed
so large a portion Orthe Intervening years.
"A. acted with the Democrats up 10 the
wear 1856, when. finding that the great
body OF hi, party friends at the North were
NM the servants OF the slavvocracy h.
took a new departure aud was foremost
among those who Ia Maine east in their
.rtunes with the NV publican party,
tha, was destined tour Yeas later 4" secure
the control OF the Government. lie ran A.
+, candidate for Governor In opposition 10
his old political associates aud was elected.
Thi, Office, after resiguing his seat in the
Senate. he held less than two months,
when he resigned, hivihg again been
elected To the higher branch or Congress.
Four years later he was given the second
place on the Republican National ticket,
aud the election OF Lincoln and Hamlin
Was followed by the secession OF most oil
the States that had voted against them.
Because OF desire 10 cater 10 the wishes
nf Republicans IN the border States An-
drew Johnson was nominated and elected
- his successor in lsGt, and AZ conse-
ournce, on the assassination OF President
Lincoln. the country had Inbred chief
magistrate when IL needed mLu OF nxed
principles, true 10 his country, and 10
liberty. For Il short time Mr.. Himin held
the Office of Collector OF the port of Boston,
nut he was unwilling 10 wear letters, and
soon resigned. In 1869 the Legislature OF
hi, native State. which has ev r delighted
u honor him. again elect u b III 10 the
highest Office In its git, AMI Tor third
time. he entered upon the senat Drial career
som 10 close.
Senator Hamlin, without the possession
of the graces OF oratory, aud lacking the
culture OF some OF his associates, has had
great influence In the body where he has
served so long. He l. man or convic-
tons, with the courage 10 maintain them
His associates know where To fnd him.
He il always AZ his post, and what Is quite
A. important, he is always posted. Into
all his work he carries his whole h, art.
He Is q strong partisan, because he be-
lieves the principles OF his party are rignt,
and he seeks their success, but he has no
| personal auimosities, aud he enjoys the
! friendship alike OF party associates and po-
litlcal opponents. He never forgets his
friends. and is never afraid or unwilling 70
stand up for them. He las sometimes
be, the subject OF political detractlon,
| lust as were Lincoln and Seward and Will
son and Wade, OF whom he was contrm-
porary and friend; but 1t can be said or
him as Of them, that his political acts were
Influenced, not by personal, but oy puhn;
con, iderations Al the end OF more than
forty years in high offices, and life OF
comparatively frugal habits, with oppor-
unities for helping himself such as few men
have had, his old age finds him with only
moderate means. he has served faithfully
and diligently In the councils or his coun'
try, aud he has been so well contented with
the honors and the REMUNERATION with
which he has been repaid that he has
neither sought occasion nor improved OPP
portuniti.s for enriching himself he Will
enjoy in his retirement the friendship OF
the survivors among his associates, aud