Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-01-05

value to him that he never regretted his ina
bilify to take college course. He gradu-
ated from the printing ONCE 1t the age Of
twenty-four, and having improved bis oppor-
tunitiea for the study Of Law. became a MEM
Der II the bar, and had successful practice
untfl he beeanle absog6ed IN the duties Of po-
litical Office, and abandoned his profession.
At The age of ssenty-seven he was elected to
the Maine Legislature, and took 20 promi-
nent rank that the next year he was elected
to the speakership. succeeding Jonathan
Cilley, who became the victim of q political
duel after his election TO Congress. This po-
sition Mr. Hamlin held. by successive cleo
tons. for three years. He ran on the demo-
cratic ticket for Congress in 1910, and was
beaten by Elisha H. Allen, who subsequently
went to the Sandwich Islands. and is now the
Hawaiian Minister at Washington. He was
elected to Congress in l742. and again in
1874, and gained such distinction that in
ls4s, he was elected TO the Senate, where
he has passed 50 large portion Of the in
servening wears. He acted with the dem
Gratis up 10 the year 1856, when, finding that
the great body Of his party friends at the
North were but the servants Of the slave
ocracy he took a new departure, and was fore
most among those who in Maine cast in their
fortunes With the new republican party, that
was destined flour years later TO secure the
control of the Government. He ran as
candidate for Governor in opposition TO his
old political associates and was elected. This
Office, after resigning his seat in the Senate,
he held less than two months. when he re-
signed having again been elected to the high
er branch of Congress. -Four years later he
was given the second place on the republican
national ticket, and the election Of Lincoln
and Hamlin was followed by the secession of
most Of the States that had voted against
them. Because of a desire to cater TO the
wishes of republicans in the border States
Andrew johnson was nominated and elected
as his successor in 1854, and as a consequence.
on the assassination Of President Lincoln.
the country had a hybrid chief magistrate,
when it needed a man Of fixed principles.
true to his country. and to liberty. For
short time Mr. Hamlin held the Office of
Collector Of the port of Boston, but he was
unwilling TO wear letters, and soon resigned.
In 1869 the Legislature of his native State,
which has ever delighted to honor him. again
elected him to the highest Office in its Gift,
and for a third time he entered upon the SEN
atoral career soon TO close.
Senator Hamlin, without the possession of
the graces Of oratory, and lacking the culture of
some of his associates, has had great influence
in the body where ne has served so long. He
IS man OF cOnvlctl0nS, Win the courage TO
maintain them. His associates know where
to find him. lie is always at his post, and
what is quite as important, he is always post
ed. Into all his work he carries his whole
heart He is a strong partisan, because he
believes the principles Of his party are right.
and he seeks their success, but he has no
personal animosities, and he enjoyes the
friendship alike of party associates and polit-
ical opponents He never forgets his friends.
and is never afraid or unwilling to stand up
for them. He has sometimes been the sub
ject Of political detraction, just as were Lin
cold and Seward and Wilson and Wade. of
whom he was contemporary and friend; but
il can be said of him, as of them, that his po-
litical acts were influenced. not by personal
but by public considerations. At the end of
more than forty years in high offices, and a
life of comparatively frugal habits. with OPP
portunities for helping himself such as few
men have had, his old age finds him with on
ly moderate means. He has served faithfully
and diligently in the councils of his country.
and 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 opportunities for en-
rching himself. He will enjoy in his retire
rnent the friendship of the survivors among
his associates, and the esteem of the public,
and this he deserves because he has been a
true man, true to principle, to liberty. to JUS
tice and to his country