Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-26
At the SE1Ome Fire-Side.,,

THE MINISTER WHO LEFT MADRID BECAUSE 1T
WAS so COLD HE HAD TO WEAR AN OyERCOAT.
From the Springfield Republican.
Hannibal Hamlin told his neighbOrs at Bangor
Wednesday night that he could conceive of no
emergency powerful enough to draw him again
from the home fireslde; and he doubtless
means it. Perhaps he is going to be collector
of that port. Uncle Hamn makes pctur-
esque figure anywhere, and he tells how very
kind members Of the reigniny house of Spain
have been to him. 1t would be interesting to
hear how the venerable and unconventional
Yankee impressed the Spanish court Ger
talny nothing like him was ever seen there be-
fore.
Hannibal Hamlns career has been full of
struggles and successes, and it bridges a lot OF
history He was born of sturdy New England
stock at Paris. Me-. - years ago, and after
learning the rudiments of things at the district
school. entered Hebron academy at the age of
IL. where he was known for industry and love
OF country trOlics. He was a tall. dark boy
with handsome features, and tradition says that
the pretty girls at husking bees were well con-
tent when Hannibal found the ''red ear" While
he was yet mere boy, he began to show a
taste and capacity for the law, and after WIN
ming case against himself and several mates
before country justice, whom he dazed with
authorities and technical terms. decided to
study it. He was constantly baked by duties
which called him home, and it was only after
long term of farming. little school teachin 2
and a taste of journalism on a political weekly.
that he was able to enter a lawyers Office. In
1888 he was admitted to the bar. and on the day
OF his examination won his first case In the
higher court against Judge Emery. a disting-
uished jurist who at once took a liking to the
young lawyer and atterward accepted him for a
sOn-in-law.
Though his father was q whig young Hamlin
was strong democrat. and after he had mar
ried and settled down at Hampden, was elected
to the legislature. He held his seat for five
successive terms, and showed so much ability as
to be three times chosen speaker. The demo-
Gratis nominated him for Congress in 1S40 but
he was beaten by his whig opponent and per-
sOnal friend, Allen. Three years later the tables
turned, and Hamlin was sent to Washington
with 4 majority of 1000. The journey to the
capital was something Of an undertaking in
those days. and the Maine man made it by boat.
saddle stage, rail and on foot. His good looks
and ready wit gave him access to the best So
ciety of the city, and he at once became promi-
nent in the House. He supported his party on
all questions except those relating to the ex-
tension of slavery, and one of his earliest
speeches against it caused tumult among his
associates during which John Quincy Adams
went to his side. offered him his hand and eX-
claimed. Light breaketh in the east sir; light
breaheth in the east" His second term ia
Congress saw stormy times The anti-slavery
agitation had grown formidable and the demo-
Gratis were making desperate efforts against it,
Mr.. Hamln stood out for provisO to the
'Three Millions" bill, which was to end the
Mexican war and annex Texas The proviso
which the anti-slavery men proposed was to en-
body an amendment prohibiting slavery in the
new territory. and it was almost lost: for David
WlmOt. who had agreed to propose it, was
tardy. and Hamlin offered it Just in time to win
BY narrow majority. In lS47 he was elected
to the Senate, and until 1856 acted with the
democrats. but in that year he formally with
wide excitement. Soon afterward he was
elected governor of Maine by the republicans,
but served only few days. for he was at once
re-chosen to the Senate The story of his NOM
inatiOn on the Lincoln ticket, his work during
the war, and his later services in the capt. oil,
are too familiar to need recalling. Hannibal
Hamlin retlres from public life with more hOnOrs
than fall to the lot of most men. At home he
is the most democratic of citizens in his old
fashioned dress-cOat, cob pipe and easy man
ners.