National Republican., 1883-03-27

man of the people, and one who knew their
wants, and knew how TO represent them In
the senate crcditably and woll that he was
honest and painstaking, and in ovory way
deserving of their cordial support IIo then
asked the senators and representatives to give
their votes to his best and truest friend, as u
personal friend, and every man in the room
joined in the rousing applause that followed.
10 was one of the prettiest and most effective
speeches | ever heard. Sawyer could have
been elected without 10, but that speech gavo
him clear walk away, and restored harmony
in tho ranks"
MIR. Howe was first mentioned as a candi-
date for tho senate in 1857 The other can
ddatcs were Hon. j. II. Doolittle, Mr.. NJ NJ.
Jackson, subsequently appointed consul gem
cral at Halifax by President Lincoln, aud +.
ID. Holton, of Milwaukee At that time u
very strong element in Wisconsin had begun
to oppose the fugitive slave law-the capture
of fugitive, his rescue from his captors by
sherman NJ. Booth and others, and u long law
suit which followed having brought tho
slavery question into almost us much promi-
nence In Wisconsin rs in the southern or border
statos. Judge Howe did not take ground
with the radical abolitionists but sustained
tho decision of Judge Dixon, who had taken
n very conservative position. The public In
terest in this case had its influence on tho
senatorial fight. Extreme abolition views
were not by any means avowed by the ma
iority of the party, and the candidates were
required to subscribe to the doctrine of
state rights before they could receive
assurances of support. This Judge Howe
refused to do, and Dooittle, who had
only como over from the democrats
the year previous during the Buchanan-Frc.
mont campaign, was chosen. In 1889 Mr.
Howo was elected to the other seat his popu-
larity at that time being so great that his
election was secured without II caucus. In
4 gl.N.. -
and never was ut the capital of his state dur
ing senatorial election in which he was q
candidate for reelection.
PRESS COMMENTS
NeiV York Times
Whatever may be said of the deceased
official as u public man, II will always bo
held truo of him that he was honest, pains
taking. and conscientious in the discharge Of
the duties that were intrusted to him as
iurist, legislator, and executive officer.
Ncw York Herald.
Mr. Howe entered the senate at critical
time. Secession was rampant Mr.. Lincoln
in his message had set forth very clearly
what his duty was to the country ut largo
and what were the obligations of his oath.
In the debate that followed the spokosmen of
one party declared that the inaugural was u
war message while the other side declared 1t
| to be peace message. Amid this distraction
of opinion Mr. Howe made his first speech.
| He told the southern gentlemen that
| whether the message meant peace or war
depended upon Reconsideration the course
they should pursue. These were just the
words needed TO be said, and had marked effect.
Next camc tho financial difficulties growing
out of the failure of the banks and the suspGn-
sion of specie payments. The question now
arose whether the government should make
its notes legal tender. Mr.. Howe was on the
finance committee. Its chairman was OPP
posed to legal tender issues; others Of the
committee were opposed. Mr.. Howe made
n carefully prepared speech in support of legal
tenders, and legal tenders became the stand
ard currency Of the country.
! Mr.. Howe was elected thrice TO the United
States senate and served altogether eighteen
years. In 1865 at Milwaukee, he spoke as
follows: Zone year ago, when largo rebel
armies were fighting on southern fields for
the defeat of our ticket, then l held up to
you only the flag of the union, and | appealed
to you to stand by the party which stood by
it, Then l asked you to sustain the union
party, because il would save the country.
Now ask you to stand by the union party
because it has saved the country" This little
speech was the key note Of his loyalty.