Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-10-09
HON. HANNIBAL HAMLIN, VET
ERAN STATESMAN.

I ~ Ia
ERAN STATESMAN.
Among the names of veteran statesme,
whose political careers have been sus
tanned with dignity and honor, that o
Hon. Hannibal Hamlin has prominen
place.
He was born in Paris, Oxford County
Maine. August 81, 1909. When necrly
ready to enter college, he was recalled
from school to attend the farm, which
had been in charge Of an elder brother,
whose health had failed. At eighteen he
commenced the study of law under the
direction Of brother residing in another
part Of the State. He had made but lit
tie progress, however, when he was
again called to the farm by the death Of
his father.
Subsequently, just as he was attaining
his majority, he became composition, and
was associated with Horatio King on the
Je6ersonidn. He resumed the study Of
law, was admitted to the bar, and won .
case on the very day Of his admission.
In April, 1888, be removed to Hamp-
den, near Bangor, where he has since
resided. For fifteen years he did thriv-
ing business in the practice Of his pro-
fession, taking an active interest in the
political affairs of the State, and deliver
ink many speeches on the issues Of the
day and other topics.
He was member Of the Me. Legisla.
ture from 1886 to 1910, and Speaker Of
the House for three years.
As Representative from Maine, he was
elected to the Twenty -eighth Congress,
and reelected for the term following,
serving on the Committee Of Naval AZ
fairs and as Chairman OF the Committee
on Elections. In ls47 he again became
member OF the State Legislature, and
in the following year filed the vacancy
in the United States Senate, occurring
through the death of Senator John Fair
field. He was re elected for the full
term in 1851 He was Democrat un-
I'll the passage of the Kansas Nebraska
Bill, in 1854. when he publicly changed
his politics in famous speech before the
Senate, becoming faithful supporter of
the Republican party and prominent
leader.
In January, 1857, he was elected Gov
ernor Of Maine. A week after his insu-
guration as Governor he was choSn SEN
ator, and resigning the Governorship, he
sumed his seat in the Senate chamber,
where he was member Of many impor-
tant committees. In 1860 he was nom
mated as the Republican candidate for
Vice President, to which Office he was
elected. serving with Lincoln with great
ability until 1865, when he became the
Collector Of Customs for Boston, but
this Office be resigned on account of his
disapproval of President Andrew John
sons policy.
March 4, 1869, he again took his seat
in the Senate, and was a member Of the
Committee on Commerce during the en-
tire term.
His reputation in political matters is
that Of prompt, intelligent and efficient
man with executive abilities of rare and
high order.
He has received the uns,inted praise
Of his party for fidelity and energy in his
devotion to its interests. His most dis
tinguishing CHARACTERISTIC is the dignity
with which he invests every action. His
unainching integrity, combined with nat
ural and acquired ability, has given him
a recognized power which he still yields
BY the force of example, although he has
retired from active participation in polit-
ical life.
His shrewd yet genial face and tall.
bent form are missed in Washington BY
those who remember him. as the link
which binds the present with the past Of
political life at the Capital, and the dress
suit of rusty broadcloth which he always
wears. without. other protection, whatev-
er may be the weather, is land mark
which the visitors would gladly restore.
louisville CoMisr,4ogrnGl. H
For the Democrat.
ABOUT A FARM. -