Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-07-08

His Last Public Speech and Neglect to
Write his Personal Experiences


His Last Public Speech and Neglect to
Write His Personal Experiences
BANGOR, Me-, July THE sudden
death Of Hannibal Hamlin is the gen.
eral topic Of conversation in Bangor to-
day, and expressions Of genuine regret
are heard on all sides. The Democratic
Mayor, Joseph +. Snow, says:
There never was man in public
life who was more easily reached, or
who was held in higher regard by the
plain people, than was Hannibal Ham
lin. This feeling of friendship was as
strong in the Democratic as in the Re-
publican party. In 1859, when there
was a contest between Mr.. Hamlin and
Lot NJ. Morrill,, although II was con-
test between two Republicans, the
Democrats all sympathized with MIR.
Hamlin, and were pleased when
he won. The last time l saw
Mr.. Hamlin was on Friday. BE was
on his way TO the Tanatlne
Club, where he usually had a friendly
game of cards with elderly gentlemen.
/ remarked TO him: Mr.. Hamlin, I
hope you will beat the boys Il shall
try to do so, he answered, laughingly.
have known Mr. Hamlin for forty
years. He was always courteous TO
every One-a man Of the people.
'sThe last time be spoke in public was
In Norombega Hall, during merchants
week, although afterward he
he made an address in the Court House
at the memorial exercises In honor of
the late Judge Appleton. In his NorOm-
bega speech Mr.. Hamlin said that it was
probably the last time he should speak
in public, and it would seem that he had
apDrehensionS that his end was near.
As helped him from the stage l said:
Senator, l hope you Will speak TO us
again 1 fear not he replied.
On the occasion OF the Appleton mem
Orial exercises at the Court House last
month Mr.. Hamlin said:
81 am the Oldest member Of the bar
now living, dating from the time or my
admission, altogether I AN the junior In
years Of two other members. If my
physical powers were but equal 20 the
occasion it would be gratifying for me
10 speak of the late Chief Justice APP
pletOn as l knew him: 10 speak OF his
DISTINGUISHED legal learning, his en-
inent and rare abilities; TO say some
thing Of what he so well and ably did
70 broaden the field of evidence and
make more certain the Administration of
Justice; 20 speak Of him as a neighbor
and as personal friend; but, alas,
the state of my health prompts
me 10 make no such attempt. l can
only testify TO my presence here my I'M
qualified appreciation in the broadcast
sense of Judge Appleton. l knew him
thoroughly and well in all the relations
of life, and in addition 20 what would
have gladly said, would have spoken
OF the Christian virtues which adorned
his life, but l am unable 10 do more
than 20 endorse the resolutions offered
and the words of eulOgy spoken, and
not attempt 70 speak OF him myself.
In all of his long career Mr.. Hamlin
never made scrap or note OF bis life. Ag-
ain and again was he urged to do so, but
he invariably replied; TOO late. When
the war was going on was too busy for
such work. After the war reconstruct
ion was the topic, and forgot TO make
notes so l q mpractically without rec
ord, save that OF my public career as
recorded in Congress and in the memo
ry OF my friends and associates"
Even when a Boston newspaper made
Mr.. Hamlin a liberal offer for a series
of articles relating to his life and times
the old statesman said: "My son
Charles may have made a few notes OF
my career. / thluk one or two others
are keeping brief records, but l have
nothing 10 give, and I could not think
Of trying il. often regret my neglect
in not attending TO this matter, but
am now 50 old that cannot begin. My
memory viii not allow me. had
rather say nothing than make a false
record.