The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-09-03
THEIR DISTINGUISHED COMPANION,
CONTINUED FROM FIRST pAer.1

common sense. and this quality. backed nv
personal character and Duttressed bv a thor
ouga honesty OF purpose, is always of great
lin sT no ~ republic This service Mr.. Ham
, LII Always rendered, and his power increased
WIN MS years. At no time during his long
a anu varied career could he have laid down
80 mucn power as he did when. at the age of
Z. ne voluntarily left the Senate of the
bic seun SSIaIes, 10 his strong character, to
o oto 81 me characteristics of greatness, much
fPs e~uass OF purpose: In the House Of
representatives at Washington l have
kk M many greater orators than the late
~ y. al nandall. Indeed. he was not an orator
r. an. l nave known many better debaters;
l nave known many men with more tact and
greater knowledge of affairs, but never
hneW q stronger man. His iron face and
Giose smut jaws were victory itself Mr..
hamlln mad the same quality of mind he
was steadiastness itself. well remember
more than twenty years ago in the midst of
nerce hight, coming upon him, In the little
room between the Senate and House of
representatives at Augusta, encouraging his
followers and there comes over me today
remembrance of the thrill of admiration
which opposed to him as l was, then felt
as tnought with what pluck and courage
he had fought the battle.
Mr.. Hamlin in his habits was the simplest
Of men. He had no idea Of pomp or of cere-
mony. He had a genuine regard for every
DAY people. He never forgot favor. and
was himself the most unweayring of men to
do one. Gratitude with him was a lively
man because he could be Of no further use
to him. Ii you had his word you had his
pond. III any change OF circumstances made
MN change Lis attitude towards you,
were Of h The first most t. k EnSy sit nau ns
and yet. his kindliness was not of that fab
by sort which takes in the whole world, for
ne could, Kindly though he was. on suitable
PROPAGATION, be as 1nrelenting as fate itself.
But while thus do honor to the virtues of
Mr.. Hamlin, must not give you the idea
that there was nothing picturesque about his
career. Il was career full of stubborn
ngnts, ana ne won no honor without bat
s ts tse cannot describe yet It + fitting
part OF veterans Of the war. l should bring
the recollection Of the most brilliant
episode in Mr.. Hamlin's life and also
one 81 the most brilliant preludes to the
pated. Mr.. Hamltn was always opposed to
human slavery; he was Away on the side Of
liberty He fought for liberty whiting his
pin'esy nat when IN 1896 he threw off party
ms Journey across the state of Maine was
a triumphal march, the like of which
there never had been before and never has
since. 1t was followed by a remarkable vic
ident, and might have made him the Presi-
dent Of the United States. What might
have been the effect upon this country had
ne been the successor of Abraham Lincoln
we can never know; and yet, we may be full
ly assured that whatever honesty of pur-
pose, sound sense and patriotism could have
done, would have been substituted for some
OF the scenes which history will. perhaps, be
sorry to record. To Mr.. Hamlin this could
be no subject of regret. After many subse-
quent services to his country and after a
tranquil old age, amid the genuine sorrow
OF his old friends and neighbors at his own
home, furrounded by his family, he died full
OF years and full of honors.
Mr. Reeds eloquent words were greeted
with the applause of his hearers.