New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-05
HIS UNIQUE CAREER.

HIS UNIQUE CAREER.
Hannibal Hamn was one of the last OF the old
anti-slavcry generation OF statesmen Very many OIL
them had passed away when he had still many years
of public life before him. The length OF his career
was unique. He almost continuously III once
during period of nearly fifty yeaJs. His first place
in the public service that of member oil ue
Maine Legislature OF $780, when Jackson was President,
and his last was a diplomatic appointment which nc
received at the hands of President Arthur and hed
until 1883. Among his colleagues when he first
entered the Senate were Webster. Calhoun Douglas
Crttendcn Reverdy johnson. Cass, Benton, JEFFERSON
Davis John p. Hale William Allen and tom" Corr
win Simon Cameron, Daniel S. Dickinson, John ,.
Dix and sam Houston. In later generation
almost all Of whom he outlved also, were seward
Chase Fesscnden, Sumner, Wilson, slidell' Hamuloh
Fish TOOmbs, Wade and Andrew Johnson Hahniodi
Hamln belonged to that already historic, ana
vet he was still in the Senate and still active when
Blaine, Edmunds, Thurman and Bayaru "efe us
leaders.
He was born on August o. 1909. in Paris, Me-, his
father being Dr. Cyrus Iamin, who served as clerk
OF the courts and high sheriff OF the county 1he
Doctors father commanded company OF hhhu'e nlcn
In the Revolution, in which five OF his own sons were
enrolled. Hannibal Hamlin thus came OF good New
ENGLAND stock and exhibited in his own person the
sturdy and rugged virtues OF the New England chaP-
acter "What do you raise up in this country :! ASKED
a visitor in Maine, when walking over some OF It's
stony hllsides eve raise men," was the reply
Hannibal Iamlin was one Of the men they rased
in Maine lie was the sixth and youngest son OUT
of family of seven children. lie was nearly htted
for college at sixteen, when the health OF an eucI
hrother who was expected to carry on the farm
broke down and he left TO study medicine 1t was the
custom that at least one OF the sons siouiu
stay at home, and Hannibal gave up the idea OF a
course at college to g. back TO the farm. After TWO
years hard work he left to study law, at MS iathefs
suggestion in the Office Of his brother Elijah Again
he was brought back to the farm-this time by his
fathers DEATH His mothers only means OF support
was the farm and he went back to do his duty by her
working hard for more than two years Work In those
DAYS was real. For example when Hannibal was
nineteen years old his father bought a township VI
land for numbering purposes, about Twelve miles rom
any settlement and the boy sent 10 complete the
survey He started with his party, himself sachnG
his share Of the provisions, and was III the woods
month soeplng wherever night overlook them, often
on the snow with depth of seven feet beneath them
In the spring of 1880, Just before coming Of age.
Uamln in company with HOratiO King, aftorward
First Assistant Postmaster General, bought on credit
Democratic paper published in Paris, called Inc
Jefersonian" He worked at the case as well as at the
desk. After few months he sold out his interest 10
his partner and began again the study Of the law
afterward entering the Office Of FesSenden De Bois
Fcssenden of Portland Many years later the younger
member OF this firm, w 2. Fessenden, and Mr. Ilamlin
represented Maine together in the United States Senate
He was admitted to the bar at twenty-four years Oh
age sd after short residence In Hampdcn village
near Bangor he elected 10 the Legislature by the
Democrats.
BEGINNING HIS POLITICAL CAREER.
This was the beginning of his political career the
end was in 1888. lie elected to five successive
Legislatures beginning with tina; Of 1886, and In the
last three wa speaker Of the House, being only
twcnty-eght years Of age when first chosen 70 that
place IN 1640 he ran for Congress. This was
the Harrison year. and he defeated but ii was by
less than 200 votes in poll of $4,000 in that
campaign he is said to have made the first Joint can
vass of the district with the opposing candidate ever
seen in New England. His rival was Elisha A. Allen,
afterward Hawaiian Minister at Washington. In 1S43
the election having been postponed one year because
of a new app1rtlonment-he ran again with The same
competitor, and this time by handsome ma
iorty lie was reelected in l544, and in this
Congress was made chairman Of the Committee on
Elections and member Of the Committee on Naval
Affairs. lie early made known from his seat in the
House his anti-shvery Views, and he used to tell
how John Quincy Adams. at the close Of his first
speech on that subject held out his hands, saying
Light breaketh IN the East sir; light breakcth in the
East 1t is interesting historical fact that 1t was
Mr. Ha1nln and not Mr.. Wllmot, who presented the
famous Wilmot proviso during the formers second
term in Congress. Wilmot had been selected because
Free Trader but when the time TO present It came
he was not TO be found. There much excitement
among the anti-slavery men. and Mr.. Hamln sue
cceded in Offering the amendment himself. Wi'mOt,
ID appeared. had been called to the White House by
President Polk and detained thcie in conversation
purposey as he believed. 50 that he might not be
able TO offer the provisO. Mr. Hamlln. returning home
at the end OF this Congress, in 1917,
at once elected by lis town, which llal
been unable 10 give a majority vote 10 any
candidate, as a Representative In the Legislature.
At this time it became necessary to elect u United
states senator Hamln was candidate, and was
defeated by only one vote lie lost this by a Joke.
Years before, when he Speaker there
member who was sensitive upon the subject Of ap-
preaching badness, and carefully arranged every
available hair TO cover as much scalp As possible.
Ham in, being In Joking mood one day. called
this member up, and said: cod fellow, l Just
wanted to tell you tnat you've got one of Your hairs
crossed over tho other" The member angry
and remained 50. lie a member Of the state
senate when Mr. Hanlm first a candidate for
the United States senate. and absolutely refused to
vote fer him. although one vote would have elected
him.
HIS ENTRANCE INTO THE SENATE.
In 1913, however, senator Fairchd died. and Mr.
Hamlin then tbirty-eght years Of age, elected
10 ser"e TIE unexpired term If four years in
the Senate-an exceptional honor for young
man. As the years went by his views
against the further extension Of slavery became
more widely known. If not more pronounced. and
The result was that when he came up for election
in 1881 he encountered the bitter hostility OF the PRO
slavery Democrats They refused him their support
although be was the caucus nominee. Repeated at
tcmpts were made TO reach election without success
Finally thirteen Of the FreeSOilers, ten In the House
Headache