The record-union., 1891-07-06
HANNIBAL HAMLN.

HANNIBAL HAMLIN.
The death Of Hannibal Hamlin removes
from national view one of the men who
was foremost in activity in the severest
hours of trial the nation experienced after
its revolutionary struggle. He was born
IN Maine in 1909. He was therefore in his
youth witness to the infantile years of the
republic. Though prepared for univer-
sity, misfortune to his family compelled
him to abandon it, and he took up the la
Dor of the home farm uncomplainingly.
When OF age he learned the printers
trade, and then studying law came to the
bar in 1888, successfully practicing in one
city until 1S4S. He developed traits of
craftsmanship early, and was called to the
Legislature of Maine in 1886, serving four
years, and again in 1S47, and he was
elected Speaker of the Assembly three
several times.
He was sent to Congress as a Democrat
IN 1912 and again in 1914, and in lS4S was
made member of the United States SEN
ate, and was rechosen in 1851, but re-
signed in 1857 to become Governor of
Maine, he having pronounced the year
before as Republican, and going to the
polls with his change of politics frankly
stated and his reasons manfully an
nounced. He served as Governor but one
month, resigning to return to the Senate.
not as political device, but in response
to the expressed demand of his people.
lie left the Senate in 1861 by resignation
to become Vice President of the United
States under Abraham Lincoln. He was
one of the stanch men, and safe, far-see-
ing counselors who stood fearlessly by
that patriot chief during all the period of
the rebellion, never faltering and at no
time losing faith in the perpetuity of the
Union.
Leaving the high office in 1865 he be-
came Collector of the Port of Boston, but
IN 1869 was again returned to the Senate.
He served his country at the Court of
Spain for year, resigning to follow the
pursuits Of his heart, those closely con-
nected with law, education and letters,
He was for sixteen years regent of the
Smithsonian Institution and for twenty
years trustee of Colby University, and
by both institutions was voted high hon
ors.
1t was Hamlin who secured the passage
of the famous Wilmot proviso; who
stood upon the floor of the Senate in 1856
and proclaimed change in his political
allegiance because his conviction was that
the national peril was great and de-
manded Of patriots to array themselves
against slavery and for union.
Nice-President Hamlin was and was
not great man. He was not leader,
for his ambitions were not politically
lofty, and he cared too little for the plaud-
its of men. He was great in his ability
and his cleanliness of life. His career
was without charge to blemish it !; his
life was peaceful, because of the perfect
calm Of his mind, and his character was
fiawless. He was fearless and the cham
pion of conscience at all times. He was
patriot, in that his love of country was
something more than a sentiment born Of
enthusiasm or tradition. He believed in
the Federal Union because he saw in it
one of the greatest and noblest of pur-
poses in the advancement of the race and
the uplifting of humanity.
Hamln was fine type of the high
minded, hberty-loving, clean-handed,
big-hearted American citizen, who was
unselfshly servant to his country, and
who, without Office or station, would
have been the same devoted, courageous
and outspoken advocate of free institu-
uons. AS politicians go in these days.
he was not great; as patriots should be
estimated, he was true to the core.
Though he did not serve upon the field
of battle and won no honors in war, he
was not less useful to his country. and
did not less devote himself to its interests
and defense. He lived and died an
American of whom the Nation had reason
TO be greatly proud.