The morning call., 1891-07-06
HANNIBAL HAMLIN.

Maine is, perhaps. the least progressive
of the old States on the Atlantic, but it has
produced three men who will figure in his
tory-HanDibal Hamlin, William Pitt Fes-
sender and James 6. Blaine. All were
self-msde men. Hamlin was the son of
farmer who died while the son was child :;
Fessenden was Of obscure birth; Blaine
supported himself in his youth by teaching
school. Until 1910, when Maine went, hell
bent. for Governor Kent" as the campaign
verse ran, tine State was nor mally Demo
cratic. Indeed, it was not till 1856, when
the Republican party took shape, that it
deserted the Democracy for ever.
Hannibal Hamlin ran for Congress for
the first time in 1910 on the Democratic
ticket. but was beaten by tie Wing tidal
wave which made General Harrison Presi-
dedt III 1872 he ran again, was elected
and acted with The Democrats, who at that
time counted among their efficient leaders
Charles Sumner, Salmon p. Chase, Preston
King ard others, who lived to became con-
spicuous as Republicans. Six years after
ward be was chosen United States Senator
from Maine, and was placed by his Demo
cratic colleagues at the head Of the Commit
tee on Commerce. He abandoned his party
when its cardinal doctrine became the ad-
mission Of slavery to the Territories, re-
signed the Craftsmanship of his committee
and delivered an arragnment of his friends
which attracted much attention at the
North. 81 was Democrat" he said
when to be Democrat was to be cham
pion of freedom here and everywhere.
Now that it has become part of the Demo-
cratic creed that the flag carries slavery
wherever it goes / Tepudiate the party aud
take my chances of returning to private
life."
When Lincoln was nominated ut Chicago
his friends realized that an Eastern man
must be placed on the ticket with him
There were several members cf the conyen-
ton who were in favor Of nominating Blair
or Bates on the ground that they came from
slave States, but The wiser leaders. and
especially Simon Cameron, argued that
little could lie hoped from Maryland or
Missouri. whereas TIE rejection of Seward
had cooled New York and New England.
and that it was absolutely nect ssarv to
plaeate those sections by giving them the
second lace. Seward would not take it,
Hamln was the next best man and he was
nominated.
His flicial career was not brilliant. In
our system a Vice-PreSident is little more
than an understudy. He has no power 10
influence legislation nor to direct executive
action. Mir. Lincoln al first raid Difference
to MIR. Bamlip, and consulted him on ques-
tons OF policy. But he soon discovered
that the Vice-Fresldent was a man Of very
positive opinions, who could not quite
realize that the Whale responsibility for the
conduct OF the war rested on the shoulders
OF the President. Hence, after time, Mr..
Hanilin's influence declined, and, while MI.
Lincoln always liked him, respected his
Judgment and admired his sturdy loyalty,
he rarely sought his counsel. Other leading
members II the party were equally disap-
pointed, and, when the time came round for
renomlnating a Vice-P President, the party
committed the disastrous mistake of pre-
ferriDg Andrew johnson to Hamlin. Ii
would have been better for the country
and the period OF reconstruction would
have involved less friction if they had
stuck 10 the old ticket.
Mr.. Hamlin was a poor man and office
was an object to bin. Thus he was GLAD &c
accept the Collectnrship Of Boston and the
mission to Madrid. He served two more
terms in the Senate; but the occasion which
had raised him to prominence had passed
away, the old fire was quenched, and he
made way for younger men. During the
decade of 1S70-S0. when he sat In the Senate,
he was seldom heard of.
He was to the last genial, sociable man,
who was fond of his club and was typically
clubable. 1t was while he was playing q
game of cards that the death stroke fell
upon him. He was constantly selected as
arbitrator in disputes involving questions