Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1896-10-29
SENATOR JOHN P. HALE,


''UT' III American
Public Life.
When Hale took his seat in tnc Som
aIe he was the only member of that
po"E who dplied the discipline of both
Inc Oil parties. and dared assert his
absolute political independence. He
stood alone until 1919. when he was
Joined by Chase and Seward. who wore
f~'-enforced in 1S5l by Sumner. There
vas something dramatic in his solitary
appearance in the Senate rs nm 1yowpl
"HtiSiaVcry man. That body then con.
tanned more able ana eminent mon
IMAM 1t had had for more than n genera
ON ana 1t was completely under the
""lnlnation Of the slave interest. That
interest dictated the policy of the GOV
"rhment ut home and abroad. rs II had
zone from its beginning, and made and
,'lloadr politicians. Hale knew that
MS SIl%Ic-handcd warfare against II
would invite ridirule. Snocrs. insults
ana threats. He knew that he must
race the Scoru and contempt Of the
south and the chilling neglect Of the
Horth. But he bravery stood in the
'reach. He took no counsel of his
Fears, and would not be hullicd into
silence. When he was denied a place
on Senatorial committees on the pre-.
text that he did not belong toa healthy
political organization" he ridiculpd the
i roceeding and made ii tell in his favor
One of the finest exhibitions of his
courage was given soon after he took
MS seat in the Senate. when he cast
'he only vote against a resolution
u anktng Generals Scott and TAYLOR TO,
tEeir victories in Mexico. This vote
was sure to be misunderstood and mis-
represented. and all parties regarded il
rs suicidal; but it was sufficient for
iilm to know that no other honest and
consistent course was possible for those
who had condemned the Mexican wal
in all its stages. He would not belle
hlS convictions to avoid any persona
consequences Of his act: ana when he
pleaded the high authority Of Chatham
Burke and Fox, who refused to vote
thanks to the commanders of the Brit
ISL army for their services in America
IN our revolutionary struggled strict.
~ analogous casc-no Senator success.
fully answered him.
Mr.. Hale'S humanity was equal tc
his courage. While a member of the
House he moved an amendment to the
naval appropriation hill. abolishing the
spirit ration and prohibiting logging
n the navy. The amendment prevailed
hut failed in the Senate. This motion
was renewed in the Senate in 1879. anG
IN 1880. after an impaSSionCd appea,
by Mr.. Hale, logging was abolished
hut the spirit ration continued unit.
$50. He was justly proud Of these
achievements, and they are appropri
aiely COMMUNICATED on the pedestal.
81 the statue recently erected in the
State house yard at Concord.
As an anti-slavery leader, Hale fol
lowed his own methods of warfare
While Seward. Sumner and Chase were
forging their anti-Slavery thundrrbolts
and firing them at the enemy at long
range through the press of the North
crn States. Mr.. Hale was using his
Fighter artillery on the skirmish line
and in well-cXrcuted flank movements.
In 1850 he was prompted by the pres
cnce of a pr~O-slavery mob in Washing
ton to introduce Il resolution for the re-
endorsement of persons whose prop
crty should be destroyed by riotous as
scmblages. Foote of Mississippi de-
nounced this resolution as intended to
protect 'negro-Stealing." Addressing
Mr.. Hale. he said: II invite him to visit
the good State of Mississippi, in which
| have the honor to reside. and will tell
Inn beforehand in all honesty that he
could not 90 ten miles into the interior
l.rfore he would grace II of the tallcst
trees of the forest with Il rope around
ills neck, with the appreciation of every
rirtuous and patriotic citizen: and that,
If necessary, | should myself assist in
the operation
Mr.. Hale answered: The Senator in
vites me to visit the State Of MissiS-
s:ppl. and kindly informs me that he
would be one of those who would act
the assassin and put an end to my
career. = = Well, in return for his
Dospitable invitation, | can only X
press the desire that he should pene-
tate into one of the dark corners Of
New Hampshire; and if he do, ] am
much mistaken if he would not find the
! eople in that 'b%enighted region would
he very happy to listen to his argu-
ments and Engage in an intellectual
conflict with him. in which the truth
might be elected" The popular instinct
at once labeled the Mississippi Senator
as "Hangman Foote,' and the epithet
Is still instantly recalled by the men
lion of his name.-Century.