Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-11-04

SENATOR JOHN P. HALE

NON EN- DEN 4. lSSO.
SENATOR JOHN p. HALE
A Picturssque Figure IN Aaericas
Public Life.
When Hale took his seat in the Sen.
ate he was the only member Of that
body who dsfled the discipline Of both
the old parties. and dared assert HE
absolute political independence. He
stood alone until 1e40. when he was
Joined BY Chase and Seward. who wers
REINFORCED In 1861 by Sumner. There
was something dramatic In his solitary
Appearance in the Senate A. an avowed
snti-slavery man. That body then con
tained more able and eminent mer
than It had had for more than q genera
ton, and 1t was completely under the
domination Of the slave interest. Tha;
interest dictated the policy OF the Gov
srnmsnt at home and abroad, as II had
Aene from In beginning. and made and
unmads politicians. Hale knew that
his single-handsd warfare against II
would invite ridicule. sneers. insult,
and threats. He knew that he must
face the scern and contempt Of the
Bouth and tho chilling neglect Of the
North. But he bravely stood in the
breach. He took no counsel of hil
fears, and would not be tullied into
Ailsncs. When he was denied q place
On Senatorial committees on the prr
s>~x %h> ~. ssAIA MAO h>lnou 60 a hon lth.
political organiEa don" he ridiculed the
proceeding and made It tell in his favor
One Of the finest exhibitions Of his
courage was given soon after he took
his seat Ia the Senate. when he cast
the only vote against Q resolution
thanking Generals Scott and Taylor fol
their victories In Mexico. This vOtt
was sure to be misunderstood and mis-
represented, and all parties regarded /,
as suicidal; but II was sumcient fof
him 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
hts cenvictions to avoid any personal
consequences Of his act; and when he
pleaded the high authority Of Chatham
Burke and Fox, who refused to vote
thanks to the commanders Of the Brit.
ish army for their services In America
IN eur revolutionary struggles strict
ly analag gous case-no Senator success
fully answered him.
Mr.. Hale's humanity was equal te
his courage. While q member Of the
House he moved an amendment to the
naval appropriation bill. sbollshing the
spirit ration and prohibiting dogsina
IN the navy. The amendment prevailed
but failed In the Senate. This motion
was renewed In the Senate in 1S49. and
In 1850, after an impassionad appss!
by Mr.. Hale, hogging was abolished
but the spirit ration continued until
1852. He was Justly proud Of these
achievements, and they are appropri,
ntsly eommenorated on the pedestal
Ut the statue recently erected in the
etats house yard at Concord.
A an anti-slavsry leader, Hale fol
lowed his own methods Of warfare.
While Seward, Sumner and Chase were
forging their anti-slavery thunderbolts,
and firing them at the enemy at long
range through the press OF the North
ern States, Mr. Hale was using his
lighter artillery on the skirmish line,
pnd In well-executed nank movements.
In 1850 he was prompted by the pres,
ence Of a pro-slavery mob in Washing
ton to introduce resolution for the re-
endorsement OF persons whose prop
erty should b. destroyed by riotous as
semblagss. Foots Of Mississippi de
neuncsd this resolution a. intended to
protect -nsgro-stsalins." Addressing
Mr.. Hale, he said: Il invite him to visit
the good State Of Mississippi, In which
l have the honor to reside, and will tel
him beforehand In al honesty that hs
could not - ten miles into the interior
before hs would grace one of the talles'
tres Of ths forest with . rope around
his neck, with the appreciation Of ever,
virtuous and patriotic citizen; and that
II necessary, should myself assist u
the operation
Nr. Hale answered: The Senator IN
sites me to visit the State OF Missis
s.ppi. and kiadH informs me that h1
would be enc Of those who would ac'
the assassin and put an end to my
career . Well. In return for hii
hospitabls invitation. can only ex
press the desire that he should pens
n ate into one Of the dark corners o1
New Hampshire; and II he do. an
much mistaken II he. would not dnd thu
eopls In that 'benighted region would
be very happy to listen to his argu
ments and engage in an intellectual
conflict with him, IN which the trutt
might be elected" The popular instinc'
at once labeled the Mississippi Senator
AZ ..Hangman Foote." and the epithe
is still instantly recalled By the men
rion Of his name-Century.