St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1897-01-09
SENATOR JOHN P. HALE.

SENATOR JOHN p. HALE.
4 Rssserss>us Nguss = AnszssaA PuA
~ LaSs.
When Hale took his seat in the senate,
he was the only member Of that body
who dsled the discipline Of both the Old
parties, ana Jared assert his absolute
political independsnce. He stood slone
until 1s49, when he was joined By Chase
and Seward, who were reenforced h
1881 by Sumner. There was scOething
dramatic in his solitary appearances IN
the senate - an avowed anti-slavexy
man. That body then contained more
able and eminent men. than It had had
for more than = generation, and II was
completely under the domination Of the
slsve interest. That interest dictated-
the policy Of the government ct home
and abroad. - it hsd done from its BE-
ginning, and made and Snmade poll
ticisns. Hale knew that his single
handed warfare against 1t would invite
ridicule. sneefa, Insults and threata.
He knew that be must fare the scoru
snd contempt Of the south and the chill
in9 neglect Of the north. But he brave
II stood In the breach. He took NO coun-
sel Of his fears, and would mot be bal
lied into silence. When he was denied
q place ON sentorical committees ON the
pretext that he did not belong To
healthy political organization" h ridi-
culed the proceeding and made II ten
in his favor.
One Of the finest exhibitions of his
courage was given soon after he took lis
seat in the senate. VIXEN he cast the only
vote against resolution thanking Gems.
Scott and Taylor for their victories r.
Mexico. This vote was sure to Be mis-
understood and misrspresented, and al
parties regarded II . suicidal; but Il
was sufficient for him 70 know that
NO other honest and consistent course
was possible for those who had con-
cemned the Mexican war In all its
stages. He would not belle his eonvie-
tions to avoid any pefsoDal conse-
quences Of his oct; and when be pleadsd
the high authority Of Chatham. Burke
and Fox, who refused to vote thanks -
the commanders Of the British army
for their services in America in ouf
revolutionary struggle "a strictly
ANALOGOUS ease-no senator suCeeog1ul-
" answered him. !:
Mr.. Hale's humanity was equal to hia
courage. While . member Of the house
he moved IN amendment to the naval
appropriation bill. aUolishing the spirit
ration and prohibiting Aogging IN ths
navy. The amendment prevailed, bat
failed in the senate. This motion was
renewed In the senate In 1870, and IN
$50, after IN impassioned appeal b
Mr.. Hale. logging was abolished. buf
the spirit ration continued till 1063. He
was justly proud Of these sehievemsnfss
and they are appropriately eommem.
erated ON the pedestal Of the ststue re-
Gently erected In the state house yard
s4 Concord. !;
Al IN anti-slavefy leader, Hale fox
lowed his own meth0ds of warfare
While Seward. Sumner and Chase wers
forging their anti-slaveEy thunderul11.
and firing them at the enemy at lsag
range through The peess of ths 1eEth0n
states, Mr.. Hale was using Ais nghtor
ars,iiery ON sne 1ssn alne.
weu-execased nank mosessn.A e
1850 he was prompted By the presence
Of pro-slavery mob in Washingto1 -
introduce . resolution pfovso,ne aoE sss
reimbursemens OF persons wee.e 1CF
erty should De dessEoyea ~ I.cso -
semolages. Foote. OF Ais.as'Pr'' -
nounced snis resoiusson = ms.e. y
protect ne6rosteann8.
~. haie' ne seao: Ansi.e nl s
the good state OF Aissiesappa' IN wh.en
! have the honor 70 -cside arr v'n seli
him beforehand IN all honesty ths. s
before be .esld sr.ee - = =. talle-.
ii. n.sl. -isl = :: - : $ 9 9 ! -