New-York tribune., 1907-12-28

Students of American politics VIII Welcorhe
an authoritative biography of Senator Fessen-
den. He belonged of right to the line OF notaoie
statesmen that the genius Of this country has
slwavs p-oduced at critical periods A success
rul LAWYER and effective speaker. he took natu-
-auv IN nolitics and after service In the Legs
ra+,,re Of his state and IN the House OF Repre-
sentatives. sent by the State OF Maine In
1854 to the United States Senate, where he
continued with brief inte-mission of service
as Secretary of the Treasury, until his
death, fifteen years later. II is with that Sena-
torial career that these volumes have almost
exclusively to do. 1t not sensational
career He disclaimed the arts of popularity
He did not love the limelight- He had little
regard for the galleries Much Of his best work
was done behind closed doors in the committee
ROOM where professional habits OF industry and
application made his services Invaluable and
where. allowing social or domestic claims to
divert his attention from his public duties. he
did a leaders part in shaping and preparing
the great measures Of the day Though a good
and forcele speaker. much in demand on the
platform and needed in the forum, il was as
q debater that his chief forensic triumphs were
won. If the fame OF actor and orator hangs on
the testimony Of contemporaries how much
true is this OF the parliamentaria1 whose
skill lies not so much in set speeches that may
be prepared with care and read left at
leisure. In the quick thrust, the ready retort,
the give and take of debate. II in this
art that Mr.. Fessenden excelled, and in which
his contemporaries decreed him master. But
this is gift that may not be readily impaired.
its effects are subtle and evanescent 10 be
even adequately conveyed to those who have not
witnessed them, and SO it has chanced that his
fame has been overshadowed by that of
whose services to the Republic Were far less
solid than his
William Pitt Fessenden born in 1906,
few months after the death of the great Eng
lsh statesman who had planned the resistance
Napoleon. Graduating at Bowdoin he ap
piled himself to the law with marked success,
and, making himself known public speaker,
he soon became interested In politics When
not yet twenty-five he was elected to the state
Legislature, where ne foreshadowed his future
conduct by opposing the practice Of instructions
10 members of Congress. They have much
better opportunities" he said, "to give the ques
ton fun, fair and thorough examination than
we can possibly possess on questions of great
importance to our whole country. l would not
yield any honest convictions to comply with the
directions of any set of men whatever On
questions OF local interest, connected with our
selves alone, my constituents have a right to
instruct me. But, sir. On questions Of general
interest, ] have a higher obligation. 1 am
bound to form my own opinions and to act
did 1 know that the opinions Of every one
of my constituents differed from my own. 1
would act according TO my conviction Of
right / am willing be the servant OF the
people. but I viii never be their slave" When
he said it he meant il, and in the great crisis
OF his life he had the chance to prove that he
meant it
An interesting episode Of his early days was a
Western trip with Daniel Webster, who was
rds In PreSl-
Dental nomination The journey presented
much OF novelty and interest but as for its
object Fessenden found Websters manner re-
pellent TO strangers and declared be might bet
ter have stayed at hone. leaving his fame and
public service 10 speaa for hin AT another
tirno he wrote that if Webste. were half as
winning as his wife daughter he would have
q better charge The comment Of the young
man who might have been expected TO indulge
in hero worship is the remarkable because
Webster was Fessenden's godfather and had
paid him a special compliment in inviting him
on the excursion During this journey, as al
WAYS in his younger days. he took pains to i'm
prove himself in the art Of public speaking He
sought particularly the OF straightforward,
lucid English. He aimed 10 make his speeches
logical coherent and simple in form. Ornate
he never was, but his supreme efforts have
xigor and dignity and distinction that lift them
far above the commonplace. He seemed TO be
a. his best when on his feet and spurred on by
the excitement and the thrill Of combat. On the
other hand his letters and conversation were
houaely and homespun 10 degree. They repre-
sent the attachments, joys and sorrows Of a
regulated and happy freside from which the
prtncipal figure was severed by high sense OF
public duty He INDUCED in no heroics- He
was q simple New England gentleman and in
the midst of honored and onerous employments
st the national capita! he had pathetic long
ing to be back with his boys and his garden IN
Portland, Me.
NJ Fessenden entered the Senate at q time
when the friends OF slavery were strong III
numbers and ability, and the accession 10 the
other side of an experienced, equipped and in
frepid debater was hailed with Joy by partisans
Of the North The quality of his mettle was
handsomely acknowledged by one with whom
he had early and often crossed swords wien
Senator Douglas, who had served with them
all, SAID: Henry Clay was the most fascinat-
ing and Daniel Webster the most powerful
orator John c. Calhoun was the logician or the
Senate but William Pitt Fessenden Is incom-
na-abIy the readiest and ablest debater nave
over known" Fessenden was not an abon-
ZIONIST; he was through life an advocate Oh
conservative methods; but his clashes Win
spoloyists for slavery only strengthened hls
onros,t,on 10 the extension Of the evil Il would
rather belong to a small and free state. lie
cried than he subject to an oigarchy SO over
bearing and tyrannical as the slave power
Yet, patriot and party man that he was the
judicial instinct in him pointed OUT tne peri's
of his opponents case In a memorable speech
on appropriations for war purposes MY res
senden took a Western Senator TO task for re-