The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-12-15

an established business but who preferred
Office TO court work. The firm was sue
cessful. and lasted twenty years. until Mr..
Fessenden vent to the United States Senate
in 1854. From the time he met Daniel
Webster in Wiscasset until Wsbstor's
chances of receiving the Presidential nomi-
nation vanished, Pitt Fessenden worked
hard to bring about WebsteT's nomination
for the Presidency. In 1887 he accompanied
Webster on a visit to the West. In one
of his letters descriptive of this our he
recorded the impression that Webster
would never gain popularity by personal
intercourse. To strangers he was repellant.
$50 far as winning friends was concerned
Mr.. Webster might as well. II not better.
nave stayed at home and left his fame
and public service to speak for him"
In the State election OF 1899 Pitt Fes-
sender was again elected a member OF the
Legislature and was placed on the judiciary
committee. He made the opening address
Of the triumphant Wing campaign in the
following year. when Maine went hell
bent" for Gov. Kent. He was himself
elected to the Federal House OF Repre-
sentatives. 500 after entering Congress
Mr.. Fessenden made a speech on finance.
and the Boston Advertiser described him
as the equal Of the ablest member on the
floor o. the House, whether as a sound
thinker. an effective orator. a close rea-
soner or n clearheaded politician" To
the young Representative from Maine.
however, Congressional life was detesta-
BILE and he wrote TO his friends at home
that they need have no approximations OF
his again becoming a candidate. Il arm
ashamed be says. -Of our leaders. as well
as many of those who compose the rank
and file. 1 could not have deemed 10 pos
sible that men hOnored with the confidence
OF the people and who have talked patriotism
40 loudly would be- governed by motives
so contemptible." He added: Il an cured,
l hope forever. Of all fondness for public
life. and could l do so without FORGETTING
obligations TO others would gladly resign
and come home. | shall not voluntarily
place myself in such a position again"
In another letter from Washington III
said: How true is the trte remark hat
great men diminish as you approach them.
IL is not so. however. with Webster. in-
tellectually considered. He appears to
be- better than usual; but the majority Of
them. BAH mere squabblers for notoriety.
playing a noisy game for effect"
After one term in the House Of Repre-
s~entatives Mr.. Fessenden returned home.
and during the next twelve years devoted
himself to the practice OF the law. not hold
ing any political Office. He could not.
however. lose his interest in politics. and
always Ook an active part in Inc local
campaigns. In ls45 he accepted a seat in
the Maine Legislature INC during that
year received the Wing nomination for
United States Senator. but a Democrat
was elected. In 1850 he was the nominee
OF the Abolitionists for Congress-. but was
beaten by the Democratic candidate. In
1852 he was a delegate of the Wing State
convention to the Wing national cOnvsn-
ton at Baltimore. In 1854 he was chosen
by the Maine Legislature a United States
Senator. and commenting on the selec-
ton the Boston Atlas declared Mr.. Fessen-
den to be one OF the soundest statesmen
in New England and one Of the ablest con-
stitutional lawyers in the country.