Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-08-28

definite force in human progress. Md1
Maine never forget Hannibal Hamiin
may it never cease to honor him ane
may children's children come to this
spot and here learn the story OF the
life of this country lad, who In recog'
milton of the immortal ideals OF man
hood, and in the exaltion of public ser
vice above personal or party pride. at
tanned great power and privilege which
he ever used for the good of his FELLOW
men. s'
John D. Long said in part:
Hannibal Hamlin in only half his
title, He was Hannibal Hamlin VI
Maine. Such was his 1dentliicatioh
with his and our native state that he
was rooted in her soil as were her
pines. No son of hers was ever more
loyal She was the breath of his nos
triis from the hour hundred years
ago today when he was born on this
hill where we fifty gather to honor the
anniversary and to dedicate to his men,
ory this massive granite boulder-fit
emblem of the firm and impregnable
solidity of the man."
After rehearsing in brief the import
ant points of Mr.. Hamlins life and ca
reer, Governor Long continued:
This is the skeleton of his career
It's flesh and blood are eighty-two years
of Astounding life. Among it's distin-
gushing characteristics are it's ardent
patriotism, its devotion to human
freedom, it's fidelity to the material
interests of Maine. it's marvellous COM
mon sense and shrewd forecast of the
national trend, and it's unsurpassed
ability and skill in political Organiza
ton. management and achievement.
"From the first, to his everlasting
honor be it said, he stood like rock
against the push and extension of
slavery He stood by John Quincy
Adams for the right of petition. He
Indignantly parted company with
Franklin Pierce, whom he had helped
to elect president, when the latter
asked him to vote for the repeal of the
Missouri Compromise. He broke from
the Democratic party Of his early faith
and love when overpowered by its
southern affiliations, it was no longer
the party of freedom. He fought and
won the fight which, because of his
auti-slavery leanings, his own party
associates made against his first re-
election to the U. S. Senate. When
later the old party ties were entirely
severed. he was among the leaders who
formed the new party of freedom, and
put Maine at the head of the free col
umn, where it has stood ever since.
His shrewd native sense went to
the point of things. He OWNED the
trend which made the nomination of
Seward in 1860 impracticable and from
the first, even against the sentiment
of his; State, advocated and was a
powerful factor in the nomination of
Lincoln, with whom, against his ex-
pressed inclination but in token of his
recognized fitness and eminence, he
was put upon the ticket for the vice
presidency.
"Hamlin made no false estimate of
the insistence and strength of the re-
bellion. When Seward declared it
would be over in ninety days, Hamlin.
wiser and surer predicted truly that
it would be a long and bloody war,
and urged immediate and full prepara-
ton for it. And no man more hearth
ly entered into that preparation; him.
Sell q pi lNdlC. putltN5 la w
recruits, through the drill, lath for
a sword in his hand; never failing to
visit and care for the boys of Maine
in the field. He upheld the arm of Lin
coin, who trusted and consulted him,
and whose emancipation proclamation
he urged and welcomed. He champ
toned every measure for the prosecu-
ton of the war. His voice was for ac-
ton. His soul was in the cause. Well
may the Maine Commandery of the
Loyal Legion of the United States,-and
no mere gallant group of officers went
from any state-place, with the citi-
zens of Paris, this memorial to Maino
Civilian who was made a companion
of that order because of his especial
distinction. for loyalty to the cause
for which these gallant officers fought"
"Aptness for public affairs is large
1y an inherent quality, gift of nature.
II finds its contamination in the states
man. In the high and laudable inter-
probation of the word Hannibal Ham,
lin was first and last a politician. But
he was never trimmer. He had con-
victions, deep-seated, controlling. To
carry them into effect and to ensure
his own political placing for effectuat-
ing them he left no stone unturned
A politician? Yes. But never q time
serving politician. Not time serving,
but people-serving politician. And
the plain people knew him and trusted
him.
"Hamlins popularity stood the test
of three score years and never weak
ened. 1t was popularity born in
hm-the genuine outcome of the ma
ture of the man. He 'liked folks =
His personal relations with his fellow
men were hearty, responsive and sin
cere. He could no more affect chill
and reserve that the cold and reserved
man can affect cordialty When a,
an anniversary of Hebron Academy
many years ago he took us young fell
lows into the grove back of it and sit
ting on log, smoked a "long nine
-