Oxford Democrat., 1909-08-31

anu IOTIuubtoI Cdu tutuA Va hono 'a"''
fortunate. His birth was In this para.
disc of Paris Hill, unsurpassed for glory
of natural scenery, the homo of two
early governors of the state whose
modest law office still stands preciOu'
memorial and whose influence helped to
mould him. He was Graded under the
shadow of Streaked Mountain with the
towering range of the White Mountains
flinging back the sunset on his gazs
Health, strength, freedom were In the
very air of his native hills. His educa-
tion was In the best of the colleges of
his time, which neither Harvard nor
Bowdoin excelled-the college of the
common school and of the spirit, politi
cal discussions, democratic associations
and patriotic traditions of the unmixed
New England people of his boyhood
The greater part of the early settlers of
all this region were Revolutionary SOL
diers. With limited period at nearby
Hebron Academy and, best of all, with
the inspiration of family circle OF the
best blood and character, what education
or enfolding could have better fitted him
for his career?
The stock from which he came is OF
the first rank. He was happy in his par
entage, as also in his offspring who wor
thily maintain the honor of the family
name. The Hamlins and Livermores
from whom he sprsng on either side and
the Washburns, all descendants Of the
Pilgrims and the Puritans, and pioneers
in Oxford County Maine from Massa
chusetts after the Revolutionary War in
which they served, were the founders OF
the neighbOring town of Livermore, pro-
life of noted men. These are names
which are now honored the United
States and the world over. What keen
er stimulus for honorable fame and SER
vice could any boy have had! What
wonder that from the first he was a
leader-a leader of his youthful mates
as he became afterwards leader Of
men and of his country! Make all this
the environment of nature fearless,
truthful, absolutely honest and incor-
rupt, sound in mind and body, Gods
best gifts, and you have the man. 1t
was these qualities that endeared him to
the people of Maine and made him the
most popular as he was the most trusted
representative that ever stood for their
interests in the public service. There
was rugged nobility in him that won
their hearts. 1t disdained the veneer of
sham and deceit as his hardy frame all
his life disdained an overcoat.
The story of his career is too familiar
to be repeated to those who know it by
heart. 1t was steady advance on and
up, and never a faint was on it, He was
without fear and without reproach. He
studied law one year in the best law
office in Portland. He settled in the
then extreme east of Maine-an orient
going pioneer as his father had been be-
fore him. There he practised law-an
honest lawyer. But his natural bent to
a public career quickly led him into the
path of public service. He at once was
in the lead. He was captain of the local
militia company. He was chosen a
representative in the state legislature at
twenty. five and there at intervals served
five years, three times elected speaker
after his first term, the youngest man
that ever held that place. At thirty-five
he was member of the national House
of Representatives at thirty-eight Unit
OIL OldIob bCudIOl, az lOlOy-bON0u kON-
ernor of Maine; at fifty-fve vice presi
dent of the Republic; in 1866 collector of
customs at Boston; from 1859 to 1881
again in the United States Senate; when
three years beyond threescore and ten
minister to Spain; and for the last ten
years of his life enjoying the rest he had
earned and enjoying it not idle or i'm
paired but with the old boyish keenness
of interest in the neighbors, the farm,
the fishing brooks, the civic and rural
surroundings of his Penobscot home,
with his devoted wife and children about
him, now and then returning to the
political stump, notably for Mckinley in
his congressional campaign in Ohio in
1884, or appearing before state legisla.
tive committees or attending the inaug-
uration of President Harrison. When
so fittingly on Independence Day, July
4. 1S91-he died sitting at his club, the
Nestor among his associates, it was no
lingering death-bed but the quick pain
less stop of the full beating heart and
unimpaired brain. What refutation OF
the Osler cult!
This Is the skeleton of his career. It's
flesh and blood are eighty-two years of
abounding life. Among its distinguish
ing characteristics are its ardent pa
triotism, it's devotion to human freedom,
it's fidelity to the material interests of
Maine, its irreproachable private walk
and habits, its marvellous common sense
and shrewd forecast of the national
trend, and its unsurpassed ability and
skill in political organization, manage
ment 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 part
ed company with Franklin Pierce, whom
he had helped to elect president, when
the latter asked him to vote for the re-