Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1919-10-15

The Hancock bar can furnish a remark
/ able list, but no other OF its sons has ever
z seen his reputation spread from his home
3 community TO the county, State and
nation to SUCH nots BILE extent. From
| the day he became county attorney at the
I meagre salary of SIS per snnum, ne
steadily gained in strength, influence and
reputation till he reached the zenith OF
his fame and power in the Senate. Any
| one who would give an adequate sketch of
| his career must include the legislative and
| political history of the country for many
years.
Up TO this time, history has reviewed
} largely around wars-t the preparation
making, and getting over them, and the
beginning all over again. Senator Hale's
national service, " hich covered forty years
of his active life, came in between our TWO
greatest wars, but included the lesser con-
fiiet called the Spanish war.
In this crisis in our national life, from
which we emerged a world power with
possessions in remote parts OF the earth,
senator Hale demonstrated most strikingly
his strength OF character, unshakab bic
courage and well-known conservative
habit OF mind. He was unaltersbly op-
posed to the war, and fought 10 the "
ditch the policy OF acquiring forefg
sessions like the PHILIPPINES. In II As
Senate voted 81 to 81 TO recognk 4he
government OF Cuba. Mr.. Halls vac
among the q. His opposition TO the treaty
unshskable. The influence OF Maine in
the Senate on these great world questions
WAS exactly nuiiitied, as Senator Frye was
the commissioners who brought back the
treaty and was strenuous in its support.
1t Is interesting to note that Represent
alive Boutelle of Maine, when the war
resolution came before the House, was one
of six to vote against IL, This attitude was
extremely unpopular in Maine at that
time, but could not shake the determi-
nation of either OF these resolute men to
hold to position he thought right and
best for the country. With the senatorial
election OF 1899 coming right upon him,
| and most OF Maine roaring against him,
Senator Hale never swerved hair from
the line of his duty AZ he saw it. He came
down to Augusta to face legislature
strongly hostile to his attitude but keenly
conscious OF his courage and good faith.
When he was nominated by the caucus
of his party, his personal friends in at
tendance gave sigh of relief. as it was
quite possible that someone else would
! receive that honor, so bitter was the
feeling. Without hesitation he went
| before the caucus and, with his
customary dignity and great earnestness,
made speech reiterating his position
and defying the opposition. His courage
won the admiration of his OPP
ponents. He showed himself statesman
and was an honor to the State OF Maine.
II the matter could come up now, with its
then opportunities, his position would
be strongly endorsed.
The most active, stormy, and pictur-
esque period of Mr. Hale's public career
was before the distinct memory OF most
OF us here gathered. His work in the
House during the reconstruction period;
his promotion of the candidates. OF
Blaine for President; the Green back
campaign of 1878 in which he suffered
the only defeat OF his career, then Tbomp-
l a Of afa
to Congress from thus district Ia disguised
blessing which really forw arded the
election OF Mr.. Hale to the Senate) his
return TO the State legislature to assume
the leadership of his party when blood
was nearly spilled at Augusta in a con-
troversy over possession of the State
government; his last ditch fight with
frye for the succession to Hannibal
Hamlin in the Senate. These and many
other activities OF the earlier period
brought out the calIber OF the man, en-
HANGED his reputation and established
his position among the illustrious sons
of Maine.
The latter part of Mr.. Hae's career in
the Senate, adding length of service to
his great abilities, force of character and
; recognized integrity, found him among
the leaders of that body-I would say, one
, of three. In those days leadership in the
Senate was concentrated. A senator who
had served long enough might be chair
man OF several big committees. That is
Impossible now under changed rules.
Senator Hale acquired chairmanships and
power. The former county attorney of
Hancock county had become director OF
, legislation in the most powerful body in
the world. Native ability and indom-
liable resolution will carry a man far in
, this country.
Senator Hale had a proper sense of the
dignity of his Office. He rightfulIy regarded
, the senatorshipas the highest and most i'm
! portant position in this countrv-save
one. Twice he refused cabinet positions
once the postmaster generalship, offered
by Grant, and later the secretaryship of
) the navy, offered by Hayes.
, 1t is superfiuous to speak in detail OF
7 the public career of one whose work is
embedded in the history of the nation,
like better to speak OF the personal side
: of one who was my friend for many years.
As we all know, he was loyal to his
friends. He was not always uncritical OF
them. He would not hesitate to mem
;ion their faults - especially in their
Iresence-hut when it came to ANYTHING
vital, he would stand with them like a
rock. His premises were legal tender
! they were always redeemed. He was per-
fectly straightforward in his dealings with
his fellow men. He would not deceive a
man, nor would he, consciously, allow a
man to deceive himself. The most broad
and tolerant OF men, he would not tolerate
dishonesty or deceit for a moment. He
was intellectually honest-a finer form OF
, honesty which, being scarce, we should
not perhaps be surprised to find
lacking in many men in high places in
public life.
The many phases of his mind were most
interesting. He had a marvellous memory,
and on occasion would relate most enter
tanning incidents OF his early practice OF
, law, recalling every detail. Extremely
fond of the best literature and a lover Of
books, ne could recite classical poetry by
! the pal e.
He loved the city of his adoption. He
preferred Ellsworth to any other place IN
, the world. AS often as he could get away
, from his exacting duties at the nations
capital, he sped home to Ellsworth. No
matter what time of year, he rightly re-
garded the climate of this place the most
, delightful and refreshing in the world
ALWAYS he had rather be seatad on, be