Year: 1869

was SONerneu.


His speeches were never sensational.


clothed in plain, simple language, they were


severe in their logic, apt and pointed in their


application, and wonderfully effective in their


influence. lie seemed to follow the maxim


OF Solomon, that "It is an honor for man


TO cease from strife; but every fool will be


meddling;" for he never dissipated his DOW


ers in angry wransling or in angry speeches
on current topics, but reserved his strength
for emergencies when it was required; and


however sudden and important the occasion,


he was always found ready and fully armed.


Making no preteDsions to Oratorical pow
ers, and seldom speaking to popular as
semblies, yet few could command closer
attention, or at times arouse an audience


to higher pitch of enthusiasm. He never
spoke except he had something to say, and
never electioneered for the votes of his con-
stiluents by talking "buncombe" from the
noorS in Congress, or writing for newspaper
publication. The small arts of the dema-
gogue he disdained to use, and despised the
use OF them by others. He never fattered
the people to obtain their votes.


nHe would not fiatter Neptune for his trident


Nor Jove for his power to thunder


He had great influence in the body of which
he was member. This influence was large
ly due to the confidence which his high char
acter inspired in those with whom he associ-
ated. Every one felt that whether Mr.. Fes-
senden was right or not, he believed himself
to be so, and could give a reason for the
faith that was in him, in plain, simple quiet
way, that commanded respect if it did not
produce conviction. He did not seek to per
suade aud argue others into his way of think
ing. He only stated his convictions, and his
reasons for them, leaving those he addressed
to decide for themselves on the issue present.
ed.


He had great order, not only in all business
matters. but in his mental processes. Whether
in his library at home, in his committee-room
or private apartments here, this same order
was observed. There were no piles of books
and manuscripts, no confusion of papers. but
all the surroundings were clear, clean and or
derry as the mind that presided over them.


He kept himself unencumbered of all waste
material, wedding out and rejecting everv-
thing superfuous and retaining only the use
iul. Before making speech, he thought out
and thoroughly analyzed his subject, until his
mind had reached a distinct conclusion by
logical and correct methods, and then stated
IN the simplest language what that conclusion
was, and how he had himself arrived at it.
His construction of speech was like the
building OF Solomons temple; you heard not
the sound OF the hammer, nor saw the debris
OF the workman but every stone was taken
from the quarry ready fitted to its place, and
the building rose rapidly and silently from
foundation to capstone.


lie was man OF exceedingly sound judg-
ment; examined everything brought to his
attention, critically, before be decided upon
it; and never signed paper without carefully
reading its contents, and, where he did not
iully agree to its statements, qualifying his ap-
proval.


Mr.. Lynch reviewed the public life of SEN
ator Fessenden with considerable minuteness.
speaking OF the conflict over the re1eal of the
missouri Compromise, in which he bore dis
tlnsulshed part; alluding to his speech in
June, 1864, ON the question of admitting Sem
ators from Arkansas, as setting forth the fun
damental principles upon which the lately re-
Delllous States ought to be reconstructed. the
main ideas of which were subsequently en-
bodied in report of the Committee on re-
construction and had been carried out bv
Congress with remarkable completeness until
the present time, when the great work is al
most done. He also referred to the fact that
Mr.. Fessenden, although not what is called a
popular man, was one whom his fellow -citi-
zens trustlngy vested with power when emf
nent ability was demanded to perform ardu-
Gus duty. He was six times elected to the
Legislature of Maine, once from district
where his party was in the minority to the
United States House Of Representatives, and
three times by the unanimous vote of bis
party in the Legislature of Maine to the Uni
ted States Senate. As chairman of the Sen
ate committee on finance he took leading
part in shaping the legislation which provided
the "sinews of war; for the Union triumph.
AT critical period, in July, 1864, he was call
ed to the position OF Secretary of the Treas
ury. He then wrote to friend, "At whatev-
er risk of health or reputation, am compell-
% L. A-U.z
bility OF declining at such crisis" His first
step was to invite the counsel of the leading
financiers of the country. This created a
confidence which occasioned tail in gold,
but did not bring the much needed loan OF
money. He then issued a strong and earnest
appeal to the patriotism and interests of the
masses of the people, which was completely
successful and secured the negotiation of two
hundred millions of bonds. 1t is said fnaI-
cial success depended on military success, but
the converse is often true, and in this in
stance the successes of the army followed the
acquisition of funds. When he accepted the
was above 270-when he retired from it to
resume his seat in the Senate it had fallen to
1913. Mr.. Lynch continued as follows:


Holding positions in the government which
offered him great opportunities TO enrich him
self; he was never suspected of prostiluting
them to that purpose. With abilities which
would have brought him wealth in his pro-
fession, he gave his time to the service of his
country, and left that service as poor as he en-
tered it. regret to feel that such virtue in
our times calls for special commendation.-
The worst enemy of Mr.. Fessenden never
dared to question his scrupulous integrity
He was, indeed, Gods nobleSt work-an hon
est man. He appeared to regard with su-
preme Indifference criticism on his public
acts, seldom betraying any emotions or taking
any pains to correct public opinion when he
was assailed or any motives misjudged. Yet
he was not unmindful of the appreciation of
his fellow-men, but was governed by the con-
viction that it could best be permanently Sc
cured by deserving it.


To say that Mr. Fessenden had no faults
would be to claim for him exemption from
the fralties OF humanity. But his faults were
not OF the meaner, but of the nobler kind
and even his failings leaned to virtues side.
In manner he was cold, reserved and some
what aristocratic, in communing with his fel-
low men. His private life was retired and I'M
he had but few intimate friends
and shrunk almost instinctively from that
general acquaintance and notoriety in which
persons differently constituted find delight.
But for those who did enjoy his confidence
and esteem-hs friendship, though not de-
was strong and enduring, and by
such he was admired and beloved; and it was
difficult for them TO understand how he could
be regarded as cold and selfish. They saw in
the cold exterior and somewhat proud reserve,
a manly independence and contempt OF
meaningless and hypocritical professions and
beneath it a generous nature and warm
heart.


Such, sir, is the man whose life and services
we this day commemorate and whose loss we
mourn. The nation has few such to spare
from its councils. May we emulate his vir-
tues and so live and serve our country that
when we depart we may deserve from it the
plaudit which is to-day so heartily bestowed
ON our departed triend-"Well done, good and
faithful servant"


WHAT THE WAR CosT.-Commissione of
the Revenue Wells, in his report to Congress,