Year: 1861




The question of Gov. Bingham's successor


in the United States Senate is already begin.
ming to excite very general discussion; and
the subject BIDS fair TO increase in ineres. un-
I'll il shall have been finally settled by the
action of the Legislature upon it, or bv the


Governor, should he decide not to call an ex.
/ ira session. 1t seems to be taken for grant
cd, however that he will convene the Legs.
latutc. This il was understood he had re-.
solved to do before the Seath of Gov. Bing
ham created vacancy in the Senate
Whether he shall call it at sufficiently ear.
ly period to fill the vacancva in time for the
new Senator TO take his seat at or n"ar the
commencement of the session of Congress,
or shall make temporary appointment and
convene the Legislature at a later period,
the duty will ultimately devolve upon that
body of electing successor to Gov. Bing
ham.


In view Of this fact we hear that large
number Of candidates for the vacancy are al
ready in the fieli-or p"rhaps it would be
less offensive, and in regard to some Of them :,
more strictly correct, to say that We have
card the names of large number of candi
dates suggested for the pIace-not less than
eight. 1t is clear, therefore, that whether
these gentlemen are candidates 10y their own
voltiou, or have been made so by their friends,
there is TO he a warm struggle for the success.
cession. The prize is one worthy any mans
ambition who felS that b. is worthy OF it; aud
perhaps We ought not to expect IN times like
these, when every patriot is anxious to serve
his country in some capacity, that there will
not be s,ioug and even violent personal ef
fort on the part of some of the aspirants to
cary it off. But there is one thing that we
beg the members Of the Legislature to bear
in mind, aud that is, that the qualifications Of
the candidate, aud the ability, energy and
fidelity with which he will discharge the du
ties of Senator, cannot be judged by the
ability, energy and Fl ieity with which
he may push his protontIons for the position.


The fices of the United States Senator is
one Of the very highest dignity under our
Government, second only in that regard and
in responsibility, to that Of the President it
self. 1t ought to be the maxim in regard TO
it, no less than ihat of the President OF Judge
of the United States Supreme Court, that
the office should seek the man, and not the
man the Office. But custom has sanctioned
a general scramble for this as all other Of
fee. and we must look for it in the future as
we ave in the past. True and conscious
worth, however, will be modest and respect.
fu in presenting its claims, and it will there
fore, become the duty of the peoples re.
TO see that The interests Of the
State are not permitted to suffer 10y the deli
cate forbearance of the really merllorous on
the one side, and by bold presumption Of the
mere partisan on the other.


There never WAS time in the history Of
our Government zen we so much required
the highest order Of talent, 'arge experience,
extensive requirements, a:d real integrity Of
character in the National Congress. IL the
members OF the Legislature are true to the
nation, to the State, and TO themselves, their
first and sole Object will be to search out the
pery best man IN the State for the place, re-
gardIass of personal opportunities, locality, "
ony other consideration. If we have in all
Michigan man Of character, learning, ability
and general qualifications fitted for the posi-
ton, we hope t, see him elected. Upon the ,
the result Of the choice they may make, will
depend in a great measure the weight Mchi. /
gan will have in Il o Congress, and indeed in
the Nation. There is expressed on all hands,
an earnest desire that the Legislature will .
rise above all personal considerations and in
the discharge of this responsible trust. act
with sole reference 90 the honor Of the State,
and the good Of the country The people .
expect this OF them, and they will not hold .
them guiltless il they forget these high cen
side'atons, and fill Gov. Biugbam's recent .
seat with mere politician, with no other
claim than hundreds Of others who have only
distinguished themselves by figuring in State