The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-08-28
GOV. BUTLER OF VERMONT.

%,
ed the death of this venerable man. ana as ne
belonged TO race who are becoming scarce in
this country presume that few "reminiscences
of mis- life will prove acceptable to your readers.
lie was born Of poor, but worthy parents, ana at
an early age was left without father; and was
placed on farm where he had to work all the
time, and had no advantages of education, or gen
eral information, except what he obtained at
district school for few weeks during the winter
season. When he was of lawful age he had
nothing but his hands, and honest principles, to
aid him through life. While young man he
settled on the farm in Waterbury, on the banks
OF Onion River where he ever afterwards resided.
With his own hands he commenced clearing 1t,
and in the midst of a wilderness he, nearly sixty
years ago, erected his own log house, without
any idea of ever rising above the usual grade OF
honest hard working farmers. He had no ambl-
ton, nor throughout his whole life did he seek
for pre-eminence. He had nothing popular or
attractive in his person or manners. In fact, with
II small body STOPPING gait, slow speech, and a
rather negligent costume, he made poor i'm
preston by his outer man. with him 1t was
true to all intents that it is the mind that makes
the man."
Gov. Butler was possessed naturally OF con-
.templative and discriminating mind. His Judg-
rnent was never made up rapidly, and It was sell
dom found to be wrong. He long served rs
legislator in his own state, and i'll the Congress
of the United States. He was never debater
but lust before a question was 10 he taken lie
gave his " opinion" as it was always called, and
on all important questions, looked for by all par
ties He was always followed by large parry,
although he never attempted to be leader. lie
acquired his great influence, by natural sagaci-
~ and soundness of Judgment upon all matters
before him, and the honest and upright discharge
of his official duties for the public good. lie
never sought an office, or declined one, winch
his health permitted him to fill This is saying
much of a man who held Office for forty years,
and filed every Office in the gilt OF Il Tree state,
except that of Senator in Congress.
In addition to the usual town offices, ne was
for many years the first judge of Washington
CO. Court. He was member for many years
of one or the other branch ofthe state Legislature.
He was member of the Congress that declared
the last war with Great Britain. lie was three
times Presidential Elector; twice member OF
the Council of Censors, and closed ms pubic lie
n few years ago, by declining reelection to the
Gubernatoral chair. Since then he has been
confined by i'll health, chiefly to his farm ~ house.
where he has spent the evening Of long, useful,
and honorable life. During his whole lie he
never attended a political caucus, or in any way
lent his aid to the intrgues of party STRIFE. lie
was consistent member of the Old democratic
party, and repudiated the party when paced
Gen. Jackson in power. =.
Gov. Butler was a worthy and conscientious
disciple of Jesus Christ, and was never ashamed
of his profession. When on public duties, he de,
lighted to meet with his fellow christians ana
minge with them in their social and rel'glo"s
exercises For nearly half n century he was
member of the Baptist Church, and exercised
his talents among them an acceptable, ana eH-
emplary minister Of the Gospel.
Soon after he entered public life, he began to
store his mind with solid and useful information,
and when the writer Of this became acquainted
with him. few could surpass him in the correct
nj
And rare indeed was the man, who in the open
fair field of argument with Ezra Butler for an
opponent, could boast of a victory. X. Is. Y.
THE ORIGIN OF OUR observation-disclosures
is said by some British writer, to be the Paradise
of poor men, nober tribute was never paid
TO any nation. Our distinguished men have
nearly all risen from poverty. Henry Clay was
the son of poor backwoods Baptist preacher
Daniel Webster of New Hampshire farmer in
very moderate circumstances. Gen Jackson was
an orphan at an early age, with nothing but his
own exeftions to aid him. President Val. Buren,
was too poor in youth to obtain tolerable edn-
cation; and it has been thrown out as reproach
that he sold cabages around the village of Kin
derhook. Jfhe did he should be proud rather
than ashamed of it, Gov. Vance, Ohio, enter
ed that state as pioneer, with an ak his shout
der and very little in his pocket, and has been
plain farmer through life. Gov. Rtner of Penn.
was bound out to farmer when boy, and SER
we'd his time out to great acceptaton. His old
master attended celebration on the 4th at Car
Isle, and gave the following toast By Jacob N.Y.
ers, President of the day -.Joseph Ritner-He was
good boy, and has still grown better; every
thing he did he always did well; he made a good
farmer, good legislator and very good gov
ernor.
Gov. Ritner formerly drove team as way
goner from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh. Many
merchants in Philadelphia have his receipts for
goods taken for transportation. He was finally
enabled to'buy farmwith the profits of his wag-
coming and was elected to the legislature, where
he was made speaker, we believe the second year.
He was President of the National Tariff Conven-
ton which assembled at Harrisburgh in 1898,
candidate for Governor and beaten in 1923, the
same in 1892 and elected in 1885. With no ed
ucation but such as lie obtained poor farm
ers boy, and has acquired by reading and reflec-