Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-03-31


Vermont delegation us whole is richly entitled
to the former character not Que Of them, we re
ioice 10 say, to lhc last. We doubt whether any
state, in proportion to the number Of members,
furnishes a delegation on the whole more able,
faithful, or useful and few, if any, with equal
weight of character and influence.
WAsniNGToY, March 2lst 1913
Among the members of the u. S. Seuute with
whom it was my good fortuue 10 become ucQuain-
ted, during the last Congress. is your rstiueblo
Senator, JUueE PHELPS. From my ltng residence
in Washington and nly frequent intercourse with
the members Of both HOUSES, have been ern e.
bled 10 form pretty just estimate Of The in,rec-
tual calilrr, qualifications and powers Of lh0s'
who have been sent 10 represent he Interests ul
the people il both bnuc{ies Of the Nuliona! Iegis-
lature. A mans constituents are too apt 10 furm
n Judgment OF his influence mud usefulness hy the
number OF speeches he makes, or the resolutions
and motions he may submit. Bu' this is very
imperfect criterion, aud is far from proving mem.
ber's usefulness. No man on the floor of Con-
gress had higher reputation for parliamentary
oratory than John Randolph OF Roanoke, but Ger
tainly no nun was ever more useless. During his
whole Congressional career he was never, | be-
lieve known to originate q single measure, and as
member of a Committee, was wholly Inefficient.
Henry Wise knows the advantage Of keeping
ones name constantly before the public, and he
carries this practice in tue House al ndusedm--
The most useful and efficient members arc those
who address either House but seldom, and then
from absolute necessity, and when they know
they can shed some new light OF the subject and
effect some great object by their eloquence. OF
this class is Mr. Phelps. lie never addresses the
Senate but when there is a necessity fer it, and
seems to have no ambition TO cut figure by pop
ping up on all occasions TO make a speech, Hence
h., gIa,, ho al
is listened to with great attention by that body
who regard him as a man OF sound and discrm
mating ludgment-R vigorous and powerful intel.
lect-nnd one whom it is exceedingly difficult to
overcome in argument, His reasoning is always
clear, ccgent aud conclusive, and he appears to
spurn or dispise the merelricious aid OF rhetoric
to give force aud spendour TO what he says. He
never speaks for effect or like good many mere.
ly to obtain the reputation Of oraoria briIliancy
He reaeoEs dispationnely and plilosOphicalv, and
OF course effectively. He prefers logic TO rheto.
richie ule to the dulce the solid 10 the brilliant
His great merit, however is his devotion to hji
duties as Senator, especially as the chairman o
very aborious committee the business of which
has necessarily claimed The most of his attention
and occupied great deal of his time. He is
morcoyer member ef several other committees
which he regularly attends and whose Iabors are
greatly relieved by the light Of his clear mind and
the industry lie bcstows ON the questions brought
morning you may see the desk Of Judge Phep.
anosi covered with reports ho MS chairman, has
prepared to submit 10 the Senate. These are made
and OF course barely noticed in The public Journals
OF this City bul no one, not acquainted with the
character Of the business before such committee
can form any Just idea of the labor, industry and
attention which its duties require when properly
discharged, nor OF the value and usefulness of d
laboriOus and efficient chairman. IL is not ht
whose name is paraded, perhaps daily before tbs
public or who is reported doing This aud tina
IN the House, that is tie most useful Such mel
often interrupt and delay the important bushes,
OF Congress, and acquire n hane hat they ire
quently do not merit.
The course of Judge Phelps, since he has hac
seat in the Senate, has been that of true ana
genuine Wing and his views on all questions OIL
which he has spoken, have been those of n states
man and patriot. He does not seem TO be am
bilious TO distinguish himself as n mere politician
and therefore keeps nloof from the rickery o.
uraism. Hence he is regarded, in the body tc
which he belongs, as an upright and honest man
whose political principles are decided AMI i'm
moveabie, whose feelings are liberal nn.. who's,
views are almost always correct look npol
him ms great acquisition to the Senate, md
gentleman in whom his State should feel grea
pride. il would lie n great blessing to the coun
try if there were more such men in Congress.
President Tyler still continues his war upon tn
Wings who elected him, and is filling the Office
with ocoiocos, or those who call themselves hi
friends This administration will, 1 hope, be th
last degree OF comparison jackson, Van Buren,
Tyler, md'uS, pejor, peSsnuS Gushing and Wise
the disappointed oitce-seekers, have gone back tt
receive consolation from their constituents; but
rather think they will meet with a similar disaI,
pointnent from them. Wise is deeply mortified
and poor Gushing looks like 4 loafer since his re
lection. 1t is rumoured that he has since me
with another Disappointment, suspect still NOR
Calling TO his feelings. Ills profligaie tender O
the Offices Of the government 10 those who womb
sacrifice their principles and join the "guard," dc
stroyed him, Without bene6ung The man who all
lhOrised the bride to be held forth Hundreds or
daily crowding the nnle-rooms of Tyler for Office
and many will no doubt succeed in getting tn
places of honest and efficient men. Their mer
consists in abusing the Wings and making til
poor imbecile at The head of the Government be
leve that he is a great and honest man. Heave
save the mark
"A speck oftrOubIe in Maine The Bangor Viii
states that an American, named Daniel Sayag
living within the United States according to I'll
new treaty, was recently seized on Il civil process
by persons acting under the authority OF Ne
Brunswick -whereupon tho civil authority
Maine, aided by u. s. troops under the commat
of Capt. Webster, recnp;ured Savage and seize
The British officer who had arrested him.
Some think this all hoax.
Prophecy Of the end of The Uorld in l743. "
arc 'od mat a gentleman in Marshfeld, in III
county, has in his possession few old newsp
pers, and among them Boston pnper, printed
l74l, containing notice of a prophecy of II