Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-05-09

senate TO winch ne is Sntltleu-oWlnR, perhaps, W
an habitual Discrimination for political controversy
His powors of ANALYSIS searching logic, and wit,
both humorous and sarcastic, are combined in such
proportions as to render him one OF the very hard
est customers in debate that q gentleman could fall
in with, and TO these are added the advantages Of
majestic and singulorly handsome person lie
possesses naturally irritable temperament and has
won his public honors, by mere force of genius
without any of the Fictitious aids of party organ
izlon. In logical and substantial argument he is |
equal TO any man while in personal retort either
humorous or vindictve, the writer who has often
witnessed his efforts at the bar never him
meet an antagonist who would not escape from the |
house rather than endure personal reply, if one
had been provoked.
Judge Olin, on the other hand was man of
strong good sense, unaided by education, abound |
ing in humor and anccdotc, who always dealt his |
blows in the shape Of stories or parallels like the
one above. With clear perception Of right q
masculine love of justice, and sDguldrly retentive
mcmory, he was pretty sure match for any com
petitor He was farmcr--weighed upwards of
three hundred pounds, fat as to be unwieldy en-
tlrely without professional education, and but u
very limited one in the simplest English branches.
lie improved himself wonderfully by reading and
observation, and after occupying seat in the Leg
lslature Tor many years. placed on the Supreme
Bench. lie occupied this position for long time
with credit, during the early history Of the State.
AS matter of course, however, hc was obi red to
rely upon his sense OF right and perception Of JUS
tce without much regard to strict rules of law, of
which he could possibly know but little Modest
enough III his preGnsons his strong judgment and
fertile humor always made him an oracle for the
people, and drew around him ready crowd, as
well educated as uneducatcd, for the benefits Of his
advice and the pleasure Of his conversation. lie
was, to the politics of Vermont, what Burns was
TO the literature of Scotahd-as Judge his goor
sense was seldom questioned, his purity never 1t
was on the Bench, in the zenith of his glory, that
young Phelps first encountered him. Fresh from
the walls Of old Yale, and disciplined by nice
and thorough professional as well as classic educa
ton, he and the Judge formed in many respects
natural antilhesis Starting from some distinction
founded in the early periods of the common law,
young Phelps would draw chain of powerful log
ic the tallacy of which, if fallacy it contained,
would be SO adroity concealed, and the different
steps So fortified by authority, that it imposs-
gle to resist him in good case, and difficult and
doubtful task to attempt it even in a bad one. The
Judge, starting from some truth as far back in pri-
meval nature as was that of Phelps in the common
law, would lumber along like an elephant disre-
garding all fences and distractions, to the justice
Of the case, and there plant himself as unnovable
as mountain. The result in either case was
equal discontinue to Phelps.
Ills arguments IN a good case would travel a
very different track from that followed by the Judge,
and when the victory was gained it was doubtful
whether his blows did it. In bad case, it was
truly annoying to see how much easier the Judge
would disco NIT his logic, than a well-educated
lawyer could do it. The imputation of impertin-
ence and dscouit esv in the court room, to young
Phelps, Is believed to be mistake. But the wrl-
ter well recollects the war of wit that was carried
on out of doors; and, although well acquainted
with both parties, he never understood that there
was much, if any, personal bitterness. Phelps,
anxious to see a scientific Judge the Bench, rid
iculed DIN. DIN, by no means disposed to yield
the influence he exercised TO the general satlsfac-
ton Of the public, rdiculed the techncalities OF
Phelps. They were both sufficiently masters in
their way tc prevent either party from being crown
ed with decided triumph. TWAS in retort for some
thrust given by young Phelps in the street, that the
Judge told the story of the dog and the NOON Il
was one of his best, but the writer, if disposed
could repeat score that would dispute the palm
with it. 1t was one Of his unfailing expedents
when beset with antagonists, either single or ii
crowds, TO repeat an anecdote pat and in its very
nature so unanswerabe, as to throw them all hOrt
de COMBAT leaving him to march off with dignity
and often with triumph. | saw him on his last bed
when his body had become like an unmunngeabl'
wreck at sea, and his mind sat playing amid thu
ruins. Conscious Of approaching dissolution, TIT
ruling passion was scarcely weakened.
lie had filled in turn near every grade of office
from Justice of the Peace TO Member of Congress
and Lieutenant Governor. lie was well acquau
ted with public men, and public affairs, and was
witha!, man of excellent heart, who accomplishe
n great deal Of public and private good in his day
| have known a great many distinguished men, c
almost every grade of celebrity, but none who lei
a stronger impression on my mind for originality
benevoence, strong sense and good hunor tina
Henry DIN. | see him now in my minds eye, a
used to see him daily, riding in his plain, substar
tial one-horse Wagon, the seat Of which he al
peared to fill, unless when some one squeezed
like wedge beside him-with good sized viii
in his hand, well filled pipe in his mouth, and @
his capacious head low-crowned, broad brimme
hat, commonly called Z" THE ISkimmer,"-an appe
lation with which it had been honored by the read
wit Of young Phelps, and which received the bal
49, tsm of public adoption. You would think him ei
trely asleep he rode, but for occasional strol
Ct his whip, which his horse regarded as little
the smoke from his pipe When passing neigl
boris house Of a summers day, he would stop
the street. or under some convenient shade, h
nti wagon which would at once be surrounded by Il
n family, men, women and children, and without
m lighting he would tell them few tavorite sorle
- and pass on Many man has thus been begullt
Of his days work-many woman suffered h
nearly cooked dinner 10 spoil, and many a chi
mt forgotten its playthngs. While his hearers we
he bursting with roars Of laughter, the Judge won
ote remain composed and apparently asleep, but as Il
laughter began to subside in others, 1t began
lch operate in himself. First Whit OF smoke, thu
no an opening of the eyes, broad beaming with IN
I'D then an internal shaking of the body, by two
!ed three long suppressed commissions, which did II
10 move the muscles of his face and the matter en-
the ed. At elections he was sure to he remember,
on and when elected remembered his dulv II
AT, grave has closed over few more worthy men. /
had mind like that Of Burns, one of those origin
any mines of rich ore which refinement and poll
om' might have spoiled, but could have scarcely i
the proved. Young Phelps, after series of SIEVE
TEL struggles with able competitors rose to the hgh
ugh honors Of his profession, adorned the Bench viii
ong had often annoyed him. and was last year
G to elected TO his seat IN the Senate 1t needs but
own or two hearty efforts place himself in point
say. reputation for talent among the first minds of
ght country. | think never met man whom COZ
warrant to come off safe in an intellectual enco,
With ter with him.
ioz- Ro,,l;no, aLIeye The revoltnr troood, inc,