Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-05-11
The late Senator Phelps.


The following estimate Of the intellectual
f, professional and Senatorial character Of one
Of the most remarkable men in our own state
and in the republic, Is taken from the New
York Times. We are sure it will be read
with interest by the numerous friends and
admirers Of the deceased Statesman:
"Senutor Phelps graduated at Yale Col
iege in the year ~ H. and was coniessedly
ono Of the most talented men which that
College has sent ont, with her official i'm
primnIur, since Mr.. Calhoun. These men
were both very eminent in their way, but
they were almost the precise antipodes of
each other. Calhoun was grave, solemn
thoughtful, severe. Phelps, impulsigc, of
hand reckless. undigniieG often, but always
pointed piquaut generous and full Of an
lhises while his antiihesis was always
studying some reform. some vain plinntasy
of the imagination, which no man ever had
or ever could reduce to practical operation.
Our first knowledge Of Senator Phelps
was in the legislative council Of the State,
ia the year 1881. He was then a compara-
lively young man, aud was associated with
class who had no prior reputation 20 herald
them into office. and came before the public
under the doubtful patronage Of the first
anti. masonic council of the State Can any
good thing come out Of Nazarrth. We
happened to be n the lobby Of the House
of Assembly on the day Councillor Phelps
made his debut 10 addressing the Joint MS
sembly of both houses upon some constilu-
tional question. The effect vast electrical.
carrying the house by coup ne main Moth
my was spoken Of but the surprising, woui
eriul talents of the Young councillor, for
most Of his associates were his seniors. lie
was that session promoted 10 the bench Of
the supreme court The House Of Assembly
recedng from a proposition to reduce the
number OF Judges, 50 as to leave a place Tor
hun,
As Judge he vas always useful, often
displaying Surprising ability. bat more, a
general thing, 30 pfouognclng his opinions 10
Court, than in writing them out for the press.
he had io1 much OF the nervous restiessness
uf genius To endure the poddng progress Of
tracing out refined and latent anaIngies an
rudurlhle labor Aficr few yea1s Of eul
uently useful service upon tie bench he
was transferred 10 the United States Senate,
where he remained two fuil iefnis and part
Of another. lie was here one of the m1st
use ui, as well NJ, perhaps, the very abIesi
member, II We except DANIEL Webster aud
John g. Calhoun. Bnt he was never studi-
favorable Impressions. lie made m1uy bbie.
elaborate and learned speeches, and one IN
particular upon the tariff, IN reply TO Mr
Calhoun, which was regarded a. the great
speech upon the subject. and IN many re-
spects a mos, finished and eloquent produce
ti1n. Lis peroration was truly ihrllnr.
thing never to be forgotten when once read.
Bot he was above the little aris by which
common men are constantly striving 10 climb
inio notorle;y and which the most disung-
uisbed seldom disregard altogether
lie was a genial. campiniounhle man
while ia health, full of frolc and fun. But
latlcrlv. the hong hot summers at Washing
ton bad drrsngcd the functions Of hie to
such an cXtent, that n was sad to see uim 10
his public efforts especially to those who
had known him intimately in full strength.
Two months since he argued two important
cases 10 different counties, before the SUI
preme court. in which be manifested much
Of his usual ability and discrimination. so as
To make himself exceedingly interesting,
and Ia one OF them perpeiratcd one Of his
happy witlicisins, which brought down the
house go compleie roar ia the midst of the
grave DISCUSSION ct dry law point. Ills
arguments before the Supreme Court Of the
United States at Washington, were listen
cd % with the greatest admiration 10y al
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"pp'sea 10 MI w t"s''' A,,e' We 'lS'
""s suuih''eu 20 t"e o'"''' M'' W e0s'e'
saia 10 some one auuu' 'Ne var, senator
fhelps y one OF uie unrest Ui'oo'rS To
whom hi'e ever listened nc t,"sh'' ne
kne" NJ slrehsih' SoAFli inc Seh''e' am
ihmcdntelt oee"lne lie Hehno"leuse'
cAiei mere mr. Nhoate paia hi'h slii"-
, ar compliment IN me argument OF an 1.h-
portanl case before me eiro"h court "i me
United states "hcre they we're eng' ged
upon opposite SIDES ne 'a'' M, 'usuee
no npson OF ne supreme ,o'n OF me u
nted States regarded hl'n' llr many years
as one OF The Ve'y aoiest anVocates m ms
York, Connecticut, AMI Vermont.
But he has gone from the scenes OF his
earthly toni aud has lett few equals IN ne
country. lie had special contempt tor
pretenslon' and upsisu Young Americanism
IN all forms, which, once o, twice, It was
sad, threatened TO involve hlm IN an Eiialr
honor while AT Washington, with some high
hloods who happened to sport D1lliant e.
pauletie or snowy mousache Il, Is but Just
TO say OF Inn, ihl' he was a man OF great
kindness and generosity, iruihlnlness, and
integrity; and although no, 10 full commun-
ION with The church. one VINO held her ga,
! cred iormularles ia great VeneraiIon, and
D. A a. Fanr