Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-04-17
NUMBER 1870.
The Late Senator Phelps.

The Late Senator Phelps.
One of the most remarkable men, in some re
spects, In the republic, was suddenly cassed away
from his earthly labors few days since-the late
Senator Phelps, Of Vermont. s4
lie graduated at Yale College In the year 1911.
and was confessedly one of the most talented men
which that College has sent out, with her official
mprmatur, since Mr. Calhoun. These men were
both very eminent in their way, but they were
almost the precise antipodes Of each other. Cal.
houn was grave, solemn, thoughtful, severe
Phelps, impulsive, ofi-hand, reckless, undignifed
often, but always pointed, piquant generous and
never retormer; while his great antithesis was
always studying some reform, some vain phantasy
Of the imagination which no man ever had or ever
could reduce to practical operation
Our first knowledge Of Senator Phelps was IN
tho legislative council Of the State, in the year
1881. Ho was then comparatively young man,
and was associated with class who had no prior
reputation to herald them into Office, and came
before the public under the doubtful patronage Of
the first antimasonic council of the State. Can
any good thing come out Of Nazareth We hap.
pened TO be in the lobby Of the House Of Assem-
bly, on the day Councillor Phelps made his debut ii
addressing the joint assembly Of both houses upon
some constitutional question. The effect was cleo
trical, carrying the house by coup de main. Moth.
ing was spoken Of but the surprising, wonderful
talents of the young councillor, for most Of his
sociates were his seniors. He was that session
promoted to the bench of the supreme court--thc
House of Assembly recedng from proposition TO
reduce the number of Judges, 30 to leave place
for him.
As a Judge he was always useful, often displaying
SURPRISING ability, but more as general thing, III
pronouncing his opinions in Court, than in writing
them out for the press. He had too much of the
nervous restlessness of genius to render the plod
ding process of tracing out refined and latent anal
ogies endurable labor. After q few years Of
eminently useful service upon the bench, he wa1
transferred to the United States Senate where he
remained two full terms and part Of another He
was here one Of the most useful, as well as, per.
haps, the very ablest member, If we except Daniel
Webster and John c. Calhoun, But he was never
studous or watchful of opportunities, for making
favorable Impressions. He made many able, eab-
crate and learned speeches, and one in particular
upon the tariff, in reply to Mr. Calhoun, which was
regarded as the great speech upon the subject, and
in many respects most finished and eloquent pro-
duction. His peroration was truly thrilling,
thing never to be forgotten when once read. But
he was above the little arts by which common men
are constantly striving TO climb into notoriety, and
which the most distinguished seldom disregard
altogether.
He was genial, companionable man while in
health, full Of frolic and fun. But lattcrly, his
long hot summers at Washington had deranged
the functions 0f life to such an extent, that it
was sad TO eec him in his public efforts--espe-
cially 70 those who had known him intimately in
his full strength, Two months since he argued
two important cases in different counties, before
the supreme court in which he manifested much
of his usual ability and discrimination, so as to
make himself exceedingly interesting, and in one
of them pefpetrated one Of his happy witticisms,
which brought down the house in complete roar
in the midst of the grave discussion Of dry law
point. His arguments before the Supreme Court
Of the United States, at Washington, were listened
to with the greatest admiration by all who heard
them. Mr.. Webster, soon after he left the Senate,
was employed In the argument of an important
patent case before the court, where large num-
Der of the most distinguished counsel in the Union
were engaged upon both sides. Senator Phelps
made the leading argument upon the side opposed
to Mr. Webster. After the case was submitted
to the court, Mr.. Webster said to some one about
the bar; Senator Phelps is one Of the ablest adj
yocates to whom have ever listened; he might,
II be- know his strength, control the Senate, and
mu,o6 lately become the acknowledged chief
shpfsg Mr.. Choate paid him similar compli-
sxs<& IN the argument Of an important cause be-
- the circuit court Of the United States, where
z&ey were engaged upon opposite sides The late
M. Justice Thompson, Of the Supreme Court Of
the United States, regarded him, for many years,
as one OF the very ablest advocates In his Judicial
circuit, including tho States of New York, Con-
necticut, and Vermont.
But he has gone from the scenes OF bis earthly
toll and has left few equals in the country. He
had special contempt for pretension, and up
start young Americanism In all FORMS which, once
or twice, 1t was said, threatened TO involve him in
an affair Of honor while at Washington, with some
high bloods who happened TO sport brilliant
epaulette or snowy moustache. 1t Is but just to
say Of him. that he was man Of great kindness
and generosity truthfuness, and integrity; and al
though not in the full communion with the Church,
one who held her sacred formularies in great ven
Grafton, and who would excuse almost anything
sooner than levity upon serious subjects. He was
one who had no great veneration for the mere con-
yen,ionaisms Of artificial life, but no one was
truer to those instincts which everywhere mark
the gentleman and the scholor. He felt that Lie
was not always properly estimated by men Of small
calibre and great parade and assumption, and ho
was not always in the exercise Of wise discrc-
ton In speaking ofthose with whom lie felt that
he could have sympathy. Those who knew
him well, and could justly estimate his distinguish.
ing excellencies, will not fail TO remember him
with kindness aud respect.