Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-02-07
SKETCH or ruELNrE
SKETCH OF TUE LATE
CHARLES GAMMAGE EASTMAN,
Rol3 5etare He Historical Society Of Vem,oaL


Rel3 5efare hc Historical Society Of TemonL
ny REV. P. sHELroS-
CHARLES GAMMAGE EASTMAN was born at
Fryburgh. Maine, June ! 1916 and died in
Montpelier, Vermont, Sept Is, 1860. Cut
off thus at the very prime, when youth had
scarce lost any of its charms and the deyel-
oped strength of manhood was prepared to
grapple with the great objects of life, he per-
ished--not without accomplishment indeed,
vet prematurely. We lose not the startling
effect of suddenness, the shock and paralysis
which falls upon us like blow, when such
as he vanishes from an active scene, though
he may have fingered for some time bed
of illness The extinction of such vigor is
like the sudden qnenchng of flame with wa
ter. As Cicero beautifully expresses IL ado
leseentes morn SIC mihi yideatur, at cum aqua
rnuiitudine uis fdmme opprimitr. Sic Uitam
adolescentibus uis aufert, senibus mat,tritds
There are scanty materials from which to
prepare any satisfactory memoir of the de-
ceased. Though casting himself by his own
involuntary choice (if such an expression may
be deemed alowabe.) into the turmoil of
parties and the agitation Of political life, the
records Of him best worthy of preservation
could be gathered only from sources too sa-
cred to be reached by investigation--his own
heart, anu MS own nonts llc may w HAN-
scented or misrepresented as a politician as
sure as the battle thickens he will be forgot
ten as such hereafter, by his thoughts
which breathe and words which burn he
will be remembered as poet and a man.
Certain it is that at the start he owed moth
ing to advantages of birth, to the gifts Of for
tune, or Of sustaining patronage The spnit
of Independence urged him from the paterna
roof into the world at the age of clever
years. and from that time, to use his owl
homely but significant phrase, he was forced
ito cut his own fodder Like most in GU
country who have risen to influence or dis
tinction he emerged out of obscurity by re
sources of his own by native talent or ener
gy. Though poor and destitute, he resolve,
to enjoy the benefits of classical educatio
and refined culture. BY making the ordna
~ shifts and taxing all his leisure hours h
was enabled to enter himself as a student i
the University of Vermont, where he becam
the founder of literary Society which contir
ues to flourish to the present day. Soon a
ter he began an active political career, follow
ing his predictions, which were for the prin
ciples of the Democratic party, of which, /
time, he rose to be one of the most inhuer
tial leaders and acknowledged heads. iii
first newspaper enterprise as we CLEAN irol
an interesting tribute published soon aft'
his decease) was a small journal issued
Johnson, in the County of Lamoille, whic
proving unremunerative another field WI
chosen. In 1910 he started at Woodstocl
and placed on a firm basis "The Spirit
the Age" But the principal locality Of h
editorial labors was Montpelier, where tC
many years, and up to the period of his la
illness he conducted the "Vermonl Patriot
with signal success
The estimation in which he was held dun
ing comparatively brief career, is signife
by numerous posts Of responsibility and hoI
or bestowed on him by his fellow citizens.-
Twice he received the suffrages Of his part
in his district as their candidate for Congress
In 1852 and SO he was elected a member
the State Senate from Washington Count
sin which capacity he served with credit
himself and with advantage to the emit
State, as many of its more permanent int
ests will testify" He was a member Of Il
National Democratic Convention first in / 81
again in that of 1856 which nominated NJ
Buchanan for the Presidency, and was lab
rious and active in those which assembled
Charleston and Baltimore in $50. SAT DO
these he served effectively on public and pI
yate committees, and though oppressed az
burthened by disease, was busy with pen al
speech. here ne expended ms last lRbo
which were given at the hazard of his lii
They told with terrible effect on his failh
constitution. One of his own townsm
wrote who knew him well 81 saw him
Washington in June toiling with his assoc
ates from different portions Of the Unto
when it was evident that every impulse
the brain and every struggle Of the body W
surely drawing him to the grave
"Mr. Eastman remarked one of his c
temporaries Of the press, "wrote in sty
peculiarly his own, always remarkably pc
spicuous, terse and forcibe These chara
teristics as a writer coupled with great pc
sonal popularity, prominently fitted him
that position Of influence which he so 10
held. Being man OF the people be w
popular favor without catering to popul
prejudice. Hence it was that OF the We
few Of his party who have been elected to p
stions Of honor and trust in this State,
was one"