Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-06-02
Phillips, the Orator.
srABhossoN ALcorr.,
whe faithful in iusane sedition keeps,
With silver and with rudy gold may vie.

-Tyrffhs
remember how in the year 1887, after the
killing Of Loyejoy, at Alton, there was public
meeting in Faneuil Hall, called by-I was about
to say. the last-Purtan saint and preacher of
New England, where be made speech, and
where certain States Attorney, | believe be
was, made speech, also, IN which he cast oil
manner Of rdcule upon the martyr and re-
member how a young man took hsquiet chat oe
to spring to bis feet and ascend the platform,
and pour out such jod Of eloquence, that
believe the poor victim has never breathed large
ly aud freely since. | remember seeing him
day or two ago, walking down Colonnade Row,
where he then lived, and wondering how he had
felt ever since that day. That was the first in
timation of the orator Of New England. All
Boston was surprised, and wondered who that
was. They found on inquiry, however, that
be was born well, was well bred, well educated,
and in all respects as good as they were. OF
course, that must have been great disappoint-
msnt. The difficulties must have been very
much greater, Of course, under these circum-
stances But then his youth was against him.
From that time to this, steadily from year to
year, and almost from day to day, that eloquence
has been making its way through New England
and tho West, and across the water, and he
stands to-day the orator of America, unmatched
by any preceding orator and in this respect,
that he pleads for righteousness, he pleads for
the truth always--h4s never been known to be
on the wrong side, but always on the right side,
always for the oppressed, never for the OPP
pressor. So that, With one exception (and
can hardly make thst) in New England, in tie
West, and even in the National Capital itself,
more persons will flock to hear that orator than
any other in the country.
He stands conspicuous above Others as the ad-
vocate of human rights, the defender of the
oppressed Freedoms loadstar, whose lustre is
leading fugitive states and statemen fast from
their bondage to the dark despotlsm, into thi.
refuge OF liberty, here in the north Of the North
New England. BY happy fortune he enjoys
the privilege, denied to senators, Of speaking for
! free and freedom-lsvng men, unncumbered by
slave statutes or caucus.
His speeches have the highest qualities Of q
great orator. In range of thought, clearness Of
statement, keen satire, brilliant wit, personal
anecdote, wholesome moral sentiments, patriot
ism, the Puritan spirit, they are unmatched by
those Of any of the great orators Of the day.
| They have, besides, the rare merit, and one in
which our public men have been painfully def
cisnt of straght-forwardness, point and truth to
the hour. They are addressed to the conscience
Of the country, and were spoken in the interests
OF humanity. Many q soldier now in the field,
many a citizen, doubtless, owes his loyalty in
large measure, to his hearing of these eloquent
words.
Above party, unless it be the honorable and
ancient party Of Mankind, they embody the
temper and drift OF the times. How many pub
lic mer are here to survive in the pillory OF his
indignant inyectiyes The history Of the last
thirty years cannot be accurately written with.
out his facts and anecdotes. There is no great
interest of philanthropy in which he has not
been active. Ills words are to be taken as those
Of an earnest mind intent on furthering che
ends Of truth and Righteousness, interpreted
not by their rhetoric, but consistently to prin.
ciples Why are they not collected and printed
in book for the credit OF our tongue, the praise
of humanity, and the good fame of theil
author?
Certainly the country hangs in the balance o
his argument; cabinets and councils hesitatinl
to do or undo without SOME regard to his words
well knowing the better constituency he bette
represents, and speaks for the PEOPLE, namely
: whose breath can unmske them as it has made
Would you like to hear what poet wrote 0
him great while agof 1t may be that thes
lines have not fallen under your eye =
He stood upon the worlds broad threshold wide
The din Of battle and OF slaughter rose;
, He saw God stand on the weaker side,
That sunk In seeming loss before Its foes
Many there were that made great haste and sold
Unto the cunning enemy their swords
lie scorned their gifts OF fame and p Aad gold,
And, underneath their sOft and nowery words,
: Heard the cold serpent hiss therefore he went
And humbly Joined him 20 the weaker part,
:, Fanatic named and foo, vet well content,
, So he could be the nearer TO Gods heart,
And feel It's solehn pulses sending blood
Through all the vide spread vsins Of endless good"
These are James Russell Lowell's verse,
written in 0Sl3 don't know that many o
!, us had found it out, but one poet had, as Ion
e ago as that, and sung it. Is it not fulfilled 7
|
From Mr.. Aeottt Conversations on New Fnglsr
Reformsrs March Y, 1883, reported for The comasr
wealth newspaper,