Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1865-11-28
Hon. Jacob Collamar.

who was Tor many years an intimate friend and
townsman Of the Hon. Jacob Collamer sends u
a very readable sketch Of the late Senator, which
was received too late for our last issue. We give
it below, emitting in all cases, where it is ossbe
to do so without material injury to the remaining
portion of the article, such parts as were parlicu-
larly treated upon in our article last week. Ed
When the war OF 1912
broke out, Mr. Collamer received a Lieutenants
commission in the detached militia and fought for
bis country at the battle of Bladensburg. 10
common with others, be suffered much in this
campaign from the want Of prompt pay conse
quently his food and clothing were sadly deficient
In 1913 he was admitted to the practice Of the
law in Franklin County, where for season he
was engaged in copying accounts for the army
and collecting war taxes. For permanent resi-
dInce he selected the village Of Royalton. That
town being nearly equi-disant from the two shirss
Of Windsor and Orange counties, offered him a
favorable location Tor the exercise of bis probes
sion, and at this place, for great number Of
years, he was one Of the most dgent students in
the county. lie surrounded himself with large
library, and when not engaged in the active duties
Of bis profession, he was constantly to be found in
his office, porng over bic law books and at hons
was general reader One Of the incidents which
brought him prominently before the public, was
the trial OF case Of defamation. Mr.. Collamer
was employed by the plaintiff, snd had an op-
portunity Of addressing board cf referees, "a
arge assembly Of the citizens Of Royalton being
present. HIS remarks were clear, lucid and
iorcble, and that astonishing logical ability for
which he has always been distinguished displayed
itself in the arrangement Of his sentences. The
conclusion was expressive and touching. He
spoke Of the importance of the verdict to the fam
lily OF the plaintiff, and as the sweet, svery tones
Of hs.voce rarg through the hall, it touched ar
electrical chord in the hearts Of the audience
The emotions Of pity, sympathy and compassion
were aroused by master hand, and there were bu
~" Wy NIto ~ tho hhhlCHNts luu NNiA4NE Nh'
in bis clients favor, and hencelorVard he be-
came generally and hvoraby known to the
people,
lie was a Jefferson ian Democrat, and Royaltor
was Federal town, ard consequently politoa
pro motion did not come until party spirit haC
subsidized lie waslihen elected, and served fol
a number Of years as representative from Roya!
ton in the State Legislature, and once as a dele
j. gate to Constitutional Convention In 1924
, lafayette, while making tour Of the State
called at Royalton, and Mr. Collamer was ap
pointed to address him, which he did in ths
I happy, felctous manner for!wh.oh be was 30 dis
tnguished As a legislator be took deep inter
est in the enactment Of such laws as tended Il
advance the intelligence Of the people. lie wa
5 Influential 10 the passage Of law making radi
cal change in the school system, appointing
board of commissioners to take a general over
sight OF the schools, select books, &C., and also i
, the creation Of a permanent common school funt
In 1888 Mr.. CollsmG was supported by hi
friends for Congress There were three clnd
dates. Horace Everett and George +. Vale
then member) we're in the field. Mr.. Everett
succe eded, and received six successive re.eleC
tons. During this lengthy term there was nj
vacancy for Mr.. Collamer. Ia 1923 be was ap
pointed one of the Judges OF the Supreme Cour
of Vermont, and resigned that seat in 1912
Subsequently he was elected 10 Congress froI
| tn, Third District, and in lS4s he was appointe
D Postm aster General by President Taylor. Wit
the other members be resigned office upo
the death OF the President. Returning to Vel
mont he was made a Judge Of one OF the circuit
of the Supreme Court, and in 1854 was eleete
to the U. S. Senate, and in 1850 was reelected
IS A, a statesman, hi, views we're broad and con
5, prehen,ive. He thought calmly, decidedly, coo
=, and acted with great vigor. hi, great exec
utive ability, while acting as Postmaster Genera
| WAS admitted nv all Mr. Collsmpr entered ",