The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-12-29
The Late Senator COlldmer.

Many eloquent and impressive words
have been spoken in both houses of con-
gress in culogy of the late senator from
this state. We make room for the re-
marks of
Jh. Poland Mr. President. had in
tended not to occupy the attention of the
Senate by any observations of my own
upon this occasion. Ny distinguished col
league, who was for so many years asso-
ciated in public life with Judge Collamer,
not only in this, but also in the other
house of congress, was so eminently fitted,
both in thoughts and words. to do justice
to his fame and memory, and TO express
the deep regret and grief of the people of
our state at his loss. that did not feel at
liberty TO weaken what he might say by
any feeble utterance of my own. The
knowledge, too. that other distinguished
members of this body, long associated
with Judge Collamcr. not only as senators,
but in other high departments of the pub
lie service, would address the senate upon
the announcement of his decease, was an
additional circumstance urging me TO ST.
lence. But more mature deliberation has
brought me. within Il very few hours, TO
Il different determination. and TO the be-
lief that in justice 10 myself. rs the sue
ces,cr of Jud ge Collamer 70 4 seat in this
branch of congress, and TO the people of
the state which so highly trusted and hon.
ored him, my own feeble voice ought TO
he added 10 the general mourning over his
lamentcd decease.
| NV colleague and other senators who
have addressed us at the present time.
have far better knowledge Of the career of
my lamented predecessor, rs a statesman
and 4 member of the general government.
than myself. for they were associated with
him. and witnessed his daily labors in
those great departments. while nv knowl-
edge was merely that of the people at
large, derived from the published proceed
ings and debates. and the current history
of public affairs This reason alone is
ample why should not trespass upon a
theme already So sufficiently and eloquent
lv presented
But the greatness and usefulness OF nv
! predecessor consisted not alone in hiS dis
tinguished services to his state and nation
in the two houses of congress. and as a
cabinet minister He was eminently dis
tingui>hed aS LAWYER and 4 judge: and
in these respects | doubtless knew him bet
ter than any other member Of this body
except my colleague: and the few words
| desire to say will relate mainly TO his
professional and judicial character and rep
utation. Professional reputation and
fame. however we'll earned and deserved,
Except at Il few iavorite points, and nj
t!onal tribunalS), is always local in lis
character. and extends little, ii anv. be-
yond the sphere of actual administration
hardly ever outside the lines of Il state.
And the same Is true of judicial reputa-
tion. earned upon the bench of the stale
courts. unless the judicial career of the re-
cipient extends over an unusual period of
time. The reason for this Is sufficiently
apparent from the fact that the profession
al and judicial laborS of lawyers and
Judges are generally bestowed on matters
of mere private concern and Individual in
tereSt. and however important and useful
TO the parties themselves. excite but little
interest in the public mind. Much the
larger part of Judge Coll,mer'S profession
al life had passed before knew him per-
sonallv. for he had been already three
years upon the bench of our supreme
court when came to the bar in lS36.-
From that time until his retirement from
the bench in 1912. was Il practitioner
before the court of which he was men,
Der. During the short period that elapS-
ed between his retirement from the lower
house of congress and his return 10 the
bench i'll 1850. he resumed the practice of
hi> profession; and during that time |
was Il member ot, the supreme court of
the state. Under the new organization of
the Judiciary in 1850, judge Collamer
was mad judge OF tine second judicial cir
cult, Ind held that Office until his election
to-thc senate in 1850. During this period
| held the same office for the fourth Judi
cial circuit, and it was during this time
only that | was ever brought into very in
timatc personal relations with him.
| learn from members of the profession
who We're contemporary with Judge Col
lamer i'll the earlier portion of his profeS-
sional career. that his excellent natural
abilities, together with his thorough and
accurate knowledge of law, obtained by
close application and study: his diligence
and faithfullness in attending to the inter-
ests of his clients, and especially his un-
swerving honesty and integrity, soon
brought to him large professional employ
ment, and that his sphere of practice and
reputation steadily enlarged up to the
time he left the bar for the bench. He
was ever exact and thorough in his prep
aration, to the smallest details, and in the
conduct of trials was always watchful
that no proper presentation or argument
beneficial to his client should be omitted.
Nor did he ever fail to see and to avail
himself of all proper advantage given
him, either by the weakness of his adver-
sarles cause or by any lack of professional
skill shown in its support. But his prac-
tice of the law was honorable and manly;
he never sought advantage for his clients
cause by the use and of craft cunning, so