Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1865-12-22

that ne was one Of the most efficient and salts
| factory Hisi prius judges who have ever sat up
I on the bench.
His published opinions while judge of the
supreme court are models Cf judicial compost
tons For accuracy of learning. terseness OF
statement, clesrness and comprehensiveness OF
/ style. | DO not know where they are ex-
celled.
Had Judge Collamer remained upon the bench
to the end Of his life, like Chief Justice Shaw
of Massachusetts,. or Chief Justice Gibbons Of
/ Pennsylvania, have no doubt his judicial fame
would have equaled that Of those eminent Ju-
rists.
HOUSE
Mr.. MoRRmL said
Hon. Jacob Collamer would have been seventy
five years Oh hal he lived until the oth Of jan
uary next, having been born at Troy, y,
January :, 1871. With his father, soldier Of
the Revolution, he moved to Burlington, and
graduated at the Vermont University IN the class
/ Of 1910. After being admitted TO the bar IN
/ 1913, be made brief campaign in the last var
with England, as lieutenant Of artillery in the
detached militia of the United States service,
and there was no portion Of his history to which
he referred with more pride
Having settled in Royalton, he represented
/ the town while successfully pursuing his pro
/ fession in the State Legislature in ISL, lcZ2,
| 1897 and 1928, was a member Of the State con-
| stitutional convention in 1886, and was made
| associate Justice Of the supreme court OF Yer
mont in 1888 He was continued on the bench
until 1912, when he was elected member ofthe
House Of Representatives in the Congress OF the
| United States. Reelected in lS4laId 1916, he
was, at the expiration Of his service IN this
House. Immediately called TO the Cabinet Of
. I of he
| dent, he resigned his place il 1850. The same
/ wear he was again placed as judge in the So
/ preme court Of Vermont. AM so remained until
| 1854. when he was elected Senator Of the Uni
I TED States for six years from 800. At the ex-
| piration Of the term he was reelected.
At his first entrance upon his duties in the
I Senate, he was placed upon the Committee on
Territories, Of which Judge Douglas was chair
/ man, and male the celebrated reply Of the mi
nority March y, 1861 TO the report Of that
distinguished gentleman on the territories Of Ne
I braska and Kansas The compact statement Of
facts, the Logical deductions therefrom, and the
/ powerful condensation Of the summing up at
| the conclusion. az once established his rcputa
ton in that body Of which he became so marked
a member. At the close Of his career, he held
the position Of chairman ofthe Committee on the
Post Office and Post Roads, chairman Of the
Joint Committee on the Library, and was also
member of the Committee on Judiciary
lie received the honorary degree Of LID.
from the University Of Vermont IN 1919, and
ON Dartmouth College in 1901.
Suffering from a sharp attack Of congestion OF
the lungs, induced by a cold caught while re-
turning from the funeral Of brother, Senator
Collamer died, from an organic disease Of the
heart on the evening Of Thursday Nov. @ last, at
his residence in Woodstock, attended by the love
where the pastor Of his church, on the following
Sabbath. performed impressive funeral services,
without pomp or show, and where the people Of
the town and the bereaved family. as the sun
was slowly sinking in the west, followed HIM
with tears AMI sorrow to his quiet tomb.
HIS constant elevation produced 10 change in
the m0desty Of his d5meanor, and there was 10
station, in his long recital Of his public employ
ments. which ne did not htly I'll and adorn.
At the start IN life, young Collamer was a
Jefiersonsn Republican. Later, when parties
assumed other names, be was a Wing, and al
ways distinguished for the thoroughness with
which he examined all questions. for his moder-
alton. for the courtesy with which he ever treat
Ell political opponents, and for MS scorn, which
he took no pains TO conceal, Of demasosues.-
Though stoutly maintaining his own preiiec-
tons. he reyileI with cruel words neither par
ties Eor persons, and nov, that his course is run.
he Is al peace with all the world
Mr.. RAYMOND, Of New York.
1t was my good fortune to know the late Sera-
tor Collamcr for many years last past. Il was
one Of the most pleasing incidents Of the annual
festival Of cur university committeeman, to
those Of US who were then in college, that he
was to be present, as he was always present,
when commencement day came round to re-
hearse to Us the history Of the. troubles through
which he had TO pass to achieve the education
TO which he attributed his success in life. and TO
give to Us, as no one could DO So well. those
couusels and suggestions Of which We all stood
50 much in need. learned then 10 admire his
character and TO love him for his kind consider
alton toward Us, 50 much his juniors, SO eager,
50 ready always 10 profit by his example and 10
learn from his counsels. II was not my fortune
in after life 10 know him intimately. | used 10
see him only as We see each other in the casual
meetings Of public life. The more l saw him
the more | honored him, the more profoundly l
respected the great gifts he brought to the
public service, and the high moral considera-
tons by which his public actions were always
guided.
He was, as far removed as possible from that
class Of public men whom the French were ac-
customed 10 designate d0ciriaGires. He was
practical, direct, straightforward statesman in
the largest and best sense Of that great and
noble word.
| think Senator Collamer, moreover, showed
largely, perhaps was to \ certain extent the
cause Of, that moderation. that steady conserva-
tlsm in tone and temper, which has always
characterized the noble State from which he
came. Il has always seemed 10 me that Yer
mont, more thoroughly and more truly even
han I'll O.. IL
perfect model Of a republican commonwealth
L know Of no State certainly-and my acquaint-
ance with it has been somewhat intimate
where believe the great principles Of social
equality obtain a more thorough fcothold than
IN that Green Mountain State. I know Of none
IN which the personal and civil rights Of every
human being obtain a more prompt, a more
thorough, more cordial recognition.
And should state, equally to the honor of
that noble State, that she is always steady IN
the judgment Of public affairs and Senator
Collamer shared her steadiness of Judgment and
action, never carried away by mere caprice or
gusts Of public temper. He was still always
profoundly respectful and deferential TO that
settled and permanent tendency and conviction !
Of the public mind which, perhaps. is the surest
test Of political truth to which any person in |
public or private life can possibly refer.
vermont, MIR Speaker, has been fortunate in |
the character Of her public men, from time !
beyond which my memory does not reach in her /
history. She has always had IN her public coun- /
ellis men who conferred lustre upon her, and /
gathered honor to themselves by the manner in
which they met every duty which devolved upon
them. Some Of their names in various depart
ments Of the public service have been cited By
the honorable gentlemen whose words preceded
me- They are names that will live lin history.
They are names that reflect honor upon the pro
LESSONS with which they were connected; and
Vermont still has in the public service in both
Houses in fhis Cnnn-rnsa in the l.rl,rn.As. -. |