Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1865-12-29

Mr. WENTWORTH, Of Illinois said am un-
willing that the West should be unhesrd on this
occasion and have no other apology to offer
Tor my remarks now except that regret that
some abler man from the West had not deemed
that the privilege devolved upon him. 90
entered Congress at the same time with
Judge Collsmer in 1913, and I had not long
been associated with him before marked him
as man Of signal ability, and destined to take
that high rank which has been so unanimously
accorded him. concur in all the noble traits
Of character which the gentlemen who have 30
eloquentiy preceded me have enlarged upon.
But there are some points which they have over.
looked that deem too prominent to be omitted
and do Justice to 50 great man He distin-
gulshed himself for bis kindness and fatherly
care Of the new States. While he scrupulously
canvassed all our measures and opposed those
which he deemed extraysgant, yet he may have
been considered very liberal man 20 US, and
could mention many works Of western improve
ment that stand out as monuments fhis justice
and foresight.
Judge Collamer was an economical man, and
carefully investigated every claim that was
brought before Congress, and those Of bis fel-
iow-members who had not examined them never
had any fears in following him il be only assur-
Ell them that he had carefully examined the
matter. He looked as do upon economy, as
one Of the best safeguards Of our Government.
and as one Of the essential requisites ofs
statesman. He thought that no man should be
more liberal Of the public money than he was Of
his own. He viewed economy in public affairs
as nothing more nor less than strict honesty. The
same sterling economy which characterized him
IN the legislative department he practiced in the
executive department. As Postmaster General
he tolerated no extrayagance, and when have
said this, need not say his Department wa.
tainted with no corruption. And if the history
OF the Post Office Department is ever written,
his administration will be noted as economical
cheap, and honest, and he will stand equal 10.
if fnot ahsad In this respect, Of the purest men
who have ever adorned the national Post Office.
As to his ability have only to quote my own
case to show what effect he was capable Of pro-
ducing upon minds that were even prejudiced
against his views. | was here during the last
Inauguration ceremonies, and when 1 came here
had not the views that now have with refer
enee to the reconstruction of the States had
a conversation with one Of the ablest men in
this country upon that subject, and might
add, with gentleman now occupying whatI
consider the highest position in this Republic.
His views and mine at parting did not exactly
coincide. His last words were, sI would like
to have you read the late speech Of Senator COL
lamer, if you have not done sc.'' As | had not,
he took particular pains to send to his own Il
brary and got for me the only copy he had,
which he priced very highly, and trusted to his
good fortune to get another. To that speech
owe the convictions which have dictated the
not:s which have cast upon this floor That
speech convinced me, and | know no other way
for public man to vote than in accordance
with his convictions, leaving the consequences,
not to the dictation Of selfish organizers Of poll
tical parties, but to that Creator to whom
man is as much responsible for his official
as for his private acts
The gentleman from New York [Mr. Ray
mondl has told US that Judge Collamer was
Until those words, had not
made up my mind to address the House on this
occasion. | deemed it my duty then to define
Judge CoLamer's conservatism. He was for
preserving his Government, and he was for des-
troying everything that stood in the way Of
that Government to the protection
and blessing Of divine Providence. He was
of the right and radical destruc-
tive Of the wrong. The gentleman from New
York might have said of him that he was ra-
deal conservative. He knew no eIpediency, he
knew no policy, as against the equality of all
mankind before the law and that is the sense
IN which an immense majority Of this House
can be called conservatives.
The gentleman from Kentucky mfr. Grider1
spoke Of Mr.. Collamer as a conscentiously reli-
giOus man, and he might have added that his
religion was of that kind which made him be-
eve and carry into actual practice the belief
that men shonld be as equal before the bar of
bis country as they were before the bar Of God.
Judge Collamer met the black man on earth as
be knew he would meet him in heaven.