Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1865-12-26

be always diligently studied subjects as they came
up in all their parts and relations so that his
opinions, whether in the social circle, on the bench
or in the Senate, far from being crude or extray-
agant, were the fruit of wise reflection, and no
man reasoned more independently, or was less
afraid to stand alone.
Senator ColIamer was not wide and desultory
reader, though well versed in history aud standard
Misunderstanding many quaint and rare old
books-but he was very diigeht and coEscen-
tious student Of the books he loved retaining
forever any mastery he had once acquired over
them, and among them none were more thor
oughIy read and inwardIy digested than the BIZ
bs. A model in the regularity Of bis habits,
modest and republican in his style Of llying-in
bis tastes as well as principles-he maintained q
character Of spotess purity in all the relations Of
life, public and private, end bis own home was
made happy by his presence. His piety was un.
Affected, and he was regular attendant wherever
he dwelt upon divine worship. lie was liberal
and public spirited in proportion to bis means,
though an economical manager Of his own affairs
as he was Of those Of his country. 10 his own
State at the time Of bis decease he was regarded
as her foremost man, and his loss will be mourned
by the nation as the loss Of one Of its great men,
believe he desired to be regarded as Chris
tian hiatesmsn, and any terms added to these be
would have considered as terms Of diminution.
lie preferred 10 be quietly right rather than to
be conspicuous and wrong lie sought to con-
vince, not to be eloquent lie was impressive
rather than impusve. lie appealed to the rea.
son OF men, and did not aim to excite their tenn
per- lie tried to mske his audience understand
the weight Of the argument, not TO please them
with the beatitudes Of rhetoric. The truths to
which he gave utterance we're calculated in their
naked simplicity, sometimes in their puriianic
gritty homeliness Of hrase, TO stand the tests Of
all time, but he took no care to embalm his works
with ths ornaments ol the schools, or the spos
Of literature in order to win lha. fame which style
often secures even to shallow thinkers. 1t was
breadth Of view and not icity Of dction he
aimed at lie borrowed little from Others HIS
Intellectual structures were built Of timber be had
freshly cut and hewn on his own domains, redo
lent Of the perfume Of the forest, and were not
| pied up from dead ort-wood quotations which
| float OH the surface of learning, so tempting 10
merely literary vreckers. Though always brave
| ly in earnest and selfconscOus Of bis power he
bad 10 hot blo)d, teeming with luxurlant prog
eny Of hyrerbole ard fancy, but his unembellished
words always kept on level with his argument,
clear, cogent, and inspiring the hearer with the
dea that the speaker was wiser, ireighted with
more thought upon the subject, than himself.
Knowing that the human MIND wearies with long
continued attention, he was accustomed 10 enlven
his speech with an occasional opposite aneodote,
of which he possessed wonderful oppuleuce, but
they were always chlste and never delayed the
argument They we're single flashes OF wit which
an ltyhf tba Cub in hau nd NM eh
speaker AMI hearer were long way further on in
their journey. Though it was obvious that be
had keen relish for wit, he more worshipped
tue light which shines forever than the moment
ary brllliancy Of the meteor, and was more truly
great in the irresistible logic with which be was
won't to inlrench himself and bid defiance to OPP
ponents.
He scrutinEsd novelties, aud was slow to ex-
change present inheritance for future prospects.
But, If be was not an lnnoyator, he was ready to
sustain and defend any weconsldered and sub
stantal Improvement. Conservative from natural
temperament as well as age and experience, he
yet never was unwilling TO strike at any tangible |
evil or governmental abuse.
The constitution Of his country he had read |
with profound attention, and upholdng il in all
its pats, mainly in accordance with the school of
Madison, he strove to be the guardian Of the nat
ursl rights Of the people as well as the just au- |
thorty Of the government. lie loved liberty |
aud rtyered law. Loving his own State dearly |
aud watchiu OF all her rights he never hesiiated
to subordinate her sovereignty to that Of the ma
ton His merits in the Senate, as constitutional
lawyer Of ample learning and uncommon sagacly,
were cheeriulIy acknowledged therei and his
lame, II II did not leap over, extended as wide as
the boundaries Of our country.
Though his views we're usually in harmony vi
those OF the people Of his own State, the trans
oendeEt regard they bad for him and his exalted
character permitted him to differ with them upon
some question, as they felt, whatever differences
there nigh. be, that they we're the result Of pat.
rioiic and independent opinions Of iullgrown
man.
lie 4bhorred war considered as trade or pro-
fession, wss Jealous Of the supersedure of laws by
military rule, and had serious iorebOdings as to |
its influence on public morals; but he had large
fal b IN the American people, in their intelligence
aud traditions and, in responding 10 the wager |
Of battle by awicked and rehellious people, he
Was for lto energetic and full exercise Of the mill.
taiJ power Of the country. Cuary ol legislative
weapons, be had no doubt Al all oi the sihc enoy
OF martial resources,
In the Senate others may have exceIled him in
learning, in genius, IN sarcasm, in oratory. but
one surpassed him in stores Of knowledge, in ad
mirabIe clearness Of statement, in lofty purpose,
ID direct and vigorous argument, nor in that com
binatlon Of sound opinions which make the intel
lgenl statesman.
Such is lfe-wth no words his friend, could
wish to blot with no acts that do not contribute
to bis praise, closing with his eountp's plaudit,
" Well done, thou good and faithful servant,
closing with the Christians hope IN
the te,ustc..o c..oc-APpeas TO us by the force Of Its
hd.trlous example that We msy 60 make up our
hna record, that lh0,e who survive u, may be
able to cay, as We do now, Behold, with no ne.
member,d sus of youth, here are ,he ,pIehdors Of
"a age, a long age Of good WORKS"
MIR. Woodbridge addressc tho llouse ia the
following words l.
Mr.. Speaker, after the remarks Of INV dstin-
sulshed colleague, who has 90 Justly analysed
The character OF lhe late Judge COllamer, 1t will
not be appropriate for me to detain the House
longer lhan 10 pay the tribute Of love 10 the
memory of my departed friend. Il
Judge Collamer was for many years leading
lawyer ia Vermont. lie looked upon law as the
perfection VI humGa reason, aLd studied 1t As
Tue highest and most pcriec, science. Hence
he spurned the garbage OF the outer courts lie
noyer touched the o1Als oi the sacrifice, but wg.
shipped at tho inner shrine ol the temple whose
Architectural proportions are just whose parts
are orderly and harmonious; where Justice ls
lound married to law, and controversy guided
by the spirit OF truth, rather than the spirit oil
victory. BY well.dteotod study ho became one
:. - 4 = II Q