Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1865-01-24
The late Edward Everett.


the llth OF April, 1894, and had consequently
nearly completed his sevsnty-6rst year at the
time Of bis death His father, the Rev. Oliver
Everett was distinguished clergyman in Boston
uau! 1892 when be resigned bis pastoral charge
on account Of III health, and passed the remain
der Of bic life in the djaeent village OF Dorchts-
ter Ills son entered Harvard College in 1907,
and was graduated in this usual course with the
brightest honors in class OF remarkable promise,
At the early age of seventeen. During bis scs-
dsmcal course, he displayed the same enthusas.
tc love of literature, and extraordinary powers Of
execution, which we're among the strongly marked
features Of his character in after llfe Ths fame
Of the youthful student long fingered round the
walls Of Harvard, and his name was widely quo
ted as prodigy Of precocious genius. After
leaving college, he was appointed to the ofice Of
tutor, which, at that period, was deemed aot the
least'among the academic honors OF bis Alma
Mater. In connection with the duties OF this post,
ne pursued the study Of theology, and in 1919
succeeded the eloquent and greatly admired Buck
minister, as pastor of the Brsttle Street. Church
in Boston.
Hi, congregation represented the most intsll-
gent aad refined circles in that city, aud he lmme.
ai4tely rose to distinction as an elsq lent and i'm
prsssIye pulpit orator. Less than twenty years
si age, his almost juvenile presence and singular
youthful beauty formed strange contrast to the
maturity and wisdom of his thoughts, the classic
elegance OF bis style, and the onasts gravity OF
bis elocutiou. During the next year he published
!" Defence of Christianity" in reply to young
man named English who had obtained a certain
notoriety by renouncing the Christian faith while
studying for the ministry, and making profession
/ Of Judgtsnn flna nI NJ Rv.r.tt
ceived ~ith a wonder and delight, which at this
DAY 1t Is difficult to imagine, but the tradition OF
which Is unimpaired in the literary history of New
England. 1t vas remarkable for its prodigic
array Of Biblical and philc logical ltarnng its frs-
qaent use Of the researches OF German thsolo-
gians, whose names had then scarcely been heard
Of in this country, and its occasional passage. of
tender and pathetic eoqusnce.
10 the same year, he Was elected Eliot pro-
iessor OF Greek tsraturs in Harvard Colegs, and
d order to qualify himself mors fully for The du-
ties Of the office, hs entered upon an extended
course OF European travel ana study. After
four years residence at some Of the principal uni
versilies and capitals Of Europe, he returned to
Cambridge in the year 1919. His accession to
the academic staff gave an almost incredible i'm
pnl'e to the students Of the University bis sp-
pearancs was hailed as new and splendid light
ia the literary horizon, another morn risen on
mid noon bis lsctures in the branch Of learn
log TO which his proiessorship was devoted, and
hil Sunday discourses in tbs college chapel, pro-
duoed sensation almost unprecedented in the
annals OF purely didactic eloquence.
Durisg the same year, he took oharg, OF The |
North American Review" which he conducted |
till 1924, IN the summer OF which year hs de-
liysred his celebrated Phi Beta Kappa Grafton, to
an Immense audience at Cambridge including
Gsn. lafayette who was then in lhe midst Of bis |
triumphant progre" through the United States.
Ihis was followed In successive years by the no.
Dls series of popular orations whsh have given
i1ch deep foundation to his rhetorical fame.
In 1924, Mr.. Everett commenced his political
career as member of Congress from Middlessx,
IN which District he resided for many ysars. By
several reflections he served ten years in the ma
Iionsl House OF Representatives, snd during the |
whole period he held the important post OF me m
Der OF the committee on foreign affairs, and in |
the Twentieth Congress, though belonging to the
minority in politics, he was appointed chsirmsn
OF that committee by the democratic speaker,
Mr.. Stevenson Of Virginia. During nearly the
whole Congressional course, he vas placed on the
most important sslset ommttses, aad in every
instance was appointed to draw up the msjority |
or minority report.
In the autumn Of 1884, he declined rsnomi- |
nation for Congress, and was chosen Governor Of
Massachusetts by alsrgs majority at the ensu-
ing election lie was aiterward re. ected, hold |
ing the executiy, osic. for four years. 10 1889, |
he was defeated by Mr. Morton, the democratic |
candidate, by majority Of one vote. Upon the |
election Of Gen. Harrison to the Presidsncy in |
ls40, Mr.. Everett was appointed Minister Of the
United States to the Court Of St. James, which |
ofics he filled with singular ability till ls45, |
when he returned to the United States, and &C.
cep!ed the appointment of President OF Harvard |
College, His administration Of this eminent pos. |
was not attended with any considerable success.
tie failed 70 win the sympa,hies of the students.
His manners wsre to formal aGd reserved for the
tas,eoflhs ingenious youth under bic charge
his sensitive temperament presented a perpetual
bait to the spirit OF juvenile mischief his health
declined under the annoysnces OF the situation,
and at the close Of three years he retired in wsa.
riness and disgust from an office for which, il |
would seem, he possessed ths most express and |
admirable qualifications.
Upon the death of Mr. Webster 10 1852, Mr.. !
Everett was invited by President Fillmore to
tho vacant place of Secretary Of State which Off
ce he held during the last our months Of Mr.
Fillmors's administration, and in March, 1853,
took his seat in the United States Senate, 10
which Office he had hesn elected before leaving
the Department Of State. His health proved To-
adsqulte TO the onsrous duties Of the post, and
The following year, in accordance with the direct.
ions Of his physician, be resigned his seat in the |
Senate Since that time bis principle public |
service, we're devoted TO the collection Of fund |
for the purchase Of Mount Vernon, for which |
purpose he realized the munfcent sum Of more
than 100000 His strenuous defence OF the Fed. |
eal Union sganst the assaults OF the armed reb-
els designated him as a suitable man for the hon
or OF esotor-atafge IN the recent Presidential |
election which duty formed the closing act of his |
public political life.
In his personal habits, Mr.. Everett was q mod.
ell OF industry, promptne's, and power Of easy
and r'pid execution. lie never forgot an ap.
pointment, nor neglected duty 10 the per- /
tormance Of his literary tasks, he WAS as punclu,l
as the rising Of the suu, Though essentially
scholastic ia his habits, no man had a clearer
head OF reader hand in the routine of praeti.
cal afirs. With his love Of elegant rstirsm.nt,
he exercised devotion to detail, which would
seem marvellous to persons who are not aware
how largely this element enters into the csndi.
tion' Of success, and even Of greatness, in every
department Of life lls h,ndwritug which he |
formed when a school boy, and retained to old I
ago va, as lucid aud beautiful as copperslste. /
The act OF composition cost him little slfsrt at the
time, although the fruit Of years OF thought and
study and the manual process Of writing stamped
his mos' ornate and exquisite productions indei-
bly, upon his memory. Iii, manners were pol
shed and courty, though wanting this subtle |