Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-01-02

eral Government, than myself, for they were asso
cated with him, and witnessed his daily iaoors IN
those great departments. while my knowledgeswas
merely that Ct the people at large. derived from
be nushed proceedings and debates, and the
curren, history of public affairs. This reason
alone Is ample why should not trespass upon i
theme already so sufficiently and eIoquentiy
presented.
Bu, the greatness and use luIness of my prete-
eessor consisted not alone in lis distinguished
services to bis State and nation in the two Houses
of Congress, and as Cabinet minister. lie WAS
eminently distinguished a lawyer and Judge;
and in these respects l doubtless knew HIM better
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 reputation. Professional reputa-
ton and fame however well earned and deserved,
Except at few avorite points, and IN the national
tribunals,) is always local in It's character and
extends little. if any, beyond the sphere OF IT'S
actual administration; hardly ever outside the
lines o. State.
And the same is true of judicial reputation,
earned upon the bench of the State courts, unless
the judicial career o! the recipient extends over
an unusual period of time The reason fer This
is sufficiently apparent from the fact that the pro-
fessional and judicial abors OF lawye and JUDGES
are generally bestowed upon matters OF mere
private conc-rn and indiv idual interest, and
however important and useful to the parties them
selves, excite but little interest in the public mind.
Much the larger part of Judge Collameis
professional life had passed before | knew him
personally, for he had been about three years upon
the bench of the Supreme Court, when came to
the bar in 1886. From that time until his retire.
ment from the bench in 1912, was practitioner
before the court of which he was member.
During the short period that elapsed between his
retirement from the lower House of Corgres and
his return TO the bench in 1850, he resumed the
practice of his profession and during that time |
was member OF the Supreme Court OF the State.
Under the new organize ion Of the judiciary OF
the State in 1850, Judge Collamer was m de Judge
of the second judicial circuit, and held that office
until MS election to the Senate 10 1854. During
this ps riod held the same office for the four
Judicial circuit, and 1t was durlIg tnls time only
that | was ever brought into very ntma. personal
relations with him.
learn from members of tie profession who
were contempOriry with Judge Collamer IL the
earlier portion of his professional care En- that his
excellent natural abilities, together With his
thorough and accurate knowledge of the law OBJ
tanned by close application and study his diligence
and tai.hfulness IN attending TO the Interests OF
his cIlenis and especially his answering honesty
and i-tegrity, soon brought TO him large pratss
siona EN- poy ment, aud that his sphere Of practice
and reputation steadily enlarged up 10 The time
ne left the bar for the bench. tie ever exact
details, and IL the conduct OF trials was always
watchtui that ~ proper presentation or argument
benefciai to MS client should De omitted. Nor
did he ever fail to see and o avail himself Of
all proper advantage ven him, rl'ner by the
weak ness Of his adversary oaL~e or hN airy *
of professional skill show N It's support. But
Ms practice of the law was honorable and manly
he never sought advantage for bis clients cause
By tie use of craft and cunning, often resoIted
10 by rs, scrupulOus men bers of the profession.
B1t 1t more IN his character advocate
that his peculiar and Characteristic fairness
exhibited. He always presented every legitimate
argument in favor of hs cause forcibly end ettsc-
tively.
But be never resor,ed to subtle and ingenious
sophistries TO Disguise and conceal a dishonest
cause, OF 10 entrap and bewllder tn trers. His
style and manner an advocate, especially befor-
JurIes, peculiarly MS own. HIS presentation
Of a to jury was co0, deliberate, and
Gispassionate as his argument dry question
Of law before the court question OF public
affairs il the Senate. lie never appealed TO the
passions pref udces of his auditors whoever they
were, but sought always to movs and convince
their Judgments. lie abaorreG aud detested every
form of deceit and f4iseho5d in others, and d.-
daaed the OF II himself
SucA GdyOcat- a cou--s ever Iste-el
10 with the hignese !espect, ana ts arguments
received al that consldera -on to mich ms ability
anu candor 80 well entitled them.
Jude Cosmer came TO the bench rips, thor
oughly trained lawyer. his popularity Judge
,,ss ali that could have been ~ pected from man
OF MS talents AM entertainments. he was espec-
ially fortunate aud gifted presiding Judge at
jury tua.s. Ills ready and accurate knowledge
OF the Jaw, his keen and quick apprehension, nj.
extensive acquaintance ". IN men, and the IN )tlyes
and incentives To human conduct, an especially
his stronS and intuilive love OF justice, enabled
him at once to master case, and detect the true
from the false, anu without apparent eff TT, 20
make the truth OF the manifest 70 Others.
Hi. manner and Ct portmeut upon tae bench were
always kid and considerable; he listened patiently
to slow and pioddng counselors, endeavoIing
TO explain anu Illustrate what he already saw
clearly. He prompt, fearless and in
flexible in his decisions, With nothing Of timldIty
or isyoTitIsm, always SO painful when exhibited
the bench. II IS saying more than the truth,
that he of The most Efficient and satl>fac-
tory ms. pr.ts Judges who have ever sat upon the
bench Ills published opinions while ijudge of
the Supreme Court are modes OF Judicial compo-
.itlons. For accuracy of lear uing, terseaes. OF
statement, c.tarness anu ccmprenens.Feless OF
style, 60 not know where they exceIled.
Hal Judge Collau.eE renained upon the bench
to the end Of his HE, ike C1:e' Justice Shaw Of
Massachusetts, or Chief Justice Gibson of Penn
sylvauia, L have doubt tbs judicial fame would
have eQuaed that Of those emintn, Jursts |
have need TO speak of he character OF Judge
Col!amer in MS more private and personal rel4-
tons, his rare and generous quaint and gifts
SOC. companion. All who ever ass0-
ciated with him in any capacity viii even retain a
loving RENE mbrance OF MS kind and genial nature,
his keen AID pleasant wit, bis love and fund O.
auecdcte. HIS duties as & husband md father as
citiz-n and Cnri-tjan, were ever consc,entiously
fulfilled.
In brief, sir, have never known any man who
came nearer attaining the full measure OF what
believe TO have been the great object OF my pred
ecessor in the performance of all the duties Of
lie, from the humbiest TO the highest, to be
Just man before God and his fellow men. The
people of his and my State, have held him
in the highest respect; they mourn his loss In
common with the whole nation, and they will
ever che IRISH in their hearts the memory of his
wisdom and his virtues. Fortunate NAV each of
US consider himself if at the end of his Journey of
life he be able to leave behind him rsputatio so
full of usefulness, and character so pure and
unsullied.
Vermont State Temperance Convention.
Tho Tern,oD, S+o+a