Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1867-07-12
Col. Jeduthan spooner.

Col. Jeduthan Spooner.
Western papers reported the death, several
weeks since, Of ColJEDuIHAy SOONER at Ian
sing, Allumakee county, Iowa, with high and
deserved tributes TO his moral and intellectual
character. lie died suddenly, while sitting IN
his char, reading newspaper, OF an anection
of the hcart-a disease so sadly frequent IN these
dsys lie was printer and editor by pro!es-
sion, and with the exception Of Francis G. Fish,
Of Brooklyn, and perhaps one or two others, was
at his decesse, the Oldest Of that profession OF
Vermont sntecedents. And, altho' many years
have transpired since lie left the State Tor the
West, so well was he known and so marked was
the influence be exercised in trying umts, that
many yet remember him; and none tut WIN
high esteem, affection and respect. AZ a cltlt-
zen. gentleman and man. he deserved all this;
he was an honor 10 his profession-but more
over, his agency end efforts in support Of good
prInciples in this State, long survived his par
ticipation in its affairs, and are yet ielt, ami
deserve s better delino8tion than your space
permits 80,
in 1893, and entered in boyhood, the printing
ofice Of Alden Spooner his uncle, the publisher
of the Vermont Journal at Windsor (the &C.
temporary Of Anthony Haswell andDsvid husseA
pioneers Of the press IN Vermont MheI
tEeEf1-tNO OF llItt ltA4E "a dENH Az l------
the Rcpsrtoru, a weekly paper al Burlington.
II was an experiment; his means w55e limited;
the times were hard; the ancient and somewhat
drowsy Sc1tinel. immoYably cstabliskei,vas the
organ Of the dominant political influence, or
rather. Of the most powerful man N the State
awoke at the proper time, gave forth the local
and political responses with which II had been
insured, and then relausci into rs peaceful anu
salutary slumbers-
For many years after the var Of l,l2, during
the "era Of good feeling, such was the yoca-
ton Of the press to great extent. II was
blissful time for the politicians. The htp.Tioiy
was not wanted. It was alive, had opinions
and PRINCIPLES Of its own. It's support was su-
perfaous 1t might stir up the political waters
80 satisfactorily staguant, and il was looked ct
askancc. discounienanced and secretly and then
openly opposed At this time. prospects and IN
iucenents we're urofferel 20 remove the Rtper-
tory TO St Adams
The populous county Of franklin had never
had a newspaper Ct its own, and contained, more
over. an unusual number Of able men who had
become strongly impressed with the Just cen
yiction, not only Of their Ebility % serve the
people, but that they had not obtained then
due share Of the good things which patriotism
and politics had to dispense. The field was cleai
and promising, and Mr.. Spooner' removal sayel
MIN ALILl "A laI4 anu AAlALAAA-- so 80
tence AMI success.
Soon came on the storm Of opposition to d,
administration Of John Quincy Adams, WAic-
the South, go long before and since dominant u
the Government, with its northern allies deter
mined TO PROSTATE, though pure as the alse.i
at the right hand Of God History has alIcaij
rendered its verdict in favor Of that Admlnlstra
ton as one of the sblest, purest and wisest th'
country has ever had. And It Will also record
that then, and by that opposition unprinclplc'
and reckless beyond any previous example, Wer
developed and brought into action, all the lcre
sizes and evil principles that have since dlstuID
cd the country and terminated IN the CIV
war.
Vermont ike other States had then 10 take he
political course. And if, while her neighbor, NeI
hampshire, vas swept away by the torrent, Yer
mont finally settled down in that course an
those national and constitutional principles sh
has constantly maintained 10 this hour, 81
owes much to Mr.. SpoCncr's zeal, earnestnes
and ability at this crisis, for crisis It was
the elections Of lo2G, and particularly the sen
atorial contest between UOratio Seymour an
Cornelius p Van Ness, there was vigor an
thoroushness in the discussions Of the RtPeTi9I
which, long disuse1, had great elect on puoai
opinion People then looked to the PTess an
REGARDED its utterances with an attention an
commence not llNEl lAaLAANSANA A-eN-A
both from the reason indicated and the interei
felt at the time in the principles involved Blu
grace is wanting 10 trace his editorial cours
further than to state that he ably supporte
whig principles and Henry Clay. lie left III
State in 1887, having realized, with great car
and prudence, from his business for fifteen year
hardly tIthe Of what his abilities would hav
earned in any other pursuit. Such was Ii
reward Of the publisher Of & newspaper in thos
days
He purchased farm at Sugar Creek Wa
worth county, Wisconsin, from which he II
moved in 1858 TO Allumakee Co., Iowa, Wher
he recently died. He had deep interest
politics; was a Republican slways; he nevC
pursued and would scarcely touch Office thong
he spoke well, had fine presence and possesse
every qualification for such a career. He wro
auently and well and had read much. S0cia
kindly, free by taste and principle from all d
vices high OF low, to which the times are pron'
and gentleman always, he was always a ma
Of influence and his influence was Of the les
and noblest kind.
Mr.. Spoouer belonged to q family distinguish
Ell for talent and worth. His uncle AIDE
Spooner was one Of the patriarchs Of the State
His son Alden, a graduate Of the University {
Vt, was a distinguished lawyer Of Petersburgt
Vt, where he passed his life and died SON
dozen years since. Another cousin Rev. job
4. Spooner of the Episcopal church, settled &
Baltimore His brother Wyman Spooner Is no
1t Gov. Of Wisconsin, and one Of the leadin
men Of the State-and there are others. If Nel
mont cannot retain her children within her oW
borders, it is a happiness to know the benefit
their talents and worth confer on other commur
itic,, and to feel the honors they reflect up0
ther own State And better man, fms
specimen Of Yormonter, could hardly be icun
than JEDUTHAN SpUONER.
G.B.S.
TfmfQ