Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-26
NJalohman 6 Journal,
WEDNESDAY, MAY 90, 1869.
Millian JnrNiS.

and TO politics. specially rs means Of developing
and protecting these, he gave his talents by pen
and speech. BY his great knowledge. unainch-
ing coumge, and steady perseverance, he became
not merely notable man, but really one Of the
most influential Of his day in the State Though
holding no position as a State official membership
in a constitutional convention excepted, he yet
was leading counsellor among the men who
controlled politics and legislation The life of
such a man should be known, both to honor his
memory and furnish good example for those who
are hereafter 10 become rulers in public affairs
The comparatively few, who knew him and re-
member him well, will thank us for nm outline Of
that life and we are sure the young men, who
have hardly heard Of him, will find in it excellent
lessons For many years, Mr. Jarvis was accus-
toned to address the public through the columns
of the Vermont WatcimoH, thus becoming an ed
ucator to us and to many who are still its pa
irons so it Is fit that we should take upon our
selves this labor Of love
Mr.. Jarvis was born in Boston, Feb 4, ITO.
received his primary education from Boston teach
ers. and completed his studies at academies in
Bordentown, New Jersey, and in the city Of Phil
adephia, his entire course being Ear from equal
% that now accorded to the poorest child in Mont
pelier Union School and Academy lie WINS good
at spelling, reading, penmanship aud figures. and
that was the extent Of his scholarship; but he
had acquired taste for reading substantial books.
and thus was he fitted for self-eduation as opp3r-
tunities occurred BY improving these well he
became learned in history, political economy and
politics-pure politics we should say. to distin-
gush him from the corner grocery politicians of
these days, who reverse the good old rule
" Principles, not Men" In word. he became in
that way power among men and that is the
first good example.
At the age of sixteen, he entered n store near
Norfolk, Va. as clerk, and at eighteen became
book-keeper for a merchant at Portsmouth, in
the same State. One notable event here was that,
on being thrown somewhat OIL his balance by con-
forming to the Virginia customs of Christmas. he
determined never to taste Of any kind Of liquor
before dinner, at which in manhood he drank
light wine moderately and he never tasted of
any kind OF ardent spirits till it was recommend
ed by physician in his old age This is another
good example, at least for his fidelity to the pledge
however short it was of the etotal standard. At
twenty, he became partner in the business. and
after year which was profitable, he returned to
- @"d Mt twenty-one he established himself
Du' py endorsing Tor others, he found
i''''''oi' opi'sated Tor S5S,oO0. Immediately he
p"'u o'oiy uolar oil ms own debts, and then ten
ueiVu an nis remaining property to the creditors
VI t''e n'il ior whom he had endorsed. Another
"'u nople example lie was arrested for these
N'''S VI ms riehus Whle at dinner, but the officer
permitted HIM to finish his dinner, and retired on
al, assurance tnat Mr. Jarvis would report him
SCH "' 'he JAN lie did so, and was Obliged to
wait an hour or two for the jailor to commit him:
Nv ""o, however offered TO take bail, and did 50.
nc io'lihg house had assets, and promised topay
urge portion oil their debt but Mr. Jarvis pre-
icrcu not to wait IN uncertainty and proposed to
pay Sll'ooo IN five annual instalments for the
u'Sc"'ige OIL MS obligntlon-every dollar Of which
ne was yet 70 earn since at twenty-sx he was
plnkrup'ed ny Others His offer was accepted,
ana .nen' turning sailor and trader by Sc
'0' VI re'''"rkap'e voyages and adventures oriiye
years ne earned the money and returnedt to Amer
'' ana PAID the last dollar of his Indebtedness as
endorser' An example Of shrewdness, energy
anu honesty that is worthy Of all praise.
- - "''"''NSo Bhihcu III commercial
adventures abroad, and declaationby President
Denerson thot he would appoint Americans as
=, o. oohsnlS where a foreigner then held the
once' MI Jarvis wrote to friend that he would
Jake the ouce OF consul at Lisbon, if it were Of
iered' out little expecting to receive it, however
lie was therefore surprised to find, on his return
70 America that ON his birthday, Feb. 4, 1902, /
ne hau been commissioned, not simply as consul
NJ Lisbon ont as Consnl-General of Portugal, |
anu Ouarge Anares at Lisbon. He modestly
,'l'ouS',u'eo w'tn the then Secretary of State,
Mr' Madison, declaring that he felt himself unfit
Tor the ONCE but Madison expressed strong con-
huence IN his ability, " and 5egged him 10 oJlge
nm BY aff''9 as CHARGE We reproduce this in
clueht Tor ITS rarity not having the iaintest hope
''''' III uicse uays an oihce-seeker will be troubled
~ '"ouesS' OF secretary oil State compelled to
- ,,';1 p",nu. VI once asa personal favor.
.O"' ''i,s n''uess BEGINNING Mr. Jarvis became