Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1877-11-19
WHO SHALL LEAD!

The death of Morton, the crippled
giant of the nation, leaves a vacant
chair in the Senate which it is impOssi-
BILE to fill, and deprives the republican
party of the nation of a born political
leader; one whose integrity of purpose
his foes conceded, and whose intellect.
ual power was the nations pride. In
this connection we quote the Washing.
ton correspondent of the Pioneer Press,
who refers to this question of leadership
under date of Oct. 20, and says with
much force and appropriateness, that
"a man of fine presence, commanding
voice and mental audacity, with ready
knowledge of the intricacies of parli-
montaIy law, may lead the House Of
Representatives, yet utterly fail in tie
Senate. 1t is the boast of the Senate
that it is run rather by justice and
courtesy than by rules. The senate is
jealous of leadership. Who becomes a
real leader in that body becomes 50 al
most unconsciously. Without doubt the
senate occupies higher mental plane
than the house. In the latter personal
power is the main requisite for leadership.
The leader of the senate, where ample
time for discussion is given to every
proposed measure. must be statesman.
George F. Edmunds is its great Judi.
cial leader, Morton its acknowledged
political leader. Out of their intrinsic
greatness, unconscious to others. if not
to themselves, grew their leadership
Leadership in such body of trained
intellects proves mental greatness. Not
only comprehensiveness of mind is need
ed, but also large fund of information
with Tightening rapidity. Here Ed
munds stands without rival. His
command of his varied resources i
something wonderful. Give him tn,
floor, and dozen friends and foes as
sailing his position with constant in
terruptions, and you see him at his bes
-perchance l might say, you then SCI
an exhibition of mental wealth and agil
ity, rarely equalled, never surpassed
in the senate of the United States. Oh
such occasions, the whole man aroused
his strident voice carries his powerful
arguments, his searching ridicule, hi
| scathing sarcasm, down through you
intellect into your very consciousness
q You follow the track of his sword onl
by the fall of his opponents. The CO
r loseum of old Rome never furnishe
e equal enjoyment to its spectators.
:. At such times as these, when cloa
; rooms are emptied, and the intense al
: sorption of the audience makes ii
e gavel an unnecessary authority, ever
i one is ready to say ''If Morton be lo
: to us. Edmunds can step up to all tt
: varied heights of leadership" Morton
n superiority over Edmunds lay in IL
D fact that he more readily reached tho,
d heights from where he bore down a
u opposition by the weight of his tremel
d dous personality. Edmuud's personal
L ty is equally great, but less often do
lie he or can he exercise it. General
l. speaking Edmunds places his cold Gle
Or thoughts against the minds and CO
p science of his associates and with
Or grand homage to truth expects tho
he minds and consciences to absorb til
OF truth.
r. Everybody admits that Edmunds is
OF man of sterling integrity. His y
y means yea, and his nay nay. His som
or times unamiability (and you must I
ct expect men of great force always to
tie amiable unless they are also very gre
is Christians) is chiefly manifested by
re too honest expression of contempt for
opponent or his argument. Console
i'll tiousness, perchance too great mem
independence, or pride of opinion, m