Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-07-31
Our Washington Letter.

crude laws and improper schemes -" always
vigilant and never afraid to object" concludes its
complimentary paragraph by saying that the is
too useful man in the Senate to be lost from
that body in the Presidency or anywhere else"
The writer probably does not notice how incon-
sstent is the closing sentence with those that pre-
cede it, and, without any dlsrespect we would
like to point it out
SENATOR EDMUNDs AND THE PRESIDENCY.
1t must be acknowledged by all unprejudiced
people who have read the Journals comment on
this subject, from which we have briefly quoted,
that the very characteristics which are pointed out
as especially fitting Mr.. Edmunds for the Senate,
and from which he has achieved his great
tional reputation, are the very elements which the
people most desire TO be embodied in the person
of their Chief Magistrate viz independence, sa-
gacity and great brain power The very fact
that Senator is all this and more, in the fulfill
ment of legislative duty, is the best foundation
for the belief that he would maintain those princi
pies II called to act the part of an Executive
while the idea that because he makes the best
Senator the country has known in this generation,
he should not be talked Of for any other position,
not even the Presidency, is silly and illogical.
His usefulness as a Senator could be added to an
hundred-fold for the good of his country were he
President instead of Senator-it needs no argu-
ment to prove that fact. Then why should he
and such as he be quietly shelved for such silly
reasons, and all public favor be npped in the bud
by certain set of politicians when great men are
named for preferment2 Is it for the reason that
they do not urge their own claims, ask no favors,
and deal out no promises? Or is it, particularly
| fort ha that nj IN
may not run into one special channeP The sug-
gestion of Senator Edmunds for the Presidency
came from Horace White, at one time the editor
of the Chicago Tribune, a lberal-minded man,
who trains in no particular party and so far as we
know has no favors to ask of any man or set of
men. The suggestion has met with favor ex-
cept from one particular quarter. The Albany
journal voices the latter sentiment, although in
very polite terms, and, we think, very fatty begs
the question Let us look for a moment at what
should be considered as the most desirable
QUALIFICATIONS FOR PRESIDENT,
and in doing so we find those of the best sort in
the person of George F. Edmunds. Not, perhaps,
the greatest availability party candidate, but
those more prominent essentials which are gen.
orally looked upon as prerequisites for the posi-
ton by the more thoughtful people Of the country
First, on the score OF ability, both natural and
acquired, there seems to be nothing wanting, fol
If he has his peer in soundness of wisdom and
breadth of intellect in the country he certainly
has not his superior. 1t is no disparagement to
his associates in the Senate to say that he is the
acknowledged leader there-not that he assumes
it, but his actions and his work prove it, And
when we come to compare him with Senators Of
| Olupn m In he cd
upon with more of reverence than is bestowed on
their equals of the present day, we have good
reason to believe that his record as a man and a
Senator will not suffer by comparison. We are
told by those who speak from personal knowledge
that even Clay sometimes flashed in the pan :;
that he was often ineffective from too much heat
and passion, while he was always mperous and
sometimes petty. Websters CLOUDY brow u
was sometimes portentous of nothing in particu
lar, while in his latter days there was more weight
in the manner than in the matter of his speech
The glamour of Clays manner and the majesty
Of Websters department had much to do with tn,
effect of their speeches Mr.. Edmunds has giver
us oratons which either of the immortal trium
virate-Webster, Clay and Calhoun--woud hav,
been proud to father The record of
EpMUNDs IN THE SENATE
is one of which the country will ever have reason
to be proud 1t is well, therefore, that the mel
of his time should see it in its true light anC
appreciate its grandeur. There is a peculiar fas
cnaton in Edmunds as a public speaker, whicl
grows upon the listener year by year and day b,
day, 1t acts much through his eloquence, but no
through that alone. His speech is not a graceful
flow of melodious periods, now drawing on tn
| IN,
conversation, then carrying him on with NOR
rapid rush OF Thought and language and at las
lifting him up with the peals OF reason in passion
Ills arguments march forth ut once in grace AM
stately array, wi'lle' NJ the same Tune, many o
ms orations contain passages oil rare beauty. No
noted Tor kindly persuasion, his reasoning Is al
ways logical ana lrreslstiDly strong Ills appeals
II such they may DC termed, are Always addresse
10 the MODEST instincts oil human nature Ill
speech Is often enlivened by wit and humor, Will
Tor satire ana the keenest sarcasm he stands III
rlvalled. There Is another source from whie
springs that fascination which Is ieit by all. BE
hind what he says or does there stands gran
manhood, which never fails to make itself fell
How small they appear by his side the commo
run OF politicians, who spend their days with tn
laying OF pipe, and the setting up of pins, and tn
pulling of wires; who barter an office to secur
this vote, and procure contract to get that; VIII
stand always with their ears to the wind to hea
how the administration sneezes and what thei
constituents whisper, in moral trepidation les
they fail in being all things to all men. How h
, stands among them, he whose very presenc
makes one forget the vugarities of political life
who dares to differ with what he believes to b
, "ronei ana, khowihs' cares deiehu the right
THE ExIGENcIEs OF THE HOUR
. always find Senator Edmunds prepared Tn
issues which he has individually met and col
quered would have perplexed even those gan,
of former times to such degree that there woul
have been less expoundng of the constitution an
= more aborous work. In the reconstruction da,
7 since the war there has been but little time fc
oratory great events, mighty complications an
fatal crises speak for themselves. They folio
each other so fast that it is impossible to be DR.,
= pared for them with an Grafton apiece. In til
last great national predicament of two wears az
even so consummate a tactican and manager {
e men as Henry CLAY could not have met the ssu
/ better than did our own Edmunds, nor could Wei
5 ster himself have carried it through with bette
D success, while even his genius would have bee
e puzzled to forge a KEY for the great lock, or
: solve the problem of "dual state governments.
, A safeguard against the peryersion of the publ
t funds in his seat in the Senate. he would be
"a | h,,i,a Ill ogainst all fraud and ,rooaon In IN