Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-10-27
Matriiman & gunnaL
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 81, 1880.
Senator Edmunds.

On Wednesday the legislature in joint
assembly completed the election of Hon.
George +. Edmunds to the United States
4th, 1881. The scene in the house of repre-
sentatives at noon on the Goth instant,
when Senator Edmunds appeared before the
joint assembly of the body in which his
public career commenced, was suggestive
one to all beholders. There were present
men who had known the young representa-
tive from Burlington a quarter Of a century
ago, who had witnessed his skillful occu-
papcy of the speakers chair through three
successive sessions and who had watched
his career from the time when the sun of
the young legislators fame first rose above
the horizon in the Green Mountain state till
it had assembled to the very zenith of national
renown. Mr.. Edmunds' first appearance in
public life was, we believe in the capacity
of moderator of March meeting in Bur
lington in 1854, at the mature age of twenty
six. He presided SO cleverly over the delib-
erations of the citizens of that miniature
republic" as our towns have been called,
that "the boys" tired of old fogyism,
took affairs into their own hands and sent
young Edmunds to the legislature at the
following state election. This was the COM
mencement Of public career that has cul-
minated in worldwide renown and in the
accession to rank in this republic higher
and broader than the official position con-
ferred upon him by his state-the acknowl-
edged supremacy by the force of superior in
tellectual power in senate which represents
thirty-eight sovereign states and fifty millions
of people. In every position in which he has
been placed, Mr.. Edmunds has displayed that
Distinguishing characteristic of truly great
men, the possession of vast reserved power.
On every occasion and in every emergency he
has risen to the full height of the demands
of the times, and filled out, in well-rounded
measure the requirements of every crisis,
and always with calm power and facility
which gave assurance that if the crisis
had been more threatening he would have
met it with equal ease and completeness.
On his first appearance in the United States
senate in 1866, as the successor of the la
mented Foot, it is said that New Hamp-
shire senator, who essayed to put down the
new member, found the Vermonter enlight-
ening him in that self-contained and con-
vincing style of which MIR. Edmunds is
MASTER with which his constituents became
measurably familiar during the late p olit-
ical campaign, and which has given him the
supremacy in the contests with the intel
lectual giants of the senate During the
debate on the bill admitting Colorado into
the union, containing provision in its con-
stitution which recognized only white men
as citizens, Mr.. Edmunds used these words:
"For myself, am democrat in the thorough
sense of the term, as ! understand it. believe
in the political equality of all men. believe in
the sacredness of the private rights Of all men.
And yet am asked, as the political friend of
these gentlemen, as one having an ardent po-
tical desire, that my party, as IL represents, as
we suppose, the hopes of the country, should sue
coed / am asked to deny my principles in order
to achieve temporary success. Sir, cannot
deny, | cannot turn my back. to those principles
which are cardinal and essential for the sake of
any temporary success. A success of that de-
scription, in my judgment, IL not worth winning
upon mere grounds of policy 1t is one which no
man who is convinced as / am, of the cardinal
error in this constitution can possibly be influ-
enced by"
This expression of his devotion to great
principles drew from Mr.. Sumner the fol-
lowing warm acknowledgement
81 cannot forbear returning my thanks to the
senator from Vermont for the noble utterance
that we have heard from him.. He has reminded
you OF the true principle on which you are to pass.
He has held up before you the dignity of the
sion, and has rallied this senate to its duty.
thank him, sir. His speech ought to produce an
effect upon his associates in this chamber. 1t
ought to remind them that there is a truth which
cannot be put aside for any temporary ex-
pedency."
His later career is familiar knowledge
throughout the nation as well as in the state
to which he gives such proud eminence. Yer
monters beheld on Wednesday with infinite
satisfaction this man who twenty-six years
ago first wore the blushing trusts which in
after years were destined to descend SC
thickly upon his head, the fourth time
clothed with the high honors of United
States senator, and the friends of universal
liberty and justice everywhere deeply shared
In their satisfaction.