Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-08-17

ATcHIsoN, Kansas, August 6, 1881.
Mr. Editor In looking over some OF my old
papers, find the following, a copy Of which
have concluded to send you. 1t may be of inter-
est to some Of the members Of the bar in WASH
ington county. To all whom il may concern =
eve, the undersigned, members of Washington
county bar, in the state Of Vermont hereby GER
tify that we have been acquainted with Azel
Spalding, Esq, for several years, and that he is
young gentleman of good moral character, of
respectable talents, and handsome professional
requirements, and we most cheerfully recommend
him to the confidence Of professional brethren
in other parts of the Union, and to the confidence
of the public. Montpelier. September 9th, 1927.
Nicholas Bayies, Daniel p Thompson, Thomas
Reed, Jr., Dennison Smith, Lucus B. Peck, Paul
Dillingham;, Jr., William Upham, Oramel II.
Smith, Joshua Y. Vail, John L. Buck Charles
Robinson, II. H. Reed Dan Carpenter, Calvin J.
Keith, Jeduthan Loomis." Ex-Governor Dilling-
ham and myself are the only surviving members
of Washington county bar OF that period. This
paper is over half century old. Venerable for
age! Great changes have taken place since'thes
fourteen Of the members have made their last
plea. With them the book is closed, and the sur
vivors are living only on sufferance-the one in
Vermont, the other in Kansas. Such is human
life. To-day full of life, anxiety, and hope; to-
morrow, dead and food for worms. Fifty years
ago Ohio was border state now California and
Oregon. Fifty years ago railroad was hardly
known in the United States. Michigan was a
territory. Not white man was in Kansas. Now
Kansas counts over one million OF free in
habtants. do not now live entirely in the past,
although men Of my age are apt to look back and
live over the past.
We are very anxious for the president. and
look upon the would-be assassin with perfect dis
gust and adherence, Had this foul deed happened
in Kansas, the assassin would not have lived three
minutes. We have very warm weather. The
crops are not as promising this year as usual
Weneed rain. The prohibition law is not answer
ing the expectations Of the ultra temperance peo-
pie No attention is paid to it in several counties
in the state The state Of Kansas is peculiarly
adapted to the grape. and large amounts have been
expended in vineyards The Germans, as a gen.
eral habit, use wine and beer 1t is hard to force
such people. do not think it can be done in
Kansas for many years. 1t now looks as though
the people will do all they can for and against the
law. The democrats and foreign voters are mostly
opposed to prohibition The law keeps back emf
grafton. Not more than one-sxth Of the state Is
now settled, and every means is now tried to
keep out settlers. We have lost, now, over eighty
thousand settlers in consequence Of our extreme
legislation on temperance. The truth IL, the law
helps in some respects and hurts in many cases.
Were 1t general in all the states, should like 1t
better. Atchison, believe, holds her own, and
must 60 ahead have been in Kansas twenty
two years, and love the state Next to Vermont
love Kansas. II a man cannot live in Kansas, he
could not get a living anywhere. The weather
continues very warm and were 1t not for the winds
1t would be very oppressive. We are quite well.
Please remember us kindly to our friends. By as,
mean to include my better half.
Yours truly, AzEL SPALDING.