Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-03-03
TIL URSDAY, NIGH. 3, 1881.
Death of Hon. Matt. H. Carpenter.

liz EUlue, ludG HAS HOlulGu IilH Win
the highest office within the gift Of her
people, but throughout the nation
The reputation of Mr.. Carpenter was
not local; it was national, and his
death is national loss, and will be
mourned as such. It occurred this
morning at 9:25, at his residence in
the national capital, and within few
moments thereafter, the sad news was
causing sorrowful hearts at the capital
of Wisconsin. For several days his
friends had feared that death in his
ease was near at hand, and the news
of last night rendered it quite certain
shat he co uId not hold out but short
time The announcement, therefore,
Of his death this morning was not a
surprise to his friends, much as it is
to be regretted. In this case, one Of
the brightest intellects that this coun-
try has produced, has been stricken
from the rell Of Senators and states
men. His career, though not very
long one, has been one Of much bril-
liancy, and in his death shining light
has gone out!
4 brief sketch Of the life of this
distinguished Senator may not be un-
interesting at this time. Matthew
Hale Carpenter was born at Mooretown,
Washington county, Vermont, Decem-
Der %, 1924 He entered West Point
as a cadet in 1843, and there main
tanned an honorable position until 1916,
when he resigned on account ef i'll
health. Soon after this, he entered
upon the study Of the law in tho office
of Hon. Paul Dillingham;, Of Water
bury, Vermont, where, by course of
systematic reading, he acquired thor
ough knowledge Of those solid elemen-
tary principles of law which formed
the basis of his future eminence at the
bar. He at once exhibited great apti-
tude in grouping and comprshending
principles; his powers Of reasoning
and critical analysis, his readiness of
perception and retentive memory, with
close application, enabled him soon to
become complete master Of the learn
ing and theo ries of his profession, and
he was well qualified for, and admit
ed to practice at the bar, at Mont
pelier, Vermont, in the spring Of 1847.
lie at once sought position as an
assistant in the Office of the late Hon.
Rufus Choate, Of Boston, where until
July, 1648, he remained with that
great lawyer, who was then at the
period of his highest maturity, and
whose familiar intercourse with our
friend, socially and professionally ex-
erted powerful influence over the
entire future life of Mr.. Carpenter,
in shaping his future career.
Mr.. Carpenter was admitted to the
Supreme Judicial Court Of Massachu-
sstts in 1848, and Immediately there
after, located in Beloit, in Wisconsin,
and from that time to his death, his
professional career has been upward
and onward, till he had ranked for
several years among the foremost law
yers in this country, with a very
extensive practice in both the States
and the Federal Courts.
The political life of NIr Carpenter
has been somewhat varied. He was
not natural politician, though he en-
tertainsd strong convictions on political
subjects. He commenced life in Wis
consin as Democrat, and took
prominent rank in that party, till the
storming of Sumpter. He then united
himself strongly with Douglass in sus-
tanning the Union against the rebellion.
and with pen and voice, was eloquent
and strong in urging patriots to duty.
lie was a great leader, of that ele-
ment knoWA as s'War Democrats,
made up of men whose love of country
was far above party. His pen sent
forth conclusive answer to the So
called Ryan address, and in all ways
he was found working manfully with
the true patriots in the time of the
country's peril. In 1868, Mr.. G.
joined the Republican party pure and
simple, and aided in the exciting con-
test that placed the greatest Captain
of the age in the Presidential chair.
On the assembling of the Legislature
in 1869, Mr. Carpenter became a
candidate for United States Senator
and after severe struggle for the
prize, in competition with several of
the strong men of the State. he was
elected, and on the 4th of March fol-
lewing, he took his seat in the highest
legislative body in the world.
Among his associates were many of
the ablest men the country has pro
duced, but Mr.. Carpenter at once