Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-03-23
EDNUNDs


fFrom Harpcrs Weekly.
The election Of Senator Edmuuds as presi-
dent of the Senate elevates 10 the legal sue
cessiou TO the presidency the most eminent
Republican IN Congress 1t was the pleas
ure of his predecessor, Mr. Davis, to sepa-
rate himself little ostentatiously, from par
ty association and to proclaim peculiar in
dependence as If independence were incom-
patible with party sym patty and preference
To be "a Republican or "a Democrat is not,
however to take tine responsibility of every
thing that Republicans or Democrats may do.
lt Is to say only that the principles, the ira
ditions, and the tendencies of one or the 9TH
er party are more approved Mr. Edmunds
has been always positive Republican, and
for many years be has been the most weighty
Republican advocate in the Senate. His
speech for the electoral commission bill in
1877 contained the whole argument, and the
weight of his individual opinion gave it i'm
mense force. He has the independence Of
assured conviction. His intellectual quality
is singularly firm and incisive de Is entire
ly al home IN parliamentary BODY, and his
long career is absolutely untouched by hint
of self-seeking. No higher tribute could be
paid to any public man than the universal
conviction In 1876. amid all the intrigues and
plots for the presidential nomination, that he
meant what he said in declaring he did not
desire it
Mr. Edmunds is Oh years old, and he has
sat in the Senate years. During that long
term his constructive talent has been as evi-
dent as his ascendency IN debate and his
mastery Of constitutional law. He Is not an
orator, but he is thoroughly equipped do
batter. an acute and remorseiess critic Of fall
lacy and fustian and ignorance, with a mem
DRY like "a well-ordered arsenal. in which ev-
cry weapon stands brightly FURNISHED and
ready for instant use His elevation TO the
presidency OF the Senate was but fitting
honor from his party associates and 1t prop
erly fills the Fap-wElch would have been
porilous had 10 been left unfued-produced
by tine expiration of Mr.. Daviss senatorial
term
The most striking fact in the career Of Mr.
Edmunds is that while ne Is one of the most
conspicuous. constant and positive partici-
pants in the discussions of the Senate. and q
regular Republican, there Is no hepubli-
can leader who is so universally acceptable to
the party. In 1850 ne was understood not to
be averse to the third.term project. vet he
was the choice of the strongest anti-third-
termer5 he De- neither Extensively "Stal-
wRrt nor "Half-Dreed Among Bepubli-
can chiefs his position is unique, and it is
due to the fact that he holds himself entirely
aoof from the wretChed business OF spoils.
His position was not made 10y patronage, and
1t does not depend upon machine. His
ascendency is actual, not factiuous His
state Is justly proud of him. as Msssachu-
sets was formerly proud Of Webster, and
afterwRrd of Sumner and, like them, he
takes his own course He Is, however, very
conservative of tine traditions Of the Senate
and of its powers His mind is too acute
not to see the reason of reform. and be Is
too Just not to admit 1t, but his temperament
sometimes protests so that ne may be called
a retormer If he can nave his own way. This
habit Is doubtless often trying to ms Rsso-
clates, and leads TO tue charge of hypercriti-
cism. But Mr.. Eumunds was one of the
earliest friends OF reform IN tine civil service.
and the bill offered by Mr. Pendietou was
substantially the one that was proposed by
Mr.. Edmunds ten years before. Probably
MS chair IL the Senate is more agreeable tc
Mr.. Edmunds than that OF presiding ofhcer
aud 1t Is possible that upon the re-assemblinl
Of the Senate in December next he may pre-
fer to rehnquish his new honor. But wheth.
er upon the floor or IN the presidency of the
Senate. Mr.. Edmunds is the Republican lead
er of whom his whole party ID proud