Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-02-05
2ailu 9enntbef JonrnaL
Augusta. Tuesday Hornils. Feb. 5.
Wendell Phillips.

WGU06u FOl1llR8s
The death Of Wendell Phillips win re-
vive public interest in his life and chsrac-
feristics. Born in Boston, Nov. 20, 1911,
he was in his 73rd wear at the time OF his
dscease. By birth he belonged to the
untitled aristocracy Of Massachusetts. his
father being the first Mayor Of Boston,
and his ancestors distinguished by the
high rank which they took in society and
politics from the time Of the Revolution.
Wendell Phillips was graduate Of Harvard
College in 1881, and at the Cambridge
Law School in 1888. and was admitted to
the Suffolk Bar In 1884.
His earliest public speech was made in
FAneuil Hall, on the sth Of December.
1887, at public meeting called by DIR.
Channing 70 express condemnation Of the
aetion OF the rioters at Alton. Illinois. in
shooting Rev. z. P. Lovejoy. the aboli-
dosist. while he was attempting to defend
his printing press from destruction. From
that time Wendell Phillips was identified
with the radical abolitioni,ts. All his
Learning. culture. gifts Of person and
speech. were devoted to the cause of free
dom for the down-trodden slaves of the
Sosth. He abandoned his legal practice
and took leave Of the Suffolk bar. because
he could not conscientiously take the oath
TO support the constitution Of the United
States. which he afterwards denounced
- "a covenant with death and an
agreement with HE'LL Then he be-
gan the career to which he was best
adapted. that Of the agitator and popular
reiormer. He advocated prohibltory tenn
perance laws. woman suffrage. abolition
Of capital punishment. and other kindred
topics OF reform. "ilis style was so daz-
cling" says Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe.
$50 brilliant, his oratory so captivating.
that even the unpopularity of his senti-
ments could not prevent the multitudes
from focking to hear him. He had in .
peculiar degree that mesmeric power Of
control which distinguishes the true orator,
by which he holds multitude subject to
his will, and carries them whittier he
pleases. In invective no Amer
lean or English orator has ever surpassed
him. At the bar of his fervid oratory he
would arraigu. try. and condemn with a
solemn and dignifed earnestness that
might almost have persuaded the object
of his attack Of his own guilt. Warren
Hastings is said to have judged himself
70 be the basest of men while he listened
10 the depunciations of Burke. and some
thing OF the same experience may have
befallen those who were arraigned by
Phillips"
What he could do in another field than
that Of lecturing upon reform topics. was
illustrated by his lecture on the Lost
Arfs.r which was repeated more than a
thousand times. and never failed TO delight
and captivAte the many and cultivated
audiences that listened TO it.
With all his splendid faculties Mr..
Phillips was not a safe and wise leader /;
he could tear down and trample under
foot with the power of giant. but his
strength was often uuwisely directed and
damaged the cause whose banner he bore
into the thckest Of the fight. In contrast
with Garrison. this defect in his character
appeared prominent. the latter being as
wise In selecting the methods by which
he assailcd the stronghold of slavery. as
10 was courageous. firm. and steadfast in
the day and hour OF battle.