Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-02-08
WENDELL PHILLIPS
Born November 40, 1911, Died Fcbru
ary 2,.1SSt.

BOrn November ~, 1911, Died Fcbru-
ary 2,.1ssi,
Wendell Phillips was born 10 Boston on
November 30, 1911. H came of az aristo-
cratic family, his father, Mr.. John Phillips,
being the first person elected to the Office of
mayor of Boston, sixty years ago. lie went
through the usual educational course, aud
was sent to Harvard college when about 10
years old He was graduated Ia 1881, and
then entered the law school at Cambridge. In
that school he remained two years, and con-
tinucd his studies of the law elsewhere as he
was not admitted to practice till 1884. At
that time his purpose was, apparently togive
all his attention TO the law, but circumstances
soon changed the order of his life and made
him q brilliant leader In the war against sa-
very. At this time William Lloyd Garrison
declared his apt-savery principles and the
Utmost excitement existed throughout the
whole country. In 1885 the 'broadclOth mob"
50 called because it was set on foot, and even
led, by men of wealth and social position,
broke into meeting in Stacy hall, Washing
ton street, OF the Women's Anti-Slavery So
ciety, and Garrison, who was assisting al
the meeting, was seized by the mo5, 6. rope
put around his body and he was dragged
through the streets, his life only being saved
by putting him in Jail as disturber Of the
peace. Mr.. Phillips saw all these things
and threw himself heart and soul into the
abolition party. His first great speech was
made in Faneuil hall, December, 1887, at a
| meeting ito notice in suitable manner the
murder in the city Of Alton. ILL.,, of the Rev.
Elijah T.. Loveioy, who fell in defence of
the freedom of the press" Mr.. Phillips, as
is well known, was prominent advocate o.
the doctrines Of the Garrsonian abolition
lists; who considering the constitution Of
the United States as a wicked compact be.
tween freedom and slavery, refused to sup.
| port 1t, abs'ained from voting and labored
fOr the dissolution of the union as means
for freeing I he slaves.
! lie was the orator above all others-by the
charm of powerful logic, wit that played
about his theme with the purity and the
power OF the sunbeam, and a command O
the English language that showed him fami
lar with the works of every master. No au
dience. though it were packed with enemie!
when he began, but would be his friend wher
he had ended. He spoke, as far ms 1t wa
physically possible whenever he was called
aud always without gay, very often payinl
his own travelling expenses Such was hi
command of the English language and hi
aptness of thought, coupled with his reten
tiveness of memory, that he never used note
forehand. His manner was grave and digni
fed, with but few gestures, and thcs
struck out from the fire Of the mo
ment, and they produced such trut
and aptness as no premeditation can give
lie had no pathos, nor ever tried tC move "A
audience in that way, he had not Mr.. Lin
coins eastern gift of story telling, but h
knew the charm Of anecdote, of illustration
from history and biography, and his speeche
were rich in the objective charm whic
comes from the Introduction of these. n
speaker was more welcome, and when tn
, storm of anti-slavery agitation had some
what subsidized and people had learned thI
: 1t WAS useless TO attempt to stay the atrear
of public opinion in that direction, no nam
was surer to draw out the population {
the towns and villages to the lyceum tina
that of Wendell Phillips. He wa
also identified with the temperance
womcns rights and labor movements
} as well as with those for th
| amelioratlon of the criminal law. The con
] planning tone which Mr. Phillips seemed t
have adopted in these later reforms som,
what impaired his influence, but, howevt
= unpopular the opinions of which he was II
5 exponent, his learning and almost matches
eloqucnce wen thousands Of hearers. He WI
t president of the American anti-savery SOC
~ from 1865 until its dissolution, April
1870, and was candidate Of the prChibitor
: and labor reform parties for governor
Massachusetts, in 1870. Mr.. Phillips speechc
lectures and letters were published in Bo
: ton in 1868 The Constitution, a Pro-sla
S cry Compact" In 1874; Can Aboltionis
Vote or Take Office Under the United Stat,
{ Constitution p in 1915 reviews of "Spool
er's Unconstitutionality OF Slavery" "Dani
/ w, listers Fifth of March Speech" aud
t "Kossnth's Course" 1S47-1s5l, Speeches
e il 1862; Defence of the "Anti-Slaver
{ Movement" in 1858, repuhlished in London
: THEE Speeches and Two Arguments,
S 1S51-59; Addresses" in 1859. Mr.. PHI
lips's last public address was given on th
Y unveiling of Miss Whtney's statue of Ha
i riet Martneau in the Old South meetir
j house December 26.
= Mr. Phillips had been in i'll health f.
about year. A week ago last Friday
e was out upon the street for the last tim
c Mr.. Phillips had a slight attack of his hea
q trouble about fortnight ago but it SUI
: cumbed to remedial agents, but on Sunda
:, January 9th, the doctor was again sent f
r and he found return of the disease. q
Y Thursday the symptoms of the disea
, were more than ever apparent, al
c the pain was so severe that NJ
q Phillips cried out "This pain is agony
o lie said to the doctor doctor, have l
a fear Of death. am willing to die to- day
: at any time, but for my poor wife-I ht
i hoped | should have outlived her." For tt
. reason" said the doctor, THAT no one cou
/, take the same care of her that he did" B
e tween and 4 o'clock Saturday afternoC
The doctor was told that Mr.. Phillips ha
e tainted in attempting to get up. lie new
/ rallied, but called out repeatedly for mo-
S ether, and said I'm dying; Pm dying
r He sank very slowly and brcathed his la
a. G:l5 O'Clock, las quietly" says the docto
las if lie was just going TO sleep"
a He leaves only an invalid wife and O