The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-04-01

has always claimed to remain a wing with
out party. Here, think he committed
an error, although his character for patriot
ism cannot well be impugned In con-
versation between him and the writer,
some years ago, Mr.. Phelps expressed ex-
treme disgust at the action of the democratic
party in opposing the resumption of specie
payment. Whenever, he said, IL had
chance to come into power, its leaders
were sure to adopt some policy to throw
them and the party back. In the same con-
versation he claimed to be nothing but
wing, although he confessed that he had
acted and voted, generally, with the demo-
cratic party. He Is not politician, but has
assiduously devoted himself to his profess
sion, spending his Intervals in his profess
sional labors in literary cultivation. Both
his intellectual and physical bearing is
manly and dignified and America will
be likely to suffer no detriment at his
hands while in English society or among
British diplomats and statesmen. The
father of the newly-appointed minister is
less known to the younger generation. Hon.
Samuel s. Phelps served two full terms in
the United states senate, where for cogent,
logical reasoning in debate he stood in the
front rank, falling little, if any, below the
trio of intellectual giants-WebGter, Clay
and Calhoun. Many thought him fully
equal to either one of them. The frequently
reported saying of Daniel Webster, that
there was no man whom he found so for
midable as an antagonist before the United
States supreme court as Sam. Phelps OF YER
mont, was confirmed by the late John p.
Hale, who told me that he heard Mr..
Webster make the remark, or something
similar to it. Another testimony to the late
Senator Phelps great powers is that of the
Washington Daily Globe, then, and for many
years previous, the leading organ of the
democratic party. On the death of Senator
Phelps, in 1855, the Globe said that no man
prla tn, Naalti nn xuhn rio nrin p
in council OF in debate, or who had more
influence with the national administration
whatever may have been the character of
the administration. No greater compliment
could have been paid to any citizen of New
England, or of the country, for Judge Phelps
senatorial service covered the period of
both democratic and wing administrations.
After all is Vermont so very small o state,
when it is known that she has given to the
country such men as the two here written
of, and the late Samuel Prentiss, Rollin G,
Mallory, Jacob Collamer and the two dis
tinguished senators who now honor the
land of their birth among the Green Noun
tains? There is not, probably, state in the
Union more ably represented at Washington
than little Vermont All honor to President
Cleveland for looking to Vermont for the
highest foreign mission appointment, small
as it is, hopelessly anti-democratic as it is
and without significance as it is for a demo
cratic administration, save as a mark of its
craftsmanship, in looking for appointments
to Office. Where is New Hampshire, lying
side by side of her sister, Vermont? She
too, has had her statesmen, some of whom
We're called to represent her at Washington
her Levi Woodburys, her Amos Kendalls
her Isaac Hills, her Lewis Cass and hel
Daniel Webster-the last two named serv
ing their country from their adopted states
But where are her statesmen now? Echo
answers, Where? Her politicians abound
and such is the jealous rivalry among them
selves her real statesmen are not called
from their retirement, if they anywhe re ex
list among her granite hills. H.