Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-11-12
John Gregory Smith.

many facts Of his life, omitted many others
without which no adequate understanding
can be had, Of a career of such distinction
and honor. Few citizens of Vermont have
filed larger page in her history, or been
more intimately identified with her
great civil, military, Industrial, politi-
cal and social interests. Few cit
zen, of our State have held in
such degree, the personal esteem
and affection Of so largo a number of her
people. Few remain of the man OF his day,
who will be so widely msset and so sincere
mournel.
lie was the Oldest son of the late John
Smith, prominent lawyer OF st. Adams
and Il leading Vermonter, who ten times
represented his town in the Legislature, was
thrice speaker of the House and member of
Congress from 1880 to al. He was educat-
ed in the st. Adams schools and in the Univ
ersity Of Vermont, from which he graduated
with honor, in 1888 He pursued the study of
law in his fathers Office and in the Yale law
SCHOOL, was admitted to tn ebar Of Franklin
county in 1912; and became his fathers law
partner.
tics in 1888, when he represented his county
in the State Senate. He was an influential
member of that Senate and was reelected
to the Senate of 1859. In 1860 when the war
cloud of the rebellion was abolt to burst he
represented st. Adams in the House, and he
was re elected in 1861 That Legislature
comprised in its two branches such men
John w. Stewart, Fred L. Woodbridge
George +. Edmunds, Charles w. Willard,
Paul Dillingham; b. ID. Harris, Thomas L.
Powers, Harmon Garfield, A. b. Gardner
A. L. Miner, Alvah sabin, George w. Hen
dee, Stephen Thomas, a. F. Hunter, Ry
land Fletcher, Hugh Henry, Dudley G.
Denison and others who have filed high
places in the State and national councils.
In this able body Mr.. Smith had leading
place as chairman of the judiciary commit
tee, and his efforts in tine support of the
| government and in the maintenance of the
honor and standing OF Vermont in the great
national struggle were of the hi hest value.
| He was returned to the House in 1862, was
elected speaker by vote of two to one for
! Hon. y. Is. Gardner; and, as before, his
voice and vote were never wanting n favor
of the most generous appropriations AMI
most energetic measures Tor the support of
our troops in the field and for the deferce
of the Union. The year foilowin. he was
nomiilitel by reclamation for governor,
and in October, 1853, he entered upon his
duties Is chief magistrat, Of our common
wealth. In that Office ne displayed the
/ high executive ability which was exempt .
+, fled IN such marked degree in all his sub
sequent career. The war had then reached
II stage when volunteers to fill our
regiments hal ceased to be- plenty
and when enlistments Jagged Gov.
| Smith was met at his accession to the gov
ern rship, by fresh call of President Lin
coin FOR 800, 600 men, and u requisiton
from tho president for $500 men from Yer
mont, to make good the existing deficiency
under the draft OF three months previous.
The demands upon the Time energies and
resources, mental and physical, of an eff
cient war governor III those days, can hard
ly be understood or appreciated now. Bat
Governor Smith was fully equal to the
emergency. Largely as the result of his
own high spirit and unconquerable energy,
our Green Mountain State met every call
upon her, filled every quota, with a surplus
to her credit; and did her full part in the
restoration of the nationa! unity and author
ity. Governor Smith was re- eioctel
governor in 1864 by a larger ma
jority than before; and during his
administration had the proul sat
isfnction of seeing the complete triumph
of the national arms, and of reviewing our
I ia b.a nd I'D
the final dsbanding OF the army of the
Union. To the Vermont soldiers Gov.
Smith greatly endearei himself by lis strong
personal interest in and care for them. lie
visited them in their camps; he cheered
them by his presence in the hospitals, and
did all that man or governor could do fol
their care and support. His conduct espe
cally in May, loGl when thou
sand wounded Nermonters were taker
to Fredericksburg from the bloody
battle field of the Wilderness will
never be forgotten by any Vermont soldier
Ordering thther twenty OF the best sur
geons in Vermont to assist the hospital sur
geons, he also went AT once in person t.
Fredericksburg, devoted himself night auc
day to the care of the men; sent those who
could be moved to Vermont, and did every
thing possible for tho comfort of the rest
OF the army of wounded and suffering men
which then filled Fredericksburg to over
flowing in numbers which almost swampet
the resources OF the medical department O
the government and OF the sanitary com
mission, no portion thanks to its energeti
and philanthropic governor, Jared better, i
, any did as well, as the men of the Vernon
regiments.
During all this trying period, Gov
Smith was one of the manstays of the gov
eminent and its president He was FIRE
, quenty in Washington in consultation wit
8 Mr.. Lincoln and Secretary Stanton, an
, whatever happened they knew they coul
A rely on him and on his State.
In civil life Gov. Smiths fame large
. rests on his ability, success and prominence
!, as railroad manager and magnate. Hi
: original interest in the Vermont railroad
came to him in part, as it were, by inherit
ance. His father was one of the origins