Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-04-09

Resignation of Mr.. Edmunds.

The resignation Of the distinguished
senator from Vermont. Hon. GEORGE +.
EpMuNDs. no doubt surprised the people
of the rest of the Union more than 1t did
the people of his own State. For months
past hints that he might resign have been
occasionally thrown out, but these hints
were couched in language so ambiguous as
70 induce the belief that they would all
end in smoke.
We hardly know what to say OF tho re-
tiring Senator. He has been power
amongst the Republicans in the Senate. lie
has been leader. not to say R'e leader, OF
the sectionalists. He has been an advo-
cate of the most Objectionable of their mea-
sures. He was not tho best lawyer in the
Senate on the Republican side. He was
careful in tho expression OF professional
opinions. Indeed. we are inclined to credit
him with the purpose to throw aside party
considerations when il became his duty to
study constitutional questions. He aban-
doned his party friends in the famous con-
test of Is76-'77 as to the right or power OF
the President Of the Senate to count the
votes for President and Vice-Presldent OF
the United States. He justified, neverthe-
less. the course Of the Electoral Commits
sion in refusing to go behind the returns,
OF TO accept testimony dltunde. No doubt
he regarded his course as consistent. AT
any rate, now that he has laid aside his
harness (for his resignation is to take effect
before the Senate will meet AGAIN.. we do
not feel any disposition to use harsh words
in speaking of him OF his career. We can
not even find it in our hearts to say OF him
rs Prince HAL said of FALsTAFF that we
could have better spared better man"
for he is not man of whom it would be
becoming IN anybody thus to speak.
No. no. We must not forget that what
ever we as strangers to his inner life may
think of Mr.. EDMUHDs. those to whom he
Is best known regard him as courteous
gentleman and a fit associate of the best
men in the land. They look upon him as
able. faithful, accomplished, and reliable
ms a true friend and a man with whom 1t IS
profitable TO hold social intercourse. Let
il never be forgotten that he was the IA
vorite companion Of Mr.. THURMAN when
the latter was the acknowledged leader OF
the Democrats in the Senate. The great
Ohioan and the great yermonter had many
bout. Again and again they locked horns
on constitutional questions; and never
were two ADLER lawyers pitted against each
other even in the United States Senate.
WEBSTER and HAYNE made more reputa-
ton in their celebrated senatorial duel,
IN ba that
even they are hardly entitled 10 be pro-
nounced superior to THURMAN and Ed
MUsps as constitutional lawyers. However,
when we reflect upon the matter we fear TO
compare anybody else with the Great Ex-
FOUNDER of the Constitution, or to rank
MIR. HAYSE below anybody else.
In this connection it may be said that
in his letter of resignation Mir. EDMuNDs
speaks of the "office" of Senator OF the
United States. He uses the same word in
His letter to the President of the Senate.
This is a noteworthy fact. for the United
States Senate itself decided many years ago
that United States senator was not such
an officer as could be impeached under the
clause OF the Federal Constitution art. ill,
sec. d winch provides that all "civil Off
GERS" Of the United States, shall be re-
moved from Office on impeachment for and
conviction of treason, bribery, or other
crimes and misdemeanors.
Mr.. EpMUNDs says that considerations
entirely personal occasioned his resigna-
ton. The Washington Post informs us
that his own health, as well as that of his
daughter, is in such a condition as to have
moved the Senator TO leave the place which
must be the dearest in the world to him
except his domestic altar. We sympathize
with Mr.. EDNUNDs. We sympathize with
his State.