Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1895-09-27


In looking at the few portraits which /
have been procured fer the court house,
talluded to elsewhere, We are impressed
with the importance otpictures, not oaly
Ms souvenirs but as educators. Looking
upon the figures Of strong and useful men
who have been inCitcs Young men to wig
orous efforts, awakcus an ambition and
enthusiasm in their minds, and in every
way arouSes those faculties which have
made the past so interesting, and which
are so essential to the future prosperity
and happiness especially OF our people.
The face of Judge Beattie reminds US OF
how many WAYS there are in which q
candid. intelligent man, who is connected
with variety of business and pub
lie interests, can bc OF great benefit t.
community. The solid, digrihed face Of
Haywood calls to mind long line OF ac-
tions faithfully and honestly performed.
All OF which teach us that the life of law
yer is perfectly consistent and not at all
interrupted or embarrassed by chat of a
Just man and Christian gentleman.
The lives of Bartlett aud Cushman
constantly remind Us that from the hum
bcst walks in life, and ont of the most
scanty opportunities men have and can
climb up through most brilliant achieve
ments, aud from the remOtest localities
to stand among the Nest distinguished
men OF the state. They also teach us
individual mistakes and what might
have been. They point out the shoals
and quicksands which if avoided will
make still higher attainment possible
This leads us to remark what we have
heard in the traditions Of the county of
the wonderful genius Of the last named
gentleman. 1t is singular how all eyes
are restrained to catch inmcmory glimpse
OF this man who was Just disappearing
from the stage of action when most of
the present generation came in sight.
1t would seem from descriptions we hca-
of him that he possessed faculties that
would have given him a world wide
reputation if they had not been exercised
upon obscure, rustic and local subjects
III which no effort however remarkable
would be noticed outside the locality in
which ii was made. In describing his
wonderful influence over men we heard an
old resident relate an instance in which
Gen. c. defended a poor man who was
wrongfully sued in trcspasS for taking a
load of potatoes, which was to be the
main subsistence OF his family during the
coming winter. After describing the
complete rout and confusion with which
he covered the well to do plaintiff the
narrator closed by exclaiming, "why,
sir, he talked with such strong argument
filed with tender thoughts that even the
eyes of the potatoes were filled with
tears" Wherever YOU turn in the
locality to man who lived in the early
times you find his mind filled with tradi.
lions and glowing admiration of the
wonderful genius of Gen. Seth Cushman.
Quickly following the above incident
came one from another man, who said
that a young doctor had somewhere in
the state been convicted OF crime and
sentenced to be hanged. The victim was
relating his condition to a stage driver
who ran from Gu:ldhall to the town in
which the unfortunate man was i'm
prisoned. The driver asked him why he
didn't make some effort to get relief if he
was innocent. The reply was that he
had no friends, the sentence was passed
and he must die. IL know of man that
will help you" said the visitor, IF any.
body can. It is Cen Cushman" The
story being told to the General it awak
ened all the kindly sentiments of the hui
name man who started on the stage anG
rode to the prison. Directing the prison
CT about procuring a few signatures to {
petition which he handed him he sale
II will be at the legislature (Which was
then, or soon to he, in session. and will Sc,
what | can do in the matter" When tn,
time arrived for the hearinga vast crowC
assembled in the state house, brough
there by rumOrs Of the wonderful char
acter of the advocate, who was rendered
more attractive by the obscurity Of hi
life and location. Being an exceedingly
timd and modest man, and unaccus
toned to such audiences the poor advo
cate was nearly overcome. He was 81
confused that he took a knife from hi
pocket and cut piece from the elegan
seat in front of him, and when reminded
of it his delicate feelings were so wrough
up that he started to leave the house, bu
was restrained. Rising to address tn
assembly, men interested in him wer
startled with the apprehension that h
must fail. But gradually gaining com
posure he developed into an effort whic
for candor, logic, philosophy and the ex
preston of humane sentiments, melowe,
by the lnisfortunes of his client and hi
own situation, was never exceeded
equalled by the memory of any effor
which his audience had ever experience
or witnessed. The wonderful facult
which he exhibited in developing so niue
from so little means at his command file
the minds of his audience with admra
ton and even wonder. He efforts re
suited in the Communication OF the ser
tence from death to a few years imprisor
ment, and finally i'll a pardon. Nov