The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-03-25
History of Ben,agton,s Candidate.

Springfield, Mass, Republican: |
The example of man overcoming the |
obstacl of early life and later impair
ment OF physical strength; and becoming
honored, wealthy, and worthy
of high distinction, is calculated to in
spire the hearts and strengthen the hands
of the young men Of to-day. Such life
and such history, is that of John G
Mccullough of Bennington. Gen. Me-
Cullough was born in Newark, DEL, and
is of Scotch and Welsh ancestry. His
parents both died when he was mere
boy, his father when he was but three
years of age and his mother when he was |
seven. His educational advantages were
meager, but eager for knowledge he bent
all his energies to the work of acquiring
a good education and with his natural
ability, though surrounded by depressing
circumstances which would have dis
heartened less determined nature, he
was enabled to graduate from Delaware
college in his goth year with high honors.
After leaving college young McCul-
Tough entered the law Office of st George
Tucker Campbell of Philadelphia, and
while engaged In the study of law he de-
voted a portion of his time to attendance
at the university of Pennsylvania, from
which he later received the degree of LII.
B. He was admitted to the bar of the
supreme court of Pennsylvania in 1859,
but his long and unremitting devotion to
study had broken down his health, and
he was advised that his only hope lay in
change to milder climate. Hence he
removed to California, going first to San
Francisco, but there finding the sea winds
too rigorous he removed to Sacramento
and was admitted to the bar in California.
His health not improving as he had hoped,
he removed still further into the interior
and took up his residence in Mariposa
1t was there. while still young lawyer
with broken health and without the aid
of powerful or influential friends, that he
III 81 mdttC ITO WHICH NCll CulllltS
| him both TO national honor and reward.
| AT That time Gen. Albert sydney john
ston, alterward SO celebrated leader in
the confederate armies, was commander
of the department, The South was then
on the verge of secession, ami Gen.
Johnston had studiously inculcaled the
idea of Pacific coast confedeiacy or
republic and through many of his officers,
VINO Ike him were in sympathy with the
secession movement, he had especially
cultivated among the people of the state
the idea that they had but to withhold
their support from their national govern
| ment to make the southern confederacy a
success; and they themselves be thus en-
abled to establish third and magnificent
| government, without effort and without
bloodshed, upon the shores of the Pacific.
In some manner his scheme became
known to the authorities at Washington
and without any previous intimation to
him, he was suddenly removed from lis
command and Gen. Sumner succeeded
him; but The leayen of his purpose had
found Judgment among the people of the
state, and to couuteract this Gen. sum-
ner called to his aid the eloquence, energy
and patriotism Of this young lawyer 4
Mariposa and it was largely through his
efforts that California became and stead
tasty remained loyal to the Unioh.
The importance of the work Gen. Nc.
Cullough then wrought for the Union car
hardly be estimated at this late day. The
regenerated state gave evidence of its
gratitude to the young man by electin1
him attorney general of the state anc
afterward state senator. Later he retired
from political life in California and gain
ed an enviable reputation as a lawyer al
the head of firm in San Francisco. Ii
1871 while on a visit East, Gen. McCul
Tough met and married his wife, ther
Miss Eliza Park, daughter of Mr. ant
Mrs. T. w. Park of Bennington. Ii
1874 he removed to Bennington and has
resided there ever since, giving not only
to that locality the benefit OF his zeal ane
judgment, but to the entire state his time
and energy to the advancement of her in
terests.
| Very few public men of the state are
as familiar with its early and later histo.
ry as is Gen. Mccullough; very few mer
have studied its resources, possibilities
and interests as earnestly as he; no man
has suprcmer faith in, or desire for its
advancement. He has said "that great
state may be made small and small
state be made great" This, we feel, is
true; and that the greatness of the small
state of Vermont has been achieved OF
| lessened by our wise selection of the best
material from out representative men, OF
our occasional departure from that stand.
ard for the sake of recognizing some am
bilious but lesser man because he is a
"good fellow"
Gen. Mccullough has not sought per-
sonal advancement, although lie has twice
represented Vermont in national CON
venions. A man of bright intellect, OF
business methods, of executive ability
an ever ready after-dinner orator, fami !.
lar with every interest in his state, he
would make an able governor. The judg
ment of his friends, their measure of his
capacity, and their desiie that Vermont
| should call to the aid OF its state affairs
that man who can best give it prestige
and standing at home and abroad, have
made him a candidate The success OF
failure of the canvass for his nomination
must depend upon the people themselves
The representative of no clique, the heat
of no combine, the creature of no ring, il
he wins at all he wins solely on his merits
as man. The republican nomination j.
equivalent to the election, and if the soil,
citizens of the state desiie to have thei
| voice felt, they must attend the prfmarie,