Year: 1874

hdu Deeu ueNeIoplng the luuge, lhCFcas-
ing each year the pride, confidence and
respect of his friends, who had come to
think that the State had acquired in
him>a judge who would serve with great
credit to himself and honor to the State
many long years, when, suddenly. he
announced his resignation, in conse-
quence of having been connected with the
legal management of an immense estate,
in the lifetime of his wife's father, the
caro- of which now demanded his entire
attention.


1t was supposed that the work of ar
ranging such an immense business would
absorb his whole time and hide him en-
tirely from public life. But be found
spare time to devote to his books. He
was beset with clients, who sought him
buried in his work at Hartland. Most
of them he declined even to advise, for
want of time. Having with his other
work, the care of large farm, he cult
waited a taste for farming and raising
nice stock But amid all this, his mind
wandered to his books. and he commenc-
ed system of historical reading and a
regular course of the study Of political
economy. which he regretted had been.
as he said, entirely omitted in his cdu.
cation, and entirely overlooked in our
system of education. He was pressed
with invitations to speak on occasions
of educational interest, and he made
some fine addresses, both before and
while he was member of the state
board of education. At an Agricultural
meeting he discussed the tariff question,
in its influence on agriculture, surpris-
ing his hearers by his familiarity with
the subject. Wherever he was he would
investigate, study and master every
subject which came in his way.


With the exception of an occasional
address. his time after leaving the bench
was spent in quiet work and study, but
this was destined soon to be interrupted.
The issues in the last national campaign
invited his zeal, and he entered into
their discussion with all his enthusiasm,
being the author of an anonymous PAM
phlet, which had almost a national rep
utation. He was elected delegate at
large to the Philadelphia convention,
and there he was destined to work at a
disadvantage, which was no new expert
ence to him. Occupying no prominent
position before the convention, he was
annninted 4 member of tho -nnmmitin~
on resolutions. When that convened, it
was found that the scholarly Geo. VIM.
Curtis, and the statesman. DR.. Loring of
Mass. had been requested to furnish
drafts Of a platform to be submitted to
the Convention. Galusha A. Grow was
chairman. and Gen. HawleY of Connec-
ticut, Secretary. Many We're committed
to Mr.. Curtis platform, as it was sub
mitted. Judge Steele moved the ap-
pointment of a subcommittee to take
into consideration the two drafts, and
one was appointed but the mover was
not upon that committee. Inquiry was
made if any one else had draft; where
upon Judge Steele's was read and receiv-
ed with emphatic demonstrations of ap-
proval. All were favorably impressed
with Mr.. Curtis harmonious arrange
ment, or statement of the history and
general purposes of the party, and it
was adopted unanimously. Then COM
menced discussion of the three drafts,
and the first two resolutions of the Con-
vention were taken from Judge Steele's
draft, and then the committee went
through, taking from the three drafts
the material out of which the platform
was made, and those portions relating
to civil service, commerce and the tariff,
(the latter the most difficult of alb were
taken almost entirely from Judge Steel s
draft. Never, probably, did a Vermont
man exert greater influence in nation
al council. or do it in a more modest
manner.


Thus. becoming identified with that
great struggle, some of his friends at
once urged him to allow them to use his
name in the convention to nominate a
candidate for Representative Of his dis
trict in Congress. Some of his friends,
seeing it would be a contest between a
brother and one whom they regarded as
father, suggested that as he was uni
versally conceded to be the man, at
some time, it would be best for him to
bide his time, and with this he entirely
agreed. But soon he was urged to con-
slider that local and other influences
would urge another candidate into the
field if he did not take position. He
finally yielded to the solicitation of his
more ardent friends, and so enthusiastic
were the masses and SO close was the
contest that it was feared serious trouble
would result, but when the convention
! had nominated another man, true to his
instincts, in clear, scholarly speech
be acquiesced in the result an1 with a
few earnest words, suggesting the impor.
tance to the country Of the issues before
it, urged his friends to let no personal
or local matters divert their attention
from the great work before them. Hc
continued speaking in this and othel
States until the close of the campaign


with great influence, and never through
it all was he betrayed into speaking il
public of his own personal interests, bu
always discussed the great issues before
the country. Thus did his manly cours,
garner up in the hearts Of his friends
promise Of the highest hon0rs and thu
richest gifts of confidence and esteem


which might in the future be IN the
power Of the District or State 10 bestow


Turning from the campaign. he wen


to his work, to patiently await the hope
| ful future Why was not the reality


permitted? ? Alas the sun which rest


with mellow beams upon the grave, il


Hartland, Of one whose life was al


brilliant time, throws no light upon th,


deep mystery Who can describe th'


influence Of man, or fathOm the purpose


of his destiny We shudder in the pres


euce Of that decree, more potent thar