1884.] *" [Vaux. 



than a systematic process. It may be called a mental idiosyncrasy. 

 However ill this may be as an explanation, yet it is the better description 

 of Mr. Phillips peculiar mental temperament. 



That Mr. Phillips devoted little, if any, time to general reading 'while 

 actively engaged in his profession is known of all his friends. He wrote 

 nothing on public questions, and indeed, made no contributions on cur- 

 rent or special literary subjects. Yet his speeches in Congress were mas- 

 terly and thorough on the questions he discussed. 



. On the 12th of June, 1858, he addressed the House of Representatives 

 on "The expenditures and revenues" of the country, in which he dis- 

 covered both knowledge and power, and made a mark as a debator. 

 He met on this occasion in debate Mr. Sherman, of Ohio, then establish- 

 ing his reputation. If he had not gained the ear of the House and im- 

 pressed himself on the judgment of his colleagues as worthy of their 

 consideration, a fliilure would not have been wondered at under the con- 

 comitant circumstances. That he did make a marked impression is 

 known. 



On the 9th of March, 1858, Mr. Phillips made a very able speech on 

 "The admission of Kansas as a State under the Lecompton constitution." 

 On this subject Mr. Phillips was in the line of his studies, and he mani- 

 fested his familiarity with the questions involved in their discussion. That 

 he made a deep impression on the House is shown by the record of the 

 proceedings. He was very forcible, and ably presented his views, so 

 much so, that Mr. Grow, Mr. Montgomery and Mr. Kunkel, of Pennsyl- 

 vania, and Mr. Stanton,, of Ohio, interrupted him to ask for information, 

 and to support their understanding of facts, or to question the basis of his 

 argument. Mr. Phillips was fortunate on all these occasions in strongly 

 justifying his statements, or strengthening his positions. This speech, 

 and the incidents attending its delivery, elevated its author to a position 

 formidable in debate, and forcible in argument. 



That Mr. Phillips had the faculty of acquiring knowledge by absorbing 

 it as if without consciousness, can be affirmed from reading the two ad- 

 dresses to which reference is made. Entering Congress without any pre- 

 paratory study of the business that was likely to engage the attention ot 

 the Federal Legislature ; with no experience in public life ; entrusted for 

 the first time with the duties and responsibilities of a representative of the 

 people ; new in all its relations to his constituency and the country ; sur- 

 rounded by able and experienced statesmen ; brought to the consideration 

 of principles of the highest moment to the welfare of the United States, Mr. 

 Phillips was able to discuss them with a self-reliance imperturbable, 

 and a confidence in his own powers. 



The two speeches to which notice has been called are selected out of his 

 legislative record because the subjects are so wholly disconnected with 

 each other, as more distinctly to demonstrate the view here taken of 

 Mr. Phillips' character. 



It was a remark often made by John "W. Stevenson, his colleague in 



