The Connecticut Election Day, as it is called, or the day when the Legislature assembles, and the Governor is inaugurated, has always been held in the State as a grand gala day. During the war, especially, the military pomp and parade was often very imposing. The Governor's military staff consists of eight or ten members, and while the war lasted hard work and responsible duties fell to their lot. A friend of the Governor who had usually been with him on these occasions, remarked to one of his staff at the last of them: "I have often been with you on these occasions, and have never seen any liquor drank. I suppose," he added pleasantly, "you do that privately." "No, sir;" was the reply. "None of the Governor's staff ever use liquor." "Is that so?" was the surprised reply. "Yes," was the answer--"it is so." Such an example as this, in so high a place, had a value that could not be too highly estimated. [Illustration: Wendell Phillips] CHAPTER XVII. WENDELL PHILLIPS Birth and Ancestry of Wendell Phillips--His Education and Social Advantage--The Lovejoy Murder--Speech in Faneuil Hall--The Murder Justified--Mr. Phillips' First Speech--He Defends the Liberty of the Press--His Ideality--He Joins the Garrisonian Abolitionists'--Gives up the Law and Becomes a Reformer--His Method and Style of Oratory--Abolitionists' Blamed for the Boston Mob--Heroism of the Early Abolitionists'--His Position in Favor of "Woman's Rights"--Anecdote of His Lecturing--His Services in the Cause of Temperance--Extract with His Argument on Prohibition --His Severity towards Human Nature--His Course During and Since the War--A Change of Tone Recommended. Wendell Phillips was born in Boston, Mass., Nov. 29, 1811. He is son of John Phillips, first Mayor of Boston. The Phillips family justly rank among the untitled aristocracy of Massachusetts. Liberal views, noble manners, love of learning and benevolent liberality have become in that state associated with the name. John Phillips, the grand uncle of Wendell Phillips, was the founder of Exeter Academy, in New Hampshire. Besides this he endowed a professorship in Dartmouth College, and contributed liberally to Princeton College, and gave $31,000 to Phillips Academy in Andover. His nephew Samuel Phillips, planned, founded and organized Phillips Academy in Andover. He was a member of the provincial Congress during the Revolutionary war--a member of the convention to form the United States Constitution in 1779, and a State Senator for twenty years following the adoption of the constitution, and for fifteen years was president in the Senate, and was from first to last the particular and trusted friend of Gen. Washington. If there be such a thing in America as a just and proper aristocracy it inheres in families in whom public virtues and services have been as eminent as in this case.