The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-04-04
From the Boston Mail.
The BOV---The Man.

The history ofpublic men in tins country,
if written out, would furnish many bright
examples of the force ofmlent in struggling
successfully against poverty aud obscur1y.-
1t is the peculiar trait ofour institutions, that
they bring out and develop the intellectual
power ofthe people. Tie receipt, from the
Hon. Solomon Foot, one of the members OF
Congress from Vermont, ola printed copy Of
his speech on the Oregon question, has sug'
gcsted to our mind pleasing train ot'thought
in conueXion with what we have Just remark
ed. The speech referred to, is one of the
most clear, comprehensive, and logical, yet
delivered upon that subject. We doubt
whether any member of Congress has the
power to make better speech, or one better
calculated to impress the Inind with the truth
and Justice Ofthc authors reasoning, and the
strength Of his power in debate. 1t Is one OF
those finished productions, TO which, appar-
entity, nothing cun be added or ahsuacied
without dctractng from it's strength. In II
word,it covers the whole ground SO complete
" that, to the unprcudiccd mind. honestly
seeking for enlightenment and truth, nothing
more need be said on the subject.
And vino is the Hon. Solomon Foot? per-
haps mentally asks the reader. We can an
swer that question. In our school-hoy days,
~ we well rrcollect, this same Solomon Foo,
was poor orphan boy who was for n time
taken into service" haifm charity, by Our
own paterual grand parent, 10 feed the pigs
and chickens ride the horse to plough, 60
after the cows, and do up the uumbcrless err
rands Ola farmers apprentice. Many time
have we divided the apple" with him, and
participated in the various sports, aud tolls
and accidents OF the farmers life. And vet
this farmers boy, by the force of his genius,
aud the energy ofhis character, was able TO
procure collegiate education and 10 come
ont one otthe frs, scholars in his class. Aud
since his graduation, he has risen step hy
step. until he is looked upon not only as one
of the frs. men in his native State, but one
ofthe first in the Congress OF the United
States.
Here is a lesson and mn example for the
youth ofour country-Onc that bids them IN
language alnos; ms plain and brilliant aS the
''haud writing on the wall" ncrsr dcSpdr!-
The path Of honorable distinction is open to
all and he that5pursucs it with most honesty,
energy and intellectual power,will be sure 10
win its greatest IaGrels and most enduring
fame. There are none so poor or so humble
but that they may rise to distinction and hon
or. The famous Counsellor Phillips (thc ia
vorite ofschool-boy orators) in the midst otn
great deal Of froth, sometimes gave utterance
to very brilliant thought; and it is one ofhis
most brilliant, wherein he snys-"ilow often
''have thought, amid that little circle OF neg
elected trifiers, who seem to have been born
sin caprice g. bred in orphanage, might exist
ssome MIND formed in natures fired mould,
.'and wrought for immortality.-some Civ
'.CINNATUs in whose breast the destnies OF a
':nation might lie dormant; some MILTON,
pregnant with celestial fire." some CURRAN
''who, when thrones We're crumbed and dy-
'.nasties forgotten, might stand the landmark
''ofhis country's genius rearing himself amid
''regal ruins and national dissolution,a mental
pyramid in the solitude of time, beneath
"whose shade, things might moulder, but a
Ground whose summit eternity must play"