Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-05-19
Hon. F. F. Merrill.

ing Slavery, and what opposing it
Hon, F. F. Merrill.
A writer in the last Patriot pays beautiful
tribute to the character and memory of the
late Hon. +. +. Merrill, from which VIC make
the following extracts:
" liz has 80 recently gone from us, that we
can yet only m2asurably estimate the loss our
town suffers i'll his DEATH No enterprise Of
cons 3quence to our village Immediately or re-
motley, ever sought his aid in vain. He was
associated with, if not the first, in every scheme
for the cultivation and improvement of the
mind and heart Of the young. Our Schools
have been a matter Of constant solicitude and
care to him, and much of the praise for what
we now hope for through Il systematlzed cdu-
ucatlon, belongs to him. He was looked upon
as the man with whom to advise upon every
! project for the welfare or prosperity of Mont
pelier. And in the darkest time Montpelier
ever saw, his consummate tact, his untiring, as
sduous labor, His sleeplcss watchfulness, and
his sagacous foresight, did much, very much
to bring hack the day. and the sunlight
His services to the temperance cause in the
State, can hardly be over estimated. At q
critical period in our Legislature, by the calm
counsels Of moderation, he contributed much to
prevent an extreme of legislation, that would
have endangered, by its reaction, the whole
prohibltory system, and thus helped to put Il
law upon the statute book that has stood every
test and become the settled policy of the State
Mr.. Merrill was quiet, unpretending man,
simple in his habits and tastes, and quite free
from afectation in his manners. There was
not the least flourish or pretencc IN anything he
did nothing snowy or ostentutious in his
speech or behavior. Although he never dis
paraged himself to invite praise, nor talked
] hypocritically of his unftness for any place,
whose duties he felt able to perform yet he was
singularly unassuming, never urging himself or
his services upon any one He had confidence
AS we use the word-that freed him from
embarrassment in all places, and made it difficult
to dlsconcert or confuse him, yet it was a con-
tidence more allied to modesty than assurance.
lie was d!gniied, but not reserved, grave but
not morose, staid in his department, yet apleas-
ant and genial companion, and sometimes as
playful as child. His recognition of his ac-
qualntance, high or low, was always polite,
civil, always respectful, for he knew there was
something good and noble in every human
} soul. lie hated no man. He bore no one any
malice. He never sought revenge. lie never
returned evil for evil When reyiled he reved
not again Yet in all this there was nothing
cowardly, nothing timd, nothing that invited
attack and insult, but rather the exalted cour-
age OF the Christian character, conscious of it's
rccttude, and repelling as the rock does the
wave, all rcvlling and insult.
On the hillside. ia our Cemetery in the lot
chosen by his careful taste, with the beautiful
stream which flows through the town he so much
loved, murmurng almost at his feet, and far
, against the pune blue sky, the grand mountains
which have given name to the State he SO
much and SO worthiy served and honored. on n
quiet afternoon, few days ago, we laid him to
sleep. The sweet scent Of spring flowers was
IN the ar and the warm sunshine filled and H.
Illuminated the chambers OF the grave. And
f while the sunlight was still upon the cofin-lid
we sorrowfully, and in tears, turned away and
> left him to slumber till the resurrection
The following tribute we take from bust
ness letter from one of Vermont's most promi-
nent citizens
The death Of your neighbor, the Hon. +
r. Merrill, was to me most painful event
There are many in this Commonwealth who
leel with me that his death was the rupture Of
someEof the t.nderest and strongest ties that hui
man heart can know. He drew around hila a
very large circle of most devoted friends, by
| whom his memory is embalmed in the fondes
: recoliections and regrets. shall ever delight
to recall the hours have passed with him, in
, the places of business, and in the social circle
and to dwell on those traits loved, and which
7 death cannot efface from my memory. A life &C
free from defects--of such uniform purity and
. rectitude is a rare gem in this world of ours
: When reflect how important to the best inter
i ests Of society was the weight of his inaueuc,
! \ that a mind SO pure, so elevated. is no NOR,
q to impart Its conceptions to other minds-tba,
1t the voice that warmed many youthful hear
V as he gave instructions in the Sablath-Scboo
Is silent as the gave, and is no more to b.
heard in the Church of God-in the circle n
II friendship or in the throng Of busy men.
is feel oppressed with the magnitude of the loss
e. and am ready to number it among the darkos
80 OF the divine dispensations. How forciblv w
= 70 are taught by this meuralu event, the ute
At vanity, and insecurity of earthly ohjccts-tha
ri man in his best estate is altogether vauity-Co
grant that we may understand it before othe,
10 are called to learn it from our graves. or +
u read 1t upon our tombstones.
of
n Mr.. EDIToR -
s. At the present time of political darkness, til
"a following cannot lail to amuse the numero,