The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1866-04-04

Senator Foot TO the Committee OF Ar.
engagements at the Court House, on Sat
urday:
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen of the
Committee: As my colleague upon the
committee has truly said, we have come
upon sad errand. We have been com
missone1 by the Senate Of the United
States to bear home to Vermont all that
is mortal Of Solomon Foot. These re-
Mains this precious dust, will now pass
from our charge, as II committee of the
Senate, TO you, as representing the people
of his native State.
1t is no time or place for euogy. Our
hearts are too full for that. A great sor-
row has fallen upon the 5 mate, and upon
the whole country, as well IA upon Yer
mont. That he was dlstiugul. he'd as
statesman and a Senator, all the world
knows but what [ desire to say, al
what my heart most p' omptS me to say,
is, not h 1t he was distinguished, honurcd
and respected, but that he was loved by
every member Of the Scpate, of every po-
litical patty. a We're his personal
friends. Enemies he had none. The
oldest member Of the body in continuous
service, he was revered as the fathrr Of
the Senate. Often called upon to be its
presiding officer, and always watchful VI
its honor, he did more than any other to
preserve its dignity and decorum. But
he has left the Senate, Ills place wc
cannot fill His like we may hot look
upon.
Gentlemen, here in that coffin is his
lityees body. We commit it to your
5 nate is fulfilled; our work dune We
are now ready TO return
But, | cannot take leave of you with
out saying that am here in another
character, and as the bearer OF another
message from him, as Il dying man, to
you, the people of Rutland and Vermont
Bear in mind that for more then eipht
years we had been in constant, daily,
political and frilnlly intcrcours', part
OF the tlu;e lodging under the same root,
and most of the time sitting at the same
table He was TO me like ta her or an
elder brother. In these intimate relation,
| came to know him well, and to love
him more.
But, | did not know how much loved
him, until standing at his bedside, the
dying man stretched out his hand, and
clasping mine in his, said: "Dear bro
Their, you have always been good and
kind to me-a DEAR good, brother Sen
a;or. | can never reward you but you
know where your reward lies" | could
not speak But he continued in a clear
and distinct voice, while bis face beamed
with Heavenly light, TO speak Of the
religion of the gospel, and of its consola
tions in sickness and health. Among
, other things | remember he said: "Tht
mercy Of God has been very great to mt
: in this sickness. | have 81 many kline
friends, like 81 many angelic ministers, al
t around me. 1t seems as though com
{ pany of angels were around me to bea
up my sinking spirit
Then, after a pause, he said, 81 have
i been trying to recall if there is any hu
D man beng upon earth whom have in
5 tentionalIy wronged or injured. | d'
. not nov remember any, but if there b
I any, pray that God will forgive me.
y | will not attempt 10 tell you all he sad
i Before lett the room, however, he said
! in the same clear voice, to another, 9Th
r Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice 1t
n well that He does reign; and the pcopl
# haye reason to rejoice that lie doe
reign Yes, Col reIsns over all thcr
y can be no doubt Of that. We do no
h come into this world by mere chance
o we are not creatures of accident. w
II are born to an eternal life" Here h
e paus, few moments, and then uttere
that dying message, which | now bear t
you. "When | leave this chamber,
;, said he, Il wish no parade, no ostcnta
I tlous demons ration> to he made on
h the ordinary proceedings which custom
and proprlcty impose, | desire to b
borne TO my friends and home in Rutland
VERMONT people who have Away
o been faithful to me-more faithful 10 IN
), than | have been 10 them, | fear. The
: have done 50 much for me. l have n
u house there, but they will provide every
thing ncediul, and there, by them, anon
e that people, let me be buried
Il This is the message which | bring Il
you from your DYING tricnl.
II was not present when he brcathe'
: his last; but from the account which
2 received Immediately after from thos
Il who were present, his consciousness rc
maine clear to the last, AMI his uttcranc
g distinct almost TO the very Last BREATH
:, In his last words, distinctly uttered, h
= left another message, which speaks no
only to you and to ne. bat 10 all m n
T. and for all time. In all history. | do no
II remember to have read OF "A lying chms
tian, whose Last WORKS were NOR
i touching, moe heavenly AMI more til
umphant over death IN The grave.
Seeing his tim was at ha ld, the word
of the 23d Psalm we're hen repeated I
e him by his wife lie called her TO hi
r side, folded his arms around her for
y moment; then, AS his breathing becam
If more choked, he said; "Whal can hi
d be death so { ,sy Is it come already!
d In few moments after, with fac
lighted up, AS with soul just en- erin