Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1866-04-19
generous temperament, elastic step, the

people 10 whom he belonged, that, as
carding the delicacies and daintles OF
our days, could show them with pleas
ure. 1t would be the unanimous Jud2-
ment OF men that SO much of capacity
aud experience ought TO be spared Tor
the instruction aud direction Of genera
tions that succeed each other, But the
law OF Providence Is otherwise, our
existence cannot span two lives II Is
consolation To know that the associate
we mourn lived the allotted timr-that
he died full of years AS Of honor HIS
career is perhaps not yet ended. lie
who spoke the universe into existence,
who said Let there be light, and there
was light who created man ia Ills
own image and gave MIN dominion over
the earth, may have called him to an
other sphere--a higher destiny. 1t Is
but step from one life to another
which alike must follow until we are
one with God.
MI Washburnr Of Illinois paid an
eloquent tribute not only to the departed
statesman but to the State be represent
ed. He said
the support of the citizens of Vermont
is no meagre or Indifferent compliment.
No State has ever guarded more care
fully the selection of its representatives
in the national council; for within my
recollection no man in either branch of
Congress from that State has ever
proved faithless to liberty, or has ever
| had the stain of dishonor or venaity
upon his garments.
1t is in the Green Mountain State that
there il to be found the type Of the tru-
! est democracy, resting upon the basis OF
universal intelligence and public virtue.
In no State can be found a lOftier pat
rotism, more ardent love of liberty,
and more undying hatred OF slavery
than among the constituents Of the late
distinguished Senator from Vermont.
When maddened treason raised its par
ricidal hand to tear down the fabric Of
our Government, and the torch OF civil
war was lighted, the people of no State
rallied with greater alacrity and en-
thusiasm than the people Of the
State of Vermont. Her brave and
hardy sons filled all her highways and
by-ways; they came forth from her hills
and valleys, and from all the gOrges OF
her evergreen mountains, and marched
with the rapdity of the eagle to the de-
Tense of their imperiled country, and to
vindicate the honor and the glory and
the unity OF the republic.
| say, sir, to have been hOnored and
trusted by such people to the extent
that Mr.. Foot was hOnOred and trusted,
is one of the highest compliments that
could have been paid to a public man.
saw him when the Shareholders, in
the pride aud insolence Of their power
undertook to crush out in the Senate ev-
cry aspiration for liberty and every noble
and elevated sentiment Of freedom
when treason upheld by a perfdious
and treaCherous executive, stalked
through the Senate hall with brazen i'm
pudence, and when the galleries hOwled
their applause of traitors. Undaunted
and undismayed while all the political
elements were dashed into fury around
him, he bore himself in . manner be-
coming an American Senator and COur-
ageOusly vindiCated his own opinions
and the sentiments and convictions O.
his own liberty-l0ying constituents.
Among innumerable false, unmoved.
Unshaken, unscduCed, mtcrriicd,
His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal
With q loyalty so devoted and uncom.
compromising with love of country
amounting to Il passion, he everywhere
denounced treason and it's aiders and
abettors with the most vehement indig.
nation,
Every year increased his reputation
and confirmed his character as stead.
fast friend to his country, an enlighten-
ed statesman, and a wise and inCOrrupt-
IDLE legislator. He was man of edu.
cation and intelligence, of vigorous in
telleCt and an enlightened understand
ing Of giant strength and an imposing
presence, he was q genuine specimen Of
Vermonter. As presiding officer of the
Senate for q long period hedistinguished
himself by his promptness, dignity, ur.
banity and fairness. He brought to the
discharge Of all his duties q conscien.
tious devotion to the best interests OF
the nation. Active, industrious, vigi.
liant, no duty to his constituents and the
country was ever left unperCormed, and
so prompt and regular was he in attend
ance upon the daily sessions of the Sen
ate that it could be said of him as the
historian says Of the younger Cato, che
was always the first at the Senate and
went out last"
Mr.. Foot bore prominent part in all
our legislation during the war for the
Union, and his influence and vote were
always given to the most energetic mea-
sures, and those best calculated to
strengthen the governmental the gigan-
tic task of saving the country. To the
administration of Mr.. Lincoln he gave
a warm and enthusiastic support I
had occasion to know of his attachment
to that distinguished man, and to know
how gratefully his friendship was recip-
rOcated. Mr.. Lincoln had not in the
whole length and breadth Of the land
more earnest and sincere friend; and no
man stood by him through all the perils
and difficulties of his administration
with more unflinching devotion; and
the people Of Illinois will cherish this
remembrance with gratitude.
And when the time came for the repre-
sentatives of great and heart-stricken
| people to pay the last tribute Of respect