Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1866-11-23
Senator Foot.

G.. +. Edmunds of the U. S. Senate deliv-
cred an able address on the life, character,
and services of Solomon Foot, before the
Vermont Historical Society at Montpelier,
Oct. 16, 1866, of which we give the closing
paragraphs
There are many passages of his life
worthy of commemoration, which time
properly devoted to notices of this charac-
ter does not allow me to refer to- 1t has
been my purpose rather to bring to your at
tention the leading events of his life, and of
the times in which he bore part so that
'the hour and the man" might, as they fifty
should, reciprocally illustrate each other
A living French writer, profoundly versed
in the philosophy of politics, and remarka-
BILE (when it so pleases him. for the clear
ness of his ideas, says Historic truth
ought to be no less sacred than religion
If the precepts of faith raise our souls a.
bove the interests of this world, the lessons
of history in their turn inspire us with the
love of the beautiful and the just, and the
hatred of whatever presents an obstacle to
the progress Of humanity. These lessons to
be profitable require certain conditions. 1t
is necessary that the facts be produced with
rigorous eXactness, that the changes, polit-
ical or social, be analysed philosophically
that the exciting interest of the details of
the lives of public men, should not divert
attention from the political part they played
or cause us to forget their providential mis-
sion"
Guided by these evident truths, it remains
to estimate with critical business no less
than with aflectionate remembrance, the
character and career of Mr.. Foot For
our duties now are historic purely The
solemn and imposing pageant Of the burial
| is past. The voices of Divines and Sena-
tors, and Representatives have been heard
in eulogies such rs can be bestowed only
upon few men. He now takes his place in
history, among the heroes and worthless who
have been the creators of history, and sur
rounded with an army of great events pro-
foundly significant of the progress Of the
human race.
sin the birth of societies" says Montes-
quieu, lit is the chiefs of the republics who
| form the institutions, and in the sequel it is
the institutions which form the chiefs of the
republic"
Mr.. Foot, l think, occupied Il middle
place among such chiefs. He was not in the
high. grand sense, leader or chief, nor was
he on the other hand Gas many men in high
stations are,) the mere creature of circum-
stances, floating upon the tide Of public af-
| fairs.
He had not those understandable resources
of character to which we give the name of
genius But he was free, too, from those
impracticable fancies which frequently de-
prive genius of all its utility. He had none
of that trucking snbscrviency which will
sometimes barter "A permanent good for a
temporary triumph. He never sold the
truth to save the hour.
But, to plain, strong intellect, he added
the improvements of considerable learning,
of cultivation, of discipline, and constant
and industrious aim at excellence in all his
acts. With purity of heart and sweet
ness and generosity of disposition, as charm
ing as it is rare, he entered upon the per-
formance of all his duties, whether of friend
ship, in his profession, or of the State, with
a vigorous and hearty good will that was a
sure and Just guaranty of success and pop
ularity. He did not initiate revolutions or
reforms, but in the shuflling scenes of the
drama of life he was always in his proper
place, and he always performed his part,
and never overacted.
"When workmen strive to do better than
well, they confound their skill in covetous-
ness"
This he did not do, but he did not fail in
all his life of varied employment,-school
! boy student teacher, lawyer, legslatur,-