Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1866-04-06

against us as people that we praised too
highly our successful men; but with us sue
cess meant something It was the result not
oi acciden. or ptoudness ci birth, but the
righteous need Of individual desert.
That a man should have sat AS a member
in the British House OF Commons for eighteen
years would mean in The great majority OF
instances that the person under considera-
ton was allied by blood OF politics to one Of
the thirty great families u England, but in
America, that a man should have filed prom
inent places for eighteen years in our two
national legislative bs es meant that, divest-
ed Of all fictitious circumstances Of birth and
standing, he had beelFweighed in the naked
individuality ofheaft and brain in the balance
Of peoples needs AMI bad been found sui-
fcient We did right in honorlng sucn a
man. We did right in honorng Solomon
Foot He began life poor boy, in parish
near by, and was followed to the grave to-day
by the regrets OF thousands. Solomon Foot
was an honest man. His success was not
purchased at the price OF conscience and hon
or. His distinction was not a gilded inlamy.
He had never learned even the alphabet OF
political uekery. Ever wise, calm and mod
crate in action, he was singuiarly free, his
opinions and prejudces. No personal con.
sidefation ever held him back from delivering
the honest conviction Of his heart.
The people Of Vermont had placed implicit
confidence in him. Whoever else might
severe. be, they knew, would stand firm.
He was unspoued in his private life and in
the presence Of hls God, as he was in his pub
lie flee and the sights Of men.
HIS country aud oountrys honor was dear
er 10 him than his hearts blood. II when
Lee belcaguted Washington they who then
we're endeavoriog cYsttaln by force what they
might yet obtain by fraud, had captured uur
imperial city--if the myImidous Of rebellion
had broken into the sacred chamber Of the
fathers Of our country Senator Foot would
have been hewed In pieces limb from limb ere
be would have left he Senate chair Of Yer
mont TO be occupied By a traitor.
IN hts last hours in a voice full Of touch
ing pathos, he asked 20 be lifted from his dy-
ing couch that once more he might look upon
the Capitol, that ediice which was dear 10
him not only because of bis official connection
with It's extension aud adornment but CHIEFLY,
perhaps, because !. was the symbol Of his
country's glory and welfare, and because it
was the scene Of the labors of mis- hfe's best
years and modest powers
Senator Foot was also honored for his warm
heart Pure affections are always honorable.
Emotion is that touch OF nature which makes
the whole worid kin. Warm affections
throw robe OF dignity around the humbest
peasant. They become the throned monarch
better than his crown, and This honor which
the warm affections OF high and noble natures
merit and receive was the need Of our depart
cd friend
A successful snS strong mau himself, he
was ever ready to succor and strengthen the
needy, the weak and umid. He asked no ia.
vors for himself, but used his influence to OBJ
tain Blooms for others For counsel, for ain
for help for syml athy in years gone by we
went TO Mr. Foot, and were always welcome
When be died great warm heart ceased to
beat.
Solomon Foot as hcnored for his public
spirit and his devoted patriotism. Others
mis ht have expressed their patriotism in more
glowing terms, but noI lived it more thor
oughly or more constantly than be. de for
got individual eass, comfort, emoiument, hon.
or in the public good, the public wealth, The
public glory. He said at one time that there
was not nerve, muscle, a drop of blood
which be would not spend for the public
good. That vow bad been kept; that brain,
that blood, that heart, that lie had been now
all spent for his copntry.; he had kept moth
ing back. He mi6ht have resigned his Office
with honor and returned to a home among the
green hills. nearN bieh be Fyed to dwell but
he still toied on IL his Senatorial duties until
his tired brain and burdened heart and ex-
heusted form ref FED their office, ard then,
and not until then, be laid himself down "a
rect in Jesus, leaving this last request OF
Earth that he mies be carried home to this
people who had so honored him, and whom
he bad uied TO honor, that he might be bur.
led by them and among them. And now, the
speaker said, they were about to grant that
request, TO carry MIN forth to his chosen rest.
ing place in the centre Of the State of which
he was proud, and which was so proud Of him
beneath the shadow Of those grand old noun.
tains which be so much loved, and where the
bTeezes If his native land will chant among
the sentinel pines his requiem.