Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-11-07
National Hall of Statuary.

|
National Hall of Stntuary.
REPORT OF HON. J. 8. MORRILL, AND HON.
GEO. F. EDMUNDs.
To Hon. Paul DilHngham, Governor Of Yer
mont.
| SIR The undersigned having been honor
ed by your appointment as Commissioners un-
| der the " Joint resolution relating to the Ma
tional Statuary Hail." passed at the last ses-
| sion of the Legislature of Vermont, respect
| fully submit the following Report:
By the provisions of the act of Congress we
| learn that Each state is invited to furnish
| statues, not exceeding two in number, of de-
ceased persons, who have been citizens thereof
and illustrious for their historical renown or for
distinguished civic or military services, such
each state shall determine to be worthy of this
national commemoration."
And We find the terms of our sppointmen
require US TO examine the subject, so far it
relates TO this State, and to report such facts
and make such suggestions 10 the Legls slatore
at it's e1t session, We shall deem material
and best cacul.ted to enable the Legislature
at that time to mske definite action IN relation
thereto
The most important branch of our duties is
with unfegned diffidence. but the action of
your Commissioners, happily. is not final, aud
the Legislature, IN its revision of the subject,
will promptly correct whatever mis- Judgments
may appear.
1t appears that the selections must be limited
to deceased persons, not exceeding two in num-
Der. who have been citizens of the State. Be
yond this all would seem 10 be left to the dis
cretion and good taste of the respective sta ties.
The choice OF fit names for these signal marks
of distinction a. raises the question, from
what era in our history shall they be taken
Vernon, was founded by those wAo, even il
that early dawn of our country, had found
Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire
and New York too old and tame for their rest
less spirit of enterprise, and their descendants
have compensated the country, following the
migratory example of our forefithers, by con-
tributing in no stinted measure TO the building
uD of other and fresher ates beyond US ln
the limitless West. hough never colonial
dependency of Great Britain, nor belonging 10
the Confe deratiop, md never a Territory OF the
United States, yet Vermont bore d distinguish
ed part in the War of the Revolution, and
was the first State admitted into the Union after
the adoption of the Constitution. The history
of the Green Mountain pioneers has so many
marked features, 20 many important as well as
romantic incidents, that it will always possess
Our part .f the world-called then sometimes
the " New Hampshire Grants and sometimes
= New Copuecticut had only began 10 be
attractive to settlers when the nation declared
its independence of the mother county, and
the War of the Revolution succeeded. L be
founders of the State, therefore, were blended
with these OF the historic period OF cur hrst
great national struggle, and the chief actors OF
the times were almost equally conspicuous as
the pioneers and heroes OF the Green Mount
aims.
Il cannot be doubted that there will be
general concurrence OF opinion il looking to
this epoch to find at least one of Vermont S
deceased citizens to represent our State 10 that
National Hall of Statuary, where Will be as
sembed, in enduring marble and bronze, To be
gazed upon by present and future generations,
! the images of those worthless who have most
largely contributed to the interest al grandeur
of our history.
| This point being considered as settle d, one
| half of our allotted task Is ended Tor 1t is
undeniably true that the most prominent fig
ure standing In the forefront OF our early an
nails, is the stalwarI form of Ethan Allen
! HIS name IS the oftenest on the lips Of our
people at home and abroad 1t Is most ire
ouently typicaliy used to honor the character
| of our State. 1t is useless to crltcise hls
| Shortcomings, as IN spite OF these, oy Dis
| tsu gh muscularity and ever-present vitality
| of his character he won his claims to great
ness lie was d leader OF men, and having
genius and character entirely original, ne
excited the admiration OF his cotemporarlee,
| tine terror of his enemies. and his State will
never cease to be proud of his memory. bis
fidelity, ctIvity and resources IN civil lie Sc
! cured the absolute faith of our early back
woodsrnen. and his martial ieas won the
cIear-eyed confidence OF General W ashlDgton.
| LIS rude, magical words lost rome OF their
| strength by being filed into bright and atten-
uated forms, but they were launched forth
with a vigorous meaning and last we'll. AS
the agent of the State, he said to Congress,
| March >, 1871
a am as resoluteiy determined totdefend
the independence of Vermont as Congress are
that of the United States and rather than
fail, will retire with the hardy Green Mount
ain BOYS into the oesoiate caverns OF the
mountains and wage War with human nature
at large" -
BY brave words like these, and by bravel
deeds, Vermont escaped being swallowed uI
by her more powerful neighbors. Ticondero-
ga fresh then, is not forgotten now, and VIII
forever link the name of ALLEN with the
fame of one of the earliest blows struck II
behalf of the inalienable rights OF m an
Later times and grander opportunities have
developed many sons of Liberty, but never
had Liberty a more ardent worshipper or a
more courageous defender
We reach the conclusion, therefore, that
the general sentiment of Vermont, as well a
that of our sister states, would not De proper
ly responded to, If the statue OF oid Etnaf
Allen should be missed from our contribution
1t may be said that we have already dom
enough in this direction by having placed ont
such statue in the capitol OF the State, Du
=, .bouit ne rememnered that that mus
be mainly for the qualification of our owl
citizens, while the one now proposed Is 10
the capitol of the na tion, for all its citisen
and for its throog OF visitors, whether draw
thithe1 by public Inducements and hylng 81
fractions, or by The glories OF art, inciooin
no, oulv permanent structures, but such as VI
are now lnaugurating, OF the best art,cies
the age, and representing an assemolage
historic persons Of widest fame and moet e'
,raordinary virtues. .. 80
The final extinction Of slavery IN Our ian
=