Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1866-11-02
DEATH OF SENATORS coLLAMER AND


should lay aside our duties Tor little space, 10
offer a tribute to the memories OF the illustrous
dead
True. sir. fitting and appropriate eulogies have
been pronounced upon the characteri aud public
services OF Senator's Collamer and Foot, by the
press from the pulpit, and in the Halls Of Con-
grcss.
Many Of these have been Of surpassing beauty
and eloquence, deeply affecting to all who knew
our departed Statesmen.
But, sir, it is Just for this Legislature TO pause
long enough to hang another garland upon their
memories, 10 drop another tear upon the yet fresh
made graves OF our two most honOred sons.
Never before has the grim messenger entered
the Senate Chamber and stricken both Of the
members from one State in so short an interval.
Few States have ever been represented by the
same men for so long a time or by nan Of greater
ability or more commanding influence. And,
let me add, no State WAS ever represented in the
Senate by men of purar liyes. with regulations
more unblemished who gave higher tone TO
public morals aud reflected back upon their con
stituents lustre more pure and bright. None
ever possessed 60 greater extent the confidence
and respect Of The people they represented.
There we're many incidents ln their lives and
history of great similarity Both acquired their
education by their own unaided Efforts, began
their lives poor boys Both commenced their
public services in this Legislature, AMI each was
/ first a member in his 3lst yelr-Ju1gs Coamer
1888, there being nearly Il years difference in
their ages. Both were repeatedly members here,
both were in the constitutional convention which
created our Senate, both entered Congress at the
same session, one remaining six, and the other
four years. They hal been in the Senate ten
years together. aud Mr. Foot was in his 10Th ses-
sion. They were both called while occupying
that high aud proud position to leave the Senate
aud all their earthly honors, aud enter, | trust,
the Congress OF the blessed and high.
Aside from the public trusts which had
been confdsd TO them both alike, udge Collam-
er hal beca nine years Judge Of the Supreme
Court fouc OF the Circuit Court, aud two years
, Post Master General.
1t Is enough to say and so much as this. can
in truth be saii--that during public life OF more
than forty years. he ever held in the most
profound respect, aud each succeeding post that
/ he occupied increased the confidence and attach
= ment Of the people, aud added a new chaplet to
his fame
lie was held in high esteem, and much reliance
was placed in his judgment and ability, by his
sociates in the Senate.
; Senator Fessenden, in pronouncing his beauti-
full ldress upon his death, says
No one Of his associates in this chamber can
better than myself bear testimony to his kindness
OF heart, his readiness to inplrt information, AMI
give the advantage OF his learning aud wisdom TO
those about him, whenever sought or needed
Seatedby his side, session after session, for many
| years. | habitually asked his advice and sought
/ his aid whenever embarrassed by doubt or ddh-
entity. The patience with which he listened, and
the ready kindness with which be responded im-
, parting from his rich store all that needful,
compelling me to make his thoughts my own.
could not but secure my gratitude ani win nv al
fecton. veuerated aad loved the mln as one
, regards an elder brother, upon whose superior
{ knowledge and wisdom, and unselfsh singeness
of heart, be feels thrt he may in all emergencies
qufa lv ralV md | for ms In AZ Ia
ments the breaking ola link in that chain Of liies
pleasures which he feels 70 be growing shorter and
/ shorter day by day"
Such words, coming from such man, carry a
weight with them, that mikes US all feel proud OF
the name of our departed Statesman, and more
deeply deplore his loss.
, cannot forbear alinling to one, and but sin
! gle one, Of his public acts.
refer to the speech he made in the Senate up
on the question OF admitting members from the
rebel States. He SAID
"When will, aud when ought Congress to all
nit these States being in their normal condit-
ion? 1t is not enough that they stop hostility,
and are repcntant. They should present fruits
meet for repentance They should furnish to as,
by their actions some evidence, that their condition
OF loyqity and obedience, is their true condition
again, and Congress must pass upon it, othcr0ise
zoe hars no securities, and insist that the Pres
dent, by making peace with them-if you please,
by surceasing military operations s-i0ss not alter
their status, until CONGREss passes upon It"
And he adds II believe thai when re-estabsh-
ing the condition OF peace with that people, Con-
gress, representing the Uated States, has power
in ending this war, as any other war to get some
security for the future IL would be strange if it
were otherwise
This speech was made before the war was closed.
4 Without this none of US would have doubted his
4 views. We now know where that great mind was,
and how that great mind would have acted, upon
the question which now much divides the Ex-
, ecutive and Congress, and much agitates the
Z public mind.
- Mr.. Speaker my relations with Mr.. Foot were
of a much more intimate character-for many
years that OF the closest intimacy and Affection
Q In 1926, the year he graduated at college he
become preceptor of Castleton Academy and | was
his pupil. The next year he was tutor, in the
. University of Vermont, In 1928 he again took
2, charge of that Academy, and for portion OF the
y year was an assistant tutor.
In the Spring of 1881 we both went TO Rutland,
10 finish our professional studies, and for one year
D boarded together there.
We we're admitted to the bar about the same
time and practiced for several years in the same
county where often, very often, met professions
ally and socially.
In 1885 he was a member Of this house for the
second time, and through his influence, perhaps
more than that of any other member, was elect
ed clerk.
IN 1891 ne was eleclcu speaker VI th' houe'
y with the same clerk. You know, Mr.. Speaker
n the intimate relations that must exist betweeI
these two officers
m The next session (ls3s) he was again Speaker
'e and | was a member of the House. At that ses
sion there was an u S. Senator to be elected. Mr.
Foot and myself were both supporters Of the lat
Senator Phelps.
The balloting was protracted and at one hailo
\ Mr. Foot, without being nominated, came within
i few votes of receiving majority. He immedi
Y ately left the chair,-.moyed that the House ad
iourn-and in the afternoon earnestly requeste
le the members to use his name no longer and sa
&c that if elected lac could not do the State as muc
4, honor as many others, and then passed high en-
conium upon the ability of Judge Phelps, who wa
tie elected Immediately after. never doubted Mr.
Foot would have been elected if he had not with
~ drawn his name.
Twelve years after he was elected to the U. 5
h. Senate, and during the two first years of his ser
vice in that body, ] was in daily intercourse wit
y him
ID In his elections as Speaker, as Member OF Con
gress, and as Senator, he had able and distinguish
E. ed competitors in his own party hao given hir
my feeble, but earnest support in them all. Du
u ring all this long and intimate acquaintance, hay
~ ever believed him TO be a very able and faithir
servant, one of the kindest aud most generous q
he friends aud great adornment to the State an
- people he represented
70 H.. was a,nnhaticallv A true man true 10 hi