Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-04-27
Congressional Honors to the Memory of
Senator Foot.
REMARKS OF MIR. FEssENDEN.


M Presideai-In attempting to speak of
one 50 long associated with US, and endeared to
Us by so many rare and excellent qualities as
the late Senator Foot, cannot but fee impress
ed with the difficulty of doing perfect justice
either 10 the man or the occasion-a difficulty
increased by the long uninterrupted, almost
brotherly friendship which existed between him
and myself But, difficult as the task may be,
! cannot. If would, withhold my tribute TO the
character and memory Of one so much beloved
aud who i held by all his associates in most af-
iectionate remembrance.
The death Of cur friend was so unlocked tor
his promise Of prolonged life and continued
usefulness seemed so secure, it Is hard to real
ize that his place is vacant and that shall see
him no more upon earth. But yesterday he
stood among Us, imposing in the beauty and
stateluess OF perfect manhood hi. face beaming
with kindliness, his whole aspect diguifed and
serene. glowing with health and vigor To-day
all that was mortal Of our friend and brother,
reposes in a distant grave, among those by
whom he was loved and trusted and honored. a
grave Watered by many tears and yenerated for
it's sa red dust, while the noble spirit which
imated that clay has ascended to give an ac-
count Of It's mission upon earth, and to enjoy,
as we may well believe, the reward Of we'll
spent life.
When, Mr. President, a man, however emf
nent in other pursuits, and whatever claims he
may have to public confidence, becomes a mem
Der Of this body he has much to learn and much
TO endure Little does he know Of what he will
I have to encounter. He may be well read in pub
lie affairs. but he is unaware OF the difficulties
! which must attend and embsrrsss every effort
/ to render what he may know available and use
[ full He may be upright IN purpose and strong
| in the belief in his own integrity, but he can
not even dream Of the ordeal to which he can
not fail 10 be exposed, Of how much courage he
must possess to resist,the temptations which dai
" beset him OF that sensitive shrinking from
undeserved eensure, which he must learn to con-
troll Of the ever recurring contest between a
natural desire for public appreciation and s
sense Of public duty; Of the load Of injustice he
must be content to bear, even from those who
should be his friends; the imputstions on his
motives, the sneers and sarcasms Of ignorance
and malice, all the manifold injuries which par
tsan or private malgnity, disappointed Of its
object may shower upon his unprotected head.
All this, If he would retain his integrity, he
must learn to bear unmoved, and walk steadily
onward in the path Of public duty, sustained
only by the reflection that time may do him JUS
tce or, il not, that his individual hopes AMI as
pirations, and even his name among men ,sho uld
be Of little account to him when weighed in th'
balance against the welfare Of people, Of who's
destiny he is a constituted guardian and defend
er.
To such an ordeal. Mr. President, our lament
ed friend was subjected for fourteen years at 1
most trying period, and admirably did he bea
the trial
Through all this long period of fourteeI
years, checquered as they were with gres