The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1866-04-25

all its revolving features. Not frequent
speaker in the Senate, he was yet always
listened to with attention when he did
speak upon any subject; and upon those
subjects Immediately conlided to bis charge
he possessed its entire confidence. His
recent eulogy upon his deceased colleague
was not only worthy of the occasion, but
was good specimen Of the Senator'S
matter and manner, and when delivered
awakened responsive chords in the hearts
of all hearers by its impressive cloquence
and chastencd beauty.
AS public speaker before a public
audience, Mr. Foot occupied no mean
rank. His noble figure and full-toned
voice at once arrested attention. Never
begrudging preliminary preparation, his
speeches were clear, forcible, and well-sus-
tained to the end. His style never lacked
elevation, and without being ornate, was
affluent and scholarly. Though admirable
in temper, he could yet employ invective
at times with crushing effect, and declaim-
cd with the daring impetuosity of a master
who felt able to both ride and guide the
storm he was creating. But his great
strength lay in his absolute earnestncss.
His voice gave til no uncertain sound.
| No man ever heard him speak and went
away in doubt as to his meaning or as TO
which side of the argument he had es
poused. Having satisfied his own judg-
ment that he was right, he embarked his
whole soul and strained every nerve in
the effort to bring his audience to the
same conclusions with himself He was
both sincere and positive, and utterly in
capable of guile or dealing. His integ-
rity, moral and political, was as firmly
fixed rs the mountains beneath whose
shadow he was born, and there was never
any doubt Or speculation upon any ques-
ton rs to where he would he found.
When he spoke, therefore, he brought to
bear, not only cogent argument, but the
influence of true man, the weight Of an
experienced legislator.
As chairman Of the committee on Pub
lie Buildings he had for a long period taken
deep interest in the work of the Capitol
extension. His ideas were liberal-cocx-
tensive with the grandeur Of the nation
and he would build well and for all time
He felt pride in the splcndors of the
structure, fondly contemplated the time
of its completion in all its parts, when
all the vacant inches as well rs the old
Hall of the House of Representatives
should b, with statues of our fathers, when
the surrounding ground should be enlarged,
and lbclicved in the end the world would
not be Yble to show Government buildings
and grounds more imposing or so appro-
priately magnificent. 1t was the Capitol
Of a nation of freemen! What wonder,
then, that lie should in the last hour close
the drama by wishing to be SO raised in
his bed that his eyes might once more be-
hold the rays of the morning sun glittering
upon the majestic dome and illumining
those Halls wherein he had long been so
noted an actor.
lie WAS modest man and obcyed the
Gospel precept, ''not to think of himself
more highly than he ought to think" and
esteemed "others" better than himself
Few men who spoke so well have been
able to content themselves with speaking
so unfrequently. lie always appeared to
underrate his own performances, and never,
| believe, circulated any of his speeches in
pamphlet form, but he was generous and
hearty in his appreciation and circulation
OF those made by Others.
He was man Of courage. When he
served in this House, belonging to the old
Wing party, the great radical abolitionist
from the Ohio Ashtabula district WAS
also member. An,i.slavery sentiments
in those days founI little favor anywhere,
and here encountered fierccst hate and
frequent violence on the part of slave
holding Representatives. Mr.. Giddings
once told me that upon one occasion,
when he had uttered some unwelcome
truth about the institution of barbarous
memory, one of these chivalric Represent
atives rushed towards him evidently bent
on mischief, and that Foot at once sprang
TO his side ready to meet the aggressor.
The promptness Of this action and the
firm port Of Mr.. Foot awed the would be
assassin and he retired to his seat. No
body, said Mr.. Giddings could doubt the
meaning of one or the other
The delicate as well as difficult duty
of making up of the various committees
of the Senate frequently fell to his lot,
and it was always performed with great
discretion and fairness. Here his modesiy
was apparent, for he never So carved as
to leave the choicest parts to himself
Mr. Foot was Industrious, methodical,
punctual to all appointments, and never
postponed the work of to- day for tho
greater leisure of tomorrow Whatever
he aimed TO do, he aimed to do well
He was proud of Vermont, loved her his
tory, and wore her honors worthily. But
he was not too proud to labor for the
bumblest of his constituents and by his
labors he added luSter TO his State and
honor TO the nation.
If it be that God loves those who are
ready for His coming sir such nour as
ye think not" or those He takes while
yet in the full enjoyment of all their
strength and hopes, with mind and repu-
ton as well as faith in the grace of God
undimmed, then was Senator Foot for