Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-11-21
AliselIalnp.
Statues In the Capitol NJ wash
inKtOn.
liz THE SENATE, Nov. IA.

Statues In the Capitol nj wash
inHtOn-
liz THE SENATE, Nov. IA.
The question being on she adoption of the
Joint Resolution, authorizing and request
isg the Governors to contract with Hiram
Powers for heroic Statue, In marble, of
Jacob Collamcr,and with Lirkin G. Mead, jr.
for an heroic statue of Ethan Allen, in mar
bic, to be placed in the National Statusry
Hall, at Washington, Sir. Dorr addressed the
Senate as follows =
Mr.. PREsrDENr,-Were it not that tbs
su beet is one which has excited good deal
of interest in our State, and the decision of
which will affect the character, standing aud
reputation of our State abroad, | should not
beg the indulgence of the Senate, while pre-
sent for its cons Iteration such views as in my
Judgment should conclude our action in the
premises.
The subject was originally brought to the
attention of the people, by an act Of Congress
approved July 2 1864, entitled Sc an act max
ing appropriations for sundry civil expenses
of the Government, for the yeaf ending the
Both of June, 1865, and for other purposes"
Section two of that act provides, in it's first
paragraph. for the reconstruction of the old
Hall of the House of Representatives, at
Washington, and the last paragraph is as
follows:
81. And the President is hereby authorized
10 invite each and all the states, to provide
and furnish statues, In mar bic or bronze, not
exceeding two in number for each state, of
deceased persons who have been citizens there
of, and illUstrious for their historic renown,
or fox distinguished civic or military SER
vices, such as each state shall determine to be
worthy of this national commemorstion and
when go furnished, the same shall be placed
IN the old Hall of the House of Representa-
tives. In the capitol of the United States,
which Is hereby set apart or SO much thereof
as may be necessary, as a National Ssatuary
Hall, for the purposes herein indicated"
Thus brought TO the attention of the peo-
pie, the Legislature at its session in 1865,
adopted joint resolution which was as fol-
lows, VIZ -
Resotred By the Senate ard House of Rep
resentaiires, That his Excellency, the Govern
or, be authorized and requested to appoint
one or more commissioners to examine the
subject, SO far as it relates to this State, and
to report such facts, and make such sugges-
lions to the Legislature, at its next session, a.
such commissioner or commissioners ehall
deem material and best calculated to enable
the legislature, at that time, to take definite
action In relation thereto"
think we have right to presume that
the Legislature of 1865 had given to this
whole subject that mature elaboration which
It's importance demands, that that Legisla-
ture al least regarded the invitation of Con-
gress with favor, and that in its judgment,
Vermont should sccede to the proposition of
the general government, and furnish the stat
contemplated by this act. The whole
scope and purpose Of the resolution was to
provide for definite action of the Leg stature
which should succeed them. Upon no other
hypothesis can we harmonic their action
with the purposes of the joint resolution. On
any other theory their resolves become sim
pie mockery.
This resolution having been adopted, and
l believe whh entire unanimlty In both
Houses, il devolved upon our Governor to Sc
lect the commissioner or comm issioners con-
remplated by 1t.
HIS first selection was the Hon. Solomon
Foot, a representative of our State in the
highest branch of national legislation, the
Senate of the United States, man whose eye
ever kiDdled and whose soul ever warmed
with enthusiasm, when he contemplated the
name and fame of his State. Born and rear
ed among cur people, hOnOred in large de-
gree by their trust and confidence, and intim
ateiy acquainted with their history, tho sp-
pOintment was most appropriate and deserv
ing. If it were proper TO urge 30 narrow &
consideration, it might be said that MIR. Foot
from his location, represented the west sid'
Of the mountain.
Another commissioner was to be appointed
and who would command in a larger degree
the confidence of the Legislature than thu
Hon. Justin 5. Morrill, ut the House, msz
who was emphaticaily of the people, who hsa
faithfully snd honOrably represented them to
an unprecedented number of years In TN
most popular branch of our LegIslature-wh
had risen to the commanding position OF tn
leader of the House of Representatives., ant
enjoyed, both at home and abroad. an emf
nentIy national reputation.
Here then, Sir, we have board of commits
siOuers selected with the utmost care, pru
dence and wisdom, one, our distinguished rep
resentative IN the Senate Ct the United States
ths other, no less distinguished as q membe
of the HOUSE of Representatives of the Unite
States, the one representing locally the ives
side of our mountain range, the other GU
eastern slope. Tney are not volunteer com
missioners, assuming to direct our action, 90
officers OF our own creation, and asked tot
bidding. D.
On the very threshold of their labors MI
Foot died Beautiful in his life, but NOR
beautiful s. in the hour and article OF deacr,
he was gathered to his fathers, and his con
mission was ended. He speaks not to t.
day OF his convictions. But TO those VIII
knew Mr.. Foot intimately it need not be SAT-
that the Dlcne OF L dLne We arc ASKED 10 ASST r.
to the lameD.ed COllamer, would have r
ceived his warm and enthusiastic approval.
Carrying out the instructions of your LEI
islature, your governor filed the vacar
place in the commission, by the appointnaeI
of the young and earnest statesman wh
came to the seat Of our hOnOred and lsmeI
ted dead. He speaks to us in this repor
but while be utters his own convictions, b.
lieve We have a right to say that he reaec
the judgment of him., whom we loved "a
honore0 in lite, and whose memory and VII
tues We cherish in death.
Mr.. President, when this Report was La
upon Our tables, and was referred: as kne
1t must b., to the COMMITTEES under the 4.
joint rule, felt that We were peculiarly TO
runsse in having as the head OF this commi
tee in each House, gentlemen 80 eminent
fitted by their tastes their education and e.
perience, to present this subject in its mo
Winning and convincing Light, to the attenslt
of our Legislature. SIR. Prous, the char
man of the committee on the part of Il
House, was toWnsmap, a bosom friend
Mr.. Foot, gentleman of broad and varied Gu
ture, and standing in the frontrank of the leg
profess,on. The chairman Of the Senate con
= uirses the Hon. Senator from WindhAm,
Lex