Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1866-04-05


charge. Our mission in behalf OF the
Senate is fulfilled; our sad, but sacred
oflice performed; our work done. We
are now ready to return.
But | cannot take leave OF you with
out saying that / am here, in another
character, and, as the bearer of another
message from him. as a dying man, to
you, the people of Rutland and Yer
mont. Bear in mind that for more than
eight years We had been in constant
daily, political and friendly intercourse,
part OF the time lodging under the
same roof, and most of the time sitting
at the same table. He was to me like a
father or an elder brother. In these in
innate relations | came to know him
well, and to love him more.
But, did not know how much loved
him, until standing at his bedside, the
dying man stretched out his hand, and
clasping mine in his, said: "Dear broth
er, you have always been kind to me-a
dear, good brother Senator. Ican new
er reward you; but you know where
your reward lies" | could not speak.
But he continued in clear and distinct
voice, while his face beamed with
Heavenly light, to speak of the religion
OF the gospel, and of its consultations in
sickness and in health. Among other
things, | remember he said "The mer-
cy OF God has been very great to me in
this sickness. | have so many kind
friends; like so many angelic ministers,
all around me. 1t seems as though a
company of angels were all about me, to
bear up my sinking spirit"
Then, after pause, he said, Il have
been trying to recall if there is any hu-
man being upon earth whom l have in
tentionally wrOnged or injured. l do
not now remember any; but if there be
any, pray that God will forgive me-"
| will not attempt to tell you all he
said. Before | left the room, however,
he said, in the same clear voice, to an
other: The Lord reigns; let the earth
rejoice 1t is well that He does reign;
and the people have reason to rejoice
that He does reign. Yes, God reigns
over all ). there can be no doubt of that.
We do not COmeintO this world by mere
chance; we are not creatures of acci-
dent. We are born to an eternal life"
Here he paused a few moments, and
then uttered that dying message, which
| now bear to you. "Wher I leave this
chamber" said he, 81 wish no parade,
no ostentatlous demonstrations to be
made; only the ordinary proceedings
which custom and propriety impose; l
desire to be borne to my friends and
home in Rutland, Vermont-a people
who have always been faithful to me
foi+ h ftll IN than I 20
them, fear. They have done so much
for me. have no house there, but they
will provide everything needful, and
there, by them, among that people, let
me be buried"
This is the message which | bring to
you from your dying friend.
| was not present when he breathed
his last; but from the account which |
received Immediately after from those
who were present, his consciousness re-
manned clear to the last, and his utter
ance distinct, almost to the very last
breath. In his last words, distinctly
uttered, he left another message, which
speaks not only to you and to me, but to
all men, and for all time In all his
tory, l do not remember to have read of
a dying christian, whose last words
were more touching more Heavenly and
more triumphant over death and the
grave,
Seeing his time was at hand the words
of the 23d Psalm were then repeated to
him by his wife. He called her to his
side, folded his arms around her for a
moment; then, as his breathing became
more choked, he said what can this
be death so easy? Is it come alrea-
dy 7" In few moments after, with a
face lighted up, as with soul just en-
tering into Paradise, he joyfully ex-
claimed: II see it! I see it! The
gates are. wide open beautiful beauti-
full y And in very few moments after
utterlng these words he expired.
As q statesman and Senator we honor
him; as man of noble character, we
cherish his memory as a true and faith
ful friend, We love him; and as dying
christian, what a glorious example has
he left to all mankind
COL. NICHOLS BBPLY.
Col. W. 7. Nichols, on behalf of the
Committee Of Arrangements, replied as
follows
Mr. Chairman and Senator's THE peo-
pie of Vermont, through a committee of
the people of this town, accept the COM
pletion ofsthe trust committed to your
charge by the Senate of the United
States, and receive at your hands the
mortal remains of your distinguished
colleague, and their hC1ored and faith
full representative. We receive what
was mortal OF our renowned and hon
ored Senator, our worthy citizen, our
valued friend, as sacred trust commit
ted to our keeping. We receive the
trust in sorrow, and will guard it ten
| derly. Your recital of the dying mo-
ments of the Hon. Solomon Foot fill our
hearts too full for utterance in words.
We mourn, and the people of Vermont
are in mourning to-day, at the loss of
one of our greatest and best men.
You have been pleased to allude to the
high and honorable position occupied
while living by him whose shrouded
form lies before us. 1t is not fitting for
me, at this hour and in this presence, to
| pronounce words of eulogy upon the