Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-05-11
Hon. Lawrence Braincrd.

The death Of this prominent man and hon
orcd citizen of st. Adams, occurred on Mon
day morning, the 9th inst, suddenly Of apo
plexy. We have received no particulars o
the event and infer only that it was the mol
unexpected close Of life that had oqualleC
the allotted age Of man, and which was filled
almost to its last moment with labors Of use
funess MIR. Brainerd has long been one o.
the distinguished citizens Of Vermont lie
settled early in life in 81. Adams and by his
business capacity and integrity he built up a
fortune, and a name unstained and honorable
He was in every relation Of life most excel.
lent and exemplary, one Of the strong men Of
the church and Of the State active, intolli.
gent, bencGcent and effective in every work
to which he put his hand. He was one Of
the earliest and most efficient promoters oil
the cause Of anti-sIayery in this State and
was for many years the leading man Of hi,
party and its repeated candidate for Governor
Though he was defeated, yet he lived to sec
the principles he sustained so manfully in time.
Of GOODNESS and hostility, triumph and become
the regnant political principles Of the country.
After the death of Senator Upham he was
elected by the Legislature to the United
States Senate to I'll the unoxpired term Of his
lamented predecessor. In the Senate his ca
reer was brief but recognized by all his asso.
ciates as one Of indomitabe independence Of
character and opinions. With the most re-
markable frankness in the utterance Of his
views, he was yet so utterly destitute Of malice
and so resolute inhis sincerity, that he always
commanded respect and honor, even when he
failed to gain assent. For nearly a score Of
the last years Of his life he has been one Of
the associated Trustees Of the Vermont Cen
trail Railroad, and though his age may not
have permitted so great activity in its man
agcment as his colleagues have displayed, yet
much Of its triumphant success as a business
enterprise, is due to his counsel and sagacity
But he has passed from our sight. To hi.
high honor and blamcless moral life, in SYM
patty with every enterprise looking to the
welfare Of man, he added strong and in.
structed christian faith, and consistent chris.
tian profession Death was a friend Of his
and though it came suddenly doubtless he
was ready to entertain his not unwelcomc
guest. He had finished his task, an useful
memorable one, and when his work was done
it was time to lay aside the TOOLS There arc
many noble men, his predecessors, his contem
poraries, his successors who have gone before
him from this State, who will give him vel
come. lie will not be alone, like Abel, in the
empty kingdom Of the dead. Yet there is gooC
room for him there. If the promise Of one
who never told a lie holds good, we have rea
son to rejoice, for the heavens grow richer
with the heaviest losses of earth. He was
one of them who have cut the forests ant
made the roads for us--who have built en-
during temples and made glad the hearts o.
men with noble works, and he has gone lik,
a sober guest home from feast, suddenly
quietly, and without noise or tumult
Why, man, do such sad signs expand thy breast
Wherefore dost thou not, like a thankful guest,
Rise cheorfully from Lifo's abundant feast
And with quiet mind go take thy rest