The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-04-18
The Vermont Statutes at Washing.

WAsniSGToN. d. c., April 10, 1876.
Editor Rutland Globe 1t may interest
tie readers of your paper to know what
has been done in filing the old hall of the
house of representatives with works Of art
illustrative of men who rendered eminent
service to the states in which they lived.
Congress invited the several states to furn-
ish each two statutes of men eminent for
services in the revolutionary struggle or
conspicuous IN their civil history. The
hall in which they are to be placed is no
longer needed for legislative use, but it is
memorable as the scene Of great forensic
displays by such men as Clay and Webster.
1t is well adapted to the use for which it is
to be applied 1t is elliptical in form, the
longeet diameter Of which is 06 feet, and
its dome is supported by beautiful breccia
columns taken from the banks of the Po-
tomac. 1t was regarded as one Of the most
elegant legislative halls in tho world. 1t
could not be appropriated to better use
than as a repository OF memorials of the
great aud goot men whose history is inter-
woven with that of the republic.
Several statues have already been placed
in the hall. One of Gov. Trumbull and
one of Roger Sherman, furnished by Con-
necticut one of Gen. Green and one of
Roger Williams, by Rhode leland and one
of Gov. Wiatnrop, by Massachusetts.
These are all in the highest style of art,
and receive unqualified commentator.
There is also very fine statue Of Hamil-
ton, bronze statutes OF Chancellor Living
ston and George Clinton, and Winnie
Ream's marble statue Of President Lincoln.
A cast of the statue Of Washington execut-
ed by Houdon, French sculptor, for the
state house in Richmond, will attract at
tract attention. Both the cast and the
statue are by Houdon, who came to this
country to make his model, and the repre-
sent the illustrous man precisely as he APP
peared.
The statue of Ethan Alen--furnshed
by your etate--is one of the latest which
has been placed in the hall. Some dissat-
isfaction with this is expressed by visitors
heroic--almost colossal. But it well rep
resents the character Of that fearless man,
expressing strong determination, q resolute
will, and the daring which shrunk from no
difficulties. Vermont could have made no
better selection Of man whose revolution
airy history is eo closely interviewer with
her own. 1t is said that the remaining
statue to be furnished by your state Is one
of the late Judge Collamer. Without wish
ing to detract from his merits as a lawyer
and senator in congress, ] must still ex-
press my surprise at this selection. Was
Judge Collamer superior TO al others as
jurist or senator Was he instrumental
in moulding the laws aud the policy Of the
state and of raising her TO the high eleva-
ton on which she rests Charles Marsh
of Woodstock, Samuel Prentiss of Mont
pelier, Horatio Seymour and Daniel Chip
man Of Middlebury, were his equals as
lawyers and all of them held high official
position under the government of the
United States. Judge Phelps of Middle
bury, was his superior as q lawyer, and
was highly distinguished as judge OF the
supreme court of Vermont and as a senator
in congress. He was there regarded as the
only member Of that body worthy of COM
parison with Daniel Webster.
But there is another name that will
recur to all who are familiar with the
early history of Vermont. 1t is that of
Judge Nathaniel Chapman. He was man
eminent for his talents and scholarly at
lainments, eminent as lawyer and Judge
and as senator CT the United States.
His long life Was spent in Vermont. He
was q resident there before she Yves ad-
mitted to the Union and had no little in
lluence in settling the conflicting claims of
New York and New Hampshire, and pro-
curing her admission as state. He was
for many years a member of the legisla-
ture, and was prominent in shaping her
legislation. The revised statutes of 1907
were almost wholly written by him, and
were regarded as model OF legislative
wisdom. He was, at two different times,
elected chief justice of tho state and held
the Office for several years. lie was ap.
pointed by Washington judge of the dis-
trict court. He represented the state six
years in tho senate of the United States.
His lectures on law, delivered at Middle
bury College, his decisions in the supreme
court aud his two treatlses on government
have been published and fully sustain his
high reputation. Now is it not strange
that this man should have been overlooked
IN selecting those who ennobled the state
by eminent services and the highest order
Of talent? What man, in the lsng roll Of
eminent Vernonters, better deserves the
remembrance of posterly or the honor of
sculptured marble in the national capitol.
j. l.. T.