Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-10-11

Some of oar contemporaries have proml-
nenily called attention to the rnmor, which
VIC hole Is exaggerated, that the senior
United States Senator from Vermont, the
Hon. Justin s. Morrill,, the author OF the
tariff act Of 1851, which has wrought in
caleulabIc blessings for the American people,
Is in danger of losing his seat through the
operation of that pcstlierous theory, rotation
in Office. Some other person wants his
place, and the Legislature of Vermont,
State which has long been represented in
the Seratc by recognized and influential
statesmen. will lie called upon, within few
weeks, to crafty the aspiration. We ven
turc to express the hope thar the Leglsia-
tnre Will do uothing of the kind. Senator
Morrill, has Il record Of practical statesman
ship and fidelity 10 great trusts OF which
any State might be well proud. Fairly, II
rot literally, educated, first merchant, ard
Afterwards farmer, endowed with native
strong sense and steady habits, good de-
batter and an honest man, he fully met all
the requirements of his neighbors when, in
1854, they elected him their Representative
in Congress. They continued him as their
RepreSentiyc until 1866, when the Republican
rarty Of the State chose him to bea United
States Senator, a position to which be was
reelected in 1872.
1t will be seen that the beginning of Jus
tin S. Morrill's public career was cotempo-
raneous with the unwelcome appearance OF
that unhoiv agitation in favor of the extern
sion of slavery which resulted in the repeal
of the Missouri Compromise Act, the Kansas
troubles and the war to destroy the Union.
In all the Congressional struggles which
preceded the firing upon Fort Sumter, and
during the more stormy and bloody and Try
ing period which cnsued. Mr.. Morrill, gave
his best forts, first, to the cause OF liberty,
and, afterwards, to that of the Union. lie
Joined to this devotion so practical comprc-
heneion of all the details of legislation, so
thorough a familiarity with parliamentary
rules, and so earnest sympathy with the
struggling industries OF his country. which
were burdoned with the unfrieDdly tariff
legislation Of lS46 and 1857, that his
party friends in the House made him
their leader by placing him at
the head Of the Committee on Ways and
Means. 1t was while chairman Of this COM
mittce that he prepared, reported, and pass
ed through the House the now famous Nor
rill Tariff Act of 1861. This was not a war
measure. 1t originated in the ways and
means committee during the session OF Con
gress preceding the Presidential election of
lS60. 1t was reported to the House March
L., 1850, and passed that body May 10. 1t
passed the Senate February %, lSGl, ard
was approved by President Buchanan March
- The Act was prepared and advocated and
passed as 4 measure of relief for the indus
tries of the country and depleted national
treasury Transferred to the Senate at the
close OF the war, when the problem OF Re
construction was pressing for solution and
taxing the wisdom of such men as Stevens,
and Morton, and " ilson, and Sumner, Mr..
Morrill,, by his voice and vote, aided the
friends Of the lnion and the friends
of the emancipatcd slave in bringing
order cut OF chaos and in securing
guarantees that make this the nation Of free
men it Is to-day. Later, his tastes and
studies in connection with financial legisla-
ton led him to take prominent part IN
shaping the policy Of honestly paying the
debts which the war had created, and az
one means of enabling the nation to pay
these debts he steadily advocated the main
tenanee Of protective tariff which would
sustain our industries, lessen our financial
obligations to Earope by increasing our ex
ports, and add to the revenue Of the Govern
mcnt. lie has long served as member OF
the Senate committee on finance, and to-day
be is its chairman. To have been chairman
of the WAYS and means committee Of the
House, and subsequently chairman Of the
finance committee Of the Senate, are rare
honorS which have been seldom conferred
upon enc person. The fact that Mr.. Morrill,
has lad them both conferred upon him
proves alike his great ability and the high
regard in which he has been, and is now,
held by his Congressional associates.
And now, solely because somebody els,'
wants hrs place, shall Senator Morrill, he
a. ked to step down from the seat he has so
long hnuoIed, and in which he is capable OF
Icndcring to his country additional and
valuable service in the era Of fresh peril
into which shcr,-sightod and misguided
men are leading it? We earnestly hope
not This i 10 time for the Republican
party If NcImunt or of any other State To
part company with its veteran councillors
ard t:i,l statesmen The country needs
and the Republican party needs the ser
VICE. Of all such men as Justin 5. Morrill,.
Fcun~ylyAna Republicans - Pennsy lyania
Protcctiuni~,s-wlll rejoice to see the Green
Mountain State retain her senior Senator
by the side of her other noble son, George
+. Edmunds. Let the little State be thank
iul that she has such sons, and bold last to
them while She may.