Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-07-11
A woman's Letter Fr'm Washington.

By MARY CIEMMER.
Not long ago into the pleasant parlors of
Senator Justin :. Morrill, Of Vermont, chap
pencd, on one evening, friend after friend
till at last it dawned upon the gentle host
that he sat amid genuine surprise party"
who came TO wish him joy and long-con-
tinued honors on the EVENING" his sixty ninth
birthday. Judge Fcrriss of New York tool,
from his pocket delightful poem, written
by himself for the occasion, which he read
To his astonished host. Refreshments ap-
pearcd upon the scene, and with mingled
mirth, wit, and good wishes the happy hours
passed on 60 midnight
Referring 10 it in II private note, Senator
Morrill, said such u manifestation, oc-
curing on the anniversary of my birth,
could not fail to reach the tendercst sensibil-
tiles of my heart, and in some degree to rec
oncile me to old age, by showing that am
not wholly without its highest satisfaction in
modest troops of friends" 1t is true that
no man in public life in Washington pos
scsscs more entirely the personal respect and
confidence of his friends than Justin ).
Morrill,; and few men in 50 quiet way
have rendered to their country such long
continued faithful service This year closes
One-quartcr of century that he has served
in the Congress of the United States. To one
who recalls the mutations of the last ten
years-the names Of men who during that
space have passed ont from honor or from
the face of the earlh-it is u comfort to be
hold man who, true TO truth long before
the storm of revolution began, after all stress
of time and battle, is no less true TO it
to-day.
Whcn Mr. Morrill, entered the house of
representatives, in 1854 the only man in
either house Of Congress to-day who was
there then is Senator llamin, of Maine The
only senators left in the Senate who heheld
hin take his oath of office therein, twelve
years ago, are Senators Anthony, Edmunds,
Chandler and ConklinG.
Mr.. Morrill, saw every secessOnist swept
ont of Congress and lives to see Lamar,
Stephens, Butler, Gordon and their comrades
again in the majority. He has pronounced
culogies on many Of his peers, including
Thaddeus Stevens, Collamer. Foot, Fesscn-
den, Sumner and Wilson.
Mr.. Morrill, served in Congress with Cass,
Hale, Douglas, Crittendcn, Grimes, Sew
ard, Fish, Chase, Foster of Connecticut,
Wade, Lane of Indiana, Rumsey, Reverdy
johnson, Morton, Sherman, Morgan, Love
JOY, Baxter, Burlingamc. Grow, Colfax, L.
b. Washhurnc, Tom Corwin, Schenck, Henry
Winter Davis, X. Il. Hayes and with many
whose names have become conspicuous for
their attempt to destroy the Government as
Jen. Davis, \. Ii. Stephens, Pryor, Toombs,
Lamar, Clinglnan, Wigfall, Slidell, Mason,
Hun;cr. MIR. Morrill,, never sensational or
self seeking, has originated and been identi-
fed with some OF the most important bills
and measures which have passed Congress
s., IL Let IL.
author Of the Morrill, Tariff of 1861 and is
largely identified with all the revenue meas
urcs which provided funds to carry on the
war. He delivered important speeches on
the impolicy of making paper money legal
tender, made many speeches in defence of
the public credit and against int1a-
ton of paper currency, i'll favor
of the resumption OF specie payments
and on the remonetizaiOn of silver
and against the annexation of Santo Doming-
go, the eight-hour law, and reciprocity with
Canada. For many years Mr. Morrill, was
chairman of the Ways and Means Commit
tee of the House. OF The Committee of Fl
nance and of Public Grounds and Buildings
in the Senate
He is man Of aesthetic tastes and Guilt
vaiion. with Il practical knowledge of archi-
lecture all Of which are of great value in a
member Of the Committed on Public Grounds
and buildings. The country owes Ia Mr..
Morrill, the setting apart of the Old House
of Representatives ~ u National Statuary
Hall. already nearly lined with noble statues
of illustrious Americans His taste has been
utilized in enlarging and beautifying the
public grounds. especially ihosn cncircling
the Capitol. He was an energetic mover of
the bill for the new marble building for the
State and Navy Departments. also for the
grand National Museum, which is soon TO he
begun. to cover an acre of the Smithsonian
grounds.
| must leave unmcntiOned the greater por-
tion of the vast work for the public accom-
plished hv Senator Morrill, in twenty-five
years. But that touched upon will give You
a suggestive idea OF the amount and value of
his service to the pcoplc
The State Of Vermont shows It's integrity
and good sense, without intrigue, without
money spillIng. without corruption, Ia send
for twenty-five consecutive wears one man
who has never failed in honesty, honor, and
ability to reflect credit upon its name.
Amid the oulcry of politicians, of rrrsi-
DENTAL candidates; amid the political and
personal corruption which too greatly pre-
walls one hcholdS with sense OF relief the
public man who. however other men come
and %. goes On simply doing his duty for
his duly's. his honor's. his Cnuntry'S sake.
Though life has measured for him sixty
nine WEARS, Mr.. Morrill, does not look sixty
wears of age. \ serene temperament has
saved his face from wrinkles and furrows
Time has not pulled hair from his ahund-
ant locks and hut lightly touched them with
gray. lie is as tall as Charles sumner
bears marked resemblance to him, which
is noticed by all; indeed, in physique he Is
Il softcned reflection of the great Massachu-
setts senator. lie has something of the
scholars - stoop" in his shoulders. which
hint of the years of lahorous study which
have made so large part of the lite of the
man His home, in which abiits Il great
hearted, noble woman and her companion
sister. is one of the most refined and de
lighiful in Washington. y. Y. IHdcpeHd-