Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-05-04
The Farragut Statue.

The statue of our great Admiral Farra-
gut, moulded after the model of Winnie
Ream, was unveiled at Washington Monday
the 25th ult. The statue is of heroic size
and represents the admiral with marine
glass in his left hand, his foot on a block
and tackle, and supposed to be standing on
the Hartford, his flag ship. At each of the
four corners of the bases is four-inch
mortar erected on bronze carriage. These
were made of metal from the propeller of
the Hartford, from which was also obtained
the metal of the statue. After prayer and
other services becoming the occasion, Sec
rotary Hunt of the United States navy in
troduced President Garfield, who spoke as
follows
Fellop Citizens 1T is the singular province of
art to break down the limitations which separate
the generations Of men from each other and allow
those OF past generations to be comrades and as
sociates of those now living. This capital Is 81
lently being filled up with the heroes OF other
times. Men OF three wars have taken their places
In silent eloquence as the guardians and guides OF
the nation they loved so well, and as the years
pass on these squares and public places will be
rendered more and more populous, more and more
eloquent by the presence OF dead heroes Of other
days. From all quarters OF the country, from all
generations Of its lie from all portions Of ts ser
vice, these heroes come by the ministry and mys-
terry OF art, to take their places and stand per-
manent guardians OF our nations glory. To-day
we come to hail this hero, who comes from the
sea, down from the shrouds of his flagship,
wreathed with the smoke and glory OF victory,
bringing sixty years of national life and honor TO
take his place as an honored compatriot and per-
petual guardian Of his nations glory. In thelname
oil the nation arpant this nnh1a statu M 10
country will guard 1t as he guarded his country,
The Hon. Horace Maynard of Tennessee
in an grafton sketched the brave and victori.
GUS life of Farragut eulogizing also the
officers and men of the American navy
Z" The incidents of his life aptly illustrate"
he said, the Union for the preservation of
which he devoted his ripest powers. The
consultations of the south shed their infiu-
ences around his cradle, and after lifes fit
full fever he sleeps well under northern
sky. The north and the south, the east and
the boundless west, are the common country
to which, and not to a part, he consecrated
his manly gifts; and it is no solecism to as
sert that in this case the whole is greater
than all its parts. And when the time
comes-as come il will-that the children
OF the south, seeing the glory and the sur
passing prosperity of the nation, shall re-
joice that they, too, retain their birthright
in this matchless inheritance, they will have
nothing but blessings and benedictions for
the brave, true-hearted man of the sea, who
labored wisely and unselfshly to prevent its
being madly thrown away"
We call attention also to the devoted and
religious life of the Admiral. Foote and
Farragut are worthy to be spoken of as
equal and eminent for their religious as well
as patriotic devotion. "The character of Ad.
miral Farragut," says the honorable orator,
would be left incomplete were no mention
made of the deep religious sentiment which
pervaded it. No Puritan of Cromwells
army trusted more implicitly in an overrul.
ing Providence, or looked upon himself
more humbly as an instrument in the Divine
hand for the accomplishment of the eternal
purposes. God was in all his thoughts. The
temper of his religion was cheerful and
genial-gentle in spirit, almost to woman's
tenderness. While he was magnanimous,
sagacious and bold, he was also faithful, can
did and Just. For his personal qualities, no
less than for his warlike deeds, the old hero
is conspicuous on the roll which his coun-
trymen will keep in lasting remembrance.
The voice OF antiquity redoubles itself to-
day. Blessed, thrice blessed are the bene-
factors OF the republic. It is related that
Mr.. McDufie, when in congress- from South
Carolina, announced In his place one morn
ing, with his usual tone and manner. that he
had for presentation petition for the relief
OF the widow and heirs of one Decatur.
Then, as If recollecting himself, he added,
with peculiar emphasis, say of one De.
catur, for there was but one.' In the same
lofty strain, and for a like reason, NAV thew
who shall speak Of Faragut declare.
There was but one"