The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-03-18

growing country, the annual production
of wealth of over 60,000.000 Of people in
the United States had reached to nearly
! S1,000,000, 900 against the 1926, 100000
produced annually by all Of the accumu-
lated wealth in the experience Of oen-
turies and all the industry of the people
in Great Britain. And, after a quarter
of century, when the Democrats came
into power in the House, Mr.. Morrill,
arose In the Senate to resist the over
throw of the protective system by the
same party which left the Government
bankrupt when he and others took charge
of it in 1861. In the speech on that
memorial occasion, when he arose to re-
sist the Democratic attack upon the tariff
system, which he devised in 1861, Mr..
Morrill, declared that he found the party
incapable of progress or of learning, and
| still mounting over the ancient theories
as "obsolute as cooked hats and velvet
breeches," which brought the country to
ruin so long ago.
Mr.! Morrill, remained continuously in
| Washington throughout the war amid
the warlike din of tramping armies as
well as the acclamations of victory. He
was one of the conspicuous figures all
through the administrations of Lincoln,
was one of the brightest speakers in Con-
gress, as he rs to this day the ablest, aud
at the dinner table he then had few peers.
In his experience he has witnessed the
transition from the society of the begin
ming OF the early part of the century to
the society of Pierce and Buchanan, and
anXiohsly watched through the years of
the war and witnessed the establishment
the new regime in politics and society
upon the return of peace. Mr.. MorTilE
has always been distinguished for his
refined tastet judicial mind and great
conservatism. He has always been emil
nently fair and just and fine represen-
tative of the old school Of New England
statesmen. He has been distinguished
for his uncompFomising integrity; his
manners are simple and courteous, as the
traditional manners of nobleman of the
| old French regime. He has always been
an honor to his state and country. AL
though not impulsive he is generous and
warm-hearted, and never seems happier
than when doing some kind act for a
| fellow man.
Mr.. Morrill, has been long one of the
most striking figures in the Senate, His
| great height is scarcely diminished by a
slight stoop of his shoulders, bowed by
the weight of years. His luxurious,
wavy gray hair and clearly cut features
are suggestive of Charles Sumner, and
always attract the attention of strangers.
For nearly fifty years he has taken lead
ing part in all the important legislation
of the period. He has paid special at
tention to the tariff and financial ques-
tions. His last speech on silver is
manual on finance. There is no other
ma IN public life who has more won
derful memory for facts, figures, faces
and names than Senator Morrill,. Most
of his speeches upon finance and tariff
were carefully prepared and were read
| from manuscript.
Senator Morrill, always kept his home
in the narrow, beautiful valley among
the hills of Orange county in the Green
Mountain State, in the pretty little ham
let of - afford. This village is one of
the many in New England which lie
some dktance from the railroad. 1t has
an old town house, erected in 170S, and
at the head of the street stands the
traditional country store and postoffice
combined under one roof, where, half
century ago, Mr.. Morrill, used to
measure off ribbon and laces and sell
| the necessaries and luxuries of life to his
constituents. 1t is strictly rural COM
munity, and to its pastoral scenes Mr..
Morrill, was always anxious to return in
later years, particularly when the Wash
ington summer heat became intense.
On returning from Washington after the
passage of the last tariff bill. Senator
Morrill,, in reviewing his connections
with the revenue legislation of the coun-
try, expressed himself as follows:
ut was about a quarter of a century
ago that the necessity of tariff for rev.
| oh, l,,kn I,;k
States treasury was empty, and the gov
ernment had been obliged to borrow
| large sums of money for current ex-
penses.i 1t was short time previous to
the breaking out of the Civil war and
when was a member of the Lower
House, that new tariff bill, as passed
in the House, went through the Senate.
Its passage relieved the bankruptcy to
certain extent of the government.
About this time the Rebellion came on,
and the demand for additional revenue
was imperative, and the dutiable list
was largely increased and existing i'm
posts were made larger. Whisky, to-
bcco and every other conceivable pro-
| duct and manufactured articles finally
paid tribute to the government either
through tariff or internal tax bills.
Since the close of the war the tariff has
been greatly reduced until now it is
probably as low as it can be consistently
with the demands of the government
and affording necessary and just protec-
tion to American industries"
1t is, perhaps, not generally known
that Mr.. Morrill, is the author of book
of anecdotes. Public men delight in
studious enjoyments more than the
world imagines. Mr.. Morrill, for long
series of years was an extensive reader.
A few years ago he collected anecdotes
and illustrations which he called "The
Self-consciousness of Noted Persons"
in book which at first was privately
circulated, but for which afterward
there was so much demand that it was
published.
ENGLAND'S FORTRESSES IN