Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-01-18
A Rare OctOgenariau
Is Justin $. morrill,, vermont's RevereL
Senior Senator

senior Senator.
From Washington letter in the New York Tri.
bune.
Mr.. Morlil's recent speech on the inan-
cial policy of the administration has
brought him letters of commentator from
all over the country. The strongest in APP
proval, and the most gratifying naturally,
have come from the very centres of De
mocracy. 1t was from every point of view
a remarkable speech, and equals, if not ex-
GELS, any of his previous efforts on similar
subjects. When one remembers that Sen
ator Morrill, has already passed his eighty
fourth birthday, and last summer suffered
a long and tedious illness, this fact is
worthy Of note. His intellectual perform
ances at so advanced an age are equaled
by only one other living man, Gladstone,
and his career has been almost as remark
able in its way as that of the great English
statesman. Mr.. Morrill, tells a story of
meeting one of his constituents in his trav-
els about the country.
"B5 We Justin Morrill?' asked the
granger, surprised.
Yes" answered the senator, 81 am
Justin Morrill,
WAL, yer amt nigh onto as big man
as thought yer was"
The student of history will experience
no such disappointment.
Happily Senator Morrill, is in unusual
health and spirits this winter No one of
his colleagues is as regular in attendance
at the Senate. During tile inclement and
bitter weather of last week even he was in
his seat every day. The only change he
has made in the habits of years is that he
leaves the capitol trihe earlier than for
merly. In appearance Senator NJ brill has
altered very little in the last 20 years. His
hair which falls in curls over broa 1 and
prominent forehead, is perhaps, graycr,
and the lines in his face are deeper. His
slender, loosely built figure has the same
slight stoop between the shoulders. his
face the same kindly expression which is
so familiar to all those who fIeQuen. the
Senate galleries. His whole personality
suggests strength, ruggedness, stability. In
this Mr.. Morrill, is a true exponent of
Green Mountain civilization, and there is
a question if there is any better civilization,
any civilization more honest, simpler,
nobler, or freer from trickery and guile.
The god of the people in this secti is ac-
complishment Everything is made to do
duty for this end. The men and women
who show tangible proof that they have
not been idle are the heroes and heroines.
This may in a measuse explain Senator
Morrilrs popularity. His life has been sin
gularly rich in accomplishment. He pos
sesses the indomitable perseverance which
recognizes no obstacles-for him they do
not exist, and nothing is impossible of at
tainment. Again, Senator Morll is never
idle. Every moment of his life is occupied,
ana this habit of methodical and systematic
work he acquired early in life. In this
hurrying end of the century he never seems
to be in hurry, and yet his work is al
ways done. There are no clamors from
angry constituents of unans wered letters.
He never speaks unless he has something
to say aud that something is always of
value. His English is classic in its direct
ness, simplicity and force, and what lie
says has been thought out with a conscien-
tious deliberation.
On his birthdays it has long been Mr..
Morril's custom to gather his friends about
him. These gatherings are very remaIka-
BILE in that all the distinguished men and
women in town come together in honor of
the venerable statesman. 1t was at one of
these birthday parties a colleague said of
~Ai' AhOllll budb IODdUll udut
fewer mistakes than any other man in pub
lie life. Indeed, he could recall no mis-
takes for which he was responsible, an I'M
usual record for a public man. This he at
tributed to the fact that Mr.. Morrill, was so
dispassionate, so deliberate, so invariably
controlled by his reason.
The freedom from concern about his po-
litical affairs at home has given Mr.. Nor
rill opportunity to accomplish vast
amount of general legislation. After his
interest in financial questions and the tar
i'll, the public buildings and grounds, the
library building and the Smithsonian have
claimed his attention. In everything that
means culture and education for the people
he is especially active, and his views on
such topics are modern and progressive.
The beautiful new library so near compile
ton owes its existence to Senator Morrill,,
who had faithful champion on the Demo-
cratic side in the person of Senator Voor-
hees.
Mr.. Morrill, has a charming home in
Thomas Circle, one of the most agreeable
quarters of town. The house is an old
fashioned and roomy one, into which the
sun pours from every side. In the front
there is a marble bust of the
senator by his friend Powers, and over the
mantel there hangs portrait by Eastman
johnson, which, of all the portraits painted
OF the senator, is the one preferred by his
family.