Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-01-06
THE TRIBUTE
OF Personal Friend TO the Memory of
the Late George II. HIT.

| -
the Late George II. hit.
BY the death of the Hon. George b.
Hit the state of Vermont has lost one of
her most honorable and statesmanlike
sons; the bar of Windham county bril-
liant lawyer; the town of Brattleboro a
valuable and prominent citizen; an extern
sive personal acquaintance, true and sin
cere friend.
AS counsellor he was conservative and
| reliable, often showing a remarkable in
tuition in discerning the different traits of
charac er of those who came TO him for
consultation. As an advocate he was sim
cere and uutiring in the interests of his
clients, and as an attorney reliable and
strictly honest in the fducial manage
ment of estates by which valuable securi-
ties were intrusted to his care. As gen
tleman he was affable and unassuming,
and modest without affectation. As a
friend cordial and sympathetic, brilliant In
repartee, with fountain of humor, but
never overstepping the bounds of pro
priety.
The writer had the pleasure of an ac-
qualntance with Mr.. Hit soon after he
came to Brattleboro, which continued I'M
Til his death, and never by look, word or
action did | ever know him TO forfeit the
respect and confidence of his friends. A
recent incident will illustrate the firmness
of his character. In writing to him when
the late parliamentary struggle was i'm
pending at Montpelier | said: 81 always
thought you had sand enough to stand by
your own opinions when you are sure you
are right, and l hope that you will con-
vince the present honorable legislators of
that fact" And he did.
Mr. Hit had hia faulte. MT aarioys.
venial rather than venal. Let him who is
sinless be his critic.
IF blindly cropping he did oft mistake
An follow twinkling notes
Thinking them Stars, and the one voice forsake
or Wisdom for the notes
Which mocking Beauty utters here and there
God surely Will forgive him and forbear"
Soon after the final adjournment of the
Legislature met Mr.. Hit and congratu-
lated him on his triumphant success as
member and as | took his hand in mine,
looking directly in his great, dark, mag
netic eyes, thought of the grand future
which his physical and mental equipment
foreshadowed. Alas for my conceptions
How quickly is that future realized.
y The tallest and most vigorous oaks are
the quickest TO succumb TO the wild and
dreaded cyclone as II crashes through the
forest. The highest and strongest towers
~ az NhN ulob AbuGu VI Tue tdTll-
quake. So, too often, does an insid-
ious disease, battling the skill of science
and experience, spread its deadly fangs
over and through the strongest and BRAY
est of mankind
The microscope of the scientist can de-
tect and trace the hidden poison as it
courses through the avenues Of his pa
TENTS blood, but the effect he cannot
limit, be 1t in man, or tower or tree.
Analysis is revealed for man TO utilize
and employ, but synthesis remains a mys-
terry TO all but the Creator of the Universe.
so the Master may not scorn our awkwardness
As with these bunghng hands We try TO uproot III
And plant with Good lfe's barren soil
We think that We believe
That human souls shall live and live
When trees have rotted into mould
And all the rocks which the long hills enfold
y crum6led and beneath new oceans lie.
at why-Ah, Why"
A fearless faith, born OF the intutiye
belief in the immanence of an Almighty
Father and Mother of mankind, and pi-
loted by an unsullied conscience shall
guard us in the darkest hours and span
the deepest CULTS of sorrow with a never
fading bow of hope, growing brighter and
stronger the nearer we approach TO a per.
feet life No searchlight Hastings OF
speculative dogmatism, however modified.
can reveal greater knowledge of the I'M
known future, while the result of all re-
search and revelation is simply this The
destiny of mankind depends on the char
acter OF an inward life.
On the monument which shall mark the
last resting place of the body of George B.
Hit let this memento be entwined with
the myrtle and the ivy that may surround
it: He was ever devoted and loyal to a
loving mother and sister sincere and gen
ial to his intimate friends; industrious and
watchful for the interests of his associates
in business; popular and generous with
his brother lawyers; conscientious and firm
as legislator in defending the honor of
the state Oh vermont c. II. :.