The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1909-11-04

MdIou, vi NeTnOHt, u ulStluB ulSHeu
colleague of the deceased, who is
still in the service of the country
abroad, the present senior Senator
from Maine, Mr.. Hamlin, ex-Vice-
President of the United States, and
Alexander Ramsey, the present dis
tinguished Secretary of War.
This occasion, Mr.. Speaker, l have
said is to me impressive; it is pro-
foundly so. 1t revives many pleasant
"reminiscences, and also causes many
sad and melancholy reflections.
In the language of one of Natures
truest poets l can most truly say:
Still DER these scenes my memory
wakes,
And fondly broods with miser care;
Time but the impression deeper
n.ads.s.
AS streams their channels deeper
wear.
What changes have taken place
since those days. What changes in
the personnel of those conducting the
public affairs of our country What
changes in the outward, material
world! What progress in art, science,
in steam, in the telephone, in meteor
ology, the signal service, in photo
graphy, in the telegraph, and other
uses and applications of the wonder
full but hidden power of electricity!
But enough upon these subjects now.
This occasion is also, as 1 have said,
suggestive. 1t is suggestive, among
other things, of that question so ably
and eloquently discussed by Romes
greatest orator as well as profound
est casuist and philosopher. Cicero,
so entertaining in all matters touched
by him, has left few papers more in
structive than his treatise entitled
de Finibus," in which he treats Of
the Ends" or what should be the
chief aims and objects of life.
These ceremonies and the Ma
tional Statuary Hall will teach the
youth of the land in succeeding gen.
erations as they come and go that the
chief end of human effort in a SUBJ
lunary view should be usefulness to
mankind, and that all true fame
which should be perpetuated by pub
lie pictures, statues, and monuments,
is to be acquired only by noble deeds
opd biob ooh;ayao,aptc opd Tho &C
tablishment of a character founded
upon the principles of truth, upright
ness, and infexible integrity; and
that
Honor and shame from no condition
rise;
Act well your part, there all the
honor lies.
The late distinguished Senator
from Massachusetts (Mr. Sumner) in
characterizing Jacob Collamer styled
him "the Green Mountain Socrates
In this he was right, not only in the
sense in which he illustrated his
meaning, but also in another. Cola
mer was not only Socratic in his
| mode of reasoning, his manner OF
handling a subject under discus
| sion, and the earnestness of his con
: victions, but he came as near the
/ rule laid down by Socrates as a tes
of wisdom as any man l ever knew
This great teacher said that the high
! est of all wisdom is knowledge o.
3 the boundary line between the known
: and the unknown.
\ The subject of this tribute was {
!, striking example of wisdom of this
= order. He was a man of great probity
| of most exemplary conduct, and O
e sincere piety, but never INDUCED il
= the expression of positive opinions o.
= even speculations upon the unknown
= or what he did not clearly understand
;, in any sphere of thought.
S This occasion, Mr.. Speaker, is als'
f highly suggestive in another respect
i especially to all of us in this Hous,
t and just now while we are in tn
= cnlllluB SHADOW VI uedtH WHICH Id
e SO recently stricken one of our mos
= distinguished associates, [Mr. Fernan
= do Wood1 1t teaches that in all ou
f conflicts and struggles and aspira
f tons for success, for ascendency ant
d distinction and worldly fame, W,
: should remember and ever bear il
f mind the great truth that
= The boast of heraldry, the pomp o
e power,
r And all that beauty, all that wealth
: e'er gave,
!, Await alike the inevitable hour.
r The paths of glory lead but to thu
: grave.
v Mans highest aspirations should b.
for objects and ends in another ant
S higher sphere of existence. Zap
s plause].
f Mr.. Tyler | now move the adoption
e of the concurrent resolution of tn
q 1 Senate.
f The resolution was adopted.