Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-04-21
PRESIDENT NJ. H. BUCkHAM
GIVES SPLENDID EULOGY
Governor Prouty Presides at Observation-Disclosures
Read from President Taft and Senator Ed
r1unds-- Addresses by Senator Dng-
ham, c.. S. Emery and W. NJ Hatch.

Montpelier. April 1l.-.This city to-
day largely laid aside it's business &C
tiyfties TO do honor to the memory OF
Justin 8. Morrill,. the centennial OF
Whose birthday was celebrated in
Bethany Church this afternoon in the
presence OF an audience that crowded
the edihce In every part. The interior
Of the church was appropriately de-
GRATED for the occasion. and the por-
| trait OF the dead senator. painted by
tho late T. W. Wood was brought from
tho State House. placed In conspic-
uous place on the stage and draped
with the national colors.
| Prominent people from all parts "
the state too numerous TO mention by
name. showed their. interest in the oc-
| casion b. their presence. Specia |
| music was Furnished BY the Mont
pelier Military Band orchestra and by
the choir Of the Church of the Messiah.
Gov. G.. ". Prouty presided and the
members OF his stan acted as ushers.
Towns and cities within - miles ~
Montpelier we're represented by large
delegations Of citizens. The display
| OF flags from business blocks and prt-
vate residence was quite genera J.
The State House. banks, Insurance Of
fees and many places OF business were
closed during the afternoon.
PRAYER was offered BY the Rev. d.
J. Edward Wright and selections of
Scripture were read by the Rev. stan
ley +. Bloomfield. pastor of Bethany
Church.
GOV. G. II. PROTTY.
IN opening the exercises Governor
| Troutv said the services OF man
who has devoted his life to the pub
| lie. and to the welfare OF humanity re
| recognized in these services to-day
Tie said he had received many expires
| sions from those who could not ne
| present to-day assuring him that the
sentiments expressed al this memorial
service will reflect the sentiment Of
the whole state.
Governor Prouty referred some VIVA t
at length to the services OF Senator
Morrill, in the Congress OF the United
States. rising as he did from humble
conditions and surroundings to he on"
| Of the leaders In the councils OF state.
without legislative experience. when
| FIRST elected to Congress. within ten
years he was leader Of the national
House Of Representatives and chair
| man OF the ways and means commit
tee. He was father OF the legislation
granting aid TO the agricultural
schools and colleges OF the state. Dur
Ing all his long and eventful life he
| cultivated his love for the heautiful.
Great as were the deeds OF orr soldier
during the Civil War they would have
been OF little avail without the master
minds In Congress, Of which Senator
| morrill, was corspicous example, ds-
voted to raising revenue TO carry on
that war. In that work Senator Nor
rill was supreme.
Governor Prouty read an estimate
OF Senator Morrill, written by the late
Senator George +. Hoar OF Massachh-
setts. and closed by saying that We
Go well to-day TO pay tribute TO his
memory, but in so doing we repay
only In small degree the debt We owe
to him. individually and as State.
LETTER FROM PRESIDENT.
The following letter from President W
II. Taft. read by Governor Prouty, was
received with applause:
My Dear Governor FroutY:-I greatly
|
hra,e with YOU and Vermont the one
hundredth anniversary OF the birth OF
Senator Morrill,, Senator morrill, and my
father were very warm friends, and II
was my good fortune to know him. and
by personal contac; to feel his great quail
tiles. He was a model for all those who
serve their country TO follow. and h" tyri-
fed in the highest degree the sterling
virtues that We all accord to those who
were horn and brought UP In tho Greer
Mountain State.
Very sincerely yours,
WILLIAM II. TAFT.
Admiral Charles f.. Clark sent tele
gram In which he said he owed his ap-
pointnlent In the navy TO Senator Nor
ri,i.
Governor Prout" read the following let
ter from the Hon. George T., Edmunds
for many years associated with Senator
Morrill, IN the United States Senate
TRIBUTE PROM SEN. EpMUNDS,
The following letter from ex-senator
G. r. Ddmunds vas read:
Aiken. 8. c.. March 2. 1910
My Dear Governor most cour'
teous and kindly letter Of the ,th instant
honoring me with an invitation TO attend
and participate In tho memorial celeora'
ton OF the ln,th anniversary OF the birth
Of the late Senator Justin S. Morrill, al
Montpelier Oh the 18th Of April. was re-
ceived here. where. or elsewhere In nilde'
ciImes lees strong and compelling thar
that Of Vermont tho health Of my family
and myself makes Il prudent to winter
! deeply regret that my health and the
season Of the year make 1t Impossible 'c
be present.
well remember where and when
arst saw Mr., Morrill,. II was In the sum
ner Of 1855 on Vermont Central railroad
train. making its way from Montpelier to
White River Junction. and ! had the
pleasure Of being introduced to him by
mutual acquaintance. as member OF
the younger bar at Burlington. and wa'
most kindly and cordially received. Ilt
had lust begun his long career OF public
! service IN which he died crowned will