He was the leader,
as Mr. Winthrop in his noble oration bears witness, of the
action of Congress which resulted in the completion of the
Washington Monument after so many years' delay. He conceived
and accomplished the idea of consecrating the beautiful chamber
of the old House of Representatives as a Memorial Hall where
should stand forever the statues of the great men of the States.
So far, of late, as the prosperity and wise administration
of the Smithsonian Institution has depended upon the action
of Congress it has been due to him. Above all, the beautiful
National Library building, unequalled among buildings of its
class in the world, was in a large measure the result of his
persistent effort and powerful influence, and stands as an
enduring monument to his fame. There can be no more beautiful
and enviable memorial to any man than a portrait upon the
walls of a great college in the gallery where the figures
and faces of its benefactors are collected. Mr. Morrill
deserves this expression of honor and gratitude at the hands
of at least one great institution of learning in every American
State.
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