Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1839-06-21
Tested, the blessings Of political and reii>

You are now Sir, on yonr arrival TO the
home you left, surrounded by friends. who
throw aside on this occo sion the restraints
OF party discipline. to welcome your return,
aud we are happy to acknowledge. that
your arrival and presence, produces nm
attraction, which serves 10 unite us, IN the
discharge of these imporlan, social duties.
In behalf Of our country then, VIC bid YOU
celcome 10 happy America. In behalf Of
your feliow citizens nop assembled, we bid
you ,oeicome again to Termont-and as
your immediate nejghbors and personal
friends, we bid you and your family ,cel-
come TO Burington-a thrice hearty 'wel.
come, to The home you left, and to the b.
som Of your friends.
To which Mr.. Van Ness replied
Gentlemen Of The Committee:
1t affords Inc the highest sat
isfaclion to receive through you this cordial
welcome from my old friends and ne,ghbors
on my return among them, and this public
testimony Of their undated respect and
friendship for me. And can assure you
that The consideration that no party feelings
are connected With the occasion const.
,u,es no small share Of the pleasure which
experience.
thank you for the appreciation you have
been pleased to express Of my publ'ck
conduct. 1t is but true that have labour
ed diligently and faithfully to promote the
interest, and sustain the honor, Of our
country. And it is a source Of grallfica.
ton to me tba, my efforts have not been
altogether unsuccessful, nor their results
without Importance.
In regard to that unfortunate country
from which have just returned, the bare
| reference to it cannot fail to create the
most painful and melancholy sensations
There you behold brave people, who in
habit region most highly favoured by ma
ture, struggling for the obtalnment Of q
freedom which they believe to be within
their reach. and for the establishment of
institutions which they consider themselves
qualified to sustain. There, indeed, RACES
one of the most sanguinary and destructive
civil wars that have been witnessed during
the civilized ages. The hands Of father
and son are raised against each other, and
brother encounters brother on the field OF
blood. And it is deeply to be lamen,ed
that this state of things should have been
prolonged through the petty jealousies and
the unfortunate management, of The two
great nations who have been so profuse in
the expression of their sympa Thy. and wis
have had it in their power, if they have
not now, without danger TO themselves. TO
have rescued bleeding Spain from he doom
which appears to b" impending over her.
That our own happy country should be
occasionally disturbed by political excite
ments and divisions Is DOT to be wondered
at, since from the nature of our free in
srIu,lons. as well as from the various and
sometimes supposed conf Acting interests OF
this great communI'y,n is not to be expec,
ed that there should exist a. all times and
on all subjects, a uniformity Of opinion. nor
that such wan, Of uniformity should not on
' some occasions produce exci'cd feelings
and active political contests. But the won.
derful and unexampled growth and pros
peri,y of this nation aft rd sufficient evl.
dence that such exc,lemenls and divisions
do not essentially impede her in her for
ward course and the acknowledged in,elll
gence and virtue Of the people Of this unior
; ough, to satisfy us that our admirable ant
unrivaled system Of government is IN nj
! danger. from those means, Of being destroy
, cd or dlscredited.
, Your allusion to the changes which
, have occurred in our social rela,iouns il
e calculated to produce painful recollec'lon-
5 while, at the same time, it serves to admon
lsh US, that we are IN the hands of goot
, and wise Providence, to whose dispense
-, tons it is our duty 10 submit with humbl.
D resignation.
] BEG you Gentlemen to pardon the poo
n reply have made TO the kind remark
= which have been addressed to me. have
n only been able to make brief and genera
acknowledgement upon the occasion. !
d would most certainly be VAN attempt 70
! me to undertake to convey to you by word
an adequate idea Of The happiness feel o
q nv return TO nv native land after 70 lon!