Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-06-26

Ol whit I1utCIilS was tnS army COmpOS-
cd which was placed under my commando The soldier
who fought and blcd and triumphed here, were law
yers who had thrown up their brics-phy who
had lad aside their ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS who had
put by Their ools-and, III far the largest proportions
agrcurusts who had left the poughs in the iurrow,
although their families depended for their bread upon
their excrtions and who hosicncd to the battle field
10 give their life to their country if il were necessary
TO maintain her rights ! could point from where
stand, TO places where felt this anxiety pressing
heavily upon me- as | thought of the fearful consc
quenccs OF mistake on my part, or tho want Of udr-
mcnt on the part of others. | knew there were wives
who had given thct husbands TO the fcld--mohcrs
who had clothed their sons for battle and knew that
these expecting wives and mot ors were looking for
the safe return of their husbands and sons. When to
this was ndded the rccollcc,ion, that the peace of the
entire West would be broken and the glory of my
country furnished if failed, you may possibly con-
ccvc The anguish which my situation was calculated
supervised and directed the arrangement of the army
under my command. trusted to no Colonel or other
officer No person had any hand in any disposition
of the army. Every step of warfare, whether for
good or I'll, was taken under my own direction and
of none other, as many who now hear me know.
Whether every movement would, or would not pass
the criticism of Bonapnrc Wellington, know no
but whether they would induce applause or ccnsure
upon mysclfu must fall.
But, fellow citizens still another motive induced me
| to accept the invitation which had been so kindly
tended to me. knew that here should meet with
many who had Tough, and blcdundc my command
that should have the pleasure of taking them by the
hand, and recurring with them to the scenes of the
past lcxpcctad too to meet with few of the great
and good men yet surviving, by whose efforts our
freedom was achieved. This pleasure alone, would
have been sufficient to induce my visit to this interest
ing spot upon this equally interesting occasion. see
my old companions here, and not a few of the
| revolutionary veterans around me. Would TO God
that it had ever been in my power TO have made them
comfortable andhappy--that their sun might 90 down
in peace! But fcllow-citlzens they remain unprov-
dcd for-monuments of the neratltude of my coun-
~
lsing pension act passed through Congress
But why was it restriccdl Why were the brave
soldiers who fought under Wayne excluded ?-sodiers
who suffered far more than they who bought in tho
revolution proper. The revolution, in fact, did no,
terminate until l19iunt the baidc was fought upon
the battle ground upon which my eye now rests
Nliaml.) War continued with them from the com
mcncemcnt Of the revolution until the victory Of
Wayne, to which have just alluded. The great high
way to the West was the scene of uncessing slaugll-
{ ter. Then why this unjust discrimination Why
are the soldiers who terminated the war ofthe rcvo
luton, in fact, excluded, while those by whom it was
begun or portion of them, are rewarded will tel
you why The poor remnant OF Waynes army hat
but few advocates, while those who had served in thu
revolution proper had many friends. Scattered a.
they were over all parts of the Union Vnd in large
numbers they conl exert an influence at the ballot
box. They could whisper thus in the ears of those
who sought their influence at the polls; "Take care
for have waited long enough for what has been prom
ised The former plea bf poverty can no longer b.
: made. The treasury Is now full. Take care you
seat Is III ualiHCr. OH yes, every Ul.llg tHlt la
been promised shall be attended to if you will give m
S your votes In this way fellow citizens tardy, bu
partial Justice was done to the soldiers of the rcvolu
\ ton. They made friends by their influence at tn
| baot-box But it was different with Gen. Wayne
soldiers. They Were few in number, and they hat
but one or two humble advocates to speak for them il
Congress The result has been, justice has been with
held
e have said that the soldiers under Wayne expert
enccd greater hardshps even than the soldiers of tn
u revolution This is So Every one can appreciate tn
h difference between an Indian and a regular war
y When wounded in battle, the soldier must have
C warmth and shelter before he can recover. Thi
could always be secured to the soldiers OF the revou
II ton. In those days the latch string of no door wa
O pulled in. When wounded he to find shc
9 ter and very many of those comforts which are s
essential TO the sick, but which the soldiers in an In
l. dian war cannot procure. Instead of shelter an
warmth, he is exposed TO the thousand ills incident t
II Indian warfare. Yet relief was extended to thos
-. who had thus suffered!
Il After the war closed under Wayne, retired; all
l. when saw man poorer than all Others wandorln
about the land, dccripd and decaycd by intemperanc
III It was unnecessary TO enquire whether he had eve
n belonged to Wayne's army, His condition was
" iaia Tee of ilaiMas sufficient assurance that II