Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1840-07-10

Europe possesses them, although placed al
the head Of armies reared to war. How
much more naturally would those feelings
attach TO a commander situated as | was
For Of what materials was the army compos.
ed which was placed under my command
The soldiers who fought and BLEED and tri-
umphed here, were lawyers, who had thrown
up their briefs-physicians who had laid
aside their mechanics, who
had put by their tools-and, in far the largest
proportion, agriculluraists, who had left
their ploughs in the furrow although their
families depended for their bread upon their
exertons and who hastened to the battle.
field TO give their life TO their country if it
were necessary, 10 maintain herrights.
Icould point from where now stand 10
place where felt this anxiety pressing lea
Willy upon me. MS thought OF the fearful con
sequences of mistake on my part. or the
want Of judgment on the part of others.
knew there were wives who had given their
husbands 10 the feld-mothers who had clo-
thed their sous for the battle; and knew
that these expecting wives and mothers were
looking for the safe return OF their husbands
and sons When 10 this was added the re.
l~cbNN'Ohs th"t VIC pNdNO VI tnC SutiIt w ISL
would be broken up, and the glory of my
country furnished, if failed, you may pos
sibly conceive the anguish which my situa.
ton was calculated to produce. Feeling
my responsibility, | personally supervised
and directed the arrangement under my
command. TRUSTED 10 no Colonel or other
officer. No person had any hand in my
disposition Of the army. Every step of war
fare, whether for good or i'll was taken un-
der my own directions. and Of none other. as
many who now hear me Whether
every movement would or would not pass the
criticism Of Bonaparte or Wellington,
know not-bul, whether they would induce
applause or censure, upon myself it must
fall
But, fellow citizens, still another motive
induced me to accept The invitation which has
been so kindly extended 10 me. knew that
here | should meet many who had Tough,
and bled under my command-that should
have the pleasure Of taking them by the
hand. and recurring, with them, to the scenes
Of the past. expected, too, TO meet with a
few Of the giea, and good men yet Surviving,
by whose efforts our freedom was achieved.
This pleasure alone would have been sufli
Clcut W nave HiuuCC0 NY WISH W tulS
es,ing spot upon this equally interesting &C.
casion. see my old companions here, and
see not few of the revolutionary veterans
around me- Would 10 God it had ever been
in my power to have made them comfortable
and hnppp-;ha; their sun might go down in
peace But, felow.citizens, they remain IN.
provided for-monuments or the iugrutitude
of my country 1t was with the greatest dif
6culty that the existing pension was passed
through Congress. But why was it restrict.
edo Why were the brave soldiers who
fought under Wayne excluded 2-soldiers
who suffered far more than those who fought
in the revolution proper. The revolution. in
fact, did not terminate until l794-until- the
battle was fought upon the battle ground up
on which my eye now rests (Miami) There
never was treaty oil peace with the lndi
ans War continued with them from the
commencement of the revolution until the
victory OF Wayne, 10 which have just al
luded The great highway TO the Yves
was the scene Of unceasing slaughter. Their
why this unjust Discrimination Why ar,
the soldiers who terminated the revolution
in fact, excluded. while those by whom 1t wat
begun or portion Of them. are rewarded
/ tell you why. The poor remnant o
Wayne's army had but few advocates, Will,
those who had served in the revolution pro
per, had plenty of friends. Scattered a.
they were over all parts of the Union, and il
large numbers, they could exert an inau
ence al the ballot-box. They could whispe
thus in the ears of those who sought thei
influence at the polls: flake care for
have waited long for what has been promis
ed The former plea Of poverty can no lon
ger be made The treasury is now full
Take care, your seat is in danger" Oh
yes. every thing that has been promised shal
be attended 10 If you will give me you
voles' In this way, fellow citizens, tardy
but partial justice has been done 10 the sol
( diers of the revolution. They made friends
by their influence at the ba!lot-box. But i
, was different with Gen. Waynes soldiers
, They were but few in number, and they
had but one or two humble advocates Il
speak for them in Congress. The result hal
BEEN Justice has been withheld them.
, | have said that the soldiers unde
Wayne experienced greater hardships ever
than the soldiers OF the revolution. This il
So Every one can appreciate the difference
between an Indian and a regular war
When wounded in battle, the soldier mus
have warmth and shelter before he can re
cover. This could always be secured il
the revolution. In those days. the latcl
string OF no door was pulled in. Wher
wounded he was sure TO find shelter ant
very many ofthose comforts which are 81