The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1843-11-02
Reception OF Col. johnson at the State
ENNse.

At the hour designated by the resoIu-
ton of the General Assembly, both Hous-
es adjourned their sessions, and the Coy
error aud Executive officers, the members
of both Houses, the Senators of this State
in Congress, and the Committee of Ar
engagements or behalf of the citizens of
Montpelier, assembled at the Representa-
lives Hall, Gov. Mattocks in the chair
The galleries anG lobbies were crowded
with ladies and gentlemen. Col. Johnson,
attended by the committee of invitation,
entered, and was introduced by Mr.. Cults
to the Governor, who thus addressed him,
OIL. J0hns0a:-Sir, in behalf of the
Legislature of Vermont and in the name
of the entire population of this homes:
little State, bid you welcome to this our
capitol,
Sir, you are a Statesman and Soldier.
At the Thames you led a charge with a
Gashng gallantry, that has never, never
been surpassed. You have fought and
bled, aye bled, in Freedoms cause. You
are brave and generous to a proverD--
can there be any higher praise2 There
can: you indicated the honor of your
fellow soldier, AMI your General, when
some who knew him not, essayed to tarn.
ish the military fame Of that hero, now
alas no more.
Magnanimous man! again say, well
come, thrice welcome here amid the de-
scendantS of the Green Mountain Boys.
Please 10 pardon, Sir, the conciseness oil
this address, for am an old man of few
words, but sincere.
With these words, the Governor grasp.
ed the hand Of Col. Johnson amid loud
cheers, when Col. J, replied
He said he found himself surrounded
by the representatives Of gallant and
patriotic State, and welcomed n the name
of that State by its highest officer. in whom
he was happy to recognize an old &C.
qualntance and personal friend. 1t was
he sud, Que OF the happiest moments o
his life, thus 10 find native Of Kentucky
warmly welcomed by all parties TO Yer
mont He witnessed the magnanimitv o
Vermonters on this occasion, and trustee
he knew how to appreciate it, He came
not tor political or sinister purposes, bu
as on pilgrimage TO the father land, tC
see the memorials of their glory, TO vsi
the fields on which our foreialhers Offered
up their lives, and to hear from their
graves the exhortaion to their children
to stand shoulder to shoulder in the de-
fence of the principle of liberty, and ii
the support of the Constitution. He was
more than gra,lied ia his visit to the LAND
of Allen and Stark he found its people
more than he expected Vermont was
fully equal TO old Kentuck. The allusion
of the Governor, to the Green Mountain
| Boys, suggested the points of resemblance
between Vermont and Kentucky in theiI
early struggles, their gallant and patriotic
conduct, and their final admission TO the
Union in the same year. For himself
he wondered what be had done to meri
such respect; and felt humbcd that he
had done so little in forty years Of public
service. In what he had done, he trustee
he had acted with fidelity TO the grea
principles of the constitution, if not witt
ability; and he cheerfully appealed to thC
testimony of representatives of Vermont
now present with whom he had beer
happy 10 act, and to whose fidelity h.
testified, (alluding to Judge Prentiss anc
Senator Pheps.) The appreciation shown
him, he said, would inspire him to con
tinue in the same path and finish hi
course as he had begun it. This appro