The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-09-30
A d ID r. f. s S
OF DANIEL WEBTSER

man, and amer calling the assembly to order address
ed them ns follows
GenIernen--Whigs OF Massachusetts, Wings oil
the United States;-A common cause The love OF ouI
common liberty, affection for the institutions oil
our country under which live and deep and SOL
emn concern for The preservation of those institutions
aud for The promotion OF the great interests of the
country, have brought here today. behold in
this nssemblHge, freemeH intelligent fellow citizens
persons from every State in tho Union, pa,rioricay
devoted to the great Of their country forever
and in behalf Of the Wings Of Massachusetts, I bid
all a cordial and hearty welcome From Georgia
from louisiana f-"m Mississippi, from the whole
West, as well as, nearer at hand, from the gallant
State Of Rhode Island and the pioneer State of Yer
mont, and true-hearted Wings from New Hampshire
and Maine (for in those States hearted Wings
there are,) here assembled. ] bid all welcome.
II is not the cause Of Massachusetts, but of all the
States-iti ia the Of liberty and good govern
ment, to cvnce attachment 10 which, we are this
day gathered together
Today we lay offering upon the altar of personal
or local sacrifice We desire to tear from our heart
every vulgur ligament which bind TO any one spot
10 tie prejudice Of whole country, and forget
every sentiment that teaches any thing bu
Americans, and Americans altogether.
We haze Visited today, gentlemen, scenes, had
almost caid sNnci6ed, but thai ceebrat-
ed forever by revolutionary occurrences What we
have beheld has carried back to the times OF our
fnther', when they stood for liberty, with fearless
hearts and strong hands, against the mig htest power
IN the world We have visited spots rendered illus
trious by the great event OF that age, the American
Revolution. The American Revolution what
train Of thoughts rush the mind when it is carried
back 10 that memorable occurrence Some things nre
diminished the farther we depar, from time s. space
The comet that PUSHES through the heavens, and
frghens nations with its frey aspect, disappears and
is forgotten Many OF the great luminares which
have their fixed residence in the sky show themselves
only by aid Of artificial sight. Il is not with the
great achievements of mea. The farther we recede
from tho American Revolution the more expand ed
and brilliant appears disc in tho sky orhstory; and
when ages have elSpscd, then, and not TILL then,
will i, be Visible in all its consequences The deeper
drink Of the waters OF the Revolutionary spring
the they forfy fulfill patriotic resolutions; we
become better men, better political men, better ct-
zcns.
bid you welcome in the spirit Of that liberty which
the old thirteen States achieved; bid You welcome
in the spirit Of that union under which we live and
under which we exp ,ct to die, and which you and I,
and all of Us, descended from the Wing fathers of
the Revolution, will defend 20 the last gasp To all
Wings vauns this Union-io all coming here to the
defence Of the good cause, once more, welcome
welcome.
Bet farther, let me cay that we meet here, in the
spirit Of 1875 to resist 10 The utmost the dangerous
principles which have become manifest in ls44-to
unite to protect and preserve what the wisdom of our
ancestors has transmitted TO Us; to contend against
rash innovations. reckless experiments, and violent
change OF tho Union il is; and to maintain the
principles Of our fathers, established in pursuance Of
the great revolution of 1875.
Now, gentleman is there any reuson for this great
assembly-is there anything serious in tho condition
of the country anything that portends change, not
in the form Of government, but in national identi
~, and in the policy established under the first ad
mins,ruton under the Constitution l, is not for me
go any length into the various emarks suggested
by the occasion, but word two upon two posi-
tons which advocated by opponents
First, they nre in favor Of change Of territory by
anncxing Texas.
Second, they express sentiments adverse to pro-
lection, ard subvcrsve of the fundamental policy Of
the government, established from 1883 downwnrds.
We the Of general election Two
candidates before US, and it is for the country TO
say is for the people to say, which Of the candid
ates will best promote the public good and preserve
the national honoF and interest. f.f.-... ...,
In the first place. as to Texns. II is we'll known
that that is one of the stirring topics the time
Thus Far it has failed. 1t defeated in the SEN
ate, thanks the patriotism and intelligence of tina,
honorable body-5at now it is brought forward again.
| will descant the dangers or evils of that
project. They manifest TO every mind The
question is you desire to keep the United States
they are without Increase din'inuton how shall
we accomplish ,his object. Every man can nn.wer
this question. Two candidates are before u.s. One
is candidate for ,hs Presidency, nos only because he