The Woodstock age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1844-1845, 1844-09-05

was unanimously adopted, and twenty
SIX respectable young men added thei
, names.
: CONSTITUTION OF THE WOODSTOCK FREl
READING SOCIETY.
ARTICLE Rrsolced, That this societ,
shall be called the Woodstock Free
Reading Society.
ART 2, Restrict, That this Society
shall consist ola President, Secretary
and Committee Of Arrangements.
ART 3, Resolred, That the annual
meeting Of the Woodstock Free Reading
Society shall be held on the Goth, Of Jan
uary, at which meeting the officers shall
be duly elected.
ART. 4, Resolrcd, That it shall be the
duty Of the president to preside at each
and every meeting held by the society,
and that it shall be the duty of the Score
tary TO act in the capacity of Treasurer
and Librarian.
ART. 3, ReSolccd, That the President
and Secretary, together with other men,
bcrs, shall constitute the Prudential com
mittcc Heterogeneous, and that it shall
be their duty to call such meetings as
occasi ion may require,
ART. s. RrsoIrcd, That the above ar
ticlos may at any time be altered by
majority Of two thirds of the votes given,
and that in all cases the members of
this society shall be governed by the
same majority.
ART. I, Rcso'rrd, That any person over
the II years, Of good moral character.
may at any time become member off
this society bysubscribing to the consti-
tuition.
And the officers of the society were du-
y elccted the following address by a mem,
Der THOMAS f. POWERS, MD. was
delivered to large and respectable au-
diencc, which was followed by reading
biographical sketch Of the life of Paine.
Fellow CIrIzENs-Thc time has at
length arrived when we, whose nature
constitutes us as social beings, who are
capable of receiving and imparting pleas
uros, whose sensations, whose desires
and whose cndowmcnts, distinguish us as
susceptible of social delights, formed
to possess Il certain share of iratcr-
nal affection, are again called upon to
pay that tribute which is so Justly due to
the memory of the great, the good and
illustrious PAINE, Although native of
England, yet every sentiment was those
Of true rcpublicunism. No sooner did he
embark for America than every nerve
was cXerted and every effort was made
for the welfare Of our country. While
every drop of blood that circulated with
in his veins was truly democratic, every
step taken rendered him deserving Of the
highest praise. Situated as we have been
amid the wars Of contcHding iactions,
ruled as it were with the sceptrc OF re-
llglouS tyranny, it becomes the duty of
every honest and worthy citizen, so far
as it is within his power, to raise his
voice against the present state OF super
stition, bigotry and Intolerance White
IRE daiiy diScocT.he rapid GdranccmoHt qf
fberaI sentiments, Wc are led 10 coaclmic
That The time is close al hdad whcR the
'0Othoh Gi PrfSicrdH shall gire way, and
heir dcspotic thrones shallrcmblc, when
hepoof behold thciropprcsson5 and every
voice shall say their rights have been
most daringly usurpcd. Being assembled
or the purpose of celebrating the ami
vcrsary Of the birth of this champion OF
he rights of man." whose name has
been most wantonIy dJamcd by those
and Hprinciplcd bci0gs who
nave long been grasping at the rcns of
government, let us for Il moment reflect I
upon the noble and rcsolute steps taken
ny this eraIiod and HbnrmI miadH man.- {
While our country groancd under the I
Yoke of foreign invaders, this genius of |
America steps forth, clothed then in no 9
tiles of honor, and with the true spirit of t
sound republican engages in the great /
glorious struggles for liberty. During I
he frequent struggles between England
md America, the pen of this worthy pat t
lot was never found idle. Shortly after t
he publication of his first work, entitled /
Common Sense, " he repaired to Eng r
and where he published the "Rights of q
Nan" No sooner was this last issued Q
rom the press than it being so discordant
With the feelings of the people he was Q
to flee to France to escape t
persecution, where he was soon chosen t
member of of the National Assembly. Il
Here again, on account of his political a
opinions, he was assailcd by every friend L
If the crown, and by endcavouring to i'm '
,ress upon their minds the advantages c
trising from free and independent gov
,rnmcnt he was at length thrown into [
prison by Robespierre, and narrow y es- 5
,apcd the guillotinc. After various such t
attempts to inculatc in the breasts of
orcgn nations a love of liberty, and |
hiding every effort to prove abOratiye, \
he again returned 10 the United States $
where he was gladly received, by every ,
American compatrlot as participation III
heir tolls While he virtually became the I
ibera,or nfonr country, M tongue fnrblde {
% euIogize his name, no helrt but felt the |
enderest emotions of gratitude to him
heir beneiactor. His works were then 4;
pursued with truly hearIinI esteem. aud his I
lame held dear To every friend of liberty I
But no sooner did his able pen send {