Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1847-05-06
Rutland.

Lieut.. Hopkins, and the many friends
who were at the meeting shows the high
esteem tie citizens of Rutland entertain of
Lieut., Hopkins. The ceremony Of pre-
senlation was performed by Gen. JONAS
CLARK, Of MddIc,own, in the following
appropriate and patriotic address to Lieut.,
Hopkins, which We clip from The Rutland
Herald!
SIR:
You having been appointed to a subor-
dinale, yet III important and responsible
Office, in the Army Of the United States,
your friends and acquaintance have as
sembled here to congratulate you and the
county ON such an appointment
The appointment is at time when the
Government is engaged in Il contest with
the Republic OF Mexico, to maintain It's
honor and essential rights as nation
Against a foe, too, more distinguished for
its unfolding and inieXible stubbornness
than its sense of justice.
Your acceptance Of the office, and the
habiliment and insignia you wear, war
rant those who know you, in the belieflhat
you entertain a heartfelt and most con-
scicntions confidence in the justice Of the
cause you have so solemnIy undertaken
and promised 10 maintain, and that your
aim will be, so far as your station requires
YOU to do 50, to aid and strengthen the
arm Of your government to your utmost,
in conQncring an honorable peace" as
soon as may be, that the tolls and priya.
tons of a soldier (Which are not few
will not dampen your ardor Besides, sir,
you are a Kentuckian by birth; born ON
the soil that ouce bore up and was the
residence of Col, Daniel Boon, the pin
Near and terrible scourge of the savages,
IN the early settlement ofthe State. 1t
was once The home of the distinguished
and unequaIIcL (Ior courage and conducU
Gen. Taylor
The undaunted war-spirir and gaIlantry
of your native State has been fully mani
tested, both in the last and present war
We'll may you be proud, as soliiT,
Of the heroes of tie land where you first
saw light. Go and do Ike them.
Your more mature years have found
YOU in Vermont. BY history or otherwise
you must have learned that the Green
Mountain State, too, has in its turn (urn-
ished its men Of undauuled prowess-iIs
unninching sodicry its "Green-Moun
tain Boys" often distinguished in the
Revolution and elsewhere, and especially
at the battle of Bennington, Many of
them arc now fighting our battles, "lrue
their government aud just to Their count
ry," with unsurpassed courage and lidcIl-
ty.
Kentucky and Vermont, sir arc notion
" sisters, but they We're born IN day.
You have been nursed in the one and
ma,urcd in the oihr. Who then is better
entitled, by inheritance, to be the un-
daunted, intrepid and nntrng soldier,
than Lieutenant Hopkins!
But, Sir, your friends; the inhabitants
Of this village, where you have resided
for several years, having understood ;hat
INTO actual service, fully satisfied that you
will sustain the cause in which you have
enlisted, and defy the iatignes, prlyarIons
and caIhmitics Of an Army life, even, if
need be, at the expense Of your own, are
DESTROYS of maniIesing in some tangible
way their personal regard for you, q for
your welfare during your absence, and
their anxious solicltude that the time may
soon come when justice will have been
done to our country, and the war cease,
and when you may safely return home to
the arms Of your friends and ieIlOw-cltl
zcns, unframed by its various hazards.
now sir, in behalf Of your friends and
acquaintance, as testimony of their re-
spcct and confidence, present you this
sword. 1t is weapon Of offence and de-
fence; it is an implement of your profess
sion. On the receipt of this you will, sir,
remember that your trade is war, and war
to all lntents and purposes, until the
wrongs Of your injured country are re-
dressed aud atoned for; that this bright
blade is never to be furnished by an i'm
proper act. And if circumstances should
call It and It's wearer into action, which
may compare with the conflict at PaIo
Alto or any othe' subsequent American
victory, not only the American people but
the world will sustain its brightness
Finally, should the lates of war drive you
to desperation remember old "RoUGn
AND READY"
LIEUT.. HOPKINS REPLY.
SIR,
1t is with feelings of the utmost UNI
wouhiness that | accept this unexpected
token Of the esteem Of my friends of this
place.
The gift itself is sufficient to cmbNrross
the most selfpossessed, and added to
this, the honorable hand from which re-
ceiye it, aud the hOttering manner OF lis
presentation, entirely units me Gorreturn-
ing my thanks in a proper manner.
But hope You will pardon any seem
ing want of a due expression of gratitude,
for be assured that the heart feels all
that the lips may fail to express.
As yet, have never been called TO
fight the battles Of my country. But when
feel the blood of the "Green, Mountain
Boys" inlerminglIng with that of Ken