Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-06-08

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was surmised, and not without rea-
son, was political one, for restora-
ton TO power and place, and then,
bcnerotently taking care of the pub
lie, having first taken care Of them
selves. For time the order work
ed TO charm. 1t made itself felt
at town, county, State and Presiden-
tial elections. Ii was at its zenith
Just before the war of 1912, and ev-
erywhere, Throughout the country, OPP
posed that measure, as premature,
unnecessary and unwise, both in Sc
cret sessions of the order, at the
Hartford Convention, and at public
meetings. The entire population Of
the country was alive upon the sub
jecl, and public meetings were num-
erous and frequent, called, on the
part Of the Republicans, TO pass res
oIullons urging the Government 10
declare war against Great Britain, on
account of her impressment of A
merican seamen, and her violations of
our national rights in her orders in
Council and in her plundcring of A
merlcan commerce. AT this time,
ISL, the war spirit was up TO fever
heat among the Republicans OF Yer
mont. In that year county meet
ing was called at Montpelier, for the
purpose Of passing resolutions in ia
vor Of a second War OF lndepend-
ence. At the appointed day and
hour, il seemed as if all the dwellers
in the WInooski Valley had left their
homes in carriages and wagons,
some on horse back and some on
foot, pouring into your then sparscly
populated village from every vale and
hill top in the county. The late
Gen. John Peck OF Waterbury was
appointed Marshal Of the day, and
Hon. Ezra Butler Of the same town
Chairman. The procession commen-
ced forming at the old tavern, locat-
ed where now looms up the Union
House. The Marshal mounted an
old fashioned eight foot wood pile,
and with stentorlan voice invited all
citizens present, IN favor OF a dccla-
ration OF war against Great Britain,
10 fall into the procession. Ii reach
ed from the tavern 10 the old State
House, and more FederalIsis than
Republicans joined the moving mass.
The upper and the neither portions
OF The house were filled 10 overflow
ing; The two opposing parties lndls-
crimlnately mixed up, like crowded
passengers In stage coach, scarce
ly able TO decide to whom tho sever
al pans Of legs belonged. Thus con
ditoned, some ~ seats, some on the
ratings, and more on their feet, the
meeting opened committee on
resolutions was appointed, retired for
n moment, returned in quick metre,
and forthwith reported resolutions in
favor Of war, and pledging life, for
tune and sacred honor in It's sup
port. Now came the tug of polii-
cal warfare. Flaming speeches, for
and against the adoption of the war
resolutions, were made in rapid sue
cesson. All present, of both parties,
were on up-toe for the question:
the FederaIIs,s perfectly confident in
strength OF numbers. Question
Question came from all parts of
the house from the hall below and
the gallery above. The viva voce
ayes and noes were called by the
chairman. IL was evident to all pres
ent tina, the eyes, two in head, were
ouinumbered by the noses, one on
face. The venerable chairman CLAN
ced his keen black eyes OH the as
scrubbed multitude, and remarked
tina, he was not prepared TO say how
the vote stood, there was SO much
confusion in the house. Ii was sug-
gested by gentleman in the gallery
tina, If the chairman would "come
up here" he could not fail TO make
correct decision. But the chairman,
a warm friend of the resolutions, was
not TO be caught in that trap. A d.
vision Of the house was then called
for, 10 which the chair replied, the
" house is already dirided against IL
self" Again call for division
was renewed, and again the chair in
sisted that the house was so crowded
there was no room for a DIVISION
Besides, there would be danger in a
ny ,.,,vmps vf sho hiuu, .iiu' sIe uuii-
ding itself might become a mass Of
ruins. 1t was suggested that the
meeting adjourn TO "all out of DOORS"
and the question he taken by count.
Upon this, the chairman, in slow
and significant tone, remarked, lem
pbasising on the last syllable)-' Cen
tlemen. insist upon it, that | can
not decide the question-to my sat
istaction.' A smile arose upon the
countenances of the men Of war,
and frown upon the faces of the
men Of peace. Thereupon the Mar
shall notified the Republicans TO re-
pair, by themselves, TO The hall Of the
village tavern. They did so,and there
passed the war resolutions. Thus
did the jewellers in portion of the
Valley Of the Winooski proclaim TO
Congress and the world our voice
is still for war; What the state of
feeling was, among both parties, in
the same valley, after war was actu-
ally declared, will form the subject
of future number.
OLIVER OLp School.