Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1857-06-26
The Reception of the st. Johnsbury


As previously announced, Torrent Company
No. l., Franklin Fairbanks foreman, OF
st. Johnsbury, paid Burlington visit last
evening on their way to Montreal and Que
bee They came by the VT. Central, and
on their arrival at the Depot, found the
Boxers, the Howard Guards with the Cor
net Band. and detachment of the young
America " company in uniform, and a
number of our citizens, waiting to re-
ceiyed them. Tho st. Johnsbury com.
pany numbered about sixty fine,
hearty looking men. They were In taste
full uniform-blue shirts with red iacngs
black pants with red and white stripe on
the out side of the leg, and showily painted
fremen's hats of leather They had with
them their very handsome and powerful
engine and hose cart, and an excellent brass
band, and presented strikingly fine appear,
ance The companies having been drawn
up on opposite sides of South street, the
Boxers and the Guards facing the st. Johns
bury Company, j. French, Esq, of Boxer
Engine Company, stepped from the ranks
and addressed the strangers as follows
Mn. FRExcus SrEEcH.-Mr. Foreman and
gentlemen of Torrent Engine Co. No. l. have
| the honor, as the organ of Boxer Engine Co. No.
l. and the citizens Of Burlington, to extend to you
hearty welcome to our town. Though not known
to us as individuals, your fame as company has
reached US, and we greet you as friends and broth
| ers,-as members of q common calling
And, Gentlemen our calling as firemen, tho
it may not be the path to distinction and iniu-
ence is at least useful one. 1t enables us to do
to- iay md inn.
comport with the modesty which is characteris-
tic Of the true Fireman, for me to endeavor to en-.
nance the Importance Of our occupation, but VIII
quote the remark of another, that IN time OF
peace, there is calling more serviceable than
that Of the Fireman." and may be allowed to
add that the Importance of the service we r'n-
der is not fully and generally recognized as
that of others. Take that of our friends the
soldiers, Theirs is an honorable calling,-and L
would not take particle from its honor-suc-
cess ia it brings fame, position and power but In
our sphere We may claim that in deeds OF endurance
and daring, and surely in usefulness, we are their
equals.
Certain it is that some incentives to exertion
which others enjoy wanting to us. The IRE
mans trade, for instance, is not the road to wealth
So far as am aware few have made fortunes u. by
, it, and | believe it may generally be Sal: 'nat
, tho fireman lives well and dies poor.
Gentlemen, in behalf of our company, OF
our fire and military departments and of our citi-
. zons, permit again to welcome you to Burling-
+ that " we desire more of your company"
After the applause with which these
', remarks were received had subsidized, Mr..
G p. Ii. White, of Torrent Company, replied
= Mr.. wnlrE's REILLY.
} Gentlemen Of Boxer Engine Company and Of
d Burlington, thank you for your welcome
O Coming among you, most of us strangers to your
place and to yourselves it is particularly crafty
y ing thus to be received, "a friends and brothers
Z We come from the opposite border of the State
70 The mountains which give our state its name lie
g between our homes and yours, but they are not a
u wall of separation; they are rather common bull
y wark around which Vermonters gather and bind VI
;. together in bond of brotherhood. As we lool
Il around us, or your smiling Lake, or your beaut
- full place, on the evidences of liberaity and taste
II about us, and the edfces of learning which
!, crown your hills, we take new pride in ou
)f State.
70 You have rightly called the fireman's caling,al
n honorable and useful one, and l will add, that i
has been our endeavor to show that ii is pOssibl
D to be gentlemen as well as fremen. You hay
l. spoken also of the worthy deeds of fremen-the
10 are many though few may have been recorded
10 The world will never know them until the dea
Is raised, and oil human actions are made known
81 Among the most beautiful monuments in the cee
A. bratcd cemetery near the great commercial me
!, trOpos of this country, is one raised in rccogni
ii ton of the merit of fremap-one whose ster
81 sense Of duty, led him, in the endeavor to say
n what was precious life, where escape wa
g. impossible 1t is a worthy tribute to the courage
N the fidelity the subordination to discipline, whic
IT, characterses the true fireman, and which trus
y inspires all of Gentlemen, let us all live
y each in his station, so that it may be also trul
lie written on the tomb stone of every of us, H
e. died doing his duty" Applause
" After the speeches the several Companies
~ the Torrents with their engine, escorted b
r. the Guards and the Cornet Band, under tn
~ direction vr u. ID. neeler, Esq, Marsha
y of the occasion, made the circuit Of tn
u Square and of the Hill, the Bands playin
alternately ard the cortege presenting yer
d, snowy and striking appearance ; althoug
ed truth compels us to say that without tn
w Howard Guards the Burlington portion {
the procession would not have attracted
hit great deal of attention. The Boxers made n
ht particular attempt at display, and were col
ne tent for once to be eclipsed by the compan
~ from abroad. But, be it remembered,
new Engine and new Company and new time
ty in the Fire department of Burlington al
~ coming shortly.
A supper at the American followed
I'd and after the supper, speeches, toasts, an
y, good fellowship beguiled away two or thre
r. hours. We were not present and can civ
vn no report Of the many good things sal(
at At supper ard during the entire stay her
w the Torrent Company were the guests {
lis the Boxers, who left undone no act {
of hospitality.
of The st. Johnsbury Company left for tn
Sc North by the Vt. and Canada Road tn
y morning, and were accompanied to Essc
er by the Boxers, where after odd Lang Syne
of sung by all hands, and some rousing cheers
It they took their way north. They were, "
believe, agreeably impressed by our plac
OF and their treatment here, while they Gel
tie tainy made an exceedingly favorable i'm
tie preston by their fine appointments, thei
is discipline, their vigorous and hearty pei
vn sonal appearance, and the general air {
sobriety and good breeding which marke
them. Their visit will be pleasantly re
., membered here, for many day to come.