Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-08-26

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8 sympathy, to bring it before the convention
+ for an adjustment and completion. He die
+ so with the more reluctance because it relat
ed to the doings OF that portion of the asso-
- citation who now occupied the South side OF
the Hall THE southern half of the room
happened at the time to be almost exclusive
ly filled with ladies and because it might
seem to call in question the ercel-lence, in the
D original sense of the word, of his friend. the
o worthy Secretary of the Board of Education.
None could appreciate more highly than him
self the labors of that gentleman; but when
1t came to saying that he of all persons was
contributing most to the good cause in the
State, he did not know that he was ready to
give full assent. 1t might be that there was
another to whom was owing good share of
the energy and efficiency of those very eff
forts. In fact. he (the Secretary,) ha told
us of one who, when he was careworn and
weary with his toll, with sweet encourage
ment and true affection at once rewarded
him for his work and strengthened him for
renewed exertion. 1t was fitting that the
influence of that wife and mother should
have recognition from those who appre-
ciated so highly his labors A number Of
| gentlemen-mostly of the teachers present,
though some of Mr. Adams fellow citizens
| had been allowed the favor of share in the
matter-hai united in procuring a simpe
testimonial, which he ID been requested to
! ask the Secretary to present to his wife, |
as a slight token Of the homage which we /
are all glad to pay to those who cheer /
and comfort and strengthen us in the /
battle Of life. While many daughters do
n"bly by their direct Efforts, and Ell well a
place on the platform wit the recogniz d
workers in many rood cause, none work
IN re IF 'ctually for humanity than those who.
in quiet Of home, with constant and
warm affection and sympathy, inspirit and
'ft-n direct the efforts Of husbands and broth
ars and lovers in the service Of their genera
tion and their country. He would only add
the injunction To the Ladies present "Go
md do likewise "
Il IS seldom that duty Of the kind Is per-
formed 50 neatly and acceptahy as was this
by Mr. Flrrin, and hearty applause testified
the entire approval Of the audience.
The gift thus presented was tasteful and
valuable gold watch and chain. II was ia
ken by Mr. Adams, and after a moments
pause placed by him in the hands of his
wife. who sat near him we!l-nigh
overcome by modest and becoming emotion.
Then, ,sensibly oppressed by cling too strong
for audible utterance. he replied
He said that the past few hours had been v
crowded for him with feelings 20 intense as +
to be painful. When three years since he b
accepted the post of Secretary of the Board, II
be little expected So soon to see q day like C
this He commenced his labors feeling his i
entire inaiequacy to the task and only hop a
ing ti,at she earnest good wishes and en- l,
deavJrs To- do his best which he should carry v
into the work, would enable him, # he ~
could not move the intellect. 10 touch the tt
noble heart OF Vermont. I thar .llld be -
done he knew thar all would we'll To a
have been q humble iahr-r In >Ica cause. ..
and to see 50 soon. suits VS. son he had tn
only hoped to find fp ......r ten or Us
fifteen years Of effort ..vard enough: 30
TO be made in aft. , renewedlv P35
the object Of T. p consideration of an pr
.ssemblage lil So drlicately rendered, .
was really NOR. than any man ought to be Sc
allied upon to respond to. He could only an an
hank them again and again from the bot tel
ON Of his heart. The deep feeling with al
which Mr. Adams spoke, infected the whole to
and moistened eyes were plenty 9e 9s
5 he closed
After the transaction of some necessary
business, Mr.. Adams was again called to
he stand, to speak in behalf of the Execu-
i've Committee, the closing words of fare an
veil to the Association vi
He complied in speech to which our lin tn
is allow us to give too little space, and the
arnestne>s and effect Of which we should find th
hard 10 represent if we should try He -
ommenced by remarking that the original d.
Of the Committee was to have uc
ad the duty performed by Prof n. G. re-
lark, to whose ability and interest in the
ause of Education. he PAID hearty tribute
he state Of Mr.. Clark's health had prevented
is being present at this meeting, and he
Mr. .Adams) mustreluctantlyend avor as best scr
e might, TO supply his place. He recounted
le grounds for encouragement so apparent ne,
lroughout this session. He contrasted thi. wi
reat gathering. of intelligent men and wo- sui
len, of men high in official position, Of ed
orthy legislators, all enlisted IN the cause
Common Schools-wlth some educational the
eetings which he bad held even in some ad,
opulous and cultivated communities in the
tate, where he had been obliged to break low
Ito public room, sweep the floor, build
lie fire, and ring the bell himself-and speak /.
18th few TO hear or care, in one case begin the
ng his lecture to an audience composed Of '''
lly one woman. the
ia ontio-.a .lo ,,so 81 . clerrvman in to a
liz mehtloheu 'he case VI " q " low
lie State whose scruples would not allow Ass
in to give notice of an Educational meet :, .
2 from his pulpit, whose worthy wife and
as heard afterwards, calling him to ac- carr
u" cati
,unt, and assuring him that had she
lown of it, she would have made good the end
Mission by visiting every house in the pro-
ace, and notifying them Of the meeting ero,
gentleman here snr,,astad +bo+ 49, Ass
oman ought to have the next watch. 6.
e asked the Teachers it. amidst all hav
e obstacles, of which, perhaps, too much alto
ID been said, there was not cause enough 7.
r good cheer,-if it had not been good for ross