The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1860-02-23
Thrilling ElOquence.

contained IN the spc eches OF the Hon. Mr..
Boteler, delivered in the House on Wednes-
day. The incidents narrated cannot fail
to interest those who peruse them. The
language employed for the purpose is the
language Of elevated patriotism
The district which I represent. and the
county from which come-tha. county
made famous by the raid of Brown-Was
the first. the very first in all the south, to
send suecor to Massachusetts,. In one of
the most beautiful spots in that beautiful
county, within rifle shot Of my residence,
at the base Of the hill, where a glorious
spring leaps out into sunli ght from beneath
the knarled roof of thunder riven oak,
there assembled on the 10th of July, 1875,
the very first band of southern men who
marched 10 the aid of Massachusetts,. They
met there. and their ralying cry was, "a
beeline for Boston,
That beautiful and peaceful valley had
never been polluted by the footsteps of a
foe; for even the Indians themselves kept
it free from the incursions of the enemy
it xas the hunting range and nutral ground
Of the aboriginees. This band assembled
there, and "a bee-line for Boston was made
from thence. Before they marched they
made pledge that all who survived would
assemble there fifty years after that day.
1t was my pride and pleasure to be present
when fifty years rolled around. Three
aged. feeble. tottering men-ths survivors
of that glorious band of one hundred and
twenty--wers all who were lett to keep
their trust. and be faithful to the pledge
made 50 years before TO their companions,
the bones Of many of whom. were bleach
ing on the northern hills.
Sir. have often heard from the last sur
vivor of that band of patriots the incidents
Of their first meeting and their march;
how they made some six hundred miles in
twenty days--thirtv miles a aday--and how,
as they nsared their point Of destination.
Washington, who happened to be making
them approaching, and recognizing the lin
sey woolsey hunting shirts of old Virginia.
rode up to greet them to the camp; how,
when he saw their captain-his old COM
panion in arms, Stephenson, who stood by
his side at the great Meadows. on Brad
docks fatal field. and in many an Indian
campaign. and who reported himself to his
commander ss "from the right bank of the
the Potomac"--he sprang from his horse
and clasped his old friend and companion
in arms with both hands. He spoke no
word of welcome. but the eloquence Of ST.
lence lodwhat his tongue could not ariicu-
late. He moved along the ranks. shaking
the hand of each. from man 10 man. and
all the whie--as my informGr told me-
the big tears were seen coursing down his
manly cheek.
Aye, sir. Washington wept! And WHY
did the glorious soul of Washington swell
with emotion? Why did he weep? Be-
cause he saw that the cause of Massachu-
sets was practically the cause Of Virginia;
because he saw that her citizens recosniz-
ed the great principles involved in the con-
test Those Virginia volunteers had come
spontaneously. They had come Ia re-
sponse to the words of her Henry, that
were leaping likelive thunder through the
land. telling the people of Virginia that
they must fight for Massachusetts. They
had come to rally by Washington's aide, to
defend your fathers fire sides, to protect
their homes from harm. Well. the visjt
has been returned. John Brown selected
that very county as the spot for his inva-
sion; and. AS was mentioned in the Senate
the rock where Leeman fell was the very
rock over which Morgan an his men march
ed few hours after Hugh Stephenson's
command had crossed the river some two
miles further uv.
May this historical "reminiscences rekindle
The embers of patriotism in our hesrs--
Why should this nation of ours be rent
in pieces by this irrepressibe conflict? Is
it irrepressible? The battle will not be
fought out here. When the dark day
comes, as come it may. when this ques-
ton that now divides and agitates the
hearts of the people can only be decided by
the bloody arbitrament of the sword, II
will be the saddest day for us and all man
kind that the sun Of heaven has ever shone