Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-04-26
Treat Meeting in Burlington.
HONOR TO GEO. T.. MARSH.
5000 subscribed for the support Of Vo'Untee
ENROLMENT OF RECRUITS.
THE HOWARD GUARD.

ENROLMENT OF REcRUITs.
The meeting called to bid farewell to Hon
Geo. P Marsh, Thursday evening. was one of the
largest and most enthusiastic gatherings
, ever held ia Burlington, CT in the State The
Town Hall was filed to overfowing. Every
seat was filed at early hour with our citizens
of both sexes, while hundreds crowded the stand
ing room in the Hall with dense mass of excited
humanity
The meeting was called to order by G. W. Ben
edict, Esq, at whose suggestion President Calvin
Pease of the University was chosen chairman of
the meeting and Saml Huntington and Dan Lyon
were appointed committee to escort MI Ma sh,
to the Hall. The Band newly organized with some
of the best material of the old Band, was in at
tendance, and fitting commencement to the
proceedings, gave Hail Columbia, in fine style.
Mr.. Marsh was greeted, on entering the room
with loud and long applause, and having taken
the stand was addressed by the Chairman. In
few felicitOus sentences Mr.. Pease rendered to Mr.
Marsh the congratulations of the citizens of Bur
lington, the honor done him in his recent ap-
pointment to the high mission on which be wa,
about to ieave-an homer which the town of his
residence, and the people among whom his active
labors had been spent and his distinguished repu-
tatiOn acquired, felt that they shared to some
tent with him. They believed that our repre-
sentatives abrOld should truly represent, Gas so
many of them have failed to do of late) the spirit
OF our free Institutions and now when Italy, led,
as it is not too much to say, by the example of
this country, has risen as free nation, and is
about &c establish, hope, in Ancient Rome,
the spirit of her ancient liberty pprer if not tron-
ger than OF old d-when the Serfs of Russia are ac-
cepting their newly gained freedom and Hungary
| is breaking the seven withes which have bound
! her, We are glad to send abroad fitting and so
able a representative. We are willing to send
you, a representative Of our learning our cul-
ture, our manhood, and if we are told that the
specimen We PRESENT. above the average, we re-
| ply that when We wish TO show what the tree
produce we have a right to select The fsirest
OF the fruit.
But our pleasure is not unmixed with regret. |
In this crisis Of our country need at home the
very we would send to represent abroad. |
Men of frmness, Of principle, Of ability, men on
whom rely. Accept therefore with our ap-
proval of the fitness of your selection, and re-
newed expression Of our cor fdence and esteem, |
our regrets that must lose you for time from
among us,-and go, carrying with you our God !
speed and best wishes.
Continued applause followed Mr.. Pease's re-
marks, and rose with renewed yigor, as Mr.. Marsh |
addressed the Chairman in reply, the thurder
ceasing but 30 be again renewed with rsdoubled |
Power, as a large United Ststes Flag was |
at thi, moment flung from one of the eide |
galleries, draping it with the stars and stripes.
Ma. MARsH's ADDRESS.
Mr.. Marsh said that the absorbing and OK
hausting labors Of making ready for his departure
had allowed him to make no preparation for ht-
ting respons, and that the few words ho should
speak must be the unpremedtated promptings Of
the moment. This too nattering expression Of the
regard Of his fellow -townsmen, had not been So
licted or expected by him. 1t was suggested by
their kindness and induced in part, per-
haps by a somewhat remarkable public dis
cussion concerning his appointment, to which he
could not allude farther. lie thanked them, with
evident emotion) for the honor thus done him.
He had desired and accepted the mission to Italy
not for 'dle ambition or idle plea'ure-and
while it vas true that in that genial cline ard
among 1t. historic associations, its opportunities
Cor study and the companionship Of scholars and
statesmen, it's stores of art and knowledge, be
could find sources of enjoyment not attainIble at
home be must still purchase them dearly by
the .evering Of strong ties, and the suspension
abandonment of many favoritc plans, by which
he had hoped to do public service. in bis genera
ton lie had accepted the post, as respite from
labors which he was conscious else would soon
wear him out.
lie considered the Itiians the most interesting
people on the globe. lie recalled his representa-
tion of their character, given in that Hall six
years before, when be told his audience how the
Italians had been misrepresented, and predicted
that they would ere long burst tkeir fetters and
take their position a free and Enlightened people.
That prediction has Ieen accomplished, and he
hestated not to say that the history Of the world
did not contain an instance Of so great revolu-
tion accomplished with much credit to the peo
pie. Divided dOwntrodden and disarmed, they |
rose as one man, defeated great armies, stormed
strong fortIesses, gained even greater moral vic
tories over passion and prejudice, preserved pub
lie order, and accomplished sll with wonderful
economy Of life and blood. To such people be
should delight to 60, and from such people as
ours once was, he should also delight to go, be-
lieving that by aid Of their experience and ex-
ample he could benefit the of liberty |
abroad. We were till recently the most powerful |
nation On the globe. We should have been the !
most influential one, and 1t is true that our |
country has exertcd prodisious influence on
foreign nations but where has that example |
gone
He would not &C back into the causes of the
present crisis, nor in a meeting called without
distinction of party, wculd he wouod the feelings
of any one, by alusions to party action; but he
owed il to the truth TO declare his full and solemn
belief that the Northern people are guiltIess of
the madness of the Southern leaders and people.
True, there had been strong words said at the
North, but they were not the grievance. Personal
liberty bills had been passed; but they had never
prevented the delivery of single slave, and
we're to be regarded merely the recorded pro-
test of our people against the business of slave
hunting, which, odious among the Shareholders
themselves, was attempted to be forced upon the
| North. The causes to bo found in the ambi-
ton of Southern leaders, and the Census Of 1860.
The latter is our crime We are about, under that,
to assume the share of power to which we are en-
| titled aud Of which have been deprived. Our
people slow to move, are now reused and are
swayed by spirit migbtier than any that has
| stirr,d them since Bunker Hill. Party distinc-
tions are dropped, millions Of money are offered
to the Government, and volunteers to any num-
ber needed, pouring to the rendezvous. They
| will before long meet the Southrons face to
face, and would, he venturcd TO say, make
good General Washingtons description Of the
Northerners, when he gave it az the result Of his