Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-12-20
SPEECH OF
Hon. ID. -. Dickinson.
In Boston.

The following is the speech of Hon. d.
S. Dickinson, in Boston, on Tuesday even
ing of last week, being the ninth lecture
Of the fraternity course. On the platform
was Gov. Andrew, and other distinguished
gentlemen -
Mr. President, and Ladies and Gentle
men Forty years ago last October was
the last time | have been in Boston, before
the present, and not expecting then TO de-
liver this lecture ] did not wait. But am
happy to find it now not only the same great
but greater city, with all the elements of
prosperity and thrift, commerce, learning
and religion literally city set upon Hill
that cannot be hid.
One year ago this vast republic, stretch
ing from the frozen region Of the North to
the tropics, from the Atlantic to the Pacific
was all peace aud happiness and prosperity
Gods sunshine set upon the people as no
sunshine ever set before. The poor mans
tax was not called for in any portion of the
republic save in the sacred names of friend
ship and authority and law. and literally
every one sat under his own vine and fig
tree. What has brought about the great
change? We find war, horrible war, threat
ening the great centre of our Institutions
armed bands rayaging over this fine land
causing it 10 throb and heave and beat as
with the convulsions of volcano. Ii is not
foreign foe; it is not the outbreak of she
people that has done this; but it is a con-
spiracy-a hell born conspiracy, that has
attempted TO overthrow the government and
lay the AK at The foot of the tree of liberty /;
a conspiracy not originating with the peo-
pie, but with the officers of the govern
ment; not nursed by the populace, but at
The capital by the sacred name
of the Father of his country-by men who
were determined to rule or ruin. They
would erect new government, based upon
monarehial principles, where the many shall
be the servants of the few, and where mill
iiary rule shall override the public will.
1t is for this that six hundred thousand
men have buckled on their armor and gone
to the field to defend the Union and our
country's Constitution. Never govern
ment presented Q more glorious spectacle
than this. This rebellion has only made it
stronger, and those opposed TO it find it
strong enough to protect its capital, block
ade their coasts, and compel them TO keep
continual day of fasting if not of prayer;
(applause) strong enough to have seized two
of their chief conspirators under the flag Of
the proudest nation on the globe and bring
here TO minister to domestic instead of for
eign affairs; strong enough 10 crush this
rebellion to the earth so that it sail never
rise again. and we shall see this great tree
of liberty that has sheltered the children of
the earth under its branches, able TO main
tain its position against all the thunder gusts
that threaten it. What if in doing this
there is great loss Of material wealth, and
a great loss of blood and life
Hwhether on the seafoi high
Or in the armed band,
The Attest place fDr maa to die
l. where hs dies for man -
We may wen be proud Of our country
when we see that we have done what any
other government has never done before
With an army and navy demCralized and
with our arseuals robbed, officers (
betraying their commands, with no standing /
army, and the navy scattered abroad for the /
purpose of allowing this rebellion to tri- +
umph, in a few months we have put one Of
he greatest armies in the field which the