The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-07-12
GOV. FAIRBANKS SPEECH.

my own as well as the thanks Of the people
of this State, for the expression of their pa
triotiSm implied in the presentation of this
beautiful standard to the Third Regiment OF
Vermont Volunteers, now soon to depart for
the seat Of war. And, sir, am pleased to
be able at this time, and at all times, to say,
that this is not the only evidence which the
ladies of St. Johnsbury have afforded of thei.
patriotic devotion to the sacred cause of res
cuins our imperilled institutions and liberties
I from the dangers which menace their exist
ence. They have already sent to the First
Vermont Regiment many articles Of clothing
/ for the hospital, as we'll as articles adapted to
minister to the wants of our brave men in
the field.
But, sir, should signally fail to do justice
to my own feelings were to neglec on this
OCCASION to give due and ample credit to the
patriotism evinced by the ladies of other
towns in the State. The women of Vermont.
sir, have shown tina. their hearts and their
prayers are with the gallant men who go
forth to fight the battles OF our country. |
have received many communications from
ladies Of various towns, generously offering
ing to know what is most needed IN that be
half, that they might direct their efforts in a
practical channel. Indeed, sir, many Of the
noble women of our State, looking forward
to the suferings which must inevitably fol-
low in the wake of conflict between hostile
armies, have with Spartan devotion, offered
to 20 as nurses to tn" sick and wounded sol
diers. 1t will be cheering to the soldiers
10 know that they nave the warm Sympa-
thieS OF til" fair sex of Vermont, that
aged mothers, devoted wives, and loving SIS
ters will busy their fingers in the production
of articles to administer to their comfort, and
that their prayers will 90 up in their behalf
without ceasins during all the tedious days
Of absence from home, and hresiGe. and
friends. Yes, sir, warm and sympathizing
hearts Will go with our soldiers. and will wei
come them back from the glorious fields o:
conflict in which they may be called upon to
uphold the national ensign.
Lint. Col. Hy!e We are assembled to-
day under circumstances of thrilling interest.
These surroundings, gs,-,hese thoughtful, de
termncd soldiers.-tliS vast aSsemblage-
and more than all, the day,-are wc! calcu-
lated 10 inspire historic memoirs. Eighty
FIVE Years ago this day the Congress OF the
thirteen Colonies, having been IN con>u,a-
ton :or wcvAs,-:hc armies having beer
engaged III ;he .e: Of c,u.i:c: with wha, hal
then 1'cou.c a foreign .pc.-hav.rg conS!i-
cred with mach though: and patriotic ,.!jci-
tuL, the situation Of til coHn'rl.-;n the
an.uas, Of the elder Adams, decided the
greatest question that ever va, debated IN
America, and greater, perhaps. tnan ever was
or ever will he decide! among men. They
adopted and promulgated tn" Dec.sra
ton u: Independence, containing those sub
lime and courageous words We hold
these truths to 6c seit-e>ldcut. that II. men
are created equal" that mankind are en-
dowed by their Creator with certain iualirn
able rights. among which is the RI IN; TO lie.
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We
celebrate the al nlversary OF the birthday OF
our independent existence as nation. Il
was then III the midst OF fiery trial. with per-
feet reliance. even in the darkest adycr>itN
upon the ultimate triumph Of Just and g.o
r!ous cause, and upon the blessings of llrav
en-, that the Declaration OF independence WIS
sent forth and halted with enthusiasm
throughout our borders.
With independence from foreign tnra.dom
achieved on many fields of va.or. and now OF
renown. the United States OF America ma
tureG into manhood with the adoption OF the
Constitution in l1S.. From that time for
ward, our people have realized the full ENJOY
ment Of freedom, and have li,ed under the
benign protection OF government which has
Justly been called the best government eyel
devised by the wisdom Of man. Our country
has expanded in territory and power until II
has taken rank among the frs, nations Of the
earth, AMI every man has enjoyed privileges
secured bv no other nation 10 its citizens on
the face of the earth.
1t is lamentab!e. sir, that while in the MIST
of such great prosperity, and while in the tn
Ioyment of such unexampleI freedom. wicked
and ambitious men, with traitor0us hands,
have conspircd 20 overthrow this fair fabric
of government. They have seized tortiticl-
tons, arSenals, anG the national property,
and not only have they unlawfuiy taken
the national property in the seeded states.
but they have attempted the overthrow Of
the national government Itself, and dtiied its
jurisdiction, and are seeking 10 establish Il
hateful dcspotlSm upon the runs of the con-
stitution worse than that which siSnalizcd the
dark ages of Europe.
But, Sir, the patriotism Of LOYAL people
shines as brightly to-day as the RAYS OF the
sun which now looks down upon us. The
freemen of the northern states have u1ani-
mously responded to the call of the govern
ment, and there are now hundreds of thou
sands of soldiers marching to the vindication
of its authority, under the folds of the ma
tons flag. In the spirit OF this common pa
triotism in the spirit of Warner, of Allen,
and of Ransom, the people of Vermont have
leaped forward to the maintenance of the
Union, and doubt not tnat this spirit ami
mates the troops under Your command
They are about to leave their homes, their
friends and all that they hold dear on earth,
to engage in this righteous conflict To cheer
and animate you and your brave men, de
liver into your hands this besuiifui banner
procured and presented by the ladies of St
Johnsbury to the Third Vermont Regiment
No states are unrepresented upon It's ileid.-
The star which represent. the state OF YER
mont, though not equal in magnitude, shines
with no less brilliancy than the rest. You
will notice upon it the coat Of arms OF Yer
mont, bearing the words Freedom and Uni
ty," motto which is fitting conco,nitant to
those words which express the national unity,
"E Pluribus Unum." 1t only remains to me
to say that you will best represent the senti-
men,s of the people of Vermont, and best
maintain the power and dignity of the State,
as YOU shall defend the honor and dignity of
the Union and its flag, which | now eEtrus,
to your keeping.
The standard having been received and
saluted by the regiment, Lieut. Col Hyde re-