Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-02-28
FRoF. CLARK s REMARKS.

Prof. CLARK. in response, said he supposed b,
had been called on to spesk, as, in some sense
. representative of our literary and educstiona
institutions. If the audience would allow him
he would accept the fact as significant o. theii
appreciation Of the intimste connection Of oui
literary institu lions with the welfare and pros
psrity Of the country. He stood there as
representative Of one, which had as deep an in
terest in the cause as any institution or commu.
nifty in the land. We have sent one-6fth of cur mum.
bsr into ~ssrvice. (applBuse, )and one noble fellow oil
this number Ellis Q soldiers grave on the banks Of
the Potomac. Two others, that did not run from the
battle field Of Manassas, have experienced the
misery ofa soldiers prison in the South. One,
too, has received m honorary appointment
for specially meritorious oondu,t, and the
rest are expected 10 do good service for God and
their fsther-land when they have q chance. IRE
newed applause.) And l think it vas quite sp-
p~ropriate after all. that il was the old Univer-
ity bell that first, IN this town, sent forth the
note Of triumph over the fall of Donel on.
But it lie not the University alone, but every
institution in our land. that has taken part in
the service We know Of one president of a
college that died at the head Of his regiment.
amid the early scenes of the war 10 Western
Virgins, and q few d Us since we read of a
Massachusetts, professor, who led 3 regiment in
the bayonet charge that swept the batteries on
Roanoke Island.
But, sir, aside from these associations, the
inst tutions Of learning in this land have a tar
deeper interest IN the success Of this csus.-
lie first college in this land was establishes six
ten years after the pilgrim fathers set foot on
Plymouth Rock, and dedic .ted to Christ and his
church, and the men of that day meant by that,
dedicated to the intellectual, social and religious
elevation Of the human race. That vas the
origin and purpose of that institution, and so of
all our literary institutions, and they have sought
70 accomplish this work in such way and manner
N thew hest cln- And sir that fs the -.-h
that they have to do in this land-sll branches
OF them i mean, the college, the academy, and
the common schools alike-but to difase abroad |
just sentiments Of government. Of social order, of
civil and religious liberty. This is their work, |
and this il the basis which civil liberty rests |
upon. And ] take IL, fellow citizens, that in |
thus struggle We zee . contest not simply for the
PRESERVATION Of the Union-the Union merely as
s1en would not be worth preserving-but for
wat 1t represents. And it represents mere than
STP.y extensive domain. or wealth. or power.
"na'' then, does 1t represent Why, sir, this
nation, for the FIRST time in human b;storv' has
mac IN opportunity Of expressing the ideas and
Nnomene OF christianity in q political form.
ouf insutunons and literature are but giving
expression IN their several ways to the ideas Of
cnfistianity. onristianity knows no distinction
Of nnk or class; IL knows no rich. no no,,. ~
white, no black; it knows only men. And her.
In this land, was the attempt made to foster in,
that should recognize the rights Of
nan-not of . class, but Of every human soul
10 the largest culture of mind and heart as 40
Immortal soul in preparation here for Heaven
That vn their work, and for the first time in
human history was there an opportunity given
. realise their ideas without let OF. hindnnce,
s1iacgt my old hereditary usages coming down
Ana binding ~ undsr foot The sttempt had
80 made In Holland, and We know with
mat giorious saeesss uader William the
The struggle there vas fa civil
- !saAesoes iresaon- cronwsl and his
r7aadss' &C., undertook to ralss TIE work; |