Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-12-26
For the Journal.
A VISIT TO MONTPELIER.


anxiety to visit the Capital Of their native
State. A trip to Boston, New York, Sara
toga, Niagara or the Western States, and to
Montreal and Quebec even, are very common,
yet how few ever accompany their husbands
or fathers to the halls of the Legislature,
thereby maniicsting an indifference to things
at home, an acquaintance with the people.
the varied and ever varying scenery Of our
own Green Mountain State; its laws and in
situations and an unsympaihizing spirit in
their ardous duties with all those who frame
and enact those laws. II being inconvenient
to 20 in company with the gentleman Of our
town, deemed worthy Of seat in Legislature
halls, we, that is another lady her little one
and myself set out alono--alone for ladies
without that necessary appendage gentle
man protector are ever said to he alone-but
never in travelling without an escort did
meet with such gentlemanly attention not
even allowing us in one instance to feel our
selves without constant attendant. This
need of praise am proud to pay to the sons
of Vermont Well do you deserve it. Again
: and again accept the thanks Of your fellow
passengers for your oiviity. Long will your
faces your Aindness be remembered, though
in some instances your names may be IN
be delightful. The pleasant cheerful little
villages dottng the line Of the railroad, the
fine farms, with finer farmhouses all bespeak
the energy and thrift Of our people. The
clear sparkling water Of tho rivers which we
cross and recross as they meander through
the beautiful meadows, or wind round the
rugged hills, the pure air we breathe ever re-
mind us that they are symboical Of the clear
v~aa 81 thnuuht hc a,aK \ iliu,, nil tho hoiyht
of intellect, the purity OF character Of our
own Green Mountain sons and daughters.
Arriving on Saturday too much fatigued to
exert myself for anything, remained very
quietly in doors. The following day attend
ed service at DR.. Lords church, where | list
ened with both cars" to the finest discourse
that have heard in long time few mo-
ments attention is sufficient to convince the
hearer that the Rev. DR.. is profound schol-
ar. deep thinker. and that no branch Of
elocuton has been disregarded by him.
His discourse was upon the power and free
dom Of speech truly practicable, allowing the
right Of freedom OF speech, I~t 40 those only
who are possessed of Divine attributes
truth it was drawn with a diamond pointed
Imagination and framed in eloquent deduc-
tions of thought. As he closed | wished
some one would solicit the sermon for
publication. An able gentleman afterwards
remarked to me that he most sincerely wist-
ed to see it published and If he was ever so
grati6ed that he would take an indefinite
number Of copies for gratuitous distribution.
found the village Of Montpelier much
larger, more pleasantly situated and more Of
a city like appearance than | expected. Its
shrubbery must still enhance its beauty in the
summer season. 1t is surrounded by some
seven hills and seems so securely ensconsed
in this little basin, that were it in the vicinity
Of the present scenes OF operations one would
feel secure from all harm, unless he saw the
enemys cannon planted upon the hill-tops (;
aud these with the huge statute Of Ethan AL
len. with giant arm uplifted,his sword in hand
bidding defiance to them, am sure the whole
southern confederacy would quail beneath his
determined look With this noble specimen
of art to guard the Portco Of the Capitol on
one side and the canton taken from the Ger
mans, at the Battle Of Bennington, Aug. 6.
III, on the other together with this magni-
fcent superstructure inspires with IN
bounded pride ofthe attainments and achieve
ments Of our people. Its cabinet too affords
many beautiful specimens Of both nature and
art. 1t specimens of ore, Of marble Of all
shades, from the purest white to the Italian,
/ Nerd Antique and Egyptian Of hsh and
/ fowl and fcathered songster, Of the fossil re-
( mains Of the Whale" down to the tiny insect,
| all speak of our internal resources and COM
/ bine to impress upon the mind that 1.-THE hand
I that made us is Divine"
| was really delighted to see so able a del
/ egation from all our towns and counties, in
worthy representatives and honorable sena-
4 tors and with that most capable and worthy
I member, the gentleman from Ludlow to
/ whom we often listened with so much pleas
ure, Tor the chief cornerstone Of the House
{ We need not fear but our laws will be judi.
ciously and religiousy enacted.
was told that the governor received visi-
tors very pleasantly, yet was whollyun pre-
/ pared for SO genial a reception. As we APP
/ Paarad hofora tho door thongh 10 80
gagged in conversation with a gentleman, he
instantly cast upon look Of most kindly
welcome invited us to walk in, approached
us with the ever-pleasing air of perfect gen.
tleman, shook hands so cordially that made US
almost forgot that we were in the company o.
" his excellency," but not for moment. that
he was one of natures true noblemen. At
once was so pleased with his looks, his man,
ner, and so engrossed in conversation with
him, that after passing some ten minutes in
the governor room, 1 felt compelled to re-
tire, but was unable to describe aught else il
contained save the Library. The next day
repeated my VISIT begging him not to allow
me to trespass upon his time and attention
as my object was mostly to observe the room
finding after leaving the day before that hat
hardly noticed it. He expressed himself en-
tirely at leisure, would be pleased with com
pany if l chose TO tarry, invited me to a seat
and entered into conversation with the cas-,
of only true gentleman--a man of too mucl
sense to imagine that shining gold is depreci
ated in value for mingling with the metals o
lesser worth or even the rafting paper il
the common currency of our country. Aftei
descanting upon the room, which is, as i
should be, the finest in this splendid build
ing, | congratulated ourselves as people
upon our happy choice of its presents occu
pant in these troublesome times. He thank
ed me, and the people for their kind indul
gence to him, remarking upon the difficult,
of always doing right at the present time
when often obliged to act both hastily anC
without precedent. In abiding to our ma
tional affairs, he spoke with that deep-toned
whole-soued utter devotion to our cause anS
the cause of constitutional liberty, with tina
force and feryor of only true patriots heart
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