The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-10
Sword Presentation.

|
very pleasant surprise, last Saturday evening.
| A few Of his friends in this village desiring to
| present him some mark of their regard, had pro-
cured an elegant sword for that purpose. Mr..
Smith arrived in town Saturday evening, and at
eight clock friend asked him to 90 to Mr.
Burnham hotel, to meet some gentlemen Of
his acquaintance. He assented and on arriving
at the hotel was ushered into the paror, where
! he met about twenty Of his townsmen. After
shaking hands all around, and as he was about
taking seat, not at all comprelcnding what
the gathering meant, G. W WILLARD addressed
him rs follows
LIEUT. SMITH 80 YOU sec about yoa faces that
you recognize as among your luost intimate
friends. They have desired TO testify to you in
some way their high appreciation of your quail
warm regard Tor you personally, ard for the
welfare Of all that concerns you They have
met you here this evening Tor that purpose. and
have assigned to Inc the grateful honor Of COM
municatlng 10 you the expressions Of their good
will and wishes.
The observation Of discerning men in the
places OF power has discovered the rare talent
tor business which has made you 60 successful
in your private affairs. and has delnsnded that
talent IN the service of The nation You have
yielded, like the loyal and true man you are, TO
this requcst, and arc now giving your constant
attention to tho duties OF one Of the most i'm
portans departments of the national SERVICE
You have exchanged the peaceful pursuits Of
your counting room, the pleasant frcblde. tho
cheerful comforts, and the afscuonate endear-
nlents 81 Il qui.. lone. for the unrehitting la
bors Of q campaign, and life, by nc means
one Of cage and laxury--in camp.
Az you leave these friends for the discharge Of
these duties, they have been unwilling to let you
60 without some testimonial Of their constant
regard for you, aud have sough: to present to
you some token of their esteem, which should
at the sa:nc time bear to you tbs oyidenca of
their regard, and be significant of vonr new
duties and your nav position, They have pro-
cured this sword Your rank and your o1ic'.
siike sltitle you to wear it, high and proud
privilege foryou. as IT, is for every patriot ~ have
the right to buckle to his side this emblem Of
the pnwer of his Government. Through such
swords as this, welded by the valiant arms Of
those whose commissions cnti,le them 10 wear
them the nation, we hope, will ere long hnd
its escape from tho snares Of its wicked eneules.
yours present this sword to you. Wear it Tor
the sake Of those friends whose gift it is rs we'll
as for the cause Of the country whose you and
we alike arc. Through this good tempered Da-
mascus blade, with others like it, and with the
half million of bayonets glitterinE all along
the lines from Fortress Monroe to Fort Leaven-
worth, may the Nation soon find its deliverancc
from the fearful trial through which it is
passing, and which has 60 terribly shaken the
proud structure of our National prosperity and
life. When you look upon 1t, may It re
mind you that there are in the village OF your
adoption hearts that warm toward you, and
throb with lively joy at all news Of your sue
cess. and that will when, in the good Providence.
of God, you are permitted 80 lay by the insignia
and the emblems Of war, and put On once more
the garments of peace, welcome you with Il sim
cere and heartfelt gladness TO tho quiet paths
of peaceful commerce and the tranquil walks Of
calm life.
Lieut.. Smith receiving the sword, made the
following happy reply
Nix. WILLARD AND GENTLEMEN The heauti-
full sword which you have 50 kindly presented
me. feel most happy and most highly honored
to accept. | accept it more gratefully, coming
as it does from those of my acquaintanCes whom,
it has ever been my highes, pleasure to count as
friends, from you, my friends. whom have ever
found ready TO prove yourselves - friends in
| need" Whether In TIMES Of prosperity, adyer.
slty, 0. aflliction, you have ever rendered that
aid and sympathy. which are to me the greatest
earthly blessings you could have bestowed. And
now that am about to leave my home, for the
"tantod field y with many uncertainties OF when
and where may be our next meeting, | can as
sure you it affords me the highest pleasure to
receive at your hands so rith, 50 elegant, and 50
costly Il token OF you continued regard. ltlsa
| new guarantee 10 LIE. that should mssortunes
0vertake me or mine IN my absence, have here
! true friends, who will sympatbze with, and AS
sst US, in the dark hour of trouble.
Kind friends, so often as my eyes behold this
beautiful present. 80 often will my mind return
with happiness to this pleasant hour, and with
gratitude to you the donors and should in
my new position have occasion to use is IN the
| defence OF our common country, this remsm
brancc shall be al incentive to use It bravey for
the right.
Gentlemen, can only tender you my most SIN
cere and heartfelt thanks, and may tho choicest
Of heavens blessings ever attend you and yours,
After the presentation ceremonies the compa-
ny partook of one of Mr.. Burnham's excellent
suppers The whole affair was exceedingly
pleasant and will long be remembered by all who
participated in il.
|
! ENGLAND AND THE ST0NE BLOCKADE The
English press is filed with @ unutterable hor
ror' ut the upheard of enormity Of the "Repub