Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-02-28
GOV. usDERwooD's RgMARKs.

to hearty applause.
GOV. usDERwooD's RENARKs.
Lieut. Gov. UNDERWOOD commenced BY remark
ing that ne saw by she programme that he was
advertised to make a speech. The first positive
notice he had had Of it, however, was seeing the
announcement in the paper of that morning on
his return from a weeks absence from town. But
no one could refuse to take part in exercises fike
these. The long continued peace and unexampled
prosperity Of this country have led US 10 forget
the blood that our fathers shed to secure that
peace and prosperity for US. Our attention has
been turned to the development Of the physical re-
sources Of the country, to Improvements in the arts
and sciences, and to all those pursuits which ma
turs!ly engage the attention of q people while at
peace and in a rapid advance in the scale Of exist
ence: aud now has come that time of trial
in the Affairs Of our nation which the powe 5 Of
Europe have always told US we should never sur
vive. They said that while we might turn our
attention to agriculture, manufactures, the arts
and sciences, and education- leaving alone cur
armies and navies, we might prosper TO an unpar-
allied extent, Jet whenever trouble came, that the
people would be so engrOssed with avarice, so taken
up with the pursuits of business, that they would
Mt abandon them to fy 10 the rescue OF The gov
eminent We have continued for a long period
Of time under our form Of free government. We
have made an advance in all those things which
tend to make a nation happy, rich, and prosper
Jus u d ueBfte uDp1EAileleul IN the history OF the
world. We had become rich. We had advanced
in the arts and sciences more than any other ma
tIon. but we had forgotten aur insecurity in these
pursuits. The intellectual power Of the nation
had turned away from the study Of and care for
the interests OF the government, and the first
thing we knew, the government had fallen into
the hands Of unprincipled politicians. Ex-Presi-
dents, ex-membersO of Congress, foreign ministers,
and even Presidents in office, conspired to over
throw the Republic. Thus we have walked up to
that awful conflict which was feared by our faith
es and which the governments Of Europe have
always asserted would come upon US.
We have now demonstrated the great problem
of the strength Of this government Ii was said
that we should certainly come 10 ruin because We
had no army or navy, but in that particular we
have disappointed the world. We have made all
Europe enviOus of US. We have astonished our
selves. We have proved to the world that our
people will leave their pursuits TO fy t. the res
cue Of the government more readily than that Of
any other nation. For what nation on the face Of
the earth csn raise an army Of 200, geo men in
about one half of that country,t TO defend their gov
eminent? 1t is this fsct which has alarmed the
whole of Europe. They have been disappointed.
and their prophesies have been hlsihed. Hence
they have aFailed themselves Of every opportu-
nifty to encourage a rupture in this Cover Dment
for the purpose Of weakening its power. Hence
at this time, an insult has been thrown in the face
Of this nation, which, at any other time we should
hardly brook. | refer to the tripartite treaty Of
England, France and Spain, for the Joint Occupa-
tan OF Mexico on the pretext Of collecting dues.
1t has beeii a ~favoEite doctrine Of this country,
known as the Monroe doctrine, that no European
nation could be allowed to interfere or occupy on
this continent without the consent Of the United
States. But these three nations have made a
treaty for the joint possession of Mexico. They
have indeed put in a clause submitting it TO our
but providing, however, that they
shall take possession before We can Tatify. Now
we have several things 70 do IN this strr,-fa "
must show that we are capable Of crushing out an {
internal instruction, and We must show. too. that ,
can maintain our place among the nations, l
and defend our OWE. doctrines and rights when as I
JAILED by other powers. We have thus got two r
things on our hands to settle. :
This rebellion, TO quelI which our people are !
pouring out men and money and blood so freely. I
has been inaugurated under the doctrine Of the
Inherent right of revolution Under the pre:ence I
md claim of that conceded tight, a portion Of the c
people Of the United States have attempted to set ,
he government at defiance. They availed them u
elves Of their opportunities to rob the treasury
o scatter the army and navy, and abstract from .
he asenals the arms, and then under the pre- :.
ended claim of the right Of revolution, to over ;,
brow and destroy the Government. Now that =
light of revolution which is so much talked about.
Tas applicable to governments where the people :,
ad DO share in making the laws,-;o monarchial a
overnmenis. In those when the government =
too oppressive to be endured. it was the :,
Of the people TO throw IL If. This was =
mere the right of revelation" came in. But -
" the purpose of avoiding such revolutions, a.
ar Fathers framed a form of government which =
,uld be altered at the pleasure Of the people
was framed to do away with the necessity Of l..
snd therefore with the right. We -
gard these persons in no other light than as a;
ere rebels against this Government which was -
1rchased by the blood of our Fathers, and it is !.
II right and duty to destroy them. (Applause.) a.
Is always the right and duty Of a community TO to
cure the peace and happiness Of its people. 1t NJ
the object of government, and for that purpose f.
has always been held tia. if a man destroys the Al
&c OF a CO immunity by taking the life Of a fellow Nv
iizen, 1t is right 10 take his life as a penalty. bv
"a If the reace ofsooiety will warrant the tax ri
& OF mars life, most certainly should he lose ev,
; life who lifts his arm against the government -;
protects the lives of all. ha
We have q fearful rebellion now on our hands.
Ie blood Of our fellows is being POURED out like
ter for the purpose of overcoming it, and for pr
Is purpose we must still continue to exert The
eugth of our right arm. 1t is better that on
cry life should be sacrif. ed south Of Mason an
Dixon's land, than that a single star should ~,
torn from that banner. Nay, it is better that
Try man on the face of this continent should oiS
rish, than that We should confess to the world
inability to maintain the free government me
ich We have inherited from our fathers. If
S government Is to fail, il is better that no N,
o BE- left to tell the tale. (Applause.)
Gov. Underwood spoke with spirit, and go'
s listened to with deep interest and fire. nl
snt and hearty applause. for
fter Mr.. Underwood's remarks the closing thu
yer was ofsred by Rev. N. P. FOSTER, !
sr which "0ld Hundred to the words va
rom all that dwell below the skies" was inv
G by choir and assembly, standing, and J
people were dismissed with benedietion ~
Rev. DE-. WIrHER srooN.
he exercises, music, speeches and all sidt
e. as a matter of necessity given with the a..
{ possible preparation. The celebration I
on''ea however and all who participated Sea
that it was a nle.son, and rros,.h,. o,.. ther
the evening, the Custom House and men