The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-10-09

fame of their noble State
But sadly do we turn to the Heroic Dead /!
Softly would we touch the strings that vbrate
only to plaintive notes,-Husband Father
Brother Son the loved, the fondly cherished
Nobly have they fallen, and in glorious cause.
Their country called and in the great cause of
Humanity, they died, and though their bones
lie bleaching on distant soil, far away from
home and friends, yet ever fresh will be their
memories in the hearts of the living and the
loved.
Twsrs sweet, indeed to close eyes
With those cherished near,
And waited upward by their sighs
Soar to some calmer sphere;
Bot whether on the scahold high,
Or in the battles van,
The huest place for to die
Is where he dies for man.
THE COUNTRY.
In no doubtful sense, is Vermont the uncom-
promising foe OF tyranny and oppression, in
whatever form or wherever it exists. Free, as
the air of her native hills, in all her own insli
tutions and policies, she has ever advocated the
great principles Of Constitutional Liberty, in
their broadcast sense, and maintained them with
unwaverlDg fidelity, yet adherng steadfastIy to
the Union In all its integrity 1t was this that
actuated her, when at the outbreak of the war,
the first of all the States, she threw off the
shackles of party, and declared herself uEqualI
tedly Tor the Constitution and the Union, and
for sustaining the Administration 10 all its eff
forts to. suppress the rebellion, applying no
test OF political faith, but loyalty to the gov
eminent, and yet, in all this yielding up none
OF the great cardinal principles for which she
has for years SO faithfully contended. Hence it
was, that when the proclamation for the eman-
cipation of the slaves was promulgated, she
hailed the measure with extreme satisfaction,
not only as military necessity, but as har-
bigger of the great work of ultimate destruction
to that insutu ion, which has been the origin
and cause OF all our ma tional troubles.
The progress Of events within the past year,
in the struggle which now involves the country,
has been such as TO call IL nth our devoted graf
itude to Him who controls the affairs and desti-
MES OF nations. We are permitted to enter up
on our labors at this time under brighter au-
spices and more cheering hopes than when we
met here, as legislature, one year ago. Then
the clouds hung portentously over our national
affairs. Since then, victories have taken the
place of defeat confidence has succeeded des
pondency and distrust, and the power OF the
government is beng felt and demonstrated, as
one stronghold after another of the rebellion is
giving away, and its limits and boundaries are
being narrowed and circumscribed.
But while we thus indulge joy at the bright
ening prospects, let US not be unmindful of the
burdens yet to be borne, the sacrifices yet to be
made, and the work yet to be accomplished, be-
fore we are permitted to enter upon the full and
perfect realization OF peace, permanent IN Its
character, government restored TO its pristine
power and authority. strengthened and purified
by the ordeal through which it has been called
to pass, and rendered dearer to the hearts of all
its subjects, by the new and added cost of treas
ure and blood, which have been expended in
redeeming it from the assaults of treason, and
the Vaccinations OF ambitious and designing
men.
Reposng with humble faith in the power of
an Almighty Ruler to work out his own plans
and purposes, and earnestly entreating Him,
that He will forgive all our great National Sins,
and speedily re-establish US, as a nation, where
in shall dwell peace and righteousness, let US
steadtastly adhere to the great principles of our
fathers, and yield to the government all the aid
and encouragement which it is in our uower TO
furnish, whether by active and material assis-
lance, or by the no less powerful agency oflcyal
and hearty sympathy. Let US guard ourselves
against the insdious efforts of disloyal men for
dishonorable peace, and firmly resolve to en-
dure to the end, until the last vestge of treason
is effaced, and the rightful authority of the
fessed throughout each rebellious district, and
the people thereof brought into complete sub
ordination to its POWER and rule
Senator's and Gentlemen of the House
Upon you as the opponents of a free and SOW
ereign people will devOlve the high duties OF con.
tributing in legislative form to the further and
more efficient support of the national govern
ment. As one of the great sisterhood Of States
Vermont, has through you, - utter with still
higher power her allegiance to the Federal Gov
ernment, to express her willingness to endure al
needed burdens, to lay upon the sacred altar oil
our common country fresh sacrifices of her no
BILE SONS, and to declare to the world that she still
maintains, in its highest devotion, her love fol
the great principles of " Freedom and Unity.
10 no partizan spirit, therefore, and with &
high resolve to admit of no disturbing elements
let us sacn enter upon our respective duties, anc
with mutual forbearance, as co-laborers in q
great cause, discharge them with faithful
regard to the best interets of our Commonwealth
~ r4q.H>t "U J. G. SMITH.
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
Montpelier, Oct. 9, 1868.