Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1863-11-27
COL. THOMAS ADDRESS.

The remarks of Col. Stephen Thomas in
the Town Hall, Friday evening were listened
to with great interest by large audience
Col Thomas was formerly leading demo-
crat of this State, and was the democratic
nominee for Lieut.. Governor not many years
since At the breaking out of the rebellion
he entered the service with the impression
then held by the democrats generally, that
slavery must not be interfered with. The
point with him was to put down the rebel
lion, and he believed that could be done by
treating the southerners kindly and having
them understand that they were not to be
abused. He went to Louisiana with Gen.
Butler, with this impression strongly fixed in
his mind. As consequence of this, when
he reached the position where he was to be
posted for some time. with his command, he
made it his first object to try coaxing.
1t was soon understood throughout his
command that the rebels were to be well
treated-that 1t would not do to take away
their slaves or to lrarbor them if they we're
running away. When negro came to his
camp the Colonel would tell him he had moth
ing for him to do and could give him moth
ing, and would therefore advise him to go
back to his master. The planters Of course
liked this very well indeed, while the poor
negroes were cfagr1ned and astonished The
planters would come and talk with Col.
Thomas and they agreed very well with
him. According to their representations, not
one Of them was in favor of secessica.-Oh
no. They were not inclined to make war or
to have any trouble with the General Gov
eminent Neither did they care to hold fast
to slavery particularly. Some Of them said
they had called up their slaves when they
had heard of the advance of the Yankee
Army and told them to go, any time
they wished to, and they would help them
off After all this palaver, Col. Thomas be
gan TO wonder who it could be that was max
ing war upon the Government. The mystery
was solved when he learned that these very
men whom be had aided in every way that
he could, were in league with the guerrillas,
and were taking the very stores he had help
ed them with to help furnish those outlaws,
so that they might lie in wait and kill his
brave Green Mountain boys. Of course the
Colonel was indisnant-his eyes were opened
and he concluded that it would be best to
change his tactics. lie found that showing
kindness to traitors was not paying opera
ton. Thenceforth he opened his camp to
the run-aways, and snubbed their masters
whenever it was convenient He told them
plainly that he would no longer help to keep
in their places those ebony pillars Of the
rebellion-the slaves. As a consequence
they soon came rushing into camp like a
food let loose. He thanked God that
FIVE Thousand of the poor fellows
soon found refuge in the camp of a Yankee
Colonel. From this time the deception which
was habitually practised by the rebels and
their treachery, became more and more ap-
parent. 1t was easy to perceive that slavery
was the root, stem, branch, in fine the to-
tally of the rebellion, and Col. Thomas did
not hesitate to act accordingly. lie was
soon placed in command of a colored regi-
ment, and desired he more faithful, obedient,
and resolute soldiers than they were. He
used TO say TO Vermont boys that the negroes
were the only friends they had in the South,
and they ought to value them accordingly.
Our limits forbid Us to sketch more at
length the remarks which were listened to
with so much interest for more than two
hours, and which were extended from topic
TO topic at the earnest request of the au-
dience. We have noticed single point only
The appeal made for volunteers asking that
those now in the field shall not be left to suf,
fer and die for lack of aid was especially for
chile. All classes were called upon to give
their influence to aid in the work.
We are glad that such man as Gel. Tho
mas Is in our state, and doing what he can
to encourage volunteering He has had a
taste of the rebellion and learned to abhor
and detest its villainy with his whole soul.
He knows the lie upon which it is founded,
for he has met it face to face and cursed it
with bitter hatred Success to the gal
liant Colonel in his noble work.