Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-01-15
RESTORATION OF FLORIDA.

Dec. 10, meeting of loyal citizens of
Florida was holden at st. Augustine, at which
it was determined to resume the relations Of
the State with the Federal Government, on
principles which will make future secession
and rebellion impossible--to wit: by abol-
ishing slavery and excluding from the right Of
suffrage all persons who have been engaged
in rebellion, until they have satisfactorily es-
tablshed their fidelity to the National Gov
eminent and its laws. convention Of the
loyal people Of Florida was called to meet at
st. Augustine, March l. 1864, for the pur-
pose OF amending the Constitution Of Florida
in accordance with the resolutions G. L..
Robinson was one Of the Secretaries of this
meeting, and the resolutions were reported
by i. d. Stickney. These gentlemen are
citizens Of Florida, though natives Of Yer
mont-Robinson Of Reading, and Stickuey of
Berlin. Mr. Stickney was called out and
made the following brief but effective speech
1t goes straight to the marrow Of the question,
in Vermont fashion
Of Florida We are on an old soil filled With historical
feooleetions Here. thar three hundred years ago
spanish Adventures came 70 plant The bloody standard
we're rewarded according 10 their works They found
simple and cunfding people they enslased them yio-
leuce uhumaniy aud desoiaon the staple events in
their history That primal Of civilization slavery
h's survived all the changes OF sovereignty Florida
to the present time, whether Spanish, French, English
or American The resolutions which you have herslded
to the world without dissenting voice the hatbiu
gers If better things Of peace and good will TO all men
They 20 back TO the DECLARATION u Independence aud
from that great chart@ Of human liberty YOU take your
departure on the voyage Of civil and political life You
may meet with difficulties, delays and disappontmt nts
may hinder your progress but sure as God iyeth and
regutth you WI triumph. and generations TO come will
point To you their 6enescors My friend DR. Maier
has i1d us how heartily he tneorses these resolutions
and whist mAsc effect they will produce among his
tDmen (GeTmans) both IN America and Europe. They
are sober, industrious Hbery-lOyiug people, dsun-
gushed for their virtue, and this is the character Tac
gave them 900 years ago Under free institutions they
viii come by thousands to make their homes in Florida
Where sion. like the tramp Of the artillery horse
has blghted the grass Of the field they will
the earth to put forth her increase and her waste places
brave diers who here and who are come here are
the first born in the land Surrenderng ease comfort
the endeamens Of home, they voluntarily offered thf
lives upon their countrys altar, that the nation may
army III drive the rebel from the soil Of Florida or con
quer hem into submission to the Constitution AID laws
Of the United States You to organize civil govern
ment ana 10 so organize that secession and Teb On
will be impossible in future. government Of law as
contradsunguished from the bully and the bowie knife
government which will protect honest and punish
bad men-a government under which the gentleman
without character money, but with his pockets full OF
pistols and kniv must migrate go the workhonse
Finally, with this declaration, you auXously inquire
"'ii me President abandon us to our enemiesi Not
repeat L., No lie csnnotl Tie would not II he could
Patriots, good men and true, everywhere, with YOU
Gods with you, and you will never be iorssken