Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-07-14
Old '76 to Young '65.

In the Fourth of July procession at
Bangor, Maine, was sixty-six soldiers of
1872, about five hundred Of the "boys in
blue" and a revolutionary soldier of
l776, the venerable William Hutchipgs
of Penobscot, aged over hundred years.
The Bangor Wing published the follow
ing speech made by the old gentleman
while sitting in his chair under portico
where part Of the exercises of the day
took place. After thanking the audience
for his reception, and stating that he was
present to crafty others rather than him
self-although being there gave him the
greatest pleasure-be said
"At the age Of fifteen | enlisted for the
defense of my country--and have stood
by her in all her subsequent perils.
have always been in favor of my country.
| was through the battle of Bagaduce.
Our shipping on the Penobscot was all
destroyed and our soldiers were obliged
to fly through the woods to the Kenebec.
My father was obliged to flee with The
rest. When be returned the tories threat
ened his life. Mother was so distressed
that she coaxed father TO move away
He got up party and went to Damaris-
Gotta, where we lived until the war was
over. | was there all the time except
when | was in the service of my country.
When peace was declared we returned
to Bagaduce, Our buildings were burn
ed, fences all gone, father poor and moth
er sick. There were ten children to be
supported by fathers labor and mine, for
| was then in my 18th year. 1t was
gloomy time, but God prospered us.
| don't know what will be done with
the men that made this cursed, wicked
rebellion. JEFF Davis and the assassins
of our noble President ought to be treat
ed as Gods law says: Whose sheddeth
mans blood, by man shall bis blood be
she'd
Such a wicked thing as jeff. Davis at
tempted was never done before nor never
will be done again by man. The pa
pers say he don't like pea soup. guess
The poor, dear boys that he starved to
death would have been glad to have got
pea soup or bean broth. He ought TO 90
hungry. have no sympathy with cop
perheads who support jeff. Davis. call
them chowder heads. The true mean
ing of a coDperhead is man without
of any kind.
have been much troubled lately be
cause it seems as though they wasn't
going to allow all the loyal men to vote.
The black man is made free, and | can't
how freeman can be de-
rrVed of the liberty of the ballot box
Gods family is a free family. Christ
made all men free, and no human being
,an help it. The negroes must not be
deprived Of their rights. The President
will not permit it-Congress will not
permit it--and if they will, God will not
, ermit it--never !--nerer !--NEv-
.R !!?-NEVER!!!!
My heart is filled with JOY that this
ebe!lon is put down. And, dear Sold
ers, it does nay heart good to know that
,ou have returned home / have always
'rayed for you, and the blessed God has
my prayers. The country
ives you debt that they can never pay.
ION have put down this wicked, awful
ebellion, and the good God will reward
on. have lost grandsons in this war,
ut it is a glorious privilege to die for
mes country. Thank God, there are
o tories in my family.
thank you all for the great honor
gu have done me it is almost too great
" me to bear. do not deserve it,
hey told me it might kill me, but
ould never die any better than celebrat-
lg the Fourth of July. Good bye
iol bless you all"