The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-01-27

VIC ulltlIlliS lnluStrt WIFI WiACh yOu Have
gathered up and transmitted early intelli-
gence of the condition of their dear ones
to those at home whose hearts were break
ing with anxiety and suspense. Or, ii
your letters bore the sad intelli gence OF
death, it was communicated with such
Overlooking sympathy as to pour the oil
of consolation upon their wounds.
Not this only; but more. Many feel
that they are indebted to you for life it
self.
Who but him who touched your heart
with pity and inspired you with love OF
mercy can tell in how many instances your
timely ministrations, your words of SYM
pathy, and your smiles of cheer have Civ
en- the animating and quickening impulse
that has turned the scale and saved the
lie that hung trembling in the balance!
Although conducted with an evident
desire to avoid publicity, it has been i'm
possible that such deeds should pass I'M
noticed.
| Those who have been recipients of your
benificient favors have with grateful tongue
Or ready pen spoken your praises until your
name has become familiar and house
hold word IN every home throug hout oul
beloved Green Mountain State Not on.
ly have the hearts of all your friends gone
forth in grateful sympathy, but thousand:
whom you have never seen nightly invoke
Gods blessing to rest upon you.
Allow me to assure you that we do not
present you this testimonial in any sense
-as reward for well doing; for nothing
that we could give would in the least dis
charge our obligation or decrease our graf
itude Full wei we know that such deed:
bring their own reward. Who ever gave
relief to the distressed, comfort to the af
hicted. broue ht ease to the couch of pain
or restored hope 10 the heart that wa;
sinking in despair, without feeling that i
was indeed more blessed to give than IL
receive!
Although unsought, unexpected, an(
perhaps unacceptable TO you, it has beer
impossible to longer restrain the grateful
impulse of your friends, which we ar,
pleased to present to YOU in the fitting ant
appropriate form of this beautiful servic,
OF plate
Its intrinsic value is little, but as EN-
bodying and conveying the gratitude, sooc
will, and encouragement of your friends
we hope that you will be pleased to ac
cept it at our hands. As in after year
it shall grace your family table or you
festive board, may it be pleasant remind
rr of the part that you were permitted It
bear in the noble work Of suppresSing thu
great rebellion. And when in the Prov
dcnce of God You shall be called to you
reward, may you hear the divine com
mcndation-' InaSmuch as We have don,
it unto the least of these my brethren "
have done it unto me-"
TO which the Hon. Portus Baxter re
piled us follows
IL scarcely know in what terms t,
convey to YOU and TO the generous donor
OF the beautiful testimonial before me, TIN
@rattul appreciation of Mrs. Baxter AM
myself, both of the "ift itself and the kin,
motives that have led to its presentation
| need not assure you and them, sir, tina
this occasion and its incidents can neve
b. forgotten by either Of lis. And | may
| am sure, he permitted to add that TIN
graceful form and directions that hav
been given to this elegant token of appro
baton and esteem render it no less graft
tying and tlattering to ne, than know
is most grateful to her.
For the privationS, sutferings, and want
OF the gallant, intelligent, and patriot
: soldiers of our beloved Union, what loya
heart does not bleed
To Mrs. Baxter and myself. their claim
for sympathy and help have appeared t.
be of paramount importance, BY thou
sands of others, true and loyal men an
women, have these noble claims bee
doubtless As deeply felt and promptly &C
knowledged 1t is enough for us, if W
can feel that any time and labor that W
have been able to bestow in their belaI
has sottened the hard couch of sickness
and pain. God bless our gallant boys il
the field Or in the hospital.
| Sincerel " thank the committee for tn
very able, courteous and complimentary
manner in which they have terforme
their labOrs in connection with this mos
agreeable ceremony; and | desire to presen
our grateful aud heartfelt thanks to tn
generous donors of this most apprOpriat
and beautiful testimonial"
After the addresses. Miss Fannie II
McLain, daughter Of II. L. McLain. Esq
chairman Of the presentation committee
presented Mrs. Baxter with beautiful
bouquet.
The whole company were i'll the best c
spirits and in happy mode to enjoy tn
rich collation. that was served at the clos
of the evening
Thus is the Soldiers Friend" appre
ciated