Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-01-27
PRESENTATION.

last evening, Jan. 10. IL consisted OF ten
pieces, namely Sslver, urn, tea and water
caddies, goblets, dreamer, sugar bowl, slop
bowl, and wine stand, all Of solid silver,And
ornamented With an original classical medal
lion. On the coffee urn was the following in
scription " Presented to Mrs. Portus Bax-
ter, by her Vermont friends, as testimonial
of their high appreciation of services render
ed by her in behalf Of sick and wounded SOL
diers from her native state, engaged in the
heroic work Of suppressing the great rebel
/ lion Jan. l6, 1906"
Among the distinguished persons present
were Vice Admiral Farrsgut and lady, Hon
! ". p. Fessendeu, Secretary OF the Treasury,
Senators Foot and Collamer, Hon. J. S. Nor.
rill and lady, Hon. @. s. Orth and lady, Com
missioners Newton and Barrett and ladies,
and General Clark, Executive Clerk Of the
Senate.
Mr.. John X. Thompson, In behalf Of the
presentation committee, deliveredlthe follow
ing address:
Mrs. Baxter BY the unmerited Partially
of our mutual friends, the pleasing duty has
been assigned to me Of conveying to you an
expression Of their appreciation OF your pat
riotic aud christian devotion to the care and
comfort Of our noble bro'bers who have been
/ Frustrated by sickness or the Casualties Of
battle.
They desire to expressive admiration with
which they have beheld you. month after
month, and year after year, with purpose
that never faltereC, and a patriotism that new
er tired, deyotng your time and your means
to the alienation Of the suferings Of their
stricken friends
They desire especially to thank you for the
unuring industry with which you have gath
cred up and transmitted early intelligence Of
the condition OF their dear ones to those at
home whose hearts were breaking with ankle
ty and suspense. Or il your letters bore the
sad intelligence Of death, il was oommunicAt-
ed with sucn 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 itself.
Who but him who touched your heart with
pity and nspired you with love Of mercy
can tell in how many instances your timely
minisrations. your words Of sympathy, and
your smiles Of cheer have given the animat-
ing and quiekening impulse that has turned
the scale and saved the life that hung trem-
bling in the balance
Although conducted with an evident desire
to avoid publicity, it has been impossible that
such deeds should pass unnoticed.
Those who have been the recipients OF your
benefcent iavors have With grateful tongue
or ready pen spoken your praises until your
: name has become a familiar and household
} word in every home throughout our beloved
Green Mountain State. Not only have the
hearts Of all your friends gone forth to you
} in grateful sympathy, but thousands whom
you have never seen nightly invoke Gods
blessing to rest upon you.
Ito Il. 4
present you this testimonial in any sense as
reward for well doing for nothing that we
could give would in the least discharge our
obligation or decrease our gratitude. Full
we'll we know that such deeds bring their
own reward Who ever gave relief to the
distressed. comfor, to the etl cited, brought
ease to the couch Of pain, or restored hope to
the heart that was sinking in despair with
out feeling that il was indeed more blessed to
= give than receiver
although unsought, unexpected and per-
hsps unacceptable to you, II has been .mpos-
> slole to longer restrain the grateful impulse
OF your friends, which we are pleased to pre-
sent to you in the fitting and appropriate form
OF thls beautiful service Of plate.
lts Intrinsic value is little, but as embody-
INK and conveying the gratitude. good will,
and encouragement of your friends, we hope
that you will be pleased to accept it at our
hands. As in after years It shall grace your
; family table or your festive board, may it be
a pleasant reminder of the part that you were
permitted to bear in the noble work of sup
pressing the great rebellion. And when in
the providence OF God you shalt be called to
your reward, may you hear the Divine COM
northumberland a. ye have done it
unto one Of the least of these my brethren ye
have done it unto me-"
To which the Hon. Portus Baxter replied
as follows:
scarcely know 10 what terms to convey to
you and to the generous donors of the beau
tlful testimonial before me. the greatful sppre-
= citation OF Mrs Baxter and myself, both OF the
4 gift itself and of the kind motives that have
led to it's presentation. | need not assure
you and them, sir, that this occasion and it's
incidents can never be forgotten by either of
7 US. And may am sure, be permitted to
d add that the graceful form and directions that
a have been given to this elegant token of APP
probation and esteem render 1t no less graft
flying and fattering to me, than know it is
u most grateful to her.
a For the privations, suherings, and wants
: of the gallant, intelligent, and patriotic sol
diers OF our beloved Union, what loyal heart
does not bleed
> To Mrs. Baxter and myself, their claims
for sympathy and help have appeared to be
of paramount Importance. Ply thousands Of
d, others, true and loyal men and women. have
these noble claims been doubtless as deeply
( felt and promptly acknowledged 1t is G.
nough for US, ii we can feel that any time
and labor that we have been able to bestow
in their behalf has softened the hard couch
of sickness and pain. God bless our gallant
a boys in the field or in the hospital.
/, sincerely thank the Committee for the
very able, courteous, and complimentary man
ner in which they have performed beir labors
r in connection with this most agreeable cere-
mony; and desire to present our grateful
and heartfelt thanks to the generous donors
of this most appropriate and beautiful test-
3 monial.
After the addresses, Miss Fannie IL. Me-
I Lain, daughter of r. T. McLsin, Esq. Chair
man Of the presentation Committee, present.
ed Mrs. Baxter with beautiful boauet.