Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-07-27
do whatever duty is assigned me. humbly, and
to the best of my ability.

{ do whatever duty is assigned me. humbly, and
to the best Of my ability.
Addressing the graduates, he said:
Unfortunately was not so favored as you
IN my youth; and regret now-and shall re-
gret to the end of my lie-that was compelled
TO pick up what little knowledge possess by
grasping it through brambles, and prickiug my
hands pretty sharply too.
My young friends, remember that twenty
six years ago stood as you do now-sbout to 20
forth to do whatever fell to my share. At that
time was told in plain English-not in Latin
that had finished my studies and was qualified
IN natural philosophy, chemistry, mathematics,
and so forth; and to prove that | was
so qualified, was sent down to Florida to catch
lndians | did not see the logic Of IT at that
time. nor 10 now; but had 20 go and did 60.
l hnally brought up in Charleston. South Caro-.
Ina, and while in that section | wandered
through the marshes Of the Santee and the
Edlsto, and obtained knowledge that afterward
became Of value to the nation
At later period | vas providentially, ss it
would seem, sent 10 lake testimony about some
lost saddles and brides, value nothing; never
theless these lost saddles and brides led me to
region, a knowledge Of which afterward
proved TO be Of great importance TO you here in
New Hampshire, and TO the whole civilized
world went to Altoona, to Chattanooga and
10 Belefonte. on the Tennessee river, and
think that in the short period was there, |
gained knowledge which paid the government
back all they paid me for transportion ten times
over. The Mexican war broke upon US and
was sent to California, where, following the
same wandering propentities, saw the discov-
cry OF the first piece Of gold and watched Its
effect upon the whole world. / will say that it
seems 10 me there is a Providence running
through the affairs Of men. | doubt very much
whether, If that little piece Of gold had not
been discovered in California. this nation, glO-
Fous in its present attitude, could have grappled
with the terrible financial problems which were
worked cut during the war II has been short
war to the world at large, but long enough it
was 10 Us during those dark days Of its early and
middle period. Now | feel almost as though |
was sweeping aside a simple veil when | speak
Of three years ago. But that is now in the past
History takes charge Of it. You will see that
10 the progress Of the war able men rose up one
ly one. You may consider, young men. what
Sere the characters Of those men whom the war |
developed. Just as yours are. Look at Gen. |
Irant-( great applause) a modest, plain, |
old, brave, unhinching gentleman, with the |
imple idea Of doing what was right, and letting /
10 man turn him aside from it (renewed ap- /
'lause). Look at George Thomas. more /
modest gentleman exists not on earth (applauseA /
We're he present, you could not get him to stand
p here. Phil. Sheridan would infinitely rather,
abre in hand, ride down the rebel lines than
rier this room. (Lsughter.) Gen. Meade is
gentleman and an accomplished scholar.
hink he would I'll this place far better than l
an Thus you see that in military life men
ave risen 10 the highest eminence, and stand
here now, who not only are not, but 10 not
retend to be more than you may become. From
lis wish you TO derive the signle lesson-and
rs a better lesson. believe, than you can learn
ON these hand-books-that any young man Of
onesiy Of purpose and ordinary intellect can
aster every problem Of life that Is brought be-
re him, # be goes at il with the purpose and
termination to master H.