The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1866-11-09
The OHcers' RP-CniOn.

Condrns from porr in burlington Free Press
The third meeting of the officers re-
union. which took place at Montpelier on
Thursday evening, Oct 10Th, was the
largest gathering OF Vermont officers as
Yet achieved; and Welded nothing. in
point Of spirit and interest, to its pre,le
CcSSorS.
president-l5revet Maj. Gen. Geo. j.
Stannard
Vice prcsident>-i5revet Mai. Gen.
VIM. Wells. Brrvct Brig. Gen. L. III.
Ripley
Corr. sec'y-Lieut. John c. Stcarn>.
Trcasurcr-Col. l.. L. Pitkin.
Executive com-Brig Gen. Stephen
Thomas, Lieut., Col. :. VI. Pinsrec. Mai.
{. +. Spanl'ling,
At halt-past seven the society formed
in double file at the Pavilion under the
direction OF Col W. Y. W. Ripley, mar
>hal, and Col. T.. :. Slowed. asst. mar
>ilal, and marched 10 the music of the old
band or tine 10th regiment. which WAS in
attendance, 10 the representatives hall.
which WAS already filled with an intclli-
gent audience ot members and other citi-
zenS. ladies' and gentlemen.
Gen. S;anmlrd took the desk ami an
appropriate and excellent PRAYER WIS Of
trrcd 10y Chaplain l.. o. Br:lstow OF the
18th. The address followed.
col. VEAZTY'S ADDRESS.
Col. Neazcy remarked that it was
doubtful ii any generation had ever pos
se>>cd such political blessings us those be-
slowed on this up 10 the ten wears past.
The ideal republics of the philosophers
never cJualicd the realities of this. Our
burdens of government and society rested
lightly Security in person and property.
freedom OF speech ami press, honorable
reward of labor, religious liberation. ucn-
cral education AMI intelligence. were the
blessings spread along our path under the
Influence of republican liberty. Peace.
prosperity. fraternity, equality, were our
lot.
The speaker proceeded 10 notice the cx-
ceptionS to the general prosperity arising
from the existence OF slavery and lis in
consisicnce with the principle OF the equal
ity of man, announced in the declaration
of independence. and from which our re-
public rose. lie traced briefly the en-
croachment> of slavery till they resulted in
the war. from which. said he. we date
not only the freedom of race. but the
di>enthrtllmcnt OF liberty herself
1t WAS Il noble part 10 which God call
cd those who rose in the grand uprisin"
of 81. How the hills of Vermont then
bri>ticd with thinking bayonets. The
character of the Vermont recruits was al
luded to-grave, dilligcnt, used TO think
for themselves, led by the highest sense of
political! duty. And their fighting record
was followed through Manassas. Warwick
Creek. the seven days from the Chicka-
hominy 10 the James. AnIictam. Freder-
ickSburg.. Mary's flights; the march of
battles from the Rapidan to Appomattox.
the Shenandoah campaigns, Port Hudson.
Red River. Nicksburgh and the siege of
Mobile. Two days in particular were Sc
lccted by Col. v. a. types of many which
added luStrc TO the fame of Vcrmont-the
Sd of July, 1868, at Gettysburg, and the
10Th of Oct. 1864, in the Shenandoah
Nalley-and the scenes. OF those memora-
bic days We're skelched with graphic e!o-
quence. The several Vermont organiza-
tions were next noticed. The Old Brig
ade. which the speaker compared 10 the
Old Guard of France. of course was not
overlooked, and spirited allusions TO its
first general, Gen. Vim. +, Smith, and It's
tavorite commander Gen. W. T. ii.
Brooks, were received with long ap-
plause.
We can but allude 10 the earnest pro-
test against the notion that the soldiers
were dcmoralizcd as men, by the service.
and TO the splendid apostrophe to the tat
tered colors, hanging in the hall of repre-
sentativcs, which followed.
The discourse closed with some consid-
Grafton Of the unfinished mission of the
soldier Of the Union, in the re-organiza-
ton of the country. This, Col. V. de-
clared, Is not 10 be the work of conquered
traitors, but of the men who served the
country. When ali who have been set
free shall enjoy all the fruits of freedom,
the conflict will indeed be over. Till then