Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-10-31
ADDRESS OF COL. W. G. vEAzEY

OF RUTLAND,
Before the reunion society of of Termont off,
GERS. IN The Represent fires Hall, Ihwsday
ere, Oct. Is.
Mr.. PRESIDENT, COMRADES, LADIES AND
GEsTLRMEN: The words of introduction
which our distinguished President has been
pleased to use, scarcely tend to decrease the
embarrassment and solicitude with which l
come TO a discharge of the duties assigned
me upon this occasion of fraternal reunion.
We assemble from our scattered hills and
valleys to mingle alutations, to review the
days OF camps and battles, and to gather re-
pewed COURAGE from the magnetic touch of
comrades elbow, for the unfinished duties OF
life. 1t is an occasion where We feel crowd
ing N upon our minds memories OF mingled
JOY and sadness memories not only OF nero
ic achievement, but of fellow comrades: an
occasion not for cold speculative discussion,
however profound or ingenious, but rather
for the expression of sentiment and patriotic
feeling. But in my solicitude, lest fail to
do Justice to the occasion, L do not forget
that In the bosoms Of those whom L specially
address, beats the soldier warm and gener-
ous heart. that brooks no unkindiy criticism
of comrades fault.
1t is cot unprecedented for a post-revolu-
tionary period to be marked by evil forebod-
ngs, and often by imminent public peril
greater, perhaps, than in the height of the
revolution itself Meeting we do tonight
in the midst of such q period, 1t has seemed
TO me not unwIse to run our eyes over some
of he features Of the struggle, and perhaps
gather inspiration from bright examples, tor
the work which the perils of the times lm-
pose upon US. Until within less than dec
ade of years, it is doubtful whether any gen
Grafton. ever the recipient, or IN the
enjoyment Of 50 great substantial political
blessings, as the present generation IN this
republic Almost perfect liberty, yet with
out license, almost universal prosperity, yet
without general dissouteness, were diffused
over our broad domain. Compared with our
government in its practical effect on the lnol-
vidual not only every form that preceded it,
but even the ideal republics of philosophers
were but rudimeDts in governmental policy
The hand of the State rested so lightly on
the individual that he scarcely perceived the
touch. The fruits of representative repub-
licanism were being enjoyed, while yet the
- ordeal of internal disru ption had not tested
its strength as form Of government. In
the struggle for liberty, or, perhaps better,
in the constant effort to suppress liberty
which constitutes about all there is OF histo-
ry. liberty had occasionally gal ed partial
triumph. The words of democracy and re
public not unfrequently occur on the pages
of history, but often misused as descriptive
of government oftener indeed descriptive OF
tyranny than liberty. Where intelligence
prevails at all il is only under the guise Of
liberty that complete tyranny can be exer.
cised Yet at long intervals and for brief pc
RODS, the will of the people has formed tbt
government, but generally go imperfect ant
under such unfavorable circumstances, that
the fruits of liberty TO the citizen were scarce
" less bitter than those of the tyranny tina
preceded, and into which the peoples gov
eminent so soon relapsed With us, securi
ty in person and property, freedom OF speecs
and the press, taxation not a burden, labo
honorable and rewarded, merit recognized
property distributed. knowledge ditfnsed. fui
religious liberation. poverty cared for, Grim
punished, nationality of spirit, worthy an
cestry, historic renown, III these. my com
rades. constituted but a part of the blessing
Of free government profuselY strown elop.
our pathway. Even the price paid by tn
fathers of the Republic. she expenditure o
blood and treasure, the sacrifice and suff y
ing through that long, dark night of strug
gle with oppression. which preceded tn
morning dawn of independence, is no
adequate for the privileges which We en-
joyed.
Add to it even the story of the schooling
through which the fathers passed, in prepa
ration for their struggle for independence, j
that seven years fearful STRIFE, so wide-s prea
that the sun set not peaceful quarter O
the globe that contest when IN the East
Give, just from the accountants desk, le
British battalions to the conquest OF an em
pre. wider and richer than ever paled beloT
The Roman eagles, when in Europe FrederIc
the Greas rose against gigantic mbina to
20 the 90 lat glit;ering peak OF heroic at
tainment. and when in the West, Montcalu
and W olfe, upon the heights of Abraha =
bought By their death d>athIe,s fame
add, | say, the heroic and perlous PAL
which the fathers performed in this confiC
IN preparation for the no bier struggle for il
dependence that followed, and we still hay
| not a price equal to the measure OF privilege
| meted out to US under the benign influence
republican liberty.
| so far, in national emergencies as well
| In individual protection, the Republic ha
proved sufficient.
With but comparatively slight interru]
tiou, peace, disseminating its untold favor
had attended the nation up through It's grow
to L speedy manhood. Except In mImicr
upon some festive day, no Sc piercing fife
humping drum, or soldiers, tramp, ha
aw kened the echoes Of our mountain slope
fallen to our favored lot Looking baC
through the tornado of war that Gilowe
through the tears, the pangs, the death
seems not unlike the dreamy view of age baC
through the vicissitudes OF a stormy life
the happy days ct ruddy youth.
Though not fully appreciated, the blss
ings of this free government, based up
the equality of man. were none the lie
real. Inc enjoyment Of this goodIy heri tag
without price from us, rendered lu none t
less valuable. Having attained, so far
human experienc could judge and hum
wisdom dev sc, the perfection of governmer
: there Gevolved upon US the triple duty
preserve, to increase, to transmit the pricel,
inheritance
To preserve it:-how little did we knt
the magnitude of our duty the weight
our responsibility, the mighty efforts 10 ste
for US. To preserve It:-so sure did We
gard ourselves IN our estate, that these wOi
seemed well nigh ike meaningless dsalan
tiop. But now, you, my comrades, you "
: have seen death,
I - By sudden blow,
By wasting pla que by toTtures slow,
By breach, by sieel or Ial,
Known al his shapes, and scornel them al
And still more you, parents and VI lido
brothers and sisters, who wear the weeds
mourning, and wear IN your bosoms brok
, aud bruised hearts that time cannot heal, 1
the valiant son, husband, OF broth
whose life went out in the noble defenc
you, l say, Can feel, If not tell, something
The fearful dep'h of meaning which thu