Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1866-11-01

tOucn Oh traltOrs manu-. lucIc ioe
them hang so long as peace shall remain
within our borders, GLORIOUS ensigns OF
liberty, noble inspirators of patriotism,
silent monitors OF duty, But should
liberty again be assailed, should the pes
thence OF war again breathe upon us,
then return them 10 the front, their
wonted place In the hour of battle, and
there you will find strong arms and
brave hearts TO bear them on to renewed
victory.
But, after all, how feeble are the
facts and figures of statistics to por-
tray the magnitude Of sacrifice which
Vermont has lain upon the altar
of free government. Our eyes have be-
come so accustomed to large figures that
they scarcely attract attention. But
could we 90 down into the taber-
nacles of the hearts of the proud fathers,
| the fond mothers, the devoted wives, the
| atfectionate sisters of those "who have
| submitted to the last dread test OF pa
triotism, and laid down their lives for
their country" there might we behold
the real though sad picture of heroic
sacrifice to loyalty and duty.
What, to the heart stricken by the loss
| of son or husband or brother, are untold
millions of treasure in comparison with
| the single life crushed under the burden
| of patriotic duty In the fullness OF
generous sympathy we mingle our
tears with those of the bereaved ones
over the ashes of the patriot dead. Glad
| ly do we award the full need OF praise
| both TO the living and dead for their
| noble sacrifice.
Not less of praise and admiration do
we extend to the untitled patriot who,
| without hope of reward and emolument,
attested with his blood the sincerity OF
his devotion, than TO the titled chief.
| Side by side in death they become the
| equal worthy Offering for freedom.
When generations to come, in the full
| fruition of the blessings which the
triumph of free government will per
petuate, shall reflect upon the price of
their inheritance they will drop the tear
of gratitude alike upon the graves of all
those who lost their lives in the noble
struggle.
At the first reunion of Vermont officers,
GERS, while gathered around the festive
board, a sentiment was offered to our
comrades. Standing with bowed heads,
that joyous assembly responded in the
sublime eloquence of silence. No feeble
words of mine can add to that delicate
and expressive tribute of our regard and
affection.
To the broken home circles there is
the sweet consolation of the highest
duty performed the pleasant thought
that Unreasonable ages will sacredly
|, cherish the memory Of the great service.
To us, comrades, there remains not only
to mourn their loss, but to emulate
, their bright example, to enjoy the fruits
J of their deeds, and to fulfill the mission
of duty for which they offered theiI
, priceless lives.
We would erect above their numer.
ous graves, not the broken shaft, as ~
dicative of an Incomplete career, but tn,
full rounded monolith, the emblem of
perfected life.
1t has seemed to me not inappcO' .,rist,
now that the effort TO rqFolutio' i've III
government by resort to arms ba
failed, and the toCSin Of VS. is bushpr
t that we should address o ,rselves hriea
, to the unfinished MISS IN Of the soldie
t And here would b. glad to speak {
MS general dutieS IS citizen; the dut
Vi soiulels W y .Ch other their socis
: relations the uty and pledges of societ
10 Ihen'' would gladly enter my mos
E earnest pr test against, fear, a CROWN
j luea III v Ie pubic mind, that the soldier
retnrm d from the war full of vice, diss
paee' and dangerous to the peace an
u Wei being of society. AS applied to th
Q U1e soldiers of Vermont, it is a Calumn
D unworthy to fall from patriotic lips.
q On these and kindred topics there
It much to say, but mindful of the NOR
3 pleasing festivities to follow, hasten t
i notice the national obligations whic
r the collapse of the rebellion and othe
IS causes have imposed upon US.
Of The unwarranted attempt at revolu
d ton by force brought our army int
d being. say unwarranted not only J.
il the sense Of causeiess, but in the broa
lie sense that revolution 5y force can neve
IS be warrantable under form of govern
If ment like ours, however great may
y the wrongs which it seek to remedy.
rs The arbitrament Of arms is detensibl
n only as the last resort, that's, the resor
after every other effort at settlement
lie exhausted, every other remedy consisten
e. with honor and justice, failed. Unde
n the strictest application of this princi
lie pie, the early patriots justified in thei
st own consciences, and in the eyes of man
n kind, their appeal to this last resor,
IF Success crowned their effort. In tn
lie constitution which followed, they proyi
It ded against the necessity of revolution
e by resort to arms as redress 70
y wrongs, by placing the government il
It the hands of the people, by putting with
g in their control the remedy ofrevolution
8 by ballot. Every election is not neces
I'll sarily revolution, because it may re
Y suit in a continuation of the politica
d policy that preceded. But when al
e election results in the choice of class o
C men to Office who represent principles
: opposite, or antagonistic, to these of theil
t predecessors, it is revolution, as much
: as though brought about by resort tt
0 arms. The right to revolution by forc'
e as remedy, cannot exist without thu
necessity of force. This necessity can
: not arise with US, because the people are
1 lo 10 uu y,,o Earo @bo