Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1867-03-15

and sang the words. then might We look for an
influence only pure. But, alas how often is
the goddess Of music dragged down from her
lofty and divine elevation, to the foul depths Of
vice and infamy Instrumental music cannot
be SO easily degraded, since it finds expression in
sound, rather than in words. But even il may
become impotent for good, through the influence
of evil Accomplishments, or by bad associations.
You, gentlemen, stand before Us, tonight.
in a representative capacity. The citizens Of
your town have encouraged your efforts to at
tain position that shall gain you approval at
home. and an unstained and honorable reputa-
tion abroad. They have rejoiced in your sue
cessers. Their hearts have been saddened,
whenever reports have reached their cars that
all was not we'll
The State, too, has put her seal upon you,
and thus constituted you one of her corporate
members, entitled to her protection, and respon-
sble to her for the uprightDess OF your acts.
And, now, the women Of your town, your
mothers, sisters, wives and friends, -and sadly
pItiable is the condition Of that man who has
not a claim to the friendship Of a yirtuous wo-
man, whose price, Solomon declares to be far
above rubes ,-desiring TO set heiT seal Of ap=
probation upon your organization, direct me TO
present TO you, IN their name, this beautiful and
costly silk banner, consisting Of the state colOrs,
with the imprint Of your corporate designation
thereon.
Would that | could find words to express to
you the emotions that well up in my own breast
as | look upon this embodiment Of the honor,
and virtue, and incorruptbe patriotism of our
glorious Green Mountain State.
An honorable proportion Of your own number
went forth under It's protecting folds to battle
for the "Freedom and Unity OF our whole coun-
try" The sight Of that coat Of arms IS suffi-
Gent to recall the thrill Of emotion that our flag
ever awakens in the breast Of the true soldier.
II spoke to him Of home and the loved ones
there who were offering the sincere prayer for
his safety. 1t reminded him Of the proud
stand his state had ever taken in the vanguard
Of freedoms advancing hosts, and that to his
keeping she had now entrusted the fair record
Of her honor.
And to you, as to me, and 10 all this company
it Is proud thought that our state Gag was
never trailed in the dust before the traitor
enemies OF our country, or the purity Of its fair
escutcheon ever furnished by the polluting
touch Of rebel hands
And now this flag, so rich in all the memories
that cluster around the history, the honor and
the far fame Of our beloved state is entrusted to
your keeping by her daughters. May you guard
i; well. And when you 60 forth from our
midsi, on professional duty, may this banner
prove the tslismsn that shall keep you from any
act that shall in the least reflect discredit upon
your town, whose honor is in your keeping, or
especially upon the fair donors Of this beauti-
ful gift.
And may the blessing of High Heaven rest
upon you, and may you so live that when you
lay aside these tenements Of clay, golden harps
attuned to celestial music shall he plscei in
your hands.
Mr.. Harmon \. Beecher, Leader, received
the gift, and responded in behalf Of the Ban1,
as follows:
To you, as the representative Of the ladies
and gentlemen Of this town, who have so kindly
added one more token Of their good will towards
the Hinesburgh COrnet Band, it becomes my
pleasant duty to say a few words In abiding
to the days gone by, when together we trod
those halls on yonder hill. you touched a chord
that will always NITRATE with pleasant emotions
as it brings to mind the many happy days aud
weeks We spent together in the highway that
leads to a good preparation for the active and
ariuous duties Of maturer years, when We are
to take our places as citizens Of this common
wealth.
As the musical scale is made up Of many diff
ferent tones, and tones forming different chords,
| all necessary, but some much more harmonious
than others; SO. in life, there are some chords
touched that ever after serve as landmarks in its
| journey, and will continue TO yibrate while time
shall last
Music being part Of our profession, or rather
Of our occupation, We ever ought to be sensitive
to good chord, at least when touched for our
good; and hard indeed would be the heart that
would not vibrate in unison with it. causing our
actions TO be such as shall ever meet the ap-
1rf 81
evening.
In looking over the year just closed. that en-
braces within its twelve short months the brief
life Of this Band, there are many things upon
the recollection Of which our hearts will ever
dwell with real pleasure. And although in the
history Of all lives, there are some things not so
pleasant to dwell upon, yet if our motives are
good, even these may serve in the future %
guide US clear Of similar discordant actions
7 he first point the mind rests upon in this
short history is the material aid furnished IN
the purchasing Of instruments for the Band.
Money given is not always an index Of the mo-
tive Of the giver, yet in this case We believe
that We had the best wishes Of those who 50 gen.
erously assisted US.
We are told by the wise man OF Old, that
word ftly spoken Is like apples Of gold in
picture CT silver To the many kind words Of
encouragement which have been bestowed upon
US by the citizens Of this toxin, and especially
by the ladies who have proved the sincerity Of
their declarations by their presence at our re-
hearsals, and the smiles OF approval with which
they have always greeted a successful accom-
plishment Of our task, may, in a good degree,
be attributed the advancement We have made
To US this is a picture pleasant to look back
upon, and one that viii have it, influence to the
end Of life.
II raea5vSro, The
tive Of this Band, | feel that words are power
less to express my emotions. As the flag Of our
own native State, It is dear to every true Yer
monter. As the Banner Of our Band it is
doubly dear to the inhabitants Of this town,
whose representatives, in some degree, we are.
And 10 US, embolying as 1t iots, the glory Of
the state, and the respect and love Of our
friends, II will prove through its associations
the truth Of the words Of another, 50 a thing Of
beauty is JOY forever" And as We march
under its sken folds, and it shall cast it's bright
reflections upon US, we shall ever remember
the one to whom Of all others We are indebted
for this valuable gift.
Spirited remarks were also mace By Rev.
c. L. Ferun, expressive Of the interest felt
by himself and the community IN the Band,
and Indicating the character they would
have it maintain, and closing with the hope
that their beautiful banner would never
wave over an intoxicated musician.
A lively impromp,u speech was also made
by +. II. Baldwin, who knew only two tunes,
one was Old Hundred. and the other wasn't,
and did not know one note from another,
unless it was the difference between a note
payable and a note receivable and closed with
the injunction to the Band. as they 90 forth
under their banner, to be brave, be true.
and, above eli, be musical.
Elder Sawyer, Of the Baptist church,
brought down the house, when called upon.
by remarking that the other speakers had
taken the speech all out Of MIN, and politely
bowling himself from the stand.
The exercises Of the evening were cnliven-
ened by - music from the Band" in their
finest style, and all passed of to the salts