Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1868-10-08

mlration of the world III any SHAH ASK
what these sacrifices ATE, let the badges
Of mourning and the empty sleeves seen
in our streets, and the CORY graves which
dot hundred hattlc,ields, give the sad
and silent answer,
The story Of her horoism has been told
by those who during the darkest hours OF
the struggle, and amid the frightful car
mage Of the battlefield, have been wit
nesses Of her devotion TO the cause of the
republic, and tho unfaltoring courage and
bravery Of her sons,
How true it is that peace hath her vic
tories no less renowned than war, While
the soldiers Of Vermont in the late war
were winning immortal laurels in the
field, and adding fresh glory and renown
to their native State, her illustrious sons,
CoIIANlER and Foor, who, in the times
which tested the strength and power Of
the government TO its utmost and when
the most hopeful and courageous were
about 10 abandon the field in despair, stood
forth in the councils Of the nation, firm
as the everlasting rocks, true to the great
principles of universal freedom and
equality, and brayely maintained the
honor and integrity of the State. They
were fit and worthy representatives OF
her heroes in the field, who carried the
evergreen and sheaf, emblems of her eter-
nal vigilance and prosperity, into the very
heart and center Of the rebellion.
The history of the Vermont troops, from
the memorable 2lst of July, 1861, down
to the last grand charge at Petersburgh
/ has become as familiar as household
words; il is the pride of her people, and
will be handed down as rich and sacred
legacy to their descendants. The record
is made up, the measure Of their glory
isfull and the brightest and proudest pages
of history will be reserved, on which the
deeds of the Green Mountain Boys will
be inscribed.
Happy the State that can boast such
sons, and thrice happy the country which
has such defenders,
/ Passing now rapidly over thousand
things which might and ought to be said
let me say a few words TO the farmers OF
Rutland county in particular
Our county, which was Incorporated in
11s1, and now contains a population OF
! 5000, and a Grand List of $4,000, was
settled mostly BY emigrants from Massa'
chusctts and Connecticut; and this same
old town OF Rutland has been the scene
OF many important and interesting his
toric events. When our fathers, were
fighting New Hampshire on the right,
and New York on the left, and were
treated by the Continental Congress as
the illegitimate offspring of an illicit in.
tercoursc, Ethan Allen, with his daring
Green Mountain Boys, strobe through
these yallies, and over these hills, and adj
ministcred Justice and punishment to un.
fortunate offenders, with the birch-seal
and the halter. The Legislature and the
old Council OF Safety met here to consider
and devise the best means ia protect and
defend our infant settlements from the
anger and avarice of the white man, and
the deadly revenge of the Indian.
The people of Rutland county, from
the earliest period of their history down
10 the present time, have always held {
high and commanding position and in
fucnco among the people of our State
and with her vastly increased and in
creasing population and wealth, she bids
fair to 20 far in advance of any other
county in our noble commonwealth.
We have only to run our eye back over
our history for the past few years, TO h
astonished and surprised at the r -;
&. strides We have taken toward tho h;,,5,
and Lolier civilization, which when =
tanned, will constitute the very miller
luiu OF our race,
No longer ago than 1881, the first raj
road was chartered in orr State and con,
ty, and nothing was done towards III
building OF any road, untl long years a.
ter that and then under the most discoul
aging aud di>4d; analogous circumstances
mp to that zinc our trade was all carrie
on by way OF the Champlain canal an,
overland to Whitehall Now our count,
is the very centre and nucleus in an,
+ around which cluster nearly all the Rail
roads i'll our State, and who can pretent
to predict what we shall be, when tina
great central highway shall be opened be
tween Portland and the Pacific, whicl
only awaits the completion of the connect
ing link between Rutland and Woodstock
Sceptlc> may scoff, and towards may
quake, but rs sure as the earth stands anC
omuipotence rcigns, so sure will the iroI
horse before many moons shall wax ant
wave, climb yonder rugged mountain, anc
blow from his iron nostrils the mist ant
dew Of old Killington.
Many OF you can well remember whe,
the village OF Rutland was composed O
hut onc street, which like the gut of t.
fish, extended from one end TO the o.
now look at yonder busy mart A. NE
change which few years b" Id see t
In place of the swamp we wrougi
you see stately hloeN ana the mora
denccs, the hon As and gorgeous re
dustry, yirt' I ana abode OF wealth.
pre- de, patriotism and religion.
+ the act, then in view of all this, tn
~ wealth and prosperity of our count
rs yet in its gristle, in itsvery infancy, t
vast quarries of marble and slate viii
re are found here in untold and inexhaust
n bic quantities. and Of the purest and be
Is in the world, cannot fail to make this O
- 4 IL.