Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1869-07-08

ter's heights, dishonored and disgraced,
then it was that twenty millions of free
men stepped forth from the easy and
peaceful walks of life, and with high re-
solve and manly hearts, declared that cest
what it might, this republic. the world =
best treasure, and its last hope, should
not die at the hand of the ASA ssin and the
traitor.
The issue, as rendered to the people OF
the North, was .freed0m or slarery, and as
such it was accepted, and as such 1T was
foug ht out.
The call to arms in 1861, found the peo-
pie Of Vermont at the pillow, in the work.
shop, in the Office and in the schools but
true to her interests and her early history,
and with self-devotion and patriotism
never before equalled, you shrank not
from the contest, but laying aside the i'm
plomcnts of husbandry, and the arts OF
peace, clothed in the rough garments of
war, you went forth from your peaceful
homes to battle with the enemies of lib
erty and your country, and like christian
heroes to seal your testimony with your
blood and to make good the prophecy
that Vermont having fought herself into
the Union, would be the last to desert it.
Upon such an issue it could not be
doubtful where Vermont would take her
position. Liberty is the national, heredl-
tary and popular sentiment Of our State
we celebrate her anniversaries, aud have
always gloried in our independence. Lib,
erty is the spontaneous growth OF our
green hills and beautiful wales; it spark
les in the brooks and rills which gush out
from thousand hill sides, and sits en-
throned in sublime and awful majesty
amid the clouds which envelope the tops
of our eternal mountains.
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The times then, az in 1861, called out
the bravest and the best: bold and coura-
geous spirits, whose hearts and souls were
thoroughly imbued with the great princi-
pies of liberty and free government men
in whom the people had confidence, and
whose courage and integrity were above
suspicion men who, having espoused the
cause, had the heart and nerve to fight it
out on that line, even if the path to vic
tory led through the prison and the grave
these were the times which called for the
holdest and most experienced pilot at the
helm Each petty hand can steer a ship
becalmed but he that will govern her
and carry her to the end, must know his
tides, his currents, how to shift his sails
what she will bear in foul, what in fair
weather; where her springs are, her leaks
and how to stop them; the forces and ma
lures of all winds, storms, gusts and tenn
pests; when her keel plows hell and her
deck knocks heaven, then to manage her,
becomes the name and office OF pilot"
But if not satisfied with this, you desire
more evidence, go to yonder Capitol among
the hills behold those tattered flags the
strong arms and stout hearts which bore
them proudly and gallantly through the
blood and smoke and fire of hundred
battles, are now cold in death, but those
sacred relics of their devotion to country
are there to-day as living mementoes OF
the courage and endurance of your troops.
Could those worn and tattered ensigns be
inspired with the power of speech, what
tales of suffering and heroism would they
unfold; those faded and blood-stained
banners once marked the lines of your
gallant regiments on many hard-tought
field Aud those accursed rents were
made by rebel bullets aimed at the heart
of the Republic.
as there not some chosen curse,
Some hidden thunder In the stores of heaven,
Red with uncommon wrath, TO b!ast-the men,
Who sought their greatness through their coun-
trys rum.
The past at least is secure; there is
Savages Station and Lees Mills, SO.
Mountain and Antietam, Fredericksburg
and Cold Harbor, Chapins Farm and Get
tysburgh, Fishers Hill and Petersburgh,
and there they will remain forever; geow-
ing brighter and brighter, as long Us God
III his Providence shall permit men to
strive after Liberty and national life.
Such in brief, is the proud history of
the past, taken by Vermont in this second
war for our national independence for
noble disinterestedness, ardent love of
country, exalted virtue, and pure and
holy devotion to Liberty, the people of
Vermont have never been surpassed by
any in the world
Happy the State which can boast such
sons, and thrice happy the country which
has such defenders.
Whom the people of the north became
fully aware that the South were III earnest
and that the real issue TO be decided by
the sword was the life or death Of the re-
public, they rallied to the support OF the
Government as one man the great north
ern hive sent forth her thousands Of men,
good and true, % maintain the supremacy
of the Government and the honor of our
flag.
But strange "a it may seem, there was
a small party OF men III tire north, vito at
the commencement, were opposed IL the
war, and in favor of Southern supremacy:
they were called the peace pdrty, and
seemed banded together by despair OF for
giveness, and the uaIversal detestatlon OF
mankind.
If we carefully examine the history of
the human race, we shall find that in
every war against tyranv, there has al
ways been party clamorDus Tor peace at
any price towards, who rather than risk
their worthless lives in defence of their
country, would submit TO the deepest
depreciation ana most aheet slavery. The
history OF our own Revolution furnishes
no exception to this rule; lnt were found
then who were base enough Ia counsel
submission and compromise With the
mother country, i'll order 10 SAVE 1aG trea-
sure aud -p3re tha haos! al the people.
Again In 1872, when u protect "ur
seamen, and vIndicate the character and
honor o. American citizenship, II became
necessary toleclarc war against pertilious
England, there WAS ii party uf men then
in our country, who were base enough 10
desert the fiag abandon tie cause OF their
country, and whose hell,sh screams were.
heard III the national capitol above the
roar OF the enemies cannon crying leti"e
peace!
But in the war which ha. just closed !;
a war conceived, instigatcd and carried
on, by the most wicked and fou! conspi-
racy ever known this side the internal
regions; Il war waged by Southern Aris-
tocrats and Shareholders. to enforce and
perpetuate the slavery of four millions OF
human beings; a war designed to subvert
and destroy the wisest, the most equal,
and the best Government on earth. A
war which has called down upon the
heads Of its authors, the fierce vengence OF
just Indignation Of the civilized world
and united i'll one solid unbroken pha-
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