Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-07-14
Meeting of the Vermont Historical
Society.
FIRST DAY.


Society.
FIRST DAY.
The special meeting of the Vermont
Historical Society, called at Burlington,
opened Wednesday forenoon, July 9th,
1870, at the vestry of the College Street
church. @a"~
The society was called to order by Geo.
E. Houghton, Esq, of st. Albans, Presi-
dent of the society. After some consulta-
ton, the society adjourned to 2 o'clock,
ip. IN.
II AFTERNOON.
The society assembled, together with
an intelligent audience of ladies and gem
tlemen of Burlington, at 2 o'clock.
Prayer was offered by Rev. G. L. Ferrin
of Hinesburgh. After which welcome
to the society on behalf of the citizens of
Burlington was delivered by Rev. Geo. B.
Stafford of Burlington. Er. Stafford al
Iluded to the value of such organizations
as this society, in preserving and handing
down the lessons of the Past, which is the
Ibest teacher of the Present, especially in
country like this, where every man is
interested in the work of every other
and gracefully thanked the society for
honoring Burlington with their presence.
This was responded to by Mr.. Hough-
ton on the part of the society.
After thanking Mr.. Stafford for the
complimentary language in which he had
conveyed his welcome, Mr.. Houghton
said:
| Yon are aware, Ladies' and Gentlemen,
that the object of the Society is to dis
cover, collect and preserve whatever, may
relate to the natural, civil, literary and
ecclesiastical history of Vermont. This
object, of course, would naturally COM
mend itself to city like this where so
much culture and refinement are found,
and above all, where more attention to
the development of a true historic spirit
and taste has been paid than in any other
portion of the State. 1t must be remem-
| bered that Burlington has had the advan-
| tage of the presence of Ira Allen, Samuel
| Williams and Zadock Thompson, all emf
nent men and historians of Vermont; and
then you have had the additional lustre
| of the daily walk and conversation OF
such Christian philosophers and genial
gentlemen as Presidents Marsh, Torrey,
| Wheeler and him who came hither from
| Divine Providence | recall also the per-
sons of Mcssrs Charles Adams, DR.. Hicks,
Sion E Howard, Milo L. Bennett, q. b.
Sawyer and others among the dead, aud
many gentlemen now living who give
to thia society the advantage of their wise
/ ~ ~a4eN IL - 10y cooperation,
Well, then. might We reasonably hope
that the coming here at this time of this
society would not be wholly matter OF
Indifference.
The late rebellion occasioned the post
ponement of special meetings, and during
the war few were held This meeting, it
is hoped, will in all respects be so profita-
BILE and pleasant as to encourage the
board of managers to hold them occasion
ally in other parts of Vermont.
Under the administration of GOV. Hall
and the late and lamented Rev. Mr..
White, such meetings were beneficial
for they stimulated donations to the So
oiety's library and cabinet, and tended to
increase public interest in the objects OF
the society. Its scope is no narrow one.
1t appeals to every form of intelligent re-
search and refined taste.
You have done us honor, sir, both in
the matter and manner of your welcome.
In the name of those members of this So
ciety who are present and absent, L re-
turn you thanks for your generous greet
ing on this occasion.
President Houghton then introduced
Hoo of Varcrnnnas wh hD
read spirited and interesting sketch OF
the Battle of Gettysburg, and more espe-
cially of the part taken in the battle by
the Vermont Second Brigade. Mr. Scott
was member of Company G of the 18th
regiment, and his detailed description of
the action of the regiment and of the bri-
gade; of Gen. Doubleday's address to the
Vermonters on the second day; of Col.
Randalls reply; of the famous flank at
tack and of various incidents of the bat
tie,-were listened to with close interest,
and received with applause.
The next paper was the biographical
sketch of our late townsman, Henry B.
Stacy, by David Read, Esq, of this city.
This was very full and carefully
written sketch of Mr.. Stacy's life, occupy
ing some fifty minutes in delivery. Mr..
Read narrated various facts of Mr.. Stacy S
history, dwelling at length upon his SER
vices and influence while editor aud prop
rietor of the Free Press He recounted
many facts of Mr.. Stacy's mode of life
and services while holding the Office of
/ U. S. Consul at Revel, Russia; quoted
from his letters; and described his char
acter as journalist, politician, citizen,
and in his family relations, paying an
earnest tribute to his worth in all these
relations. As the paper is to be printed
in Miss Hemmenway's Gazetteer, we at
tempt no abstract of it. It was listened
to with close interest.
The society then adjourned to the even
ing.
EVENING.
The memorial address upon the life and
character of the late Rev. John Augustus
Hicks, d. d, by Rev. A. FL. Bailey, ID,
of Sheldon, occupied the evening.
After the customary service of evening
prayer, Rev. Mr.. Atwill officiating, as
sisted by Rev. John Henry Hopkins. DIR.
Bailey delivered his address. Taking for
his text Paul's injunction "Hold such in
reputation" he narrated the incidents OF
the life of DIR. Hicks, recounted his work
in Vermont, in which he filled the longest
continuous rectorship on record, and de-
scribed his earnest, industrious, self sacri-
fcing and devoted character. The ven
cradle and good man who formed the
discourse has careful, discriminating
and affectionate biographer in DR.. Bailey.
As the main facts of DIR. Hicks life have
already been published by US, and as the
address of DIR. Bailey is TO be printed, we
make no abstract Of it. 1t was listened
Il To with close a+tap finp hv a numerous au-