Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-01-20
Fore Fathers Day at washington

IL
Il #l~ a.
Fore Fathers Day at Washington
We feel sure all our readers will thank
us for publishing the following unique
characteristic speech of Judge Poland
delivered at the dinner of the New Eng.
land Society at Washington on the 22d
of December. The large company Of
ladies md gentlemen from New England
resident at Washington, were in attend
ance.
One of the regular toasts was ''Ver.
mont is good State to abide in, as well
as to emigrate from" Judge Poland was
called to respond which it will be seen he
did most admirably in true Vrrmont
style. The speech contains a new anec,
dote of Gen. Sedgwiek and the old Brig.
ade He gives word for the ship canal
and pays tribute to our town meetings
as an educating power, and many other
fine things of which Vermont has reason
to be sroud Let all read the remarks
for they can but interest every Vermonter
although not accompanied with the fine
Ipresenee and the silver tones that charac.
Iterise Judge Poland's speeches
REMARKS OF HON. LUKE p. POLAND.
Nr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen
II am taken wholly by surprise in being
called upon to answer for Vermont, for ]
had been informed that my distinguished
friend, Senator Morrill,, was expected to
perform that duty; but I cannot claim
that am either unprepared or unwilling
to perform it myself. 1t is said that a
good son is always ready to praise his
mother and upon that principle / am
ready at all times, and in all places. to
uphold the good name and fame of Yer
mont. For, however incredible it may
look to you, Mr.. President, and to the
ladies and gentleman present, (as Yer
mont was not one of the thirteen) was
born in Vermont. AT least, have been
credibly so informed, and yeribly believe
it to be true. I have lived all my life in
that good State, and when my last day
ahall overtake me, l hope to be buried in
her soil l need not say that love her
green hills and craggy mountains, her
| pleasant waterfalls and sweet valleys, and
| can say that love even her rocks and
her forests, and the frosts and snogs of
ser winters.
Gentlemen who have preceded me have
alluded to the honorable part taken by
the men of their respective States in the
late great contest in this country, and
their words of eulogy were all well de-
served. | desire, sir, to make similar and
proper allusion to the part played by the
men of my own State in that great and
bloody drama. -a .e.
All New Englanders, at least, know
something of the early history and trials
of Vermont. She had long and terrible
trial for existence. Massachusetts, claimed
her New Hampshire claimed her; New
York claimed her; and the pretensions of
New York were backed by King. George,
and afterwards by the Continental Con-
gress. But Vermont claimed that SIZE
belonged to herself, and to her own few
scattered, but brave and hardy sons. After
years of struggle and conflict she over
came them all, and established her title to
herself, and became an independent State,
and subsequently member of the Union.
These perilous years and events developed
leaders of the people who exhibited both
the daring and the wisdom needful to
ensure success. AS the years wore on
and time lent its enchantment to the
events of those turbulent times, they
formed foundation for romance, poetry
and song. The leaders of those days be-
came our canonized heroes, and as such
were duly lauded and worshiped
But we never expected to see any more
such any more than we expected to see
another race of giants on the earth. Long
years of peace, and the pursuits of peace,
made us a race of farmers, mechanics,
lawyers, doctors and ministers; but none
of Us were soldiers. Not half the men of
the State knew how to load musket.
In this condition, the great rebellion
broke upon us, and the proclamation
came for loyal and patriotic men to rescue
and save the national life. To our utter
astonishment it turned out that the men
of Vermont aoere all Ethan Aliens! The |
old spirit was not dead it had only slum- |
bered till suitable emergency arose to
wake it. The men of Vermont rushed to
the field of bloody strife, were foremost in
many of the hard-fought battles of the |
war, and nobly performed their duty in |
every place. Many laid down their lives |
on the battlefelds, and many others died |
equally glorious deaths in hospitals and |
rebel prisons. The gallant survivors re- |
turned quietly again to the ranks of |
citizenship, and cheerfully resumed the
avocations of peace. cannot, without
seeming invidious, mention any of the
cherished names, either of the living or
the dead, who achieved glory for them
selves and for their country for if / name
one | ought to name hundreds In COM
mon with the brave and gallent men of
other states, they will ever be held in
grateful remembrance, not only by all the
loyal people of this country, but by the
lovers OF constitutional liberty in all |
lands.
Mr.. President, the lateness of the hour
admonishes me that | must not dwell
longer upon this theme, but before l
leave it, want to relate an incident which
came to me in most authentic way. It
was told me by our late excellent Cover
nor Fairbanks, who was Governor of Ver-
mont at the commencement of the war,
and who had the story from the foreign
officers own mouth. ..t
The sold Vermont Brigade" las it was
called,) was attached to the sixth corps,
and was under the command of Gen
Sedgwick, up to the time of that gallant
officers lamented death. A distinguished
AoioiSh oiliSCi, sASieliiS thC oih} Was Cn-
lnired of by Gen. Sedgwick; if he would
like to see and review the best brigade of
soldiere an the aoorld 81 do not mean,"
said Gen. s., ''the best brigade of soldiers
in the army, or in the armies of the
United States, but I mean literally what
[ say, the best brigade of soldiers on the
face of the earth" The officer Of course
replied in the affirmative, and was taken
10 see and review the "Old Vermont Bri-
sade."
My distinguished friend from Maine,
Senator Hamlin, who responded SO elo-
luently for his own State, has ventured
o prophesy in relation to its future great
ness. He told US that Maine was shaped
ike fatiron, with her nose stuck into
ser Majesty's Dominion, but that he ex-
pected before long that she would cease to
be border State. He spoke also OF her
and commercial advan-l
IszAz u IL A. Lao II