Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-01-13
Veterans Union of New Hampshire
--AnnuaI Meeting.
GRAFTON BY COL. w. G. vEAZEY.

Veterans Union of New Hampshire
--Annual Meeting.
GRAFTON BY COL. w. G. vEAzEY.
The anniversary of the Veterans Union
of New Hampshire, commenced with a
business meeting at Eagle Hall, January
9th. Maj. Gen. Griffin of Keene. Presi-
dent of the Association, presided.
The report of the secretary, Col. Josiah
Stevens of Manchester, and also the report
of the treasurer, Maj. Henry Mcfarland
of Concord, were read and accepted.
A committee for reporting list of Off
GERS was appointed, and consisted of Col.
P. B. Blxby of Concord, Col. L. l.. Liver
more of Boston, Col. L. w. Coggeswell of
Henniker, Gen. J. n. Patterson of Con-
cord, and Capt. Geo. A. Marden of the
Lowell Courier.
A change was made in the constitution,
increasing the number of the executive
committee from three persons to five.
The report of the nominating commit
tee was adopted and officers for the ensu-
ing year were chosen as follows:
President-General Aaron T Stevens of
Nashua.
Vice President-Genoral NJ T. Donahoe
of Concord.
secrotary-Capt. J. Ware Buttorfeld of
Concord.
Executive committee-Col Tillotron A.
Barker of Westmoreland, Col. Samuel D.
Quarles of Ossipee, Major T. W. Challis
of Manchester, Col James E. Larkin of
Concord and Col Charles H. Long of
Claremont.
Chaplain-Rev. J. F. Lowering Of Con-
cord
On motion of Gen. Stevens it was voted
to dispense with dancing at the next an
nual anniversary.
The following honorary members of the
Association were chosen Hon. James A
Weston, and Hon. Isaac w. Smith of
Manchester, DR.. P. A. Stackpole of Dover,
Edward L. Whitford of Concord, Col.
Samuel E. Pingrey, Col. Stephen NJ Pin
grey, and Gen. w. Y. w. Ripley of Yer
mont.
The meeting then adjourned until af-
ternoon, when the Grafton was delivered.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The public exercises of the anniversary
took place in Eagle Hall in the afternoon.
They commenced with music by Halls
Band of Boston, followed by a prayer
from the chaplain, Rev. j. L. Lowering of
Concord On the platform, besides the
orator and chaplain, were Gen. Griffin,
ex-Gov- Smith, Gen. T. A. Stevens, Mem
Der of Congress, Gen. J. n. Patterson,
Hon. John d. Lyman, Adjutant General
Head, and Hon. Lyman D. Stevens. The
orator was Col Wheelock G.. Veazey of
Rutland, Vermont, who was introduced
by Gen. Griffin. He spoke for about an
hour, and delivered a very interesting
and scholarly address, which was listened
to with the closest attention and was fire.
quently applauded.
GRAFTON BY COL. wHEELoCK G. vEAuEY.
Although conscious of the difficulty
aud delicacy OF the task assigned him,
the speaker said he was happy to meet,
the men whose brave deeds had added
largely to the ancient fame OF his native
State, who had assembled from mountain
and valley to mingle salutations and re-
view the days of camps and battles.
Their services could mover be over esti-
mated they had made name fer New
Hampshire which is the especial pride of
all her absent children. The proud record
of the CIR mite State upon every battle
field of the Republic whore the honor aud
rights OF Americani.m ia it's true sense
were stAked, is the highest eulogy of her
deeds that can fall from human lips.
1t Was New Hampshire men that began
the war Of the Revolution by capturing
the powder Of Fort William and Mary,
hch va IiteI ward used upon Bunker
Hill New Hampshire militia thrice re-
pulsed the veterans of the British army
in that first battle OF our struggle for
national existence. Stark and his little
band won the battle of Bennington. But
the speaker would not repeat history nor
trace the political events which terminal
ed III our late civil war--a conflict neces-
sary to demonstrate the proposition that
government ''of the people, for the people
aud by the people," is as powerful to
Withstand internal disruption as to repel
external assaults. Looking back through
the tornado Of war that followed seems
not unlike the retrospect of age back
through the vicissitudes of stormy life
to the joyous days of youth
Having attained a government as near
perfection az human wisdom could devise,
there devolved upon US the triple duty
to preserve, to increase, to transmit the
priceless Inheritance. So secure We're we
that the first requirement-to preserve it
seemed well nigh meaningless express
sion. But now, said the speaker, you
who have seen death
| --''by sudden blow,
| BY wasting plague, by tortures slow,
| By mine breach by steel or ball,
| Known all his shapes, and scorned them ALL"
Can tell something of the fearful depth of
meaning contained in those words
The grand uprising of 1861 was proud
day for liberty. The sound of strife at
Sumter, was to the Northern ear, the
warning note Of liberty, and the peace
/ full citizen was transformed into the rug
ged soldier by an influence within, more
!