The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1871-04-25

tional Church where the memorial SER
vices took place, the church being filed
to its utmost capacity. Rev. Messrs
Tuxbury Of Brandon, Child of Crown
point, Smart of Albany, and Holmes of
Benson, participated in the exercises, the
latter preaching the formal discourse,
and Rev. w. s. Smart giving briefer
commemorative address.
In the course of his sermon Mr.. Holmes
remarked Mr.. Dickinson was a native
of this town, but went to the war at the
first call for troops, in Il company from
Middlebury of this State, being a I'd
Lieutenant in the said company. On re-
turning home after enisting as private,
he said 81 have committed myself for
the war be it longer or shorter" / lie soon
served as Quartermaster OF the 18th Regt.,
Vermont Volunteers. He rose to a Cap
taincy, was stationed at Fort Barancas,
near the navy yard, Pensacola" He
kept his word serving actually through
the war. In 1868 he became Assistant
Commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau
and stationed at Mariana Florida, and
after its disbanding, he was Clerk Of the
Curcuit Court. He has only recently
been admitted to the Bar. Various
Government offices have been rendered
him but have been declined on the score
of duty to the defenseless about him who
had almost censurable reverence for him,
and at his slaughter it is doubtful whether
grief or desperation and hasty revenge get
the mastery. Mr.. Dickinson was a
graduate of Middlebury College, entering
in the year 1856 In early life he
wrought upon farm and in winter attend
ed the district school, whose teachers then
as since have been proud of him, both
from intellectual aptness and qualities Of
heart. His preparatory course was gain
ed at Poultney as boy and man he
was conscienscious. Nothing could wrest
him from the moral points of his plans
He was fond of company and its life. He
was singularly devoted to every good
word and work. He was energetic, brave
and determined He was good son,
and beloved of his parents and Of all who
knew him. Before going South, he never
had an enemy.
He was expected home in June Of the
present year, from which he had been
absent nearly five years. Alas, what
changes in this tickle life in an hour.
There comes back some consolation in the
fact that he sold his life at great price;
and who can estimate its effect upon the
country just at this juncture of Congress,
and of the bill regarding the clan of muir
derers known as Ku.Klux. What little
effect may his death upon the field of bat
tie have had in comparison with his fall
just now. How truly shall the sword of
these rufians, sooner or later, enter their
own hearts, and be fastened and sharpen
ed by this foul act. We have no sym.
pathy nor hardly patience with those who
censure such as this fallen hero for stay
ing South in the midst of such peril.
PUBLIC MEETING.
In the afternoon an informal public
meeting was held in the Congregational
church, which was crowded to its utmost
capacity with citizens of Benson and other
towns. The meeting was organized by
the choice of Hon. Rodney c. Abel, Of
Westhaven, as Chairman, and Albert H.
Tuttle, of Rutland, as Secretary.
On motion of DR.. H. r. Jones, the
Chairman appointed as committee Oh
resolutions, Rev. William s. Smart,
Henry Clark, Charles S. Colburn.
Henry Clark, from the committee, SUBJ
mitted the following preamble and resolu-
tions, which were unanimously adopted
by rising vote:
Resolved, That we tender to the family and
friends Of the late Captain John O. Dickinson our
heartfelt sympathy in the severe loss which they
have sustained and commend them in their deep
sorrow to the grace and comfort of our Heavenly
Father, "whose tender mercies all his
other works."
Resolved, That in the murder of our friend we
recognize the same intolerant and prospective
spirit, which before the rebellion made life in the
Southern States, insecure and freedom of political
opinion impossible; and that while we do not
deem it our duty to suggest remedy for the
present unhappy relaxation of civil authority in
certain portions of the country, we do most earn
estly call upon the government to inaugurate
measures, either civil military, to to all
cltiLens In every part OF tho Union, the rights
which are guaranteed to them under the Constitu-
tion and the laws.
Resolved, That the thanks of the citizens Of
Vermont be rendered to the citizens and State au
thorites Of Florida, for the kind manner in which
the remains Of Captain Dickinson were treated OIL
their transit northward, for the respect paid t.
his memory.
Remarks were made in response Il
calls by Governor Stewart, Col. II. M
Porter of New York, G. s. Coburn, Esq.
Of New York, Judge Dunton, Henri.
Clark, Rev. Willard Child, Rev. w. S
Smart and B. W. Burt.