Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1871-08-16
Gbt freeman.
MONTPELIER, VT,
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1871.
I wO celebrations.

that America must be free.
1t was in itself a victory over a few Hes
sian mercenaries and Indians. but it was the
precursor and the cause of Saratoga and the
surrender of the famous Gen. Burgoyne, who
had been expected to march triumphantly to
New York, join the British forces at that
point, and give the death blow to all hopes
of American independence.
Confident Of success, with a large and well
appointed army, composed of the flower Of
the English troops, aided by fine body of
mercenaries from Germany, and large num-
bers Of the dusky warriors of the forest,
Burgoyne had thus far met with 10 very
serious opposition. The fortresses of Crown
Point and Ticonderoga he had occupied with
out struggle, the guard Of his retreat
ing foe he had beaten 1T Hubbardton, and
the whole Of Lake Champlain and the sur
rounding country were in his possession.
His proclamation, Offering pardon to all
repentant rebels and threatening punishment
to all who should longer oppose their lawful
king, had been scattered throughout northern
New York and Vermont.
His marauders were enabled TO seize the
best cattle, horses aud supplies throughout
all this extensive country. But at Benning-
ton he learned, for the first time, that the
brave men who had shown such dauntless
courage at Hubbardton could not be con
quered in a fair field, unless by overwhelm-
ing numbers. A body Of troops which he
had detached to secure the conquest o. the
country lying between his line Of march and
the mountains and to collect supplies, were
met Bennington by the strong arms and
brave hearts OF New Hampshire and Green
Mountain Boys, under the command Of Start
and Warren, aud thoroughly routed. The
victory was complete. Indeed there were
two victories, and the shattered remnant Of
the Hessian army hcd in confusion only to
add to the NUN bers Of the dead at Saratoga
and the army which surrendered to General
Gates
This success was as we have said the precur-
sor of our inde pendence. so greatly did the
result OF this battle affect the plans OF
Burgoyne that be writes four days after ;,
g Had surrendered, | should have effected
junction with st. Leger and been now in
Albany and he adds. - The New Hamp-
shire Grants particular, country unpeo-
pied, and almost unknown in the last war.
now abound with thc most active rebellious
race on the continent, and hangs like a
gathering cloud on nv left
Inc army which had seemed irresistible
had at length met with defeat Gen Bur-
goyne had lost the control of the south east,
and when he met the armies of Gen. Gates
his broken army was entirely vanquished,
and was compelled TO capitulate.
THIS triumph eventually secured, after
weary years OF fighting and of trial, the /
independence Of the struggling colonies. 1t
induced the French government to recognize /
the United States and to send to its assist /
ance the forces which SO greatly aided our
outnumbered armies.
Such victory our friends NJ Bennington I
do well to celebrate, not only in the name Of
Vermont, but of the whole country. The /.
magnitude Of the battle, and the number of /
men engaged seem trivial to u in an age
when our own country has been the scene Of
have numbered over = hundred thousand,
and yet the results were none the less grand,
and we desire to mingle our own rejoicings
with the glad Thanksgiving Of the day. We
should celebrate the valor of New Hamp-
shire and Vermont ycomen, and the courage
which on the 10th of August, l777, doubt
less so materially aided in securing the sepa-
4. g
Connecticut, or Vermont. But we should
also newly affirm to-day those principles for
which our forcfathers laid down their lives,
and whose rec 'gnition as truths the Battle
of Bennington was so instrumental in secur-
ing.
We should rejoice not only b. ausc the
independence of Vermont and Of the United
States resulted, but also because the bless
ings of civil and religious liberty, aud
above all equality, were secured to Us by the
brave men who gained this victory
Nearly at the same time, in New York
city, our Italian friends celebrate the victo-
ries which nearly century later have given
their country unity and prospect to their
people Of the enj yment Of the blessings Of
liberty 50 long enjoyed in the land of their
adoption.
The long labors Of Cavour aud his compa
trIots have secured a united Italy The hopes
. which he did not live to realize have been
fulfilled. The dreams Of the patriots Of the
land of Cato and Brutus have become reaIi-
ties, and throughout all Italy but one SOW
ereIgu reiEns
The city whose mighty deeds of old were
the inspirers Of so much Of the love Of lib
erty which animated the hearts Of the VIC
tors at Bennington. is again proud capital
OF great country, and not merely the chief
city Of N oppressive church
The immediate victory which is celebrated
l., like that at Bennington, a victory over
few merceuaries. But like us the Italians
also celebrate series of victories, which in
a few short years have shaken off the
shackles Of despotic Austria at the north, of a
foreign line Of monarchs at the south, and
Of an ecclesiastical sway at Rome, and given
real independence to the whole peninsula
These victories mean to them also, liberty,
Liberty both Of action and Of belief. Il is
cot yet entirely secured. but its day-s,ar
points TO its speedy coming.
These two celebrations do not then COM
memoIate EVENTS entirely unlike. Those en-
gagged in one celebration can also rejoice with
those engaged in the other. Each aided liz
securing independence. We trust each has
secured liberty of belief, and that each has