The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-01-28

time to time in different towns would be
very interesting and beneficial In hunting
up all of our comrades and the dependents
of our fallen heroes. | make these sug-
gestions for the consideration of the en-
campment. Our society is unlike other
societies in this, that while the number
from which they can recruit increase ours
are never to increase, but will year by year
and day by day grow less, until there shall
be but one with whitened head and trem-
bling limb left to say, 81 was one who
aided to overthrow the great rebellion of
1861" Then let us work while the day
lasts, ..and put not off the duty thrown upon
us by the severed ties and dying prayers of
three hundred thousand dead comrades,
| but like good Samaratins rush 10 our work
of charity at once.
Vermont has ever been loyal to the flag,
and has stood in the front rank of states
from the days of the Revolution to the
present time, in sending forth her sons for
its protection in time of war and in paying
and caring for them and their families
while in the service. Of this we may feel
proud but during the last great struggle,
when her "a, 23S sons were going forth, s.
| 1913 never to return, 4,360 to return
manned by wounds, and thousands were to
return broken down by disease and expo
|
whole people promised them as they went
forth that if they were disabled they and
theirs should be cared for; If their lives
were laid upon the altar of their country,
| that those who were dependent upon them
should be protected and nurtured. Is that
| done Is there an orphan now being or has
there been one educated and sustained at
her expense? Does Vermont stand where
she proudly claims her soldiers stood,-at
the front? | think not. anu | blush to say
| it. | fear that some Of the orphans of our
comrades, who, like waits cast upon the
shore amid storm and exposure, have occu-
pied poor-houses. and lack that training
and education which their fathers, dying
amid the shouts of victory for the dear old
flag, had right to expect they would re-
ceive. | cannot admit that this is because
Vermont as state is unwilling to do her
duty to this unfortunate class. No, never !!
| think it is for the reason that the matter
has not been pressed home to her attention
Although the United States have been lib
eral in granting pensions, there are defects
in that system, leaving much to be done by
charity or the state to prepare IN a suitable
manner the children of our comrades for ac-
ton upon the stage of life. Pensions to child
rem or to widows for their benefit cease
when they arrive at the age of sixteen
wears, which is tender and dangerous age
for them to be turned upon this selfish
world to care for themselves, and it is
earlier than they can be suitably educated
for the ordinary walks of life There are
many widows in Vermont who have and
are now supporting themselves and their
children entirely by their labor and the
small amount of pension received from the
United States. This they cannot do in a
suitable manner. TO remedy this defect
WHY should not the state lend her aid aud
if she cannot establish homes for the child
rem as many of the other states have done,
place those who are of suitable qualifica-
tions at the state normal schools at her OK
pense. think at least she should do
that, and although il is late, | think it
is never too late TO be just, and that ii
would be well for us between this and
another session of the legislature to find as
many as we can who are suitable to be
placed at those schools, and then by petit
tons and otherwise urge the legislature to
provide for them.
AS a sample of what the other states have
done proudly refer to Pennsylvania. The
report of the superintendent of the Soldiers
Orphans school, recently made, states
"The number remaining. in school Sept.
14th, 1874, was 2,04S, a falling off of 2ld
during the year. Number admitted during
the year was $50. The system cost the past
year $450,S79 against S467, 1872 in 1878.
OF this sum $4,000 was expended in pre-.
pairing discharged orphans, of suitable age
and qualifications, for teachers at the state
normal schools. Several hundred soldiers
orphans trained in these schools are accept
ably acting as teachers in the public schools
many of them having very important posi-
lions. Whole number which have been ad
mittcd to these schools. 1891 the amount
thus tar expended reaches S4,3S5, $780, es
timated future appropriations 81, zoe, 900
making nearly $5,G00,000 in all. Fifteer
schools are now in operation, employing O.
teachers, with 10 teachers in smaller
schools" The children are clothed, fed
instructed in the sciences and taught t
labor, and the boys are instructed in the
military science and furnished with blut
uniforms. What monument of glor,
Pennsylvania is building for herself in TIT
hearts Of the rising generation, who will ris,
up and call her blessed Who would no
gladly reside within the borders of such
: state r? The ladies' of Philadelphia, by
, their kindness to all Union soldiers passing
through their city during the war, SHOWED
benevolencc and loyalty worthy of the city
of Penn, and caused many q sturdy war
|
upon many battlefelds, to shed tears o
gratitude for their kindness, ard, not hay
ing any of this worlds goods to give in re
turn for that kindness, prayed that the,
5 might be rewarded in Heaven, as l thinl
they will be. The monument built to tn
: fame of the ladies of Philadelphia and tn
citizens OF Pennsylvania, or any othe
state which doeth as she has done, will b.
t more enduring than monuments of bronZ
or marble, or paintings would that Yer
mont stood not behind in this noble work
and / trust that she will yet perform
though late, part of her duty to this I'm
l fortunate class, that it may be said to he
, in the end, ''lnasmuch as we did it unto on
of these little ones we did it unto me-"
To the officers of the department an,
t my staff for their aid and uniform kindnes
e | return my sincere thanks, and l am es
b pecially under great obligations to the as
sistant adjutant general and assistan
quartermaster-ge general for the fidelity an,
: promptness with which they have per
5 formed the duties of their respective offices
| For the details of the standing of the de
partment | refer to their reports. Com
rades of the department. | thank you mos
= heartily for the great honor you conferre
. on me by making me your commander tn
j past year and now as | retire from oflic
= my only regret is that | have not been abb
r TO do more for our order, but | trust tina
o in my successor you will have one VIII
: will fill the position in a manner which tn
n principles we advocate so justly merit.
q ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
: AT three o'clock the encampment cam
d together again and were reinforced by Sc,
. /. eral other members of the order in additlo