Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-03-12
NUMBER 81.

solemn importance of this trial. 1t will
loom larger in history than any that has.
taken place for eighteen centuries. No man
Of this defendants fame has ever been
called upon to answer such charge
in court of Justice. What spec
tacle has been presented in this
City of Churches Every day for
eight weeks this aged man, who has been
large and various contributor 10 the liter
ature of the English tongue, and who never
wrote word that was not inspired by the
love of God, of nature, and of his fellow
man-who has swayed by sublime eloqaence
greater multitudes than any living orator,
and who never spoke save for justice. and
truth, and yirtue-who has convinced, res
cued, instructed, and comfOrted unndmher-
ed thousands Of erring, struggling, suffering
souls. counting his own life. fortune, and
reputation as nothing, it by their sacrifice
he could serve tie humble and the weak
this man whose fame encircles the earth,
whose name i h0nured and beloved wheT-
ever Christianity bears sway, has heen
dragged by malignant conspirators iuto this
court, upon charge which all the evidence
of a lOrg lifetime outside Of these walls, NJ
less than the evidence produced within
them, brands indelihlv IL lie Dlv by
day he has passed along our streets With
his brave and true wife 10 MEET the irdig-
nity OF this arraignment Strong men have
been touched and moved to pity and wrath
at the sight, and women have turned aside
TO weep. Ii l. an Outrage which VO-tcriiy
will avenge. This fair city vii Vet hoet
among her proudest monuments tine Sta;nc
of him who conferred upon her such glory.
and received within her gates such torture.
All who have part in this crJvniu. drsiaa
of his life will be remembered win e1.--
Grafton or with praise th0>e wh, f.l~cly
accused, those who weakly dnublrt,
those who cowardly fn~o5k hin.
those who were swift To helie,c ,vil
on the one side. and. IN tie other. .t!r.-.. y Ls
steadiastly trusted, and those. gentlemen #
the jury, who justly judged ". gentle
men, by the Judgment which yuu mere pr,-
nounce yon viii yourselves be jIdse! at the
tribunal Of future ayes what yoI DO here
will never die When these marble walls
shall have eruimhlrd AID decayed lhi- trial
will be remembered with ail a',>Jrhins in
terest Moe eloquent than thc wuId- oi
this defendant. more inspiring than his deed,
of maguanimity, more powerful among men
than the story of hi- life OF Usefulness aud
virtue viii be the recital oi hi- silent faith
and patience under dire atlictiOus and dead
" assault. Heroes are adMirci. 1t i the
MARTYRS who were beloved. Not the tr.-
umphal procession and the loui ho>annas,
but the cup, the thoruei crown, the cross,
the sepulchre encourage the world Since
the hour the Divine Saviour suffered no fol
lower OF Christ has borne tie cross in vain
Gentlemen, viii YOU believe in God. Then
you will recognize to-day what generations
to come will - clearly see, wha, the day Of
revelation will blaze iorth-the mark of
Gods approval upon this. Hi~ hithfal, up
right, suffering servant, whom lie hath
hitherto guided and sustained, illumined AID
blessed, and who in the time Of tribuiation
He hath not fJr>aken, and who. hy all the
truths Of His eternal promise. and all the re-
sources Of Hi- almighty power, lie Will sure
ly rescue and reward. Though hand jiin in
hand, the wicked shall no; be unpuni>hel,
but the s5cl Of tie righteous shall be deli'-
cred lApplau>e.