Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-11-22

At seven A. aL the members Of the society, to
the number OF one hundred invited guests, repre-
sentatiyos Of the press, and the Ransom Guard
Glee Club. formed in front of the Pavilion, when.
under the marshalship of Colonel fheo > Peck,
and beaded by the Montpelier Comet Band, they
marched TO the Representatives Hall, whore the
public exercises OF the Reunion Society he.d
Long before the hour at which the exercises were
advertised TO commence, the hall was filed to
oyer1owing. space only being left ia the body Of
the house for those in the procession large
portion Of the brilliant audience were ladies. The
gallery. yestibulo and lobhies were crowded and
mauy were unable 10 gain admission. The Speak
er's desk was occupied by General htldn, the
President Of the society, Rev, n. Newton Glazier
Of the Baptist church Of this village, .chaplain OF
the occasion, and the orator, iieutcnaut6oyernor
Proctor The Montpelier Band were seated in
the area in front Of Che toilers table. and the
Ransom Guard Glce Cluo were stationed in the
gallery just above the entrance to the hall
Among the audience were Governor Fairbanks
Speaker Stewart, and large majority of the
members of the General Assembly.
The exercises OF the evening commenced with a
ierent and appropriate prayer by Rev, and Lieu
tenant n Newton Glazer
Colonel RedfeId Proctor of Rutland, Lieuten-
ant Governor of the state, was then introduced
as the orator Of the occasion OF his timely and
wel written effort, we regret TO say we have only
space for the following meagre sketch.
COLONEL rRocroRs ADDRESS.
There are times in the life OF every nation when
the ordinary machinery Of government fails to
meet the requirements Of the occasion The wis
dom and sagacity OF the statesman are at fault the
arts of diplomacy are in vain, the executive and
| all departments Of government are Of themselves
powerless, and the nation comes down To the SIM
pie question OF force-have we the strong arms
and brave hearts to meet the issue?
The country turns to her young men and The
cry comes up, "Gird on the sword, the state
cannot be saved without it,
The speaker then showed that in the history OF
the world the long and rapid strides in the march
Of civilization have come amid the shocks OF
armies. Tyranny and superstition intrench
themselves behind law and precedent, and seldom
| yield except to force Hot burns the fire where
wrongs expire" War opens the door for a more
truthful expression Of the spirit of people
To Illustrate this recall the condition Of the Amer
lean colonies one hundred years ago Onr IA
''Nis "i" h"e ~ i'S' eho'ish 'nc iuc" VI huepehu
ehee' only redress oi grievances, and even after
year OF war, IN their great Declaration, they
charge the King OF Great Britain with usurpation
and tyranny, but they make no attack upon mon
archy and no claim in favor of Republican form
OF government, except the general one of basng
all true government upon the consent of the gov
erned, and subJecting 1t to the will OF the people
The township system in New England was
spoken Of aa establishing at the very base Of the
political structure the principle OF self-govern-
ment, and to implant in the whole people spirit