Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-12-21
II. JoHSsBuRY, VT. Dec. 10, Isl

The Reunion OF Vermont OnicerS.
ST. JoHNsBuRY. Vt. Dec l3, 1877.
The officers and soldiers reunion tool
place here. this afternoon. with gOodly
attendance. At the business meeting, held
in the parlors of the St. Johnsbury House
the following thcers were elected for the
ensuing year;
LIST or OFFICERS.
President George ". Hooker Brattleboro
| Vice -Presdents-Col Henry NJ. Porter, New fork
| city; Capt. Fred +. Smith, Montpelier.
| Recording and Corresponding Secretary MAJOR
| Jas. s. Peck, Montpelier.
| fXecut.v C0mm!ttee-Gen. Z. ?. Ptkin, capt
John W. Clark, Montpelier Surgeon tieo Nichols
| Northfeld.
The address was delivered at halfpast
seven by Col. Roswell farnham. OF Brad
| ford, in Athen aum hall. 1t was q most ad-
mirable effort.
THE BANQUET.
At half past nine the officers and soldiers
and many of the prominent citizens ct the
place, with their wives, sat down to the
supper Among those present were Gov +,
Fairbanks, Col. Franklin Fairbanks, Judge
Ross, Hon. L. P. Poland and others. After
full Justice had been done 70 sumptuous re-
past provided by mine host George Walker,
Gen. W " Grout. toast master, introduced
the toasts with a neat speech. The first senti-
ment. THE President of the United States. )"
was happily responded to by Lieut. George
Ii Bigelow. who didn't know why the tit
man of the Federal government should be
calle! upon Modest. magnanimous, val
Orous, the President was. and thoroughly
honest With tribute to llsyes's financial
policy and to his sagacty in selecting those
brave soldiers, Generals Devens and NOyes,
for high Offices. the speaker made way for
Gov. Fairbanks, who responded 10 The
State of Vermont and her Centennial Coy
ernor'' The speech was 80 good | regret
it cannot be given verbatim The Cover
nor said that though the day rightly be-
longed to the officers and soldiers. be was
most happy to Join with them and tender
hearty greeting and cordial welcome in be
half of St. Johnsbury. From his inmOst
soul he would give all praise and
bonor and glory to the rO!unteers II
the republic. The war is over, and our
mission is one of peace and Cancellation.
We should hail with joy the dawn of a bet
ter ira; for we are now in way t. be
united in stronger iraternal bonds than
ever, since the curse OF slavery has been for
ever wiped out. Now the eadeavOr of the
citiZeu-sOlditr and Of the citizens generally
should be to advance the general prosperity
of the common country, knowing no North,
no South. no East, no West but a common
brotherhood.
10 response 10 "Our Country and Its
Flag" Judge Poland said that though he
had done his best to serve his country. his
best service was insipid and valueless in the
presence ui the deeds OF the soldiers. Had
it not been Tor the soldiers, We should have
had no country.
After patriotic song by the Glee Club.
1.-The Centennial of Our State was respond
ed to by Major Valentine, who attributed
not only the success but the existence OF the
B ri, sion celebration to the efforts Of the
Soldiers Reunion organizations. Tonight
We have right TO be valn-glOrious.
but the Centennial is incomplete till the
monument is erected.
Col. Franklin Fairbanks being called on
said that he had no war record, except by
proxy. Impersonating his substitute, he
made happy play upon words, not know
ing whether be was killed. received an
honorable discharge or deserted.
Col A. B. Jewett responding 20 the SEN
timent, "The Industries of Vermont. " said
the Grangers had monopoly of it, be
would call upon Gen. Henry. Laughter.
Gen. Henry could not be thus entcei into
a speech.
After " Johnnie comes marching home,
bv the Glee Club. Gen, Stannard spoke
happily on " The Memories of the War
His remarks abounded in pleasant anecdote
and personal alluson.
The next speech ,bg Gen Stephen Thomas.
was a graphic portrayal of the successive
scenes of the war Of the Rebellion.
The sentiment of the " Dead Soldiers OF
Vernon" was given to Col Veazey. who
made an elegant and telling speech, saying
that as Bierstadt's noble painting OF the
Yosemite Valley, in the Athereum, grew
upon him, 50 did the illustriOus deeds of the
dead soldiers. lie paid worthy tributes 10
Col T. II. ilal-ey. and Major j. llalsey
died since the last reunion. Responding TO
the toast " The Press, Mr.. q NJ. Stone,
OF the Cdicd0aidn, thought that ii the odi-
tors printed all the speeches they might be
excused from making any.
=" The Grand Army of the Republic was
admirably responded to BY Gen. W. W.
Henry, who left fnger at Cold llarbor.
lie urged all soldiers to join the 0rganlZi-
ton. commencing it for its attention to
works Of charity and its special duty ot de-
yeluping the UgwrititH history OF the war.
Capt. Woodbury. responded to the same sen
timent Tine chaplains Of our army was
ably responded to BY Rev. +. { Cummings,
the chaplain OF the 10 VI, who described
the benefits to the chaplains of the exper
iences OF battlefield and hospital.
The hit of the evening, causing slde-spllt-
ting laughter, was the speech by Surgeon
Bullard in response to the toast t, Our
Surgeons Ii sparklei with Wit and
humorous anecdotes.
The delicate toast The Women OF Yer
mont" wa~ assigned to Col Ii. NJ. Porter,
whose eulogy Of tho lair sex was worthy OF
the beauty and purity oi his subject.
The festivities were prolonged far INTO the
night, with orderly enjoyment and social
interchange, army Jokes and "reminiscences.
G l.. NJ.
TuE Address.
MILITARY TRADITIONS A. PRoMITKRI or
patriotism.
Delivered 1eforc he Tweith Annual Meeting
OF The RelaiOH Society Of Vermont Of