Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-02-01

existence in the various poor houses of the
State. hardly the spot for men who wore
our uniform and fought our battles, to find
shelter for their war-worn bodies. Our
only hope that Vermont will ere long have
Soldiers Home is that the citizens of our
State whose chief pride is her patriotism
and the fact that she does not owe dollar,
will through their legislators awake to the
necessity Of providing comfortable and
honorable retreat for her helpless invalid
volunteers. Let the Legislature of Vermont
but set in motion. even by Q small appro-
priatiOn, tho providing OF such an instisu-
tion and there are many patriotic Vermont
ers at home and abroad, who would gladly
aid it by donation or bequest. Your COM
mittee have no detailed statistics 10 present
concerning this admirable project. We
know well the necessity of its being soon
carried into execution, to rescue the abSo-
lutely pauper veterans, slowly dying from
wounds and disease, who are in the poor
houses of the State or dependent upon
occasional assistance received from their
fellows. We urge that the General Assem-
bly, of Vermont take this all-important
subject into most careful consideration, and
to that end we recommend that committee
consisting of Comrades Stephen Thomas,
W. G. Vessey. John l.. Barstow, Roswell
Farnhan and Theodore S. Peck, be ap-
pointed to bring the matter before the mex
session of the Legislature.
Massachusetts, and New York have taken
hold of this noble charity, for the soldiers,
with enthuiasm. The legislatures of both
states have granted suitable acts of incor-
poration. In the former, the Grand Army
through public meetings addressed by the
eloquent Horace Binnev Sargent. alike DIS
linguistic in civil and military service,
have already received considerable amount
of funds for the patriotic object; while in
the latter. by the unselfish efforts of j ohm A
Dix. Peter Cooper. Gov. Morgan and John
+. Henry IA Vermonter) site for SJl-
dier's Home. embracing two hundred acres
of land. at Bath, Steuben county. has been
purchased; and the corner stone of the build
ing was laid last Summer with appropriate
and patriotic ceremonies. New Jersey, too,
has engaged earnestly in this honorable
work and her Legislature has not been
slow to respond by liberal appropriations
for the erection of buildings and other nee
essary provisions for the comfort OF her SOL
diers, whom misfortune, sickness and
wounds have reduced to penury and want.
Shall Vermont be lsggard in project SINH
lar to that which these States have SO
heartily favored? We cannot believe she
will suffer such an imputation on her
patriotism.
Your committee would also urge that the
Department Commander respectfully call
the attention of the Vermont Officers Re-
Union Society. at their next annual meet
ing, and likewise of the forthcoming Sum-
mer gathering of the soldiers of Vermont at
Montpelier, to the claims of the benevolent
institution, which this order proposes to
establish. 50 that the rank end file through
out Vermont will see that their Senators
and Representatives meet fairly this prac-
teal question. Shall the surviving soldiers
Of Vermont, who are needy and deserving.
be forced to wander about without a home?
Believe it, Comrades, such Soldiers Home
would be the fttest monument that could
be erected to the memory of the dead Green
Mountain Boys. who fell in the front of the
battle.
As to the matter OF the education of needy
children OF soldiers in this State. your COM
mlttee are OF opinion that the admirable |
free school system of our State affords an |
abundant opportunity for tho sons and |
daughters OF all our veterans to enjoy the |
blessing and advantages of the common |
schools. As to provisions for their higher |
your committee have no sugges-
tons to make at this time, feeling that the |
State first owes its duty to the poverty |
stricken, crippled and diseased comrades of |
Its quota OF the Army OF the Union, of |
wbOm the poet sings: