Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-06-18

Brigade. [Long applause and three cheers
for Gen. McMahon.
9. The Results Of the War
Cen N A. Miles spoke tttingly in res
nonse. alIuding to the destruction OF slavery
and the establishment of the fact that this Is
a nation, and predicting that fifteen years
more would see the war debt wiped out l,
was the loyal people, men and women, ana
not the soldiers only, that saved the Govern
ment. Three cheers were gwen ior ueh'
Miles and his health was drank standing.
10. The citizens of Burlington, and the local
executive and subcommittee
President Buckham was called on to re
spoud. He said the citizens OF Burlington
were glad to welcome here the representa-
tiyes Of the gallant army of the Potomac,
and thus to acknowledge q debt that loyal
hearts are always glad to pay and still to
owe-for it never can be paid. There IS
familiar maxim that may be translated:
among soldiers citizens may keep silent
think that those who did the work, have
now a right to do the talking. As Gen.
Sheridan has spoken to us to-day. We have
seemed to hear more than his words-to
hear the echo of his horses hoofs and almost
the painting of his heart as he rode to turn
retreat into victory at Winchester. Your
words have been eloquent to-day, because
your deeds sixteen years ago were eloquent.
Yours is what has been called. The ard
uous greatness of noble deeds" that nation
docs not deserve to have heroes that does
not cherish their names and embalm their
memories in its heart of hearts.
H. The Press
Lucuis Bigelow Esq, responded. He
said that in place ct the usual platitudes, he
would like to speak of what an ideal Press
should be- He would like to see a Press
that would teach that the war was not won
by culture but by the common school, the
farm, the factory and the store. Culture has
its work and does it well but it is the valor
of the plain people that POUNDS free States.
He wanted Press that would teach that
treason was crime. When You
propose to write across Lincoln's
monument the fustian motto ''God knows
which was right" you are not magnani-
nous but impious When you talk of Crom-
wells contest with Charles the First and
Washington's with George the Third, do you
say God knows which was right? We
knew that we were right and that the gallant
but misguided soldiers of the rebellion were
wrong. fxpplause.l hope have heard
the last of this snivelling talk about the blue
and gray, in these reunions. l trust to see
yet, too, press that will treat all soldiers of
the Union, Democratic or Republican, with
respect. trust we have heard the last sheer
at Gen. L. S. Gran. in the Army of the Po-
tomac Three times three cheers for Grant.
We may vote him up or down but there are
services above party because they belong to
mankind. We should learn from the South
erners rot 10 spit in the face of valor and
unsullied honor. Loud applause and cheers,
followed by Tramp, Tramp by the band
l2. The ladies'.
Responded to by Gen. Z. L. Cole of Troy.
When we went out to war the last smiles we
caught, the last tear drops We saw, were
those of our mothers, sisters, sweethearts,
wives and daughters. Those memories went
with us through the march and battle. The
fondest memory was that of mother.
Think of those letters we read around the
camp-fre-those trembling characters that
told how much a mother loved her son
Every night she knelt and prayed for her
soldier boy. If we owe that flag yonder TO
ANYTHING, it is that we dared do nothing
that would make mother blush. Never
was there Northern woman who believed
that the old flag could go down. Three
cheers for Gen Cole
This brought the regular exercises TO
close. Next came the sedate, orderly and
diguifed
BUMMEEs' MEETING.
Gen Sheridan was voted into the chair
and in few brief remarks named as perma-
nent chairman Gen. James McQuade. Gen.
ii. T. Mcmahon was chosen ce-President
The proceedings were then formally opened
with the singing of Benny Havens Oh" the
versatile chairman taking the solo and the
meeting joining in the chorus. Gen. Nc
Intosh, Gen. E. A. Merritt. Gen. Curtis and
John F. Henry, being called on made some
remarks, which were rendered decidedly
fragmentary by constant Interruptions cries,
cat-calls and laughter. At intervals Gen.
McQuade read some funny kilograms, and
one or two songs were sung. The fun grew
fast and furious, and was at its height when,
at 2:30 a. m, Gen. McQuade declared the
meeting adjourned for one yea.
So closed the eleventh annual reunion of
the Society Of the Army of the Potomac.
Everything went off well and happily from
first to last and no member Of the Society,
We believe, went off other than pleased and
satisfied