Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-08-21

either colonies Of a foreign power, or terri
tories of the United States. Till tho very
last, both during and after the revolution,
the majority of Congress was against her,
swaycd 10y the power and influence of Now
York. Represented neither in Congress nor
in the Legislature of New York. aud with
out III cans or influence to make herself felt
in either body, recognition Of her indie
rendcnco and her admission to the
Union were continuously refused, and the
title Of her people to the homes they occu-
pied denied Tho contest Of the colonies in
the revolution was against taxation without
representation. That of Vermont, through
the war and for eight years atterward, was
against coniiscation without representation.
No oppression charged upon Great Britain
by America approached that sought to he
visited by Congress and Now York upon
Vermont, while She was fighting side by
side with them, to her last man and last
dollar in tho struggle for national iudepond-
ence.
The history OF the early life of Vermont
is grand and inspiring history. 10 words
of mine in these brief moments can Justly
characterize it. We find it difficult at first,
in trying to understand it, to raise ourselves
to its plane. and to Wow IL in the light OF
its own time rather than Of ours ACcus-
toned to see se.f-interest predominant, and
individual success the universal goal, we
are involuntarily cropping after motives and
springs OF action in the builders Of our
state, which had no existence among them
We do not rightly comprehend what they
did, until we come gradually to realize the
absolutely uuselfsh devotion, the genuine
SEQ, 1l,,.. .-s...f Al
liberty, OF those plain, unassuning upright
resolute, God-fearing men, who were stliv-
ing TO the uttermost, not for place or dis
tinction or wealth or power, but to achieve
self government, to establish homes, to ere
ate civil institutions that should be truly
free, stlutary and enduring. The moro
closely We study their lives and their works
the greater is our admiration for their char
acter and their capacity.
In 1871, Nermoht's long controversy
reached M end. The Justice of her cause
gradually made itsclf felt, both in Congress
and in the Legislature Of New York. IT.
came TO be seen that her right TO self gov
eminent ought not to be denied, nor her in
stitutions overthrpwn, nor the lands Of her
people taken from them, md that such re
suits could only be attained by a war Of e.i-
termination. An amicable ajustmcnt was
made with New lo rk, and hundred years
OF unbroien friendship between these neizh-
boring States has long obiterated all trace
Of the old time bitterness. On the 18th Of
February 1891, an act unanimously adopted
by Congress for the admission OF Vermont
to the union, was signed by the hand of
Washington.
SO came Vermont atlast, a hundred years
ago, into the sistcrhood of the States
Latest Of existing common wealths to ION il;
first accession to the Oh IT, No remnants
Of co onia magniticence adorned her ap-
prOach. No traditions OF Old world arfsto-
crazy gave distinction to her presence or
grace to her society. No potency in nation
al politics attracted the parasites of
the hour. The luVurles of wealth
were unknown to her For the ele-
gance of high culture she had found little
opportunity Rustic and shy, but picture
sque, Swallowed by the memories of try
lns experience, uncOnquerable in spirit
proud Of her untarni,ded history and half
reluctant to surrender the independence
that had cost so much, and been cherished
SO long. Bat she came TO remain. She has
sought no divorce from the MON to which
on the altar OF the new constitution she
then plighted her troth When those
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