Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1892-10-28


arrangement of "The battle cry of free
dom" as fantasia for the cornet, and fol-
lowing him Hon. II. II. Wheeler gave a
brief address upon patriotism" the clos
ing number in the afternoons program
He said
Judge Wheclcr's Address.
After all this you will not want much more. |
need not be long. The duty Of patriotism is so
plain that it needs urging with but few words
No argument is necessary to show right minded
persons that they should be loyal and true to their
parents and family good or bad. The same rea-
sons teach loyalty to their state and country
This duty is so unver al that il is fit to be spoken
OF on any occasion. For us its connection with
the discovery OF America Is clear and direct. In
nothing during this Il o years has the march of
progress been greater than in the politics of
states and countries.
When Columbus was planning his discovery the
old world was ruled by kings and queens on
thrones Aid for an expedition so large as to re.
qulre support from nation must be sought from
them; there was no congress or legislature from
whom an appropriation could be had. The great
declaration in Magma Charta that mo freeman
snail be taken or imprisoned or disseized of his
treehold or be outlawed or eXied or in any wise
destroyed, and that Judgment should not be
passed upon him nor sentence but by the lawful
Judgment of his peers or by the law of the land
mad been made but by the king, not the people,
of England.
Some may say that if those who came to the
new world had stayed in the old the same prog
not be true. Kingly rule was firmly rooted,
and there was no room for new institutions. The
Declaration of Independence could not have been
made In Europe If all the people of this country
had been there. Had it been tried in England or
IN Holland the signers would have been in prison
II not hung up by the neck in a short time.
A new country and the ocean between were nee
essary. The great principles of Magma Charta
were brought with those who came from England
and wrought into their institutions for them
selves. What made great blot upon these prin-
ciples was brought by some of them, not from
their own country, but from Africa African
slavery was not known in Europe Before the
Declaration of Independence the judges of Eng
land declared that the soil of that country made
all men free.
That institution spread all over this country
the Declaration of Independence was said not to
have been made for the slaves Liberty marched
forward, but was lame and hating on one side
In one place II never existed by law, and that was
here. Vermont had nc part in the Declaration of
Independence. She made one of her own that
went beyond and declared that no male person
born in this country or brought from over sea, OF
female in like manner, ought to be holden by law
to serve any person as a servant or slave. Thorn
Sims surrounded by soldiers was marched
down State street in Boston to a government yes
sci which took him back to his master. Many
slaves went to freedom in Canada through Yer
mont, but none went back from there TO slavery
II was tried once; A master took his slave, found
here, before a plain farmer judge from the hills
OF Clarendon to prove that he owned the slave
and get certificate under a law of Congress fOi
taking him back. He produced bill of sale from
the master of the mother. The judge said that
would not do; he asked why not, and the judge
said it did not g back TO the original proprietor
| The master asked what he could bring that would
| do; the answer was, "A bill of sale from God Al
| mighty God never gave any bills of sale of one
| man TO another; one could not be produced, ano
| the slave went free. That was never tried agaiI
! here. l have sometimes thought that slavery
| could not exist among mountains; something in
| the freedom of the air seems to kill 1t out.
When Abraham Lincoln was candidate fol
president he said in Cooper Institute in New Torl
| that the country could not continue half sav,
and half free He was right: After grea
struggle, by the victory of patriotism. il began
| exist all free. Now, in legal right, Throughout
| this great country all men are equal everywhere
/ Surely no argument is necessary to prove the
! duty of loyalty to such a state and such a coun
| try. The duty of patriotism is not fulfilled by
talk like this, Fourth of July celebrations, Of
noise. 1t rests upon all, at all times and every
where. Devotion to political parties does not an
| swer 1t. They are useful, but neither of them il
| the country state. The country includes then
all All are for the good of the country, but the,
the good nor all the bad, Every one, native o
foreign, has place to fill in the country, an
should stand true in that place. Every child
| poor or rich, is wanted for place and wanted a
| the best. The whole duty of patriotism is TO
| every one to stand in his place and be loyal an
true to all; to parents and families, to teacher
and friends, to state and to country, at all time
| and everywhere
A letter received from Gov. Fuller in re
Spouse to an invitation to be present for tn
days exercises was read by the secretar
of the Columbus day committee, Mr.. l.
G. French:
GOV. FuIler's Letter.
STATE OF VERMONT, !
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
MONTPELIER.
DR.. II. D. Holton, Chairman school Committee:
Dear Sir:-Hour very kind invitation to he pre-,
ent at the public exercises on Columbus day (coI
Quoted by the schools of the villagel would NEE
with ready compliance were II not for the fac
that events have so shaped themselves that
seems best that Vermont should be represente
at Chicago by her Executive.
The oppressed of all nations have looked wit
longing eyes upon the American people, who hay
for centuries stood with outstretched arms, we
coming the foreigner to hospitabe shores whei
all avenues of success are open to loyal heart
intelligent minds and willing hands.
The magnitude of the discovery of Columbus
exceeded only by the giant strides of the Poop
of this western world in inventions in the ar
and sciences, in the breaking down of narrownes
of purpose and superstition, in the hroadenn
of human thought and in the enarging of huma
freedom.
1t is an occasion that awakens the brighte
thoughts concerning the future, that enkindl'
the fire of patriotic emotion, that bids MS look u
and not down, to look forward and not backwar
surrounding every obstacle, emulating the bra
cry heroism and nobility of the great voyage
who sailed the unknown sea, and in whose hont
you meet and celebrate. Wishing you all succe
and much benefit remain yours truly,
LEVI X. FULLER
After this, the singing of ''America" b
the audience closed the afternoon service,
and the benediction being pronounced b
Rev. j. II. Babbitt.
The citizens in large numbers were
attendance upon the exercises, and through
out the day the celebration was in the full
est sense a popular one. Every one W;
interested, from oldest to youngest, an
every one enjoyed it. A notable day
was, not alone for Brattleboro, but through
out the length and breadth of the land, an
only the coming years can fully reveal I'll
true significance of the day to our countr
and the fruitful lessons which were in
planted of loyalty, patriotism, reverence
perseverance, truth.