The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1892-01-08
Senator .Proctor'Ss Speech at
Philadelphia.

The reunion of the Sons of New
England at Philadelphia, on the eve
ming of Dec. 22d, was attended by
many prominent men, Hon. Redfeld
Proctor being among the number.
The speeches were of especial interest,
and that of the latter in particular, as
the toast: "The Green Mountain
State,"- gave him an opportunity to
speak on subject that he is eminently
able to do Justice to.
The address is so good that we re-
produce it below, knowing it will
strike responsive chord in every pat
riotic heart:
Mr. president and gentlemen of the New
England society," come here not to eXtOl
my own State-she does not need that be-
fore New England sOciety-nOr to re-
spOnd tor her in any general way, but pr-
marily to acknowledge the obligations which
i, in common with many other volunteers
owe to the people of your city.
"This is not the first time | have enjoyed
Philadelphia hospitality. | recall my first
visit here, when had little Knowledge of
your city except what was gained from the
picture in the old geography of William
Penn making the treaty with the Indians
under the spreading tree, and of Franklin
flying his kite, and the statement which ac-
eOmpanied them that the streets of Phila-
delphia ran at right anges with each other,
which seemed to me very strange and un
natural arrangement, as Boston streets,
with their charming eccentricitieS, were the
only ones | was familiar with.
was one of quite large party of young
men, and we were tired and hungry; but we
were met at the station by committee of
ladies and gentlemen, and fed and refreshed
tpH nd
way full of courage, and blessing Philadel-
Phia. That was in July, 1851, and we were
regiment on our way to the front. GU
have forgotten it, for you were doing the
same thing every day, but the boys you fed
and cared fOr-Old boys nOw-will never
forget it.
| was here again a year later, one of a
boat load of sick and wounded men on their
way from the Peninsula to Vermont. We
came up the chesapeake and through a
canal into the Delaware, and up this river
and through into the Hudson and so on I'D
70 Troy; slow and sad journey. We stop
ped at one of your wharves early one rainy
melancholy morning, but the plank was no
sooner out than ministering angels were on
board, and picking their way about the
decks, thick with pain and suffering, for
every step on the floor where man could
lie was filled. Some of our load
for whom the war was over and the
battle of life ended were left here, with
few others for whom the end
seemed near. | remember one of the
latter, young captain and friend. |
VIC went in the same regiment and had
lain side by side on the cabin floor on
Tho journey up; he had two serious wounds, |
but worse still, the swamp fever. When we
started from the Peninsula he was rational, |
and we talked as comrades will; but he |
gIew worse and wandered and the power of |
speech and all consciousness left him |
many hours before we reached here. The |
ST. cons said their was no hope: and when l
h. vas lifted on the stretcher and carried /
Oh. we gave a farewell thought for the |
0l 'yt fellow. Soon after the home papers /
uI'lished the news of his death, and spoke |
%, his special gallantTy in the fight, and of /
hi, life so full of promise cut OFF so early. /
But soon it was disputed and we learned 1
that he was still alive. and at last he came /
back and told the story OF how he was
nursel back to life by the tender care he re- I
ceIved here. He lived 10 serve CALAMITY /
through the war and has since served his /
State in many positions ana as its chief
magistrate. He still lives al hOnored cit 4