The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1896-01-17
CHAPTER \.
Agreed III nothing, but L abolish,
~ubvcrt, eNtirpatC. and demol!sh. -


llurrah for Vermont! hurrah for the
new state Of Vermont Il The victory
is won, and the town is redeemed
hurrah hurrah -
Such were the sounds that rose and
rung among the raftcrs of the crowded
old log Town House OF Guilford, as.
for the first time for several years. Il
New Statesman and wing moderator
was declared elected by majority of
the suifrages of the freemen. The
| next moment, the door was seen vom-
iting forth its throng of excited victors,
who, as they reached the open air,
Joined the crowd eagerly awaiting the
result at the entrance, and, with
them, renewed and reiterated the glad
shout, till the distant hills responded
in loud echoes to the roar of the stem
torian voices of the triumphant party.
After fortnight's active cxertions
on the parts of each of the opposing
parties, in mastering and drilling the
respective forces, preparatory TO the
approaching contest, in which both
were equally confident of victory,
though too sensible of the danger of
losing it to remit any effort, the others
had assembled at one O'Clock in the
afternoon. After spending several
hours in disordcrls and wrangling
debate, in relation TO the qualification
of voters, but which at last resulted in
rejecting the test required by the
charter, that of being II freeholder,
and in permitting every resident To
vote. the ballots had been taken for
moderator, or chairman of the meeting,
when, as much to the dismay of the
tories the JOY of their opponents, it
was found that victory. in majority
of three, had declared for the latter,
who thereupon testified their eNulta
ton in the uproarlous manner we have
described.
After while, the noise and tumult
within the house was suddenly hushed
and the clear, deliberate tones of some
new speaker addressing the assembly,
became audible TO those without the
building; while the attent and eager
looks of those who stood listening in
the crowded passwav. plainly evineed |
that some important and exciting sub |
ject had been introduced. At length /
the voice ceased, and a new commotion |
ensued within.
What new movement is that? What /
is going on there now, Piper:" asked /
one standing near the door, as the
young man came clbowing his way out |
of the house.
why, they are on Colonel Carpen
ter's resolution. Haven't none of you
here been in there to hear it," said
Piper, turning to the querist and other
political associates, standing near by.
mo: what is it about?" inquired
several of the latter, with interest.
The York Rule. answered Piper
with an animate air, Tho colonel
offered resolve that we shake off the
York government now, henceforth and
forever. And this he backed with a
speech which would have done you
good to hear. He went into them, |
tell you, like thousand of brick; and
not single tory tongue of 'em all dare
wag in trying to answer it. They are
now beginning to vote on the resolu-
ton, which, if carried, the colonel in
tends to follow up by another, cutting
up all British authority root and
branch. ~
At this moment, they were joined by
Tom Dunning, who came hurrying out
of the house, and, taking Piper aside,
said
"Do you Otter understand the plan
of what's going on in there, Piper,
and the Importance to you here. in
of carrying it,
mot fully, perhaps, answered
Piper. Il didn't have chance to talk
with Carpenter and the other com,
mittee before this move was made, and
don't understand why they did not
urge on the election of the other town
officers. as usual, after making mod
orator, instead of getting up these res
-
der well. this visit; they are
afraid to ditter try any OF the town
officers on so slim majority, lest the
tory candidates should have got some
# our voters under their thumbs. by
way of debts or other obligations,
which they will der make use of TO get