St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1901-03-20
VOL. LXIV--NO. 1922
Gifts to ChamberIin Post.
A Portrait of Gov. Fairbanks and a
Muster Roll.

A Portrait of Gov. Fairbanks and a
Muster Roll.
A goodly number of veterans and
members of the Relief Corps gathered in
Grand Army Hall Saturday evening to
attend the presentation exercises pre-
viously advertised, and after brief open
ing exercises Commander Charles Ross
introduced Arthur F. Stone, who was to
present the post with portrait of Gov.
Erastus Fairbanks. After brief intro
duction Mr.. Stone said:
"When the gallant soldier, Gen Bal
dy' Smith, was here last summer he
looked around these walls in vain for a,
picture of the man who organized the
Third regiment, the one he himself first
commanded. His remarks at that time
suggested to me plan which is now ac-
complished, to present to this post a
portrait of Gov. Erastus Fairbanks.
Any biographical sketch of my grand
father would beinappro pirate in address
ing men who knew him so we'll
Thy calm mein
Recalls old Rome, as much as thy high deed:
Duty thine only idol, and serene
When all are troubled in the utmost need
Prescient, thy country's servant ever seen.
Yet sovereign of thyself, whatever may
speed.
This portrait especially interests me.
and am sure it will you, when l tell
you it was painted by his son, Mr..
Charles Fairbanks. an artist of rare
talent, who mixed his paints with filial
love as well as with brains. Though
compelled by considerations of health to
spend the last years of his lifein foreign
cline, Europe nowhere contained more
loyal American, and his boyhood home
and his st. Johnsbury friends were ever
dear to him.
And so members of Chamberlin Post
brave soldiers of a struggle known only
to me through histories and your always
interesting "reminiscences take great
pleasure in presenting you tonight with
this portrait of Gov. Erastus Fairbanks,
an honorary member of your post and
Vermont's war governor. And as the
kindly face looks down upon us from
historic walls let us remember those Oft
quoted words of our dear Longfellow,
Lives of great men all remind us,
We CT make our own sublime;
And departing leave behind us
Footprints on the sands OF time.
Let us then be up and doing
With heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing:
Learn to labor and to wait "
Commander Ross fttingly responded
to the gift, accepting it on behalf of the
post, and thanking the donor for his
generosity and interest in the welfare of
the post.
Judge Bates was called out and spoke
feelingly of his great interest in the post,
and the memories that came to him at this
time. He said he wanted to carry a
Grand Army button and badge with
him to his Philippine home as it repre-
sented one Of the grandest organizations
in history. He said he accepted his new
duties with desire to serve his country
and he hoped he could help the Filipinos
| along many lines.
Judge Ross said Gov. Fairbanks strict
ideas of duty had always impressed him
and he believed that his death in the
middle of the war was hastened by the
great burden which was laid upon him
by virtue of the war. He paid a high
tribute to his character and gave many
interesting "reminiscences ofthose stirring
times.
Major Bowman, John Mcdonald,
Capt. Woodbury. and Commander Ross
followed with interesting incidents in
connection with the early history of the
war, after which the audience adjourned
to the Museum.
On the platform with the painting
was the original muster roll of Company
K, 18th Vermont, Capt. Woodward's
company. This was handsomely framed
and is the gift to the post OF Capt. E. L.
Hovey.