The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-10-15
THE VERMONT SPIRIT
Gov. Mead's Remarks at Acceptance
OF Capt. Sawyer's Portrait


Montpelier, Oct. 15.-Representat-
ives of the Daughters of 1912 were
present at the presentation of the
portrait Of Capt. Sawyer, a navy Off
Ger in the war of 1912. to the state on
Wednesday afternoon at the state
house. Admiral Moore spoke for the
family and was followed by Gov
Mead, who accepted the picture in
behalf of the state and was followed
with remarks by Gen T. S. Peck and
Gen. Sawyer. Gov. Meads remarks
were as follows:
Admiral and Mrs. Moore and
Gen. Sawyer:
ut is win special pleasure in be-
half of our state that | receive this
gift, a painted portrait of Capt. Hor-
ace b. Sawyer Of the L. S. n, of 1912
| beg to thank YOU for the same and
assure you that ii shall be placed up
on the walls of this capital building
in some suitable place where ] hope
it may remain for many years ana
possibly generations and | trus. that
ii will ever serve as an inspiration
to our people. A study of the lives
Of our ancestors who have offered
themselves as a sacrifice for our coun.
try and whose portraits are hanging
upon the walls of these halls OF legis-
lation, surely create a certain patrio-
tism which cannot be developed in
any other way. There continual
lesson teaching us of noble deeds,
of facts of heroism, Of self sacrifice
and all in behalf of our country. II
is always a pleasure to me TO study
such portraits and more especially
where we are familiar with the his.
tory of the parties represented. The
deeds of Dewey and Clark will live
in history as long as our state shall
exist and it is a most helpful influ-
ence to have them looking down upon
our people year after year, teaching
them, as it were, that there are GER
tain sacrifices to be made and ii nee
essary lives to be given for the bene-
fit OF those who are to succeed us.
I'VE are all at this moment striv-
ing and hoping for this better Yer
mont and especially for that unseen
influence which is not in any sense
material. 1t is that higher life which
inspires us all to better deeds II is
that influence which comes from our
churches and oui schools and from
the association with the nobler sen.
timents of life which inspires that
love of duty which leads to the sacri-
fee even of ones self for the good Of
mankind. It is that spirit which ed
our first Verm )nt brigade MP ST.
Mary's Height to Fredericksburg in
1862 II is that same spirit II noble
deeds which caused to second bri-
gade to fall upon pickets left flank at
Gettysburg in 1863 and the portrait
Of this brave officer, Of whose life we
have read so lately, should also lie
a further inspiration 10 better deeds
THE war during which he served
was far different from that OF Gl-65,
though the duty was, ! fear. as sew
ere and the results surely beneficial
to our country.
i wish again to thank you for
the kind thought which prompted
this gift and beg to assure you in he
half of our state, that It shall be care.
fully preserved for its lesson for fu-
ture generations. have already had
prepared proper resolutions which
will be adopted by our House of Ren-
resentatives and our Senate and when
completed | will at once forward tho
same TO you as an evidence 81 the
reception Of your gift by the rcpres
entatiyes of our people and which will
fully express their appreciation OF
your act"