Year: 1863

would earnestly recommend the pas,


sage of a law securing to the soldiers who


are now already, or who may hereafter


be called into the service Of the United


States, from this state, the right TO exer,


else their elective franchise, as guaran-


teed and secured to the freemen of this


state by its constitution; and | would re-
spectfully urge this measure upon your


consideration, as an act Of justice to the


brave sons and freemen of Vermont


VINO are so nobly doing battle in the


cause Of the country, and as a fitting tes-
timoniaI of the appreciation in which
those services are held by the people Of


the state.


Moved by an earnest patriotism, and


in the holy ardor Of an undying love for


the great blessings of civil liberty, re-


strained by no mean circumstance of


personal cost or sacrifice, and with a de-


voted loyalty to that government which


has been their shield and protection,


they have gone forth from among US, a
noble brotherhood, to imporil life, and
all that life holds dear, to battle, not for
glory or renown, but to maintain for and
perpetuate to US, in common with all the
country, the great and glorious principles
Of constitutional liberty, the heritage Of
a free people.


Enduring all the hardships and priva-
tions Of the camp, denying themselves
the comforts, the luxuries, and privileges
of home communions, which we are per-
mitted to enjoy, far away from US, on a
strange and hostile soil worn and wasted
by many auGerings, yet nobly bearing up
under them all with a patience and for
titude worthy Of tho cause for which they
suffer- knowing but one duty, service to
their country, they appeal in language
loo strong 10 be resisted, for that privi-
ege which all lreemen so highly prize,
which whether at home or on the fields,
is ever dear TO their hearts, the right to
exercise the elective franchise, that dis
mark of freedom and free>
men. It surely needs no words Of mine
to urge this upon your consideration
and while [ am deeply sensible of the
difficulties that surround the question,
and of the opportunity which would be
afforded for abuse of the privilege, yet, l !
am fully confident that it is in the power
Of the legislature to frame q law, which,
while it will secure the state to all rea-
'onable extent against frauds and abuse,
will also secure to the citizen soldiers a
privilege which it is ungenerou5 TO deny, |
md which can, in all soundness Of con-
'incing argument be urged and claimed !
IS a right. They are rendering high ser
ice to the country, in the stuPendous
onAict which is now stirring the nation
o its foundations, by their presence on
he field, and shall they be denied a voice
It the ballot box, where pre-eminenuy
he measures which are to affect, for
veal or woe these great and pending is
ue5, must Of necessity be decided.


None, more than they, have vital in
crest in these great questions, none have


igher appreciation of the merits invol-
ed. Ours are no hireling soldiery, who
lindly execute the will of superiors with
ut knowing for what they fight They
ave gone from among the sovereign peo-
lie, intelligent free men, constituent eIe-
lents of the government, to contend for


cause in which they have a personal in {
crest, and to maintain principles which,
lhen the contest is finally closed, will
fleet them in common with all the rest, :
nd are fully entitled to the privilege Of /
xercising this right. S


Proudly do we this day recall the high !
eeds Of valor Of our gallant sons and
rethren. Nobly have they sustained {
lie well earned fame Of their Green i
fountain State. With unfaltering cour- t
ge and heroic endurance have they
orne themselves in every contest, and
hether on the tented field, or in the
-eaded hospital, whether on the long and o
cary march, or before the murderous h
re of traitor bands, everywhere and IN Ii
sr all circumstances, have they borne s.
with veteran intrepidity; \
irinking from no dangers, quailing un- ST
IT no assaults, but attesting their PROV +
S in every battle, and adding fresh and i
i'll brighter laurels to the name and !.
me Of their noble state. ar


But sadly do we turn to the Heroic Il
cad Softly would touch the strings lc
at vibrate only TO plaintivo notes. a
usbaud Father Brother. Sonl the -,
we'd and iondly cherished Nobly have il
ey fallen, and in a glorious cause t,
heir country called. and in tho great b