MILITARY. War has ceased; the great rebellion, conceived in sin and brought forth in iniquity, which purposed no less than the destruction of our nationality and the death of our Union, while it made permanent and forever perpetuated the abominable institution of negro slavery as an American institution, has been overcome, conquered and beaten down; and, in the merciful providence of an overruling God, slavery and the rebellion came to an end together. They both died at the same time, and we may well hope that neither will ever have a resurrection. In their place, Freedom and Peace are assuming their benign and rightful sway. Our prayer may well be, that of their dominion there shall be no end. The Adjutant and Inspector General's very valuable report will fully advise you as to the number of men furnished by the State for the late war, and to what extent they have been discharged and mustered out. It also gives you the needed information as to what has been done in arming, uniforming and organizing the militia of the State, during the past year. During the war since 1861, it appears that Vermont has furnished thirty-four thousand five hundred and fifty-five men; thirty thousand seven hundred and fifty-five of these were volunteers, and three thousand eight hundred were drafted men, and substitutes furnished. From this it will be seen that, during the war, about one-ninth of our entire population served as soldiers. This is a bright and glorious record for Vermont. And such soldiers, too! bravest among the brave; none better ever adorned the history of any state or nation. We owe to these noble men, living or dead, an imperishable debt of gratitude, love and honor. This debt should be recognized by such marks of respect and justice as legislation only can furnish. Since the war closed, our troops have been mustered out from time to time, till, on the first of October, 1865, we had in service only the Seventh Regiment, numbering five hundred and eighty-two men; and four companies of the Ninth Regiment, numbering three hundred and eighty-eight men ; total nine hundred and seventy. Since that date an order has been issued for mustering out the four companies of the Ninth Regiment, and I am informed, that it is the purpose of the War Department to muster out the Seventh Regiment during the present fall or coming winter. When this is done, our State expenses for pay to soldiers and aid to their families will entirely cease. If other subjects come to my notice during the session, demanding your action, I shall communicate them to you without delay. I am not unaware, gentlemen, that the whole field of legislation is open to you, and that your own experience and vigilance will doubtless lead you to all proper legislation, while your prudence will prevent all that is unnecessary. OUR STATE. The fundamental law of our State declares, "that all men' are born equally free and independent, and have certain natural, inherent and inalienable rights, among which are the enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety." Our motto is "FREEDOM AND UNITY." Our laws and institutions are all based on the principles so early avowed. In the face of the law, we are all equal; at the ballot box, in our courts of justice, and in all our institutions of learning, our rights are the same, no matter what is our color, or what our race. On this basis of equality have lived and prospered. From its effects we have not felt or feared social degradation. Our people are intelligent, frugal, industrious, enterprising, prosperous and happy; and we cannot but hope that that equality, which has so blessed us, may yet, and speedily, become the primary law of every state in our Union. I close this communication by the expression of an earnest hope, that you, gentlemen, in all your deliberations, may be guided by an earnest desire so to legislate that your labors shall tend to increase the material interests of the people, and add lustre and honor to our beloved State. May State. May the blessing of God rest upon your labors, and crown them with happy results. EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, Montpelier, Oct. 13, 1865. PAUL DILLINGHAM. On motion of Mr. Hutchinson, the message was Ordered to lie, and eight hundred copies printed for the use of the Senate. On motion of Mr. Flagg, the Senate adjourned. 3 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1865. Prayer by the Chaplain. Journal of yesterday was read and approved. The oath to support the Constitution of the United States was administered to the senators by the President. The oath to support the Constitution of the United States was then administered to the Lieutenant Governor by the Secretary. Mr. Hyde introduced a bill entitled S. 1. An act to incorporate the Castleton Hotel Company; Which was read the first and second time, and referred to the General Committee. Mr. Dorr offered the following resolution, which was read and adopted: Resolved, That so much of the Governor's message as relates to finances, expenses of deaf, dumb and blind, and the Gettysburg Soldiers' National Cemetery, be referred to the Finance Committee. So much thereof as relates to salaries and fees of state's attorneys, to the Judiciary Committee. So much thereof as relates to common schools, to the Committee on Education. So much as relates to the militia of the State, to the Committee on Military Affairs. So much as relates to juvenile offenders, to a select committee of three. The President announced the appointment of the joint standing committees as follows : Mr. Taft introduced a bill entitled S. 2. An act relating to offenses against private property: Which was read the first and second time, and referred to the Committee on Printing. On motion of Mr. Barrett, the Senate adjourned. AFTERNOON. Mr. Reed, for the Committee on Printing to whom was referred Senate bill entitled S. 2. An act relating to offenses against private property ; Reported the same, and recommended the printing of three hundred and fifty copies; thereupon said bill was Ordered to lie and be printed. On motion of Mr. Skinner, the Senate adjourned. MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1865. Prayer by the Chaplain. Journal of Saturday was read and approved. The President announced as the committee, on the part of the Senate, to canvass the votes for county officers : Addison County Bennington County The President appointed as a special committee on so much of the Governor's message as relates to juvenile offenders, On motion of Mr. Upham, the Senate adjourned. AFTERNOON. Mr. Allen, for the Committee on Rules, made the following report: To the Honorable Senate now in session: The Committee on Rules report that they have had the subject under consideration, and recommend the adoption of the following RULES OF THE SENATE. 1. The credentials of senators shall be presented to the Secretary or Assistant Secretary previous to ten o'clock on the morning of the second Thursday of October, at which time the Senate shall be called to order. The names of the fue senators shall be called over, and when a quorum shall have taken their seats, they shall take the following oath, viz: "I, , a senator for the county of in the State of Vermont, October Session, 18-, do solemnly swear that I will be true and faithful to the State of Vermont, and that I will not, directly or indirectly, do any act or thing injurious to the Constitution or government thereof, as established by convention. So help me God. And I also solemnly swear that as a member of this Senate I will not propose |