Everett, Edward (1794-1865) [Address delivered to the Putnam Phalanx in praise of volunteer militia]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00633.01 Author/Creator: Everett, Edward (1794-1865) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph manuscript Date: circa 1862 Pagination: 2 p. ; 24.7 x 19.6 cm. Order a Copy
Welcomes the Putnam Phalanx, from Hartford, Connecticut, to Boston. Offers words of praise regarding volunteer militia groups, discussing their historical significance and the involvement of George Washington and John Adams in implementing the militia system. Credits the volunteers for eliminating the need for a gigantic standing army. Commends the "Yeoman soldier, who never looked back but once, after putting his hand to the plough, & that was when he left it in the furrow, at the tidings of Lexington & Concord."
Everett served as Governor of Massachusetts 1836-1840, Secretary of State 1852-1853, and United States Senator 1853-1854. The Putnam Phalanx was organized in 1858 to welcome home former Connecticut Governor Thomas H. Seymour on his return from Russia and is noted for its adoption of old Continental uniform.
Boston, 5 Feb. 1864
My dear Sir;
I received last evening your favor of the 2d instant, in which you request, for the benefit of your fair, the autograph ammnuscript of some address formerly delivered by me. I regret that I have nothing more worthy of your acceptance, than the enclose memorandum of a few remarks, made by me at my door, a few years since, in acknowledgment of the honor of a salute, from the Warren Phalanx of Hartford, while on visit to Boston. Having been returned to me from the Newspaper for which they were hastily written out, they have been accidentally preserved to the present time -
You will perceive that the remarks were made, under a very different
state of things from that which now exists. That the long-plotted treason,
which has brought this tremendous war upon the country would so soon reach its maturity, - would ever reach it, - was hardly forever, at that time, by the most sagacious. But as our dependence, in years past, was upon the Patriotism of the masses to defend the country against a foreign invader.
So in the present crisis, our reliance, under Providence, must be on the same arm of strength to crush this gigantic rebellion.
With the best wishes for the success of the fair,
I remain, Dear Sir, very truly yours,
Edward Everett
L.S. Perley, Esq.
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