Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-07-12
From the burlington Free Press.
THE GREAT GATHERING.

countless multitude of sterling Wings VIII,
honored our town with their presence on Wed
nesday the goth ult. We had scarce know
what to expect. We hoped indeed that W.
should see the evidence Of feeling among GU
friends, which like that of 1910 would SWEEP
over all resistance and give cheering earnes
of victory. But the lateness of the call for the
Convention led US TO fear that our brethren
would not awake in time to do themselves anC
their principles justice. How great was oui
disappointment, the events OF that memorable
day will sufficiently indicate.
1t seemed as if the popular feeling, backed
for while in its objects by the unexpected
treachery of one Of its instruments, had burst
forth with power all the more overwhelming
and resisiless for the obstacles presented TO its
career. Instead of being contented with equal
ling the astonishing demonstration of June &c,
1914, il seems the Wings of Vermont had de-
termined that it should be left totally in the
shade. And this too, as it were upon mo-
ment's notice.
As early as four O'Clock on Tuesday the del
epations began 10 come in. The immense train
of wagons from the East were seen from the
Square, crossing the College Green, on their
way down Pearl street. They were more than
half an hour in crossing the end of College
street. They were headed by the Woodstock
Band, who heraded the procession with most
enlivening music. At the moment this long
train entered the Square, the notes Of a band
at the South west corner, gave intimation that
another throng was approaching. Then came
up the delegation from Rutland and Addison,
with the Mddebury band in front. Then
came in wagons, double and single, in omni-
buses, in every species OF carriages that could
be guessed at, and verify, their name was le-
gion. These didn't promise very well for a
"failure." But this was only the beginning.
People kept coming in squads" on their own
hook" necessarily until about six, when the
people Of old Washington were announced
AT their head rode the Montpelier band and
Clee Club, full of spirited airs and incompara-
Bile songs, which drew forth unbounded APP
plause. We don't vouch that the last of this
intermnabe string of wagons ever got into
town, for when the van stopped at the North
ward corner of the Square, the other end was
out Of sight some where up Pearl street, we
don't know where. And there they sat, as
long as we had time 10 watch them, waiting
till their predecessors could be packed alcdy to
make room for them.
By this time, what with The professions and
the chance Corners, all the calculations previ-
ously made, were set at naught. The houses
had taken the full number agreed for and some
over. When about eight O'Clock, news came
that the Burlington had got into port with some
people on DOaTu. Down we WENT anu sure
enough there were ''some people" Fourteen
hundred and ninety-fre on that single boat,
had come TO swell the crowd already barely
housed among us. Where 10 put such host
at that time, no man knew. But after some
inquiry it was found the only expedient 10
march them up to the Churches for shelter
over night. The Unitarian, Congregational,
and Methodist Churches were filled, as well as
the large building lately erected by Doctor
Peck, and that of Mr. Merritt. Still the stray
glers kept dropping in one at time and where
they went we could not learn. How many
strangers slept in town on Tuesday night we
do not know; but in 1910 up TO 10 O'Clock on
the night before the Convention, upwards OF
three thousand had been billeted out, and there
can be no doubt that the number housed in
town on the night of the Goth was nearly doub-
lie that Of the corresponding night in ls4O
On Wednesday, the morning dawned de-
lightfully, with cool breezes and sunshine
Many had come in from the neighboring towns
early in the morning, and the village was liter
ally alive. About nine O'Clock the Convention
began to come in. Franklin County with its
seven or eight hundred people. Little Grand
Isle, the Banner County, with her two hun
dred. Chittenden county (our OWN with I'M
told multitudes, came on, some in town dele
cations, with banners and devices, but more in
little parties and single teams. The gallant
Empire State, which had furnished six or sew
en- hundred of those who came on the boat the |
night before, now sent in large delegation on
The Ferry Boat from Plattsburgh and Port
Kent, and the indomtable Wings OF Addison,
not content with the countless multitudes il
had sent on Tuesday, now poured in their
throngs as fast as ever. By ten O'Clock the |
vast concourse, by dint Of stretching itself all
nver town, had found room TO get together by
Counties for the count for the Banner. A lit
tie after ten the procession under the command
OF the Marshal, General Cassius p. Peck and
his assistants, began 10 form at the foot of
Main street. The Burlington Clay Club, be-
ing the entertainers on this occasion, took the |
lead to show their visitors the way. Before
them was borne the beautiful prize banner.
Next came twenty of the venerable Soldiers
Of the Revolution, drawn in an omnibus. The
appearance OF these white haired fathers was
every where greeted with the utmost enthusi-
asm.
Next came the - Convention We don't
know just how long it was, for our place was
in front, but we know that we were obliged to !
halt and advance every FIVE minutes till we
reached the College Green, to make room Tor
the delegations TO form behind us, and wait till
the next should come up. At the College the |
procession passed under an arch OF evergreen,
bearing on the front the inscription I" Hail
On the reverse, Triumph"
This was the most tasteful, and most beautiful
thing Of any kind, connected with the Conven-
lion, which it was our luck to see, and we as
sure the patriotic Wings of the University
that their graceful compliment was most CRATE
folly received and most heartily appreciated by
the whole concourse.
The procession passed down Pearl street to |
Champlain, down Champlain to Judge Follet's,
and up College street to the Square, where, af-
Ter sundry well-executed maneuvres, they
were marched into and around the Square I'M
til it was literally crammed. Not spot of
ground was to be seen, but only one dense mass
Of heads.