The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-09-03
Completion Of the Monument TO Silas
Wright.

On Tuesday last, according 10 previous
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS observanccs were
had in honor of the completion of the Mon
umcnt to SILAS WRiGUT-erectcd al
Weybridge. Several hours previous to the
time appointed, a crowd began to collect IL
round the site Of the Monument. and by 3
o'clock, Z. NJ, had swelcd to vast multi
tudc, of from 1000 to G,Q0o people, from va
rous parts Of this State, New York, and
elsewhere.
The Monument stands on elevated ground,
not far from the "vllagc church and the
burial place of the relatives of Mr.. WRIGHT.
The main shaft is thirty feet iu height, rest
ing upon three other blocks, making in all
upwards Of forty feet. In :he main block
just below its connection with the main shaft.
is a medallion bust of WRIGHr, handsomely
eat in marble by L. ID. Palmer, Esq, of Al
bany. The whole is suitably enclosed by an
iron fence, and the entire effect is truly
grand and imposing.
After prayer by President LABAEEE. of
Mddlebury College, and a few Introductory
remarks by Ex-Gov SLADE, an address was
delivered on the occasion by Major General
Wool, Of Buena Vista celebrity, who had
been invited to perform the ceremony of
consecraing this noble structure. We need
hardly say that he was listened to with pro-
found interest and attention by the assembled
multitude, and was greeted with prolonged
applause. The following is the substance of
the Generals speech;
FELLOW CITIZENS -
Ii is a custom universal amongst all
nations, when great man dies, to do some
thing to honor his memory and to instruct
posierity on his virtues. In such eases the
pages Of the historian have never been suf-
iicient to satisfy the common desires. Hence
monuments, in all agos, have been erected
to the memories of heroes, statesmen, patri-
cts, and others, wLo have performed great
actions or rendered great services to their
country. In thus transmitting TO postcrity
the names and deeds OF the illustrous dead,
it is only yielding to the inherent propensity
of a common nature. displayed alike in the
rude tumulus of the barbarian, and in the
grave yards cemeteries, and classic monu-
ments Of modern ages. This propensity
ought not to be discouraged or neglected :;
for the surrows of living friends and rcla-
lives are soothed 10y such posthumous honors,
and the emulation of generations yet un,
born will be elected, to rival the great deeds
which are thus commemora;ed-
am here to perform part in Offering
tribute Of respect to the memory of great
and good man. Sias Wright, who was dis
tinguished in the Councils of New York, as
also in the Councils of the United States
His rise and progress in lie indicate, in a
striking manner, the peculiar advantages of
American Institutions lie was born in the
State of Massachusetts, and educated at Mid
dlebury College His mind was early de-
veloPed, aud received its first training in this
town, Weybridge, and it was the good for
tune Of New York especially, bur also of
the wi ole Union, to enjoy the fiui.s Of its
maturity. lie reached high stations by the
unsupported force of his own merit and tai
enis. The son of farmer of humble means,
with no train Of family connexions or veal
thy friends to aid or assist him,-with no his
torical associations clustering around the
names Of his ancestry, he placed himself in
remote part of The State Of New York,