Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-07-14
Centennial Celebration.

We publish this morning copy OF the
Charter of Rutland, dated September I'm
l7G1, granted by Benning Wentworth,
Governor of New Hampshire. IL Is pro-
posed bv some of our citizens to celebrate
the centennial anniversary the present
year. although the time has passed of the
hundred years from the date OF the
charter Perhaps the present year marks
the date Of the settlement OF the town. 1t
has been customary to celebrate either the
chartered date of town or the settlement.
1t is well to celebrate it now, before a
longer term elapses, for should it be post
poned, much Of its historic value and in
terest will be lost. We now have the add
vantage of being able to gather materials
from the connecting links with the first
settlers and the present generation. Soon
they will have passed away and the great
chain between the past and the present
will be broken. The Oldest citizens of the
town will be the most active and inter-
ested in carrying forward and bringing
of this character. To secure their presence
while we may and promote their pleasure,
we should seize upon the earliest period
to accomplish the object proposed.
1t has been customary to call general
meeting of the citizens of the town, sew
eral months previous to the time of the
proposed celebration, for the purpose of
considering the propriety and importance
of the movement, and appointing gen.
eral committee to extend invitations and
superintend all required arrangements.
This committee usually make an estimate
Of the amount Of necessary expenditures
and solicit subscriptions, but the most
speedy and satisfactory arrangement is to
secure an appropriation from the town.
This will bring the expense alike upon all.
The exercises of the celebration should
consist of an historical address, grafton,
poem, Il dinner or collation., with appro-
priute music, sentiments and responses,
"reminiscences. anecdotes and such other
exercises AZ the time devoted or the taste
OF the people may suggest. The histori-
all orator and poet should be native, or at
least residents of the town. The longer
the time given for preparation, and the
wider the circulation of the notice to par
ties invited to be present, the greater the
probability that the exercises and the at.
tendance may be worthy of the occasion
The celebration dinner can be furnished
10y hired caterers or better still, it can be
u free will Offering on the part of the PEG
pie in the form Of what is called cola.
ton or pic mic. This latter method is fan
preferable, inasmuch az all can then con
tribute to it as best suits their ideas o.
propriety, and add much to the sociability
and festivity of the celebration. Every
thing that is of the olden time, in dress
equipage, or working implements, should
be on exhibition on the occasion.
1t il not necessary to make further
suggestion on the subject as every com
,,,,.,, 80" will be able to know it's own i'm
IT, $500 ia, wishes and tastes, and fee
- 80. W be no lack of materia
70 occupy the time "
Amusement Of the people.
The occasion if celebrated VIII "'
course he one of no idle ceTemoniDus on
s,sssance. II is one of those occasions
cor,p,,, ted with "a wide association OF SEN
timeu: and has special regard TO anHes-
trail Telling This sentiment has its place
in the bosom of every uue hearted man.
haw.v,r humble aud exalted. The
voices q The past lead him with their
fond memories ~ tho little child leads
the loving parent. and he comes with the
,rihute Of affection, to hang yotiVe offer:
my ir tho temple of his early love.