Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-07-08
The TEMPERANCE Picnic On the Fourth.

The Temperance Picnic On the Fourth.
Saturday last was gala day for the
Good Templars and temperance people OF
Washington County, and their neighbors
along the line of the Montpelier and Wells
River Railroad. A Basket Picnic and a
good time generally on the Owls Head
Mountain and in the vicinity of Groton
Pond-(we think by the old settlers and
on the map it is known as % Kettle Pond }
had been resolved upon, and an energet-
&c committee had for some days previously
been preparing the grounds amid primcval
'orests for general encampment of the
Cold Water Army. 1t was no small job
o clear away the underbrusil, cut paths
through the tangled forests, erect stands
for the speakers and the band, pitch tents
for refreshment booth, and prepare seats
for the LARGE audience that was sure to
gather But all this was accomplished i'll
inc order and in good time. Willing
hearts and working hands can always per-
form wonders when they have u sober,
persistent will so to do. The railroad
company had provided a neat and conven-
lent covered q" landing at which to un
load the excursionists at the very portals
Of their temple in the forest. The grand
DID woods with their towering, shapely
trees encompassed this 50 landing" on all
sides. And an enormous cold water spring
dubbed up its icy waters in refreshing
abundance but a few rods from the main
stand.
The day opened fair and pleasant and a
small army Of the eXcursionists took the
early morning mail train for the rendez-
cous. There were several well LOADED
cars when the train drove out of Montpel-
ier depot, and these received constant add
ditions at the stations along the road. We
took the second, or first special train, le;lv-
inc here at $50 A " If we thought it
crowded when we left Montpelier, we
certainly found it stuffed when it reached
East Montpelier. At Plainfield additional
cars were put on, and yet two ear loads of
people were left at that depot for the next
train. The train stopped not at Marsh
field where Il waiting crowd had gathered
but made the best time possible till it
reached the Landing"
The second special train left Montpelier
depot at 1870 with eleven heavily lalen
cars, and when it reached the = Landing >
in Groton it numbered thirteen densely-
packed cars. This train was then ran
back to Plainficld to bring up the rear
guard of this great cold-water army. \
long train from Wells River filled will cX-
cursionists also reached the " landing :
Just before noon. As each train unloaded
its mass of living freight the people quiet
ly wendell their way upon the grounds,
and found seats and rests in the woods en-
comprising the stands, or sought the dizzy
heights of Owls Head mountain. only a
hundred and fifty rods from the railroad
track, or allowed their feet to stray in the
narrow path leading to the placid waters
of Groton Pond, some eighty rods distant.
At high noon the amply filled lunch bus
kets were in requisition, and with appetites
sharpened by the morning exercise and
the pure air of the summit, little groups
gathered around many novel and rustic
= family board > to do justice to the tempt
ing lunch provided by thoughtful house
wives for the occasion. These numerous
baskets, which we had noticed everywhere,
were found to contain enough to feed in
the best manner the assembled multitude
Ye editor, not expecting to attend till at
the last moment finding his reporter had
disappointed had him, jumped aboard the
train without basket, or bread. or scrip in
his parse But he was not left ont in the
was Toasted right royalty with a group
which numbered in its circle Il sheriff, =
postmaster, a lawyer, Il senator and theiI
better halves. We can only return thanks
and express our hope that the entire group
may live a thousand years, and we have
the pleasure of dining with them each
succeeding g Fourth = till death do us part
Dinner disposed of by the masses, the vast
assembage was called to order by FREQ
E. Smith, ESD, the efficient chairman OF
the committee on arrangements, who an
nounced Hon. Heman Carpenter rs the
President of the day. Mr.. Carpenter who
had been leisurely but sumptuously re-
calling the inner man, hal to forego that
= hasty plate of soup" ana come to the
front not quite fully fillcd-bat in good
| fighting trim. He announced the first
| division of the cold water army now ready
for action. Promising that although rather
late on the ground he should be the last
man to leave it, he callel upon the Rev
Mr.. Hitchcock to lead in prayer
After an eloquent and appropriate invo
cation to the Most High from the reverend
gentleman, the Montpelier Cornet Bant
gave one of their stirring airs appropriate
to the day we celebrate" The time fol
speeches being short and the speaker:
numerous the President announced that bu
ten minutes could be allotted to each one.
Hon. Chas. II. Heath spoke first anil, al
though his remarks were very brief, the,
were admirable and well-timeI
He said the opponents of temperance had prophe sieC
his gathering would be failure II this failure
| ne prayed for many Just such failures Temperance
men and women could stand such failures if
ers' could They had expected the temperance men O
the West would be here, but they had not looked
/ such gathering host of wise men from the East H
was thankful the spirit-no spirit evil or o
the demon Rum-but of sobriety and good ord er ami
mated all branches of the human famly-the East am
| the West alike. The people were showing everywher
that they were alive and right this great question
| They could celebrate day like this without au-
SPIRITUAL accompaniment the inspiration draw
| from on High, and the sparkling waters distilled il
| Gods own laboratory on earth.
Rev. H. P. Cushing of East Burke WI.
the next speaker.
Referring TO the many prominent and off ciaI
on the platform, he put the crowd in good humor an
entire sympathy with the speaker by declaring hmse
he TarpT nayfn Of ha SfIotrio