The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-05-17

the Rutland Opera House. In the erection
and maintenance thereof, there YES, there
could be, no hope Of gain. He knew
when he thus devoted o portion of his
wealth for the pleasure and instruction of
his fellow citizens, for the ornamentation
of the town of bis residence, that he would
receive no return In kind therefor. The
only recompense he could ever expect to re-
ceiye was the consciousness of good deed
well done, the recollection that he bad un-
sel6shly contributed to the advancement OF
his townsmen, and rendered more attrac-
tive their chosen home.
When work was commenced thereon,
April 16, 1868, we all felt that new era
had dawned on Rutland and Vermont. 1t
was the first proposed building of the kind
in the state. 1t stood, Friday, completed
and without peer in the state. Its equal
could only be found in few of the large
cities of the country. 1t stood alone in
being the only building of the kind ever
erected in America without thought or ox-
poctation of n revenue to be derived there
from. 1t stood alone in that it was con-
ceivcd and carried to Its fruition with the
sole object OF affording the people q fit
temple, dedicated to the worship Of the
true, the beautiful, the good, wherein
might be cultivated the graces and ameni-
ties of life, and wherein we might gather
instruction from the drama, from song,
from art, and gather knowledge from the
masters of our language, whether they
spoke TO us by living presence or through
their haudiworks. We Of Rutland and of
Vermont have been the recipients Of all
this. For six years and more we have
gathered inspiration, CLEANED instruction
and garnered pleasure from this noble
fountain. Now that adverse fate has light.
ed the incendiarY's torch and laid this beau
tiful structure low, shall all this only re.
main to us as a bright, beautiful, tlceting
dream of the past Heaven forbid In
the name of our fellow citizens we return
| their most heartfelt thanks to our venerable
and beloved townsman, William Y. Ripley
Esq, for all the pleasures and instruction
| of the past. We extend to him their mos
earnest sympathes for bis loss-a loss that
they feel with him.
We appeal TO him, in their behalf, not tC
bury their hopes in the ruins of their pride
his glory. If we may be pardoned for re
ferring TO selfish motives, we appeal to tina
most laudable ambition, which has a seat il
every human breast, to him to link hi
name imperishably with the name and FAINT
of Rutland. The memory of good deeds
| it is said, can never die, but poor fallibl'
human memory needs an occasional re
hinder. We appeal to him to give to thu
| Rutland of the future that reminder in thu
form of new Opera House. II 1t wert
possible, we should appeal to him to le
the glory of the latter house exceed that Of
the fcrmer-but this would be signing fol
impossibilities. We appeal to his love Of
Rutland, to the benevolence of his heart
to all the better qualities of his nature. W.
appeal to Rutland's son tor Rutlands ben
eft. We appeal to his self love, TO the de
sire of every man to live forever in tn,
hearts of those who shall succeed him
Few men stand higher in the affections
veneration and respect of his fellow citi
zens, and to few does the opportunity COM
enduring tnai prass. Inar oppofntuTS1
his. We trust that he Will see his wa,
| clear to seize IT,