Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1876-06-10

In 1864 Congress passed an act, setting
apart the old Hall of the House Of Repre-
scntativeS for the reception and protec-
ton of statuary, and the President of the
United States was authorized to invite
each State to furnish the statues of two
deceased citizens, illustrious in the civic
or military history of the State. Rhode
Island responded first and placed therein
the statues of Roger Williams and Ma
thaniel Green, and many other States
have fully complied with the act. A
short time since the statue of Ethan Allen
was turned over to the General Govern
ment through Governor Peck, to be plac-
ed in the old Hall, and Representative
Hcndec made an excellent speech on the
subject and occasion, in which he briefly
and forcibly reviewed the early history of
Vermont, and, of course, brought out
very prominently the leading traits OF
character of our old hero, Of which
every VerMontcr should be perfectly
familiar and of which we, as a State
boast. There is much in a name, es-
pecially if associated with deeds of dar-
ing and bravery for the right and for the
cause of liberty. The name of Ethan
Allen quickcns the blood of every Yer
monter. Aliens first great work was to
defend the rights of the first settlers
against the unlawful claims of N. Y. This
whole history is doubtless familiar to al
of our readers without repetition here
If not, every one should read up, this
glorious centennial year. Allen next Ell
tered the war of the Revolution with al
his might, mind and strength, and one O
his most daring acts was the taking O
Fort Ticonderoga with only eighty-thret
men. On the morning Of the 10th o
May, 1775, at daybreak, Allen with hi
small company of Green Mountain boys
which were all as true and brave as thei
commander, entered the Fort and made
that bold demand, that has become ia
nous the world over. He demanded tn,
Fort in the "namc of the Great Jehoval
and the Continental Congress" Della
place, the commander, seeing the deter
mination of Allen and his men, yielded
up the Fort. Allen afLerward said of tn,
event, "The sun seemed to rise tina
morning with peculiar lustrc, and Ticon
deroga and its dependencies smiled on it,
conquerors, who tossed about the flowing
bowl and wished success to Congress an,
the liberty and freedom of America"
This was one of the first substantial
victories Of the war, and just one hun
dred and one years from that very day
the people of this broad Republic and TIL
whole world beside were invited to Phi
adclphia, the birth place of our Rcpubli
to witness the opening of our magnifcen
Exposition. In the fall of l775, ALE
was sent with Montgomcry's cXpeditio
to reduce Montreal, which proved fai
ure, and Allen was taken prisoner an
placed in irons and placed on board
man of war and taken to England. A
first his SuftcringS were extreme he wa
threatened with, and expected death, BIT
no earthly power or suilerings coul
move him from the glorious cause he ha
eSpouscd. After this the British tried t
buy him, Offering him high honers an
much gold and Il large tract OF land
the New Hampshire Grants. Aliens II
ply tells of his metal "that if by faitl
fulncss | have recommended myself [
General Howe, | should be 10th by n
fathfulness to lose the Generals zoo
opinion; besides that, | viewed the off
of land to be similar to that which IL
devil offered Jesus Christ, to give Him a
the kingdoms Of the world if he won
fall down and worship him, when at Il
sanaR time the miseEabIe soul had not OF
foot Of land upon Garth to give" III
LIST at May, l77S. Allen was exchange
for Colonel Archibald Campbell, and S
ut liberty lie Immediately repaired
Valley Forge, Washingtou's headqua