Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-03-02
Caledonia Farmers Meeting.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON.

should have capital time during this gath
erings, she gave one of the finest days Of
the season the sky was clear with that
warm tono which tells that "sugaring" is at
hand the air was as midas in April, while
the streets were running with brooklots from
the melting SHOWS which told of the spring
coming "slowly up this way" Every one
seemed to feel happy, while men who are
practical strangers to the truth were trying
to abide by it one day in the year in honor
Of the man who "never told lie," aud
loafers, lawyers and local politicians congre-
gated on the sunny side of the street and on
store steps and settled the price of wool, the
choice Of president, the Turco- Russian war,
the incompetency of highway surveyors and
all other questions on which the fate of ma
tions aud well being of society may depend.
The farmers after an "early dinner" had
driven into town, been to the post office,
made few purchases Of print apron, pa
per Of pins, "bunch Of candy" for the baby
who was to have a present for staying at
home and being good" while papa and
mamma" were learning wisdom at the far
mers' meeting. The good!y array of we'll
kept horses and carriages which indicated
thrift and plenty, gave proof that from enter
prising Danville, Peacham's lovely heights,
Passumpsic's and Waterlords prospering
farms and the regions round about many had
come for pleasure and profit. After cap.
ital piece of vocal music by the choir of
Wide Awake grange and brief aud
pertinent address of Il. III. Stone, Prof.
II. 7. Fuller, the excellent principal of the
st. Johnsbury Academy, gave an excellent
address on "Washingtou;" fitting theme
surely on the birthday of the "father Of his
country" lie said the Russians and Turks
might well study the character and conduct
of the man who would not inhict pain or in
jury upon even his enemies by way of retail
tion ; also he thought some in high places
the high sense Of Washington in declining
the temporary use of house as his head.
quarters without paying for it. He then
went over Washingtons youth and the prin-
ciples which the good man thought essential
to the formation of a sterling character in
young men. He cited some OF Washington's
rules for his own early life, and from his let
ter to young men as to their associates aud
obedience to constitutional authorities, which
we think some young men in colleges and
academies Of the land would regard as lit
tie sold fogyish." In fact the child was
father Of the man and hence Washington
regarded personal character as the greatest
and grandest achievement possible to him
self or any other man. He then gave an
analysis OF Washington's character. Integ.
rity came first, and years before the revolu-
tion the brand Of -four "George Washington,
Mount Vernon" was so highly regarded that
when exported to the Indies it would not be
inspected, so great was the public confidence
in his uusulied integrity. Self.contro was
second feature, and he showed how few
times, only one or two. during all his public
life he lost his absolute command Of himself
Firmness was the third essential of his char
acter, and he adduccd illustrations of this re-
markable gift, one of which was his inaugural
and his motto on his sword. System or
method was the fourth trait noticed, and he
mentioned his accuracy, neatness and regu-
larity in all business relation and personal
conduct. He allowed only five minutes for
late guests at his state dinners and when the
laggards came in would say, "we are toe
punctual for you" and then 60 on as though
| kaI hnnnnnaI Ia
strict with all with whom he had any deal
ings. Wisdom was fifth feature Of the
great mans character Its difficult quail
ity to describe, but it embodcs force, pru-
dence, sagacity, vigor and success. Mr..
Fuller gave a somewhat detailed account o.
the deeds and events in which the wisdom Of
his hero shone with resplendent glory. He
dwelt on the fact that Washington, like
Clay and Webster, owed much Of his ply
sical strength and endurance to his farm
life, and even in the turmoil of public life
went back for a season Of inspection and ex'
pertinent on his farm. Through his influence
the first agricultural society was established
in 1875 in Philadelphia. Hc was a prac
tical, not merely theoretical farmer, as hi
correspondence fully shows. And we have
occasion for devout gratitude that one 81
wise was to guide the ship of state in it
early years. Whether he had creative
genius of the highest order has been some
times debated, but this is sure, he had nc
vices and but few faults. He made a length,
and eloquent quotation from Evorett's mag
nifcent eulogy.
Rev. b. M. Tillottson being called upo
said The farmers ought always to ceG
brate his birthday, and added that il Gee
Washington had been alive in this day ther
would be no electoral commission to coun
him in, and the returns from every state from
sea to sea would be for George Washington
Tapplause also that the world had not pre-
, duced another such man, and every birth
day Of Washington had always been pleas
ant, lovely day such as this is. He CAV
"reminiscences of his own visit to Mount Vel
' non when the living descendants Of th
Washington family were assembled at tha
{ "Mecca Of the States" and dwelt especiall
upon his well proportloned character, h
simplicity, and his intense love Of agricu
ture. The editor of the FARMER read a po
J tion Of paper on the bright Side Of Farm
0 ing" OF which modesty compels us to sa
nothing.
i THURSDAY EVENING.
A respectable audience gathered for ii
= evening session and after a good farmer
d song by the choir, an excellent essay {
"Sheep HusbaDdry" was read by j II. Kline
b son and variety of remarks, pertinel
!. and otherwise, were made. Some one asks
u if sheep should have water, to which NJ
}. AinersOn replied in the affirmative, when