The Bennington daily banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1877-1877, 1877-08-18
THE PARADE OF THE 10th.
Address of Prof. s. g. Bartlett,
August 10th. 1877, at Benning-
ton Battle Da.v. BEING the Tooth

AIl01 OSS Vi ETOl' .. Ss odI Il6bI'
August 10th. 1877, at Benning-
ton Battle Day, Being the Tooth
= Anniversary of that Event.
The early morning mood OF Centennial
iaY in bennington was one of boistrOus
pride and flaming joy; pride speaking from
the mouth Of the cannon, joy flaming from q
thousand flagsi and this was the voice Of
the centennial morn, breaking out in the
uttered shout Of roaring Runs aud ringing
bells, and in the unutterable yet compre-
honsible message Of a perfect sunbnrst Of
national fags that large and small bloomed
everywhere illustrative of the faith
that feeds On those memories that belong to
no party but are meant for mankind. The
day, on the whole. was favorable; and.
up TO 10 O'Clock n. m, about the time the pro-
cession began to move, was marred by an oc-
casional sun-shower, but, by II o'clock a. M,
the clouds cleared away. and the anniversa-
ry Of the somewhat dimInutive battle Of Ben
nington, by comparison, had, from this time.
a sun as brilliant as that of Austerlitz, and as
hot as the summer heats in Hades. The Off
cial programmes, already published, accu-
rately indicate the arrangement and compo-
sltiOn of the parade aud its order of march,
aud 1t is sufficient to say that the Reviewing
Stand containing the President and his par
ty, was reached about noon. Its passage as
witnessed by an immense concourse Of peO-
D.e---say 25OOO--and occupied full hour in
transit, the ranks containing 5000 persons,
civic and military. As spectacle the pro-
cessiun was even finer than that OF yesterday,
not because IL contained more brilliant mil
itary companies, for the far-famed Boston
Cadets were the only additions Of this sort,
not because the column was kept better
closed up, for it was inferior to that of yes
terday in these respects, as the day was hot
ter and the roads less favorable for march
ng; but because it contained larger bat
talon Of Vermont veterans, the fellows that
every thoughtful man cared to see, and the
sight Uf which stirred him to deepest emo
tion, since these rugged survivors had known
that soldering with the peace militia is at
b'st but very thoroughly organized mode
u amusement, while the war they had Crap
hed with was q fearful cOllision and con-
DICT of crnelties. .....
"A single drop Of manly blood
Sr lie Emerson, aud tbi4 line ross to our
IN nory Us W, looked Vu thu earnest laces OF
'ihe Vvierans' 10 our CeuieuuIal proceaso onE
10 day. marching amid tbs hearty, spouta-
u.ons applause OF a cloud oi witnesses.
fnsrS were plenty Oi gay militia in bravt
un lOrms, aud all tle bright pauoply that is
hc PRIDE aud pomp OF glorious war. b Bu the
people SSTe mut ulIiI t ~ smbAttlsl lurmers'
ne ot Vermont veterans came m trchinR
9 eadIly along VT ths luek OF the old route
step in thsir tread. These men wore
no complete military lTAppinss, here aud
there fellow With cap or a ohevron or an
army blouse that spoke OF his old calling, bot
ofen-r the only sign Of service was the old
Tree stride Of the bold cappaigners, tbe long
gallop Of ''S4dgwick's cavalry that could tire
tne deep bate OF the rebel leader, aud rushed
on needless Of his FIRE. Tue spectacle Of these
veteran battalons always strongly moves Us,
for we notes every year the gaps where death,
that relentless, and unerring old sharpsbooter,
has dropped another victim, aud tuiuk how
ihe ghostly army Of Union soldiers 10 being
constantly recruited from the army OF survi-
wing comrades. uutl the time is not far dis
taut when the army OF our detd will be as
mighty in numbers as we're the glittsnnR le.
Rioni that million strong moved as Que man
when The great soldier Grant waved bis sword
like the magic wand Of Prospero and set the
halting nassas rolling 10 living waves Of battle
over the defiant land Of rebellion. So when
Col. HsokSr's Division passed We Ieli that the
assusanes si the safety Of the republic wal
o, the military spirit that shone in splend d
uniforms aud polished arms ol the militia, bot
it was the trad tien OF hsroi IN and sell sacrifice
that CONES bjrns uuto The ear on the war
drums and the slrideot scream o The ffs that
is the iavorte held music Of real conflict
harshly inspiring notes that tell that stout SOL
diers. not merely most puissanl peacocks and
H.a l. s..F