St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-07-13
A Vermont Centennial.

A Vermont Centennial.
WINDSOR, VT, July 9. One hundred
years ago yesterday the first constitu
ton of Vermont was adopted at Wind
sOr, which event was duly commemOr
ated by the citizens of Vermont in &C
cOrdance with the spirit of that conven
ton before which Rev. Aaron HutchiL
son preached from the Word of God
1t was deemed especially fitting tha
Vermont's distinguished scholar, Presi
dent c.. B. Hubert of Middlebury Col
lege, should deliver a Christian and
patriotic discourse to open the com
memOrative exercises.
Long before eleven o'clock a huge
tent structure, erected on the Common
covering over 1900 square feet, and
within stones toss of the ancient
building within whose walls Vermont
received its name, was well filled. Dis
| tinguished personages from all parts OF
the State were present, among whom
were Gov. Fairbanks and staff, Col. A.
C. Hubbell, Julius Esty, Judge Poland
Ex-Governor Fletcher, Henry Clark, E
w. Stoughton, w. E. johnson, G. A
Davis and others. The music was I'M
der the direction of Mr.. Phillips of ST.
Adams, and was very fine.
President Hulbert's discourse Occu-
pied over an hour in delivery, taking
his text from EzIa, 5th chapter, 18th
verse: eve are servants of the God
of Heaven and earth, and build the
house that was builded these many
years agO.n Also, the first Chronicles,
22d chapter, 5th verse. Sunday even
ing, President Hubert delivered sec
ond discourse on Christianity and Civil
Government.
MONDAYS CELEBRATION.
Monday was ushered in by centen-
NAL salute and the ringing of bells. AT
1920, the procession formed at the
Windsor House and marched to the
Common, where had assembled nearly
5000 people. After music by the choir
and band, President E. Z. Phelps intro
duced Gov. Fairbanks, who said: La
dies and gentlemen, | will not take
your time when there are so many on
this platform who wish to be heard
from ; but | am glad to be present to-
day and bring to you the hearty saluta-
tons and congratulations of the Com
monwealth, the Green Mountain state
VermOnt's declaration of indepen-
dence adopted in Westminster, i'll Jan
uary, l777, together with list of the
complaints forming the ground for such
action, was read by Franklin Butler
and was followed by a historical ad-
dress by Gilbert A. Davis embodying
the facts relative to the adoption of the
Constitution and struggles of the inhab
itants of the Hampshire grants to be
recognized by the Continental Congress.
E. w. Stoughton of New York, said
1--WE have no claim to address you ex-
cept that of being VermOnters by birth
and strongly attached to the State and
the people. Eighty-fve years ago my
mother was born in this town. She now
rests in yOnder burial ground, where,
after few more returns of leaves and
flowers l, too, shall take my rest. We
cannot add to the fulness or beauty of
the address. We have heard it given
in detail. The painful trials, which
led to the adoption of that instrument,
we commemorate to-day. These men
were utterly fearless of everybody, ex-
cept, perhaps, of their wives at home,
whom good VermonIers always obey.
In 1850 the State contained 300 in
habitants. They increased to 1000 in
l771. As early us 1854 the British
crown declared that New Hampshire
grants would come under the jurisdic-
ton of New York, and all previous
grants be made void. TO this encroach-
ment the Green Mountain boys never
would submit, which brought out Ethan
Allen, Seth Warner and Remember
Baker, and many had cause to remem-
Der him. For Workers they had Pc
crliar method of dealing the application
of the beech seal well laid on.
Mr.. Stoughton was followed by Judge
Poland in an able and eloquent speech.
Ex-Governor Ryland Fletcher, 80
years old, spoke twenty minutes, and
his patriotic utterances were loudly
applauded.
The procession was reformed at one
O'Clock for dinner, which was followed
by tOasts and responses. This part of
the exercises was carried out with great
dignity, decOrum and success, under
the direction of G.. A. Davis, toastmas-
ter. Responses were made by Colonel
Hubbell, Judge Poland and ex-Govern-
or Fletcher.
w. Z. johnson of Westminster sent
Il greeting to Windsor through Rev. B.
F. Barnard, and three cheers were given
for Westminster. Then followed E. w.
Stoughton, Henry Clark, T. j. Taylor
and President Hubert.
In the evening there was a grand
illumination of public and private
buildings, and grand display of fire.
works. This closed the celebration,
one of the most important events in the
history of Vermont.