The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-08-06
The Bennington Centennial.
MOTIFS OF PREPARATION.

and hustle give a slight index of that larger
activity which will take possession Of this
patriotic old community In the hours that
shall commemorate the deeds of the fathers
a hundred years ago. The decorations
have commenced under the superintend-
ence of Col. Besls of Boston. If the ele-
giant and tasteful decorations Of the Putnam
house, both interior and exterior, on the
occasion of the reception on Friday evening
last are forerunner of what is to come,
this grand old historic burgh will be mass
Of adornment such as Vermont, and
perhaps New England, has never seen be-
fore. The enthusiasm of the people is
raised to its highest pitch, and Bennington
will do her duty now al faithfully as did
the fathers on the battle field on the 18th
of August, TIT.
The celebration grounds, as well as those
assigned for the encampment of the militia,
seem to have been made under special order
for this particular occasion. 1t is located
on the sloping hill between Bennington
and the Center village, from which 10 seen
enc of the most charming views of Yer
mont scenery to be found in our state. The
grounds are ample for all purposes. Here,
too, the notes of preparation are visible.
The erection Of platforms, the putting in of
| railway side tracks, the erection of tents
and various other matters make the grounds
already point Of interest and a place If
| activity. Although but q trifle compare
lively ha, as yet been done, still 1t ia suff1ci-
cient to insure the full and perfect compile
ton of the arrangements before the time
for use. In fact, everywhere about Ben
| nington improvements and preparations are
going forward. The streets are being put
in order-cross walks built. The houses
are being brushed, 30 that by the morning
of the 14th the whole village will put on
new appearance, so the ts citizens will
hardly know their own Tillage, 20 much
will it be improved.
The only matter to / regretted or CON-
planned of, perhaps, is that no definite pro-
grammc of the military display, line Of
/ huuASu, anu Hlcihiy CAciClecc VI tuc OCCd-
sion, has as yet been announced. The
people OF Vermont, New Hampshire and
Connecticut, in fact throughout the coun-
try, have been awaiting its appearance for
weeks, an feel a sense of disappointment
at its non.appearance. The parties who
have these matters in charge should re-
member that Bennington's credit Is not
only at stake in this matter, but the honor
Of Vermont is imperilled by delay.
1t should be issued so that the
entire programme can appear in the daily
and weekly press throughout New Eng
land the present week. 1t will makes differ
ence of many thousands in the attendance,
and longer delay is hardly pardonnble.
There is far more feeling upon this point
than the managers are aware Of. While
everything else is going forward rapidly, the
very matter in which the people at large
feel the most interest is behind time. We
hope this will be remedied at the earliest
possible moment, that the people may
know just what is to be done and govern
their attendance accordingly. The pro-
grammes Of the Concord and Lexington
centennials were before the people for sew
eral weeks before the celebration.
The celebration now bids fair to call to-
gether the largest assemblage of people,
and center around it the greatest interest
Of any event that has taken place in New
England at least since the completion OF
the Bunker Hill monument, when Daniel
Webster delivered his greatest grafton.
The collection of people will undoubtedly
be largely in excess of the gathering at
that celebration. This celebration and the
interest pertaining to it is not local or con-
fined to Vermont, but extends throughout
New England and the country. On no oc.
casion yet has the president been accom-.
panied by so many members Of his cabine,
as will be at Bennington. There has never
been so large gathering of governors Of
states as will assemble there. No military
display New England has yet seen will
equal 1t. In fact the gathering is to bt
among the notable ones of the century.
On Sunday next the celebration will vir,
tually begin. The pulpit Of the old church
at Bennington Center, of which Rev
Isaac Jennings is pastor, will be occupied
by Rev. Frederick G. Clark, D. D., Of New
York, and Rev. Edward T. Hooker of Cas-
Teton, sons OF former pastors OF thu
church. The former is son of Rev.
Daniel A. Clark, d. D., and the latter OF
Rev. Edward w. Hooker, D. D., both Of
whom were long and honored ministers
and 1t Is proposed on this occasion not only
to honor the memory of the fathers, but In
a measure reproduce them in the persons
Of their distinguished sons, both of whom
hold high rank as preachers.
I The national guard of Vermont goes into
camp on Saturday next. The New Hamp
shire military companies will arrive or
Tuesday. The veterans of the wars will
go into camp on Tuesday.
The Vermont Editorial association will
assemble on Tuesday. The Grafton will be
delivered by Hon. E. p. Walton of Mont.
pelier, and banquet will be served at the
Putnam house. Editors who have not SO.
cured places should at once address f. @.
White, ESQ.,, chairman the committee on
entertainment.
Vermonts special day will be observed
on Wednesday. the 18th. An Grafton will
be delivered by Hon. Daniel Roberts OF
Burlington, which will be, we venture to