Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-08-17

Mr.. fheips's Welcoming Address.
have but for words to offer my friends in
introducing tae services appointed Tor this
occasion. The State OF Vermont commemo-
rates, to-day, the one hundredth anniyers-
AIRY of her birth, the termination. the happy
and prosperous termination, OF the hrst cen
fury of her existence as an independent
State. Tomorrow, We shall signalize one
of the important victories of the ReyOlu-
tionary battle fields To-day is devoted to
those other victories not less renowned and
not less iruitful-the victories of peace. To
all who have assembled here, whether
friends or strangers to tho distinguished
guests who grace this occasion with their
pre.enee-to all the children of Vermont
who, from near and far, from many homes,
have gathered to honor the centennla
birthday of their native State, am charged
on her behalf to extend kind, cordial.
generous welcome. Larger and richer States
might offer you more splendid hospitalltles'
more imposing ceremonies. a more magnil-
cent display. Ours are plain and Simply
such a. beiit the habits OF our people and
the character of those institutions whose
origin We now celebrate. This day Is con,
secrated to the past. All the history, all
the memories OF the century that Is now
closing upon our Commonwealth - Its
early struggles. its vicissitudes, its hopes,
its fears, its steadiast march - the
the glory of its wars, the serenity OF Its
peace, all these crowd upon US to-day and
are the appropriate topic of the hour.
Especially is this day sacred to the memory
of those men who laid broad and deep IN
early days the foundation OF these instltu-
tions under which we live; and not only do
we remember at time like this those dis
tinguished leaders whose names are as
household words among us. but not the less
do we honor the rank and file, the whole
noble generation of men who all the days
of their lives, and through all the avoca
tions of their lives, gave to the service ana
welfare of the State-their State-the pest
they had, unhonored and unsung, Tor the
most part, they stand out against the horl-
ION Of our history like the stately trees oil
the primeyal forest. which like them have
passed away. (Applause). Without their
virtue. their patriotism and their efforts, the
master spirits would have planned and
toiled in vain, and we are to remember that
if there is anything in our institutions that
is worthy of being cherished, ii there IS
ANYTHING in these traditions which arc
stronger than institutions. and on which the
life of institutions depend, it is not our
achievements. it is our inheritance from
them. They have all passed away-that no
BILE race. Some of their immediate descend
ants are here among our most welcome
guests to-day, but the last OF them has long
ago been gathered:to his fathers. Few
monuments mark their resting places lew
vestiges of their individual life remain, but
all around and about us, in the saiutary
laws that protect liberty and the enlighten-
ed liberty that upholds the lawn every
thing that is comprehended to us under the
beloved name of Vermont-is to be found
their monument, more durable than marble,
more beautiful than gold: and ii the bust
| ness of this day has any significance,
| il the memories We arc here to re-
call have any value or serve to point
any moral, it is in teaching US
that if we would preserve the inheritance
we have received, we must perpetuate like
wise in our people the character OF the men
| from whom We received it.
all fairs that land to fastening ills aprey.,
| Where wealth accumulates but men decay
If We are to preserve our institutions We
must maintain the old landmarks ard stand
fast by the old traditions. And now as we
pause ON the threshold OF the coming cen
fury and review the lives and character and
the labors of that first generation OF Yer
monters, let US take to heart as the great
lesson of the hour. that if We are to achieve
the salvation of our country, our instltu-
tons, We must do it by emulating their VIZ
tues and by initiating their example.
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