The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-01-18
THE INDEPENDENCE OF VERMONT.
Centennial Celebration at Westminster.

Centennial Celebration OF Westminster.
Tue Bjston Journal of Wednesday gives
the follosing account Of the celebration of
vermonts independence at Westminster on
Tuesday evening
Onc hundred years ago Tuesday, in the
old historic court house at Westminster,
was signed the declaration Of Independence
of Vermont by a convention called for that
purpose aud composed of delegates from
all parts of the state.
Ind, p%endence from the rule and govern.
mint of New York AMI New Hampshire,
which had severally claimed ler, and fought
over her, and by thus declaiing,it meant free
from the rule of both the crown and pro-
vincial government, che not being acknOwl-
edged us one of the United States until
1891.
THE people of Vermont, and especially
Westminster, on Tuesday evening last
celebrated the anniversary of that import
ant event in a fitting and appropriate man
Ter. They met in the large church but a
few rods from the site OF the old court
house, in large numbers, filling the
house to overlooking. The meeting was
callei to order by Rev. p. f. Barnard aud
prayer was offered by Rev. DR.. Stevens Of
Westminster.
A record of the proceedings of that con-
vention and the declaration we're read by
John 3. Morse, a direct dc. ccndsnt of one
of the delegated who framed it. The West
minister cornet band were in attendance
during the evening and added to the inter
est by their music. Hon. Henry Clark OF
Rutland was the speaker of the occasion
and made n fine a iGress, occupying an hour
and a half in delivery. He gave a history
of events which transpired before and after
this declaration, causing and caused by 1t,
in an entertaining manner. 1t was a source
of eradication - him TO know that Yer
monters residing in other sla:es were mind
full Of the recurrence of this anniversary,
| and were also gathered t'gether TO COM
memoIa'e the event in different cities. lie
had received q telegram from Chicago say
ing that there also the Nermonters would
| tonight assemble at the same hour; as
would also V|ermonters all over the coun
try. Also that at Wore, ster, in the hear
of the commonwealth OF Massachusetts,
at that very hour, the sons anC
daughters Of Vermont were holding a com
memufa'ive Observance MANY facts in
connection with the carly history of Yer
mont were brought forward by h a idress
which was closely listened TO and tIcQuent
ly spplauded.
a letter was read from Governor Fair
banks's secretary, Tegr,t'ing the intbllliy
of the governor to be prts'nt also from
Hon. L p. Walton, president Of the his
torical society OF Vermont.
Rev. DR.. Stevens brought forward thC
fact that the consideration for which the
whole territory of Vermont was added Il
New York by the governor in 1863 vas th'
annual payment Of one racc,On skin, con
Tasting its present value with that.
Mr.. Saf Drd of Westminster. gave the 10
cation of all the houses in Westminster 10
years ago aud their occupants.
4 large amount of research has been re
quired to do this correctly. A number o
~ther speakers made short addresses, ant
The meeting closed. The church was fine
ly decorated with flowers anA evergreen
Many notices of state and county wer'
finely arranged. 1t was Il successful am
pleasant affair.
1t may be added TO the above report tha
A. r~.-.-.;-.~ ~",L~ -~~r'o &c W~~'"'intte
was fully aroused. The bells Of the tow
were rung in the early morning in com
memora,ion of the day. Flags were dis
played in all parts of the village and on III,
dwell ings. The American fl marked III
spot where the old court hou stood. TIL
monument of the martyr, William French
was decorated with fl g, as were III
graves of many who participated in tn
early scenes of that historic town. TIL
old church, built in 1870, is still preserved
and was shown to tho C who were please,
to visit the building. Ia fact every spot o
historic interest was pointed out, and non
seemedt0 have been neglected. The apiri
of the people was markedly demonstrate
in the decorations of the village church
where the pubic exercises were held
Among the notices was the following
people capable OF greatness win not forge
tho patriotic d eds or their fathers.
Back OF the desk was inscribed
l7TI. Vermont. 1877.
Freedom and Unity.
Wreaths of evergreen were hung upol
each side and in the windows. The deco
rations were all in good taste and the in
scriptions upon the walls were exceedingl,
appropriate TO the occasion. The peopl
of Westminster felt that it was %appropriat
and due that the event should be common
GRATED, and the celebration was highl,
creditab,e To them in every regard.