The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-08-14
Tlte 8ntlana 9aily Glnhs
TUESDAY, AUGUST ID, 1877.
THE INVITATION TO CANADA.

Those who have, heretofore, endeavored
to ridicule the idea of q celebration of the
battle of Bennington by Vermonters, be-
cause, torsooth, the actual place of con-
flict was just without the borders of Yer
mont, arc now bringing their small wits
into play and sneering at the "taste" which
led the governor of Vermont 10 invite the
governor general of Canada to be present
and participate in the commemorative ex-
ercises of that occasion. The reason that
induced the invitation was, undoubtedly
our proximity to Canada and our intimate
social and busneg relations with that prov
ince, and still further, perhaps, to show our
high appreciation as American citizens of
the distinguished honors which have been
paid by the mother country TO the only
living eX-president of the United States
and, through him, to the country itself.
As such it was happy thought and in
most excellent taste, and the action of the
governor and his advisers and that of the
governor general will be highly appreciated
by all liberal, thoughtful and patriotic men,
and will contribute greatly to cement the
friendly relations which at present exist be-
tween the two countries
Why should there be any question of
taste" about the matter For the past
two years we have been celebrating our
own defeats as well as victories. We COM
memoIated the battle of Bunker Hill and
the battle Of Hubbardton-and perhaps 1t
would have better suited the "taste" of
these over fastidious critics, If the governor
general of Canada had been invited to par
tlcipate in these commemorative exercises
We celebrated these victories of the Brit
ish arms, and we expect that the descend
ants of the tories Of the revolution and Of
the British and Hessian armies-whose
fathers, perhaps, fought against Stark at
Bennington-will join with US, this week,
in paying commemorative honors to the
events of an hundred years ago, and will
rejoice with US in their happy result. Why,
then, should not Lord Dufferin, also, take
part either by himself or his official repre-
sentative, and how is the most exacting, or
the most delicate, "taste" offended by the
invitation or its acceptance?
The celebration is not, in any sense-at
least 1t should not be-a commemoration of
the mere triumph of brute force-of the re-
suit of battle. If 1t were, if such was the
object of these and similar exercises, then
would the centennial anniversaries of Bun
ker Hill and Hubbardton have been left un-
noticed. The contest Of that period was
one of principle, rather than a conflict Of
arms, and each party claimed to be stand
Ing on the basis of the British constitution.
I" 1t was question of the construction of
the Magma Charta and of those funda-
mental principles of human rights In
(which Englishmen have always gloried,
and which the two nations now hold In
common" Aud 1t Is to commemorate
the success of these principles, and the
successful assertion of the rights of self
government and the great principles avow.
ed In the English revolution, that the peo-
pie of the country will assemble at Ben
nington this week. In the same spirit
Gladstone, prime minister of Eusland and
leader Of the liberals In the house Of com.
mons, was invited to take part in the cele-
bration at Lexington in April, 1875. Thai
his "taste' was not offended may be seer
from his reply which we subjoin.
LONDON, March o, 1875.
Gentlemen II have had the honor tc
receive the letter in which you convey me
very warm and courteous invitation tC
attend the banquet which 1t Is proposed tc
hold at Lexington in commemoratlon Of
the attainment of independence by thu
United States of America.
The circumstances of the war which
yielded that result, the principles 1t illus
trates and the remarkable powers and char
acters of the principal men who took par
whether as soldiers or civilians, In tn,
struggle, have always invested 1t with {
pee ullar Interest In my eyes quite indie
pendently OF the intimate concern of thi
country in the events themselves.
On account OF these features, that WA
and its Accomplishments seem to me Il
constitute one OF the most instructive chap
tiers OF modern history, and have repeat
eddy recommended them to younger mel
as subjects of special study.
With these views, need not say how IA
am from regarding the approaching cele
bration with indifference. 1t Is entirely be
yond my power 10 cross the sea, even wit
the present admirable Communications 10
the purpose of attendance The presen
time happens to be for me even. lndepend
emily of my attendance in parliament, on
OF many urgent occupations, which / ar
not at liberty to set aside. But earnestl
hope and cannot doubt that the celebrate
will be worthy of the occasion.
In retrospective view of the eyentfu
period, my countrymen can now contem
plate lis incidents with impartiality. / d
not think they should severely blame tbel
ancestors, whose struggle to maintain M
unity of the British empire is ono tbs
must, think, after the late great war q
the north and south, BIO received In Amer