Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-08-29
Vermont and It's Centennial.

"'oS'S CditOfS In view OF the speech -inakng
and what has been written and published, 1t may
seem superiluous To add anything more pertain
ing 10 The recent celebration; but we all have
an innate tendency TO say our say concerning
what we think has not been said.
In rehearsng the deeds OF the founders Of our
republic, and in reviying the struggles Of our rev.
dictionary heroes is not out Of place to indulge
in little self-adulatlon as the descendants Of
those who gave Ia n national existence Patriot
ism and love Of country are virtues that cannot
be too deeply cherished Our inheritance is too
valuable and cost too much blood and treasure
to refrain from keeping these thing continually
before the people, as the veal or woe Of unborn
millions is weighed in the scales Of national ex-
istence.
States as well as the nation can boast Of their
deeds OF valor, and for the time being II il Yer
monts privilege to be heard Geographically, in |
point OF size, Vermont occupies but small place |
on the map of the United States, but historically
the Green Mountain State figures conspicuousy |
in noble deeds and lofty daring. The laconic re-
mark of General Stark at the battle Of Benning-
ton will be perpetually rehearsed in our history,
and the significant terms in which Ethan Allen
demanded the surrender Of fort Ticonderoga must
w " 'NtiN NbNtI Ailt nun
Compared with the great Western lakes, lake
Champlain is n very small body Of water, but its
historical "reminiscences are scarcely second to the
naval operations on any Of our great lakes In
July, 1888 General Abercrombie led a column of
fifteen thousand men against fort Ticonderoga.
When Ethan Allen took this post 1t was guarded
BY over one hundred pieces Of artillery. In the
French and English wars, also in the revolution,
Ticonderoga regarded rs a key to the colo
MES In no battle Of the revolutionary war was
there larger force on either side concentrated in
single battle, than was that Of General Aber-
cronbie in his assault upon Ticonderoga in 1858
At that time the settlements in Vermont were
few and far between.
In the war Of 1872 and in the late rebellion
Vermont troops showed themselves worthy de-
scendants Of the revolutionary heroes of the state
The Sixth Corps which was composed, TO a great
extent, Of Vermonters, won reputation in
our late civil war Of which any division Of the
national forces might well be proud The ma
tives OF the state were men of AN excellent
physique, and | have 1t on the authority OF
member Of the Second Regiment that the average
weight OF the men was one hundred and sixty
pounds.
Well, why should not Vermonters he proud of
their state in view Of its unsurpassed scenery and
ts historical recollections? often think of the
grandeur Of the Green Mountains and the hills
we inhabt, and wonder il the average Vermonter
realizes these beauties and glories Ours IL an
inland state. We are measurably free from the
vices and evils that characterize the seaboard
towns and cities. 1t is proverbial that in noun
tain regions the spirit Of freedom fourishes as
| nowhere else. In no section Of the Union has
such featy been shown to that clause Of the Dec
| laration Of Independence as Vermont has shown
We hold these truths to be self-evident that
all men are created equal, that they are endowed
| by their Creator with certain nalenable rights,
that among these are life liberty and the pursuit
Of happiness" Vermont has ever scorned the
very idea Of slavery in any form. In all the con-
troversies touching slavery American soil, Yer
| mont has always shown an uncompromsing
| front. In the days Of the nations darkest hours,
during the late rebellion no one feared for a mo-
ment that in our elections we should elect state
executive or a legislature Of disloyal tendencies
| At no time did Vermont waver utter un.
certain voice. Amidst all contingencies freedom
she loves, and ever has we should love these
fresh and blooming hills.
| was New Hampshire born and bred, and much
can he said in praise of the Old Granite State. But
the political complexion of this state differs mucl
from Vermont The two political parties ar,
more evenly divided, while New Hampshire ha,
often shown disposition to parley with slavery
which Vermont never has This feature in tn,
politics of New Hampshire was always distaste
full to me, as liberiist in religion and poltica
concerns. Twenty-Five years ago Vermont be
came my adopted state, and have ever found ST
much within her borders religiously, morally AN,
politically to admire, feel endeared to the stat
and the state is endeared to me, My organ u
inhabitiveness is so large ever since residin
among these mountains, it has been my unvary
ing choice to spend my life in the state of IN
adoption and lay my remains in its soil
In company with thousands of other citizens
attended the late centennial celebration at Ben
nington. To me this was one of the happies
public occasions have ever known. Consderin
the multitude present, it was an incorporate
peaceabe and orderly concourse Of people Blu
little intemperance was noticeable, and there wa
but little rowdyism. The pickpocke.s mad
something Of an exhibit, but these mostl
from out of the state
, | 1t was quite qualification to see many OF tn,
dignitaries from other states; but, above ALL I
. meet the chief executive of the nation and tn
, members Of his cabinet present, was a peculia
pleasure The plain citizens dress of the Pres
dent his citzen-like demeanOr and unostentatiou
bearing must have won him many personal ad
mrers The plain and easy manner in which h
introduced the government officials who appeare
, with him very gratifying to his friends. ON
I thing in particular seemed quite mpressve-whe
he introduced granddaughter and two grea
granddaughter of General Stark, it seemed mex
to seeing this famous General in person. Gen
era Stark was born in 172s This aged grand
daughter told me that she attended the fune q
of her honored gr,ndparent.
, The military display WAS quite imposing. Mil
tary companies were present from New York, Cor
/; necticut New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Tn
dashing and brilliant uniforms were pleasing to tn
, eye. But when the veteran soldiers in their III
uniformed costumes passed in review, it awakene
deep emotions and a most profound respect Thes
! were the men who had placed their lives at the
, countrys disposal They had faced the cannon
iron hail and been exposed to all the pers
protrcted warfare In the hour of peril they ha
helped to save their country, and above all pre-
ent were deserving their country's gratitude
: was pleasure To witness the evolution of ii
uniformed militia, but in looking at the veteran
you felt that your eyes were resting upon tho,
: who had borne the burden and heat of the da.
: As they rekindle their camp-fires these reunion
( must be very gratifying, for they refresh the
minds in recalling the scenes of soldierlife Man
more of these reunions may these veterans VI a
eventfu period enjoy.
3 Our country has its wrongs tn right and peri
t through which it must pass But the genuir
l American idea is human freedom In the ration
e sense of the word aud man as man. irrespecti,
I Of nation or color has rights to be respects
: Slavery in these United States was an exotic plan
and, in keeping with the American idea, it W;
4 doomed 10 be rooted up. May the watch-fire.
r freedom ever burn brightly upon these Gre,
= Mountains ~ they rise high above surroundir
u territory. At the close of the centennial celebr
: ton OF our revolutionary struggles may our col
i mon country he found more compact and unit,
o than ever, while we prove to coming generation
n we were not unworthy our national birthrieht.
= GEORGE SEVERANCE
r. Tunbridge, August 9th, 1871
l. Letter from Kansas.
d ArcHIsoS, KANSAS August %, 1877
MesTs, Editors Enclosed find two dola
a which pays for the WATcnMAN until March lat