The Bennington daily banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1877-1877, 1877-08-21

called more an ovation than procession
started toward the centennial fields Next
to, and directly in front of the Presidents
carriage, two platOons of our village COM
pany, the Park Guards, marched the other
platoons. in rear. On either flank line of
selected soldiers from the ranks of Vermont
veterans, they who had been IN this army
and lat the 'front.' with the "0hio colonel,W
acted as c'body guard Next followed the
other companies of Col. Peck's splendid regi-
ment of Vermont National Guard
From the spacious and pleasant grounds
where the procession had been massed they
fell into line with the precision that was as
tonishing even to the many old commanders
of army troops who had charge of the divis-
ions and brigades that were TO form the
street display.
There were miles of men, military civic
and honOrables assigned TO places in the
long parade. Without delay, except while
waiting, briefly for tardy trains, the mass of
companies and citizens commenced their
march, coming up North street, which street
as all of our readers may not know
leads from the grounds of Hon. S, b. Hunt
southward to Main street at the Corners in
our village they turned by fling left mp
Pleasant street, through the whole length of
which they marched, aud out on TO Main
street at the junction near Gates Hotel.
Along the entire line Of Pleasant Street flags
were spread and the dwellings and adjacent
grounds decorated and adorned; all of them
appropriately, and many of them magnifi-
Gently.
From this point the procession commenced
its triumphal march through Bennington's
main street. Over the street the festoOnery
of flags of every description, triumphant
arches, notices of welcome and the emblaz-
oument of gorgeous and patriotic display met
the marching thousands along its whole
length. Nearly every house was decorated I;
every portico and verandah was filled with
welcoming guests scattering bouquets and
waving handkerchiefs, innumerable flags aud
hearty cheers. expressed the joy and good
cheer that prevailed everywhere and with
everybody.
We are not oyerbpasting nor misleading
our readers when we say from the best au-
thority, that this procession was the finest,
the most pleasant in all ofirs appurtenant ar
rangements and success, of any procession
that bps eyer yet hnnored this or any other
of our New England states,
The highest officials of our national and
several Of our state governments scores of
the most distinguished citizens of our cOun-
try the very elite of military organizations
half dozen thousand Of the veterans who
saved our Union, In tue time Of its greatest
peril the legislatures Of three stutes. and
the choicest men, and carriages full of the
ladies whom all men like to honor. took part
in, and graced the cavalcade
From the average of estimates made by
our contemporaries as we'll as from the re-
ports made TO Chief Marshal Valentine, il Is
safe to claim that there were nearly eight
thousand men In line. President Hayes and
many army chieftains and others who have
reviewed civic professions and battaliOns of
troops in line, corrObOrate this estimate.
We eOnld not if we were TO undertake the
pleasant task, describe the beauty and the
heroic grandeur that surrounded the scene on
the centennial ground when the President,
from the grand reviewing stand, reviewed
THIS centennial procession as its rauks filed
past him, his cabinet and his many associa-
ties, To reduce the vast line into proper
proportions for passing review in front of
the President necessarily required a delay
in the marching line. For three-quarters of
an hour pOrtiol of the troops and citizens
who took part in the procession, were halted
in our streets or IN the avenues leading to
the payilions and parade grounds of the en-
campment. Congratulations and many
cheerful words Of kindly welcome, greeting
md pleasantly were exchanged, but not an
unpleaPant event or M unoheerfuI word, or
anytbitIE chat noIJX mar tha eBtire sn1oy-
ment Of the day occurred, The streets and
sidewalks were crowded with strangers and
visitors dismounted men who had ridden
for weary hour or two tired soldiers who
had traversed the prOcession's line from Its
start to its reviewing halt were abundant
everywhere, but there was no discord no
words of complaint. nothing inharmoniOus
the vast gathering was cOncOurse of gen.
tlemen that would honor any state, any
event Of any century,
The proceedings at THO Grafton aud ban
guet tents have already been quite fully
given in orr columns. We doubt if there
has ever yet assembled IN New England, a
greater array of talented, sealOns aud earnest
men. than were gathered under the spread
ing canvas on our centennial field, on this
anniversary day. The critical represanta-
tive of the New York Tribune, who has been
a careful. though not an illiberal reporter of
the eeFemOnies. says:
:" 1t is hard to say what feature of the affair
deserves most praise-whether the military
display made by the volunteer troops of four
States, or the long procession of Veterans of
the RebelliOn-sturdy, middle-aged men with
lines in their faces telling of courage and en-
puranoe OF the official element embracing
the State Governments Of Vermont, New
Hampshire and Massachusetts,, tbs three
States that sent soldiers 10 the Bennington
fight hundred years ago; the grand out
pouring of the people, OF tho bOuntiful hos |
pitality Of the tOwnSfolks, and their enter.
prising and tireless labOr IN organizing the
Giving all full recognition, there is yet
more important than either, with
out which the celebration would have failed
IA feeling Of earnest patriotism aroused by
the memories of the Revolutionary struggle
q healthful State pride which leads three
States to claim each its share of the glory of
Gen. Stark's victory, and sentiment of ma.
tionality shown in the Invitation to the
President and in the cordial reception given
him by men Of both parties.
Nowhere could the attractions of holiday
diversion haye drawn this immense multi
tude to a little mountain village of scarce
5000 inhabitants Nothing except strong,
sentiment could have produced
such demOnstrationi aud it Is exceedingly
gratifying in material age, where questions
Of business, employment and wages are up
permOst, to find so much wholesome senti- +,
mont existing in the popular heart
The full accounts of the days proceedings :
reqHire no supplimenting by special dis {
patches. A word may, however, be said of
The wonderful pietuFesqueness of the scene q
IN the ground where tho exercises took place. /
The forum Of the occasion is a ffty AGRA 4
ield slOpiuR down from the voodar s;d - 4