Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-08-24
vERMONTS CENTENNIAL.
A Crea, and Glorious Celebration.


comfortable temperature, but in no degree
marred the festivities, which were pnrlici-
pated in by throng of people variously
estimated at from 25, 600 TO 10000 people.
THE BALL OPENED.
The celebration opened with the firing of
salute by Fuller's Battery at sunrise, and
the ringing of the church bells. The troops
at camps "Stark" and ETHAN Allen" were
early astir, and at hal past o'clock march
ed to the foot of County street, where
THE PROCESSION
was formed, under the direction of Maj. A.
b. Valentine of Bennington, chief marshal
The procession was a most imposing one,
being some two miles in length, and was
about one hour in passing a given point.
The decorations on private and public
buildings were lavish, and for the most
part in excellent taste. Banners, notices
and excellent floral devices met the eye at
every turn. The public decorations were
twelve lines of flags, placed at the intersec-
ton of principal streets and from the resi-
dences of citizens on the public thorough
fares. The great central feature, however,
was a triumphal arch at the crossing of
Main and North and South streets. This
magnificent structure was decorated upon
the east side with the coat of arms of YER
mont upon the keystone, and that of all the
other States on the other side. On the re-
verse side was the coat of arms Of the Unit
ed States, and upon either side these senti-
ments: peace hath her victories no less
renowned than war;" and General Stark's
famous words, "There are the red coats
they are ours or Molly Stark sleeps wild
ow tonight" Crowds lined the streets and
filled the accessible places on window and
doorway, while banner and flag streamers
decorated the scene with brightness, cheer
ed the multitude and pleased the eye. The
First Regiment, N. G. ", were assigned as
escort for the Governor and other dgnita-
ries present, occupying fourteen carriages.
| The second division was headed by the
Putnam Phalanx of Hartford, CT, in their
picturesque uniform of the Revolutionary
period, followed by the New Hampshire
troops, consisting of the Amoskeag veter-
ans, also in Revolutionary costume; Ports
mouth heavy artillery State capitol guards
of Concord; Hiusdale guards, and Man
chester war veterans, escorting the state
officials of New Hampshire and the city
government of Manchester. The third di-
vision consisted of 1900 veterans under Col.
Hooker of Brattleboro, with an imposing
staff of mounted officers. Fuller's Battery
brought up the rear. Among Vermont's
veteran surviving officers who took part in
the procession were Gen. "Baldy" Smith
Maj-Gen. George j. Stannard, Maj-Gen.
w. w. Wells, Gen. Foster, Gen. Henry,
Gen. Pitkin, Coils. Tracy, Joyce, Veazey,
Walbridge, Randall, and others of perhaps
equal note.
Among the notable features of the pro-
cession was the fine marching of the First
Regiment, N. G. ", the appearance Of the
Putnam Phalanx, composed of elderly, SOL
id men of Hartford, and the soldierly APP
pearanco of New Hampshire troops and
Vermont veterans. These latter drew
cheer after cheer, and enthusiasm reached
a climax when body of three hundred
with banner, "Spunky Lamoille," made its
appearance. When the veterans passed the
triumphal arch, hearty cheers were given
4 m<--raes's '1seeu r---,ov~s~Aaaoad 10 bt
surpassed by that of the following day
while the long line of carriages, interjectet
at appropriate places, conveying the distin
guished guests, were objects of much inter
est.
AT THE PAVILION.
On the arrival of the procession at the
mammoth pavilion on the centennial fields
the address of welcome was delivered by
Hon. E. ]. Phelps of Burlington, President
| Of nia al ,;x
who introduced the orator of the day, Hon.
Daniel Roberts of Burlington.
THE ADDRESS.
Sons of Vermont--My Brothers Around
this, her ancient hearthstone, our mother
State has called her children together 10 eel.
citrate her Tooth birthday. 1t is well. The
call stands justified by the occasion, and
the place of our gathering best BELTS both
The founding ola State is a great event in
the worlds history, forming an epoch in
the social, evil and governmental reckon
ing of nations. The names of the founders
of States demand reverence and special
honors, for of States free created the mum.
Der is but small and the names of the found
ers OF such shine but here and there in SOL
itary brilliancy, too few and too scattered
to form consultations in the heavens of his
tory. Vermont, may say, developed in
to organized life and form from the germi-
nal principle of individual freedom and lib
erty of free choice. No mothers care era
died or nurtured it, but rocked by storm
and tempest and nurtured of the elements.
this child of the forest and the mountains
won for Itself place, and took it, as a free
State, not only "independent of all" but in
defiance of all save the mercies of God"
In this regard, its case is quite exceptional
among the American States;-made SO
through the great sagaclty and indomiable
Will OF race OF heroes, as wise as thew
were brave Thus created freeState, and
having so lived and fiourshed for 100 years,
1t is well that her children of to-day mark
the event and celebrate IL. II Is well TOO
that we meet here for our festival-here in
Bennington, the namesake of the Royal
Governor OF New Hampshire who granted
this town its charter, the first of the 1870 of
the New Hampshire grants. Here was the
earliest principal settlement of the then
wilderness. Here, more than elsewhere Oc-
Cured the stirring events of our colonial
life pregnant of the future State. Here was
the States cradle, and her early hearth
stone. Here gathered the heroes of that
day, the demigOds of this, in Council of
Safely, and Of war, for defence against the
common enemy of the infant nation, and
aga INST The special enemies of the hardy
settlers of "the Grants, "-those land lob
bers and freebOOters along the Hudson.
toward whom the catamount from Land.
lord Fay's tavern sign. grinned angry de-
| uanoo' noto, carry IN May NO. mustered
that patriot band whose ears had but Just
caught the echo of the first shot at Licking
ton, and from here they went forth under
the leadership of Ethan Allen, in the
name of the great Jehovah, TO the capture
OF Fort Ticonderoga; and from here march
ed Stark, with his braves and the Green
Mountain Boys, just across the border.
where they made the 10th of August inn.
mortal; and TO this place they returned.
bringing their foes captive and their own
dead for burial.
This land of ours, which we now call YER