The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-08-16
BENNINGTON CENTENNIAL.
VERMONT DAY.
A Celebration Worthy of
the State.
A GREAT CRUSH OF PEOPLE.
Fine Grafton, Poem and Speeches.

Fine Grafton, Poem and Speeches.
Wednesday morning, Vermont day Of
the Bennington centennial, the great rush
began. The town was reasonably full be-
fore, but on this morning heavily laden
trains from all directions poured in and
visitors so crowded the principal streets as
to render them almost impossible. An ex-
ira train left Rutland, With ten crowded
cars of passengers and took on three mere
at Manchester. The crowd at the time OF
the passing of the procession was immense.
Pazzas were laden with ladies and gentle
men, and the sidewalks packed with those
who were go unfortunate as not to secure
an elevated position. The display was q
fine one, and the different organizations
were heartily cheered as they passed
through parties of friends on the sidewalks
and balconies.
THE PROCESSION.
The procession formed near the depot.
About $50 carriages were in the line. They
will all be used to-day. In the process
sion were Gov Connor Of Maine, Gov.
Prescott Of New Hampshire, Gov. Van
Zandt of Rhode Island, Gen. N. P. Banks
and DR.. George B. Loring of Massachus-
cts, Richard rockingham OF Boston,
Lieut.. Gov. Knight, representative Of Gov.
Rice of Massachusetts, and many other
dignitariea. The appearance of the troops
was superb. The day was great success.
At 8 80 o'clock the procession moved,
and the line of march announced was fol-
lowed out The column was headed by a
platoon of Troy police under officer Squire
and presented a fne appearance. 1t took
one hour for the procession to pass the
Putnam house. The veterans, numbering
over 1000, elected applause at different
points. Eight bands and 1000 men were
In line. The Putnam phalanx of Hartford
was dressed in continental uniform and
preceded by drum and fife corps.
The best feature Of the day in marching
and general military appearance was that
Of the Park guards of Bennington and the
First Vermont regiment, which surpassed
other organizations. The arrival of the
Tibits corps with Doring's band is looked
forward to as great addition to the mill
tsry assembled here.
IN THE GRAFTON TENT.
The procession marched to the centen-
NAL GROUNDS and disbanded. A large au-
dience assembled in the Grafton pavilion,
capable of holding 1000, to listen to the
Grafton of Daniel Roberts, the poem Of
Mrs. Dorr and several speeches from prom
inent gentlemen. On the stage were seated
Z. ]. Phelps, president of the day, Gov.
Conner of Maine, Gov. Prescott of New
Hampshire, Gov. Van Zandt of Rhode Is
land, Senator Morrill, of Vermont, Gen. N.
p. Banks of Massachusetts, Gen. Hawley
OF Connecticut, Ex-Gov. Smyth and Ex-
Gov. Robinson OF New Hampshire, Matt
Head president of the New Hampshire SEN
ate, Nathaniel Boutwell,, state historian of
New Hampshire, Gen. Patterson, COM
mander of the New Hampshire troops,
Gen. ]. G. Robinson, commander-in-chief
of the G. A. r. of the United States,
James Tanner, commander Of the
G. A. R. of the state Of New York, Gov.
Fairbanks and staff, Lieut.. Gov. Proctor,
Ex-Gov. Hiland Hall, the judges of the
supreme court, E. W. Stoughton of New
York, President G. B. Hubert of Middle.
bury college, Hon. Daniel Roberts, Hon.
Seneca NJ. Dorr with Mrs. Dorr, Prof. ]
w. Churchill, and scores Of prominent citi.
zens of the state and guests from abroad,
and good number of ladies.
The exercises were opened by an appro.
pirate and an impressive prayer by Pastor
Jennings of the historic church of Ben.
nington, followed by the National airs
played by the assembled bands, the audience
standing,
Mr.. Phelps then welcomed the Vermont
ers in a brief and elegant address as fol-
lows:
have but few words to offer, nv
friends, in introducing the services ap
pointed for this occasion. The state Of
Vermont commentaries to-day the 100,h
anniversary of her births the happy and
prosperous close of the first century of hei
existence as an independent state.
Tomorrow we shall signalize here one oil
the most important victories of the revolu
tionary battle fields. TODAY is devoted &c
those other victories not less Renowned
and not less fTuitful-the Victories Of Peace
To all who have assembled here
whether friends or strangers, TO tn,
distinguished guest that grace this occasion
with their preseGce, to all the children Of
Vermont who from near and far, from for
eign homes have gathered 10 honor the
centennial birthday of their native state,
am charged on her behalf TO extend kind
ly, a cordial, u generous welcome. ZAP
plause. Larger and richer states nigh
offer you more splendid inequalities, NOR,
Imposing ceremonies, a more magnificent
display ours are plain and simple as bef
the habits of our people and the character
OF those Institutions whose origin we nov
celebrate. This day is consecrated to tn,
past. All the history, all the memory o.
the century which is now closing upon ou
commonwealth, its early struggles, IL
vicissitudes, its hopes, its fears, ID
steadfast march, the glory of its wars, tn,
security of It's peace, all throng upon us to
day and are the appropriate topics of tn,
hour.
Especially is this day sacred to the mem
DRY of those men who laid broad and deel
in early days the foundation of those In
situations under which we live and no
only do We remember at time like thi
those distinguished leaders whose name
are as household words among us, but no
the less do we honor the rank and file, tn
whole noble generation of men who all tn
daye OF their lives and through all the ave