The Bennington daily banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1877-1877, 1877-08-18

spoke words Of fire that will live forever;
whose love of liberty caused him to dedicate
his letters to the pe0ple-the men and women
of Great Britain. He says to them "the fee
simple OF the country and government is
ours" And that was all the founders of the
American government said at their COM
mencement-that the fee simple is ours. This
country with its atmosphere, Its capacities,
its wealth aud pOwer-the fee simple is ours
and God giving us the strength and capacity,
we will maintain it.
What will preserve this liberty that dis
tinguishes our country 7 1t is truth. 1t is
the truth that makes men free. Nothing but
this will make us so. 1t is that that nerved
our fathers, the patriots and statesmen and
heroes, whose grand acts we have met here
to celebrate; nothing but the truth gave
them the victory. And in regard to the
machinery of government the same thing Is
true, And this local machinery is to be pre-
served. We should cling to 1t with the great
est necessity.
NAMES FELICITATIoE.
Gov. Conner Of Name was introduced aud
spoke as follows;
Vermont aud Maine are the only two New
England States that were mot among those
wnich established the Federal Union. So
stands the record. The fact remains that
Vermont was with them, If she was not q
them that a hundred years ago, when the
result of the contest for American independ-
ence was wavering in the balance, there was
a formed aud declared love of liberty, which
mas never ceased tO maintain its existence.
Not DEGREES of courts or dictates OF King
uOr resolutions of Congress could prevent
or defeat the efforts of State that
was struggling into b3ing q century ago. 10
derived its sanction from higher authority
han these. 1t rested upon the will OF this
leOple. who knew thoir rights, and knowing,
dared maintain them. What strenuous
liberty was theirs, struggling to protect
themselves from State which not only de-
nanded their allegiance, but their home
,teads and lands-haTd-earned fruits OF their
toll They fought for the cause Of human
rights aud freedom. They had the pride and
patriotism that came down from the old he
roes to their descendants, who exhibited that
spirit IN the armies Of the Potomac and the
glOries of Gettysburg. he occasion was most
prolific in stirring the reflections of patriot
ism and dear to the lover OF all that is just
and brave, were the memories OF those Ia
theirs of this G mmOnwealth, who bequeath-
ed to this country q noble. freeJ0m-lOvlng
State and an example which will ever tend
TO make the spirit of liberty fresh and beau
tiful as the slopes OF tine green nils winch
they loved and battled for.
Mr.. Stevenson of Rhode Island, was intro
duced at this time, aud spoke briefly. lie
would only say few words in behalf OF his
state. The smell of her fogS were lingering
around him, and the aroma of her ocean
blended with the swell of the green bills Of
Vermont As he came here through the val
leys and over the mills, be realized for the
irst time. why in New Hempshlre, they call
cd these ghost-like craRs the White Noun
Cains. and why they term this state the
GreeO Mountain sGate. He admired the hills
and valleys of this state, and when he look.
cd upon tine men and women. 80 strong and
beautiful lie wished he was q, sculptor !;
when he heard the beautiful poem read he
wished he was Vermont poet.
When he had started from
home be had thought what he might bring.
He could not bring flowers to this state,
because the mountains were decked with
them from their heads where the stars shone
in glittering considerations, 10 where their
feet are bathed in the silver lakes and beau
tiful rivers of the State, So they do not
want flowers, except little rosemaTy-that
is for remembrance. As he was talking he
could hear rustling of the tent, the wind
floating across the hills Of this state, bring
ing to the cheeks of the women of the state
fuddy look and giving light and life to
their eyes-GOd bless them He wished this
wind could sweep through the great cities
where sickness and disease turks he wished
it could purify the whole body polite.