New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-08-17
VERMONT'S CENTENARY.
A FINE CELEBRATION OF BATrLE-DAY.


A FINE CELEBRATION OF BATrLE-DAY.
THE PROCESSION FOUR MILES LONG --PRRstDESr
HAYES HFARTILY CHgEHED-TnE ExERcIsEs
cnEDuABLE.
There was generally good weather yesterday
for the celebration of the Centennial Anniver-
sary of the Battle of Bennington. The process
SION was four miles long and was witnessed
by a crowd OF spectators estimated 10 he from
10000 to 100000 in number President
Hayes and party were checrcd all along
the route with great enthusiasm. After
the parade an Grafton was delivered 10y
Prof. Bartlett aud a poem by Bryant
was read by Prof. Churchill. Speeches
were made by President Hayes, Secretary
Evarts, and other distinguished men at tho
close of the literary exercises, and again after
dinner.
TIE DAY AN HONOR TO VERMONT.
~ MAGNITUDE. ~ sESrmENr AND PIC uRisQuE-
MSS NE CELEBRATION wOlTHY OF ALL PRAISE.
lBY iELEGR,Pu TIE rRfBrSE.l
BFNNTvGrON. Aug 16.-The two-day'- celebration
here has been % complete success. The attendance
was much larger than expected. Estimates Of tho
number of people who filled the camp grounds
and thronged the village streets to-day range from
10000 20 100000.
y
most praso-whother the military display made by
the volunteer troops Of four States the the long
procession of Veterans Of the Rebellon-.turdy,
middloaged mon with lines in their faces telling of
courage and endurance; the official element. en-
bracng the State Governments Of Vermont, New
Hampshire aud Massachusetts, the three states that
sent soldiers to the Bennington fight a hundred
years ago; the grand outpouring of the people or
the bountiful hospitality Of the townsfolks, aud
their enterprise aud tirclcss labors in organizing the
celebration.
Giving all full recognition. there is yet something
more important than either without which the cele-
bration would have faed-a feeling Of earnest
patriotism aroused by the memories of the Reyolu-
tionary struggle; healthful State pride which
leads three States 10 claim each It's share Of the glory
of Gen. Starks victory, and a sentiment Of nation
ality shown in the invitation to the President and in
the cordial reception given him by men of al parties.
Nowhere could the attractions of holiday diversion
have drawn this immense multitude 70 little
mountain village of scarce 1000 inhabitants. Moth
ing except strong. enthusiastic sentiment could haFe
produced such "A demonstration; md II Is eNceed-
ingly gratifying i'm a material age. when questions
of business, employment and wages are uppcrmo't,
IL find SO much wholesome sentiment existing IN
the popular heart
The full accounts Of the day's proceedings require
no supplementing by special dispatches. word
mav however be said of the wonderful picturesque
ness of the scene on the grounds whore the exercises
took place The forum of the occasion j. a hity.
acre field. slopng down from the wooded sides OF
Mount Anthony in billowy ridges toward the valley.
where lies the village with its white houses, looking
ike flakes Of foam on n sea of green foliage. All
around save to the westward, are the steep slopes
of the Green Morntans with dark coud-shadows
! floating along their sides. Tho field Is boriered
by the pretty camps of the National Guard aud tho
veterans, the rows Of tents looking as white
as snowdrifts. In the open space there Is woudcr-
fully varied picture Of life and movement Militia
men in CAV uniforms military bands here and there.
families plcnicing on the grass countless booths
for refreshments and side-show diversions loudly
advertised by bawlng showmen. perambulailng
vendors OF all sorts of portable articles and every
where the vast multitude of good-natured people.
So striking an outdoor scene is seldomed witnessed
in this country Some Of its features wildly recall
the Derby races Of England.
The President and party 60 to Rutland this eve
ning where a reception will be held and later to
Brattleboro Secretary McCrary left this afternoon
to return to Washington, the business OF hs DEPART
ment demanding his attention. Tomorrow tho
President will visit his uncle, Mr. Burchard, in Fay
etteyilc, accompanied by his wife and his sons.
Mr. Burchard is over eighty years old. His daughter
Mary. who was killed in the Ashtabua disaster, was
Mr. Hayess fayorite cousin, and he and his family
were deyote,lly attached TO her. In visiting Ver-
mont the President comes to the old home of his
mothers ancestors aud he meets many people hero
who from friendship relationship TO the Bureh-
ards feel a warm personal regard for him.