Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-07-10
The Fourth at PIalnfield.

originated a very creditable and successful cele-
bration Of the National Anniversary last Thurs
day, which was very generally attended by the
people of that and neighboring towns. The fore
noon trains brought several hundred, including
Captain Coffey's new Company II, First Regi-
ment Vermont National Guard, from Montpelier.
The company was received at the depot by the
new PlainAeld band and salute was fired near
by when they marched to the school-house, par
took Of dinner, on invitation OF the citizens,
provided at the Painfeld Hotel aud did escort
duty during the day. The company was the adj
mration Of all who saw 1t, and marched and be-
haved In every respect in as soldierly and orderly
a manner as any OF the crack companies Of the
state. There was also procession Of citizens
and school children-the latter riding In large
wagons, finely decorated with evergreens, flags
and notices At noon the children partook OF
dinner at the Town Hall, Afte dinner the mill
tary and committee of arrangements escorted L.
T. Palmer, Esq, Of Waterbury, orator of the day,
and other guests to a stand erected near the Con-
gregatonal church. Here the exercises were as
follows: Prayer by Rev. 9. L. Ferrin music by
the band; reading Of the Declaration OF Indepen-
dence by o. L. Hoyt, ESQ.,; Grafton by f. +.
Palmer, ESD toasts and sentiments, responded
to in brief speeches by Mr.. Hoyt and Rev. Mr..
Ferrin humorous Chinese address by DIR. Smith ;
music etc, and salvo of artillery.
Mr.. Palmer's Grafton was very favorably re-
ceived. He first eulogzed the revolutionary
fathers and claimed that their memory should be
perpetuated, and not hidden from public view.
The cultivation Of patriotism is both wise and
commanding duty, he said. Standing in the
dawn OF new century, it is wise to occasionally
reairm the great principles that underlie our re-
public He briefly described the despotism Of
Europe a century ago, and pointed out the madly
clashing opinions Of that day. II ia on the intel
ectual state of man that the visible form of so
ciety depends. The external, visible organization
Of the state is almost wholly dependent on the
mental and moral conditions OF man. 1t is true
that principles gained the mastery over events
they were planted and bore fruit, each of its kind
one in America and the other In Europe The ad-
vancement of the United States was also briefly
noticed He also alluded to several criticisms Of
eminent Europeans on our progress-of DE Toque-
vile and j. Stuart Mill, that there is not so
great an individual independence here as is some
times found in Europe that individual opinion
must yield to over-mastering public opinion; that
the members Of the various political organza-
tons here, while too ready to assai their OPP
ponents, are blind to the errors Of their party-n
worse, become defenders of bad men and mea-
sures and that this is carried so far that, In the
end, 1t must produce Generalization. 1t is in
sisted also, that the powers OF the English SOW
eregn have decreased during the past century,
while those of our President have increased, and
that this is going in the wrong direction. 1t
should he carefully considered whether more Off
GERS should not be chosen by the people, especially
postmasters, thus diminishing the intensity OF
Presidential elections 1t has also been claimed
that the practical effect Of free voting has not
brought the greatest virtue and ability to the
duct of public affairs. This, the speaker went on
to show, was not true, Again, it is said that
whilst everybody can read and write, we have
failed in the highest departments Of learning.
The speaker thought it could be proved that
America has contributed her fair share to the
literature, science and philosophy Of the world
during the past century, but the time has come
when we must do much more for education than
the past-when we cannot do a dozen things
poorly, and any one thing first-cass.
After the exercises at the stand the assembly
broke up and adjourned to the common, wher,
they were entertained with race for a CREASED
pig, which was captured after some exertion b,
some fortunate individual whose name we wer,
unable to ascertain. After the pig-race came {
foot-race between Messrs. Scott and Yatter Of
Montpelier, which was won by Mr.. Scott.
One feature Of the day must not be left unmen.
toned, namely, the Marshfield "Modocs." Thi
an organization of men representing a band Of
| Indians drpssed in fantastic STYLE armed witt
tomahawks and all the accoutrements of red men
In the afternoon they gave very characteristic
"war dance" around their victims, which at
tracted the universal attention of the crowd iron
its unique and picturesque character.
On the whole, the day passed off very pleasantly
with little or none of the general unpeasantnes
so prevalent such occasions. AS rule, tn
crowd of spectators was remarkably orderly an,
not at all disposed to disturb the exercises witt
unwelcome demonstrations. We believe that bu
one arrest was made which, considering the larg
concourse of people gathered together, is indica
tive of an unusual degree of order and quietness
The Montpelier and Wells River railroad had
particularly convenient arrangement Of train
for the accommodation of the public-two in tn
morning and two in the afternoon, returning
to Montpelier.
In the evening, dance was given at the hote
which many OF our people remained to attend
and the universal verdict is grand goo
time" The only drawback was the intense hea
which prevailed rendering travel decidedly III
pleasant Altogether, Plainfied may well fe'
gratitied at the success of her festivities whc
were Of exceptional interest and attracted so larg
a number of county citizens as attendants.