Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-07-09
The Fourth at LyndOnVille,

The Fourth was quite extensively cele-
brated here, the two chief elem ents being
races. horse and foot, at the trotting park
and the Good Templars' reunion at the
camp ground. These grounds lying near,
one might almost say in, the village are
naturally beautiful. and very handsomely
fitted up by the Passumpsic railroad CON-
pany, who made very liberal terms fol-
excursions to attend the races and reunion
the latter we attended and will briefly
notice.
The meeting was called to order in the
grove in the forenoon and an address
made, after which they adjourned to the
depot TO meet incoming trains from the
south and west, which being late caused
delay and some impotence from standing
about in the sun. The Newport band re-
lieved the tediousness with music, render.
ing very nicely several good selections.
At IL: 80 the united bands OF Newport
and Lyndon, under the leadership of II.
G. Blaisdell, Esq. gave their concert on
the grand stand, which contained several
popular pieces as we'll as the Star Spangled
Banner, Keller's Peace Hymn, Hail
Columbia, and other patriotic pieces. and
were very we'll rendered considering the
fact of being separate bands combined
under strange leader.
After the concert the crowd marched to
the grove, where they were called to order
by the past Grand Worthy Chief Templar,
Rev. E. Folsom, the present Grand
Worthy Chief, Col. John B. Mead, being
absent by reason of the severe illness OF
his daughter.
The Mississippi Jubilee singers being
present, Gus they were to give concert in
town in the evening" were invited to sing
and gave several selections of their quite
peculiar music which was evidently new
TO most present.
After music, prayer was offered by
Grand Worthy Chaplain Rev. A. B. Truax
following which w. r. Davenport. chap
lain of Riverside lodge. gave an address
of welcome, and response was made by
Rev. E. Folsom.
After these addresses, more music by
the Jubilee singers and collection was
taken up which we thought was less in
teresting to the audience than the previous
exercises. Next came an address by Rev
j. D. Knowles of Mass. Mr.. Knowles
address was quite lengthy, anu devoted
chiefly to tiorid description of our coun.
try and its growth, to comparison with
other countries very flttering to us and
most diScouraging to them, and of most
liberal prophecy of future greatness and
power. Mr.. Knowles address struck u,
rs more of spreadeagle-Fourth of-July
GRAFTON than an argument or plea for tenn
perance.
After music by the band, ex-Gov Dale
was introduced and made most eloquent
and logical plea for the cause which losl
none of its pathos because of its candor
and most temperate tone. We do not re-
member when we have heard the ground
so wei, and candidly gone over, and in So
brief time.
After music. Grand Worthy Secretary
Plumley read an excellent letter from
Grand Worthy Chief Mead regretting his
inability to be present, giving hopeful
view of the future of the cause and exhort
ing to renewed zeal and faithful continu
ance in the work.
Short addresses were made by L. L.
Durant, Esq, and Rev Mr.. Folsom which
with selections by the band closed the
exercises.
The audience was large, numbering
some twelve or fifteen hundred, and Were
most quiet and orderly. The Passumpsir
railroad company have done a good thing
for the public and we hope for themselves
rs we'll in providing so pleasant and con
venient location for such and kindred
meetings, and Superintendent Folsom
seems to spare no pains on the part of the
road 10 make them pleasant and success
full.
We did not get up to the races, but un.
derstaud that they were a success. and that
$500 tickets were sold at the gate. About
three times as many pay to see the races
as attend the temperance gathering free
except the collection, which probably did
not amount to enough to make it worth
while to note it as an exception. Where's
the lnoralp