Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-07-09
THE PUTNEY CELEBRA TTON


The people Of Putnoy celebrated Indepen-
dence Day, on Saturday, with the customary
formalities although the rain, which ushered
in and continued at intervals throughout the
day, interfered somewhat with the previous
ly arranged programme. Quiet-that is to
say, Fourth of-July quiet-reigned until
about 10 o'clock, when the rain having ceas-
ed for o time, a regiment of antiques and
horribles," some Is in number made their
appearance upon the street and went through
their grotesque ovolutions for the amusement
of the crowd. Every preparation had been
made for holding the oratorical and gustatory
exercises in the grove in the north part of the
village, but the rain necessitating the use of
the town hall instead the multitude were
drawn to that vicinity about noon by the
playing of the band and booming of cannon.
The exercises at the hall were appropriately
opened with the singing Of 'America" by the
entire audience, lead by the band and choir
of singers upon the platform. Prayer was
offered by the venerable chaplain of the day,
Rev Amos Foster, following which the choir
sang the "National Hymn" In the absence
of Rev. Mr.. Parsons, to whom the duty had
been assigned, Mr. Marcus Ward, tile presi-
dent of the day, then read tItA Declaration Of
Independence, and the bahdF followed with
Hail Columbia" Mr.. Ward then introduce
cd to the audience the orator Of the occasion,
Hon. j. W. Patterson of Hanover, n. II.
Mr.. Pattcrson's effort, though eYtemporane-
Gus, was of very high order Astounding in
noble sentiments and valuable truths, min
gled with enough Of anecdotc to give onter-
tainment and pleasure to all classes of hear
ors The Grafton embraced clear and inter-
esting review Of the political history of our
country from carly times to the present day,
explaining the causes which led to the revolu-
tion-and which, by the way, were shown to
be less trivial than many people nowadays
suppose explaining how, after independence
had been achieved, the articles Of confedera-
ton by which the several States had bound
| themselves were found to be altogether too
weak to constitute national government,
and hence-under the lead of such men rs
Washington. Hamilton, Adams and Jay ms
opposed 10 Thomas Jefferson and others
came TO pass the adoption Of new and
stronger constitution, under which We now
live how the controversy which at that time
arose regarding state cersUS federal suprema-
| cy has remained soorce of contention and
dispute down TO our own times only to be
settled by great civil war how, also, have
arisen the slavery and tariff questions, which
have had such important bearing upon our
politics. Passing from the past to the pres
ent, the speaker congratulated his hearers
that both the political parties had chosen as
standard bearers men who believe in and are
representative of the national idea. Referring
then to'morll questions, he dwolt ut some
length upon the subject Of temperance, CIV
ing facts and statistics, and leaving nobody in
doubt ms to his opinion OF the rum traffic.
The Grafton occupied something more than
an hour in delivery, and was highly enjoyed
| by all. 1t was followed by a temperance
| song from the choir, after which a poem
| (which we print on our first page entitled
The First Victory of Our Flag" was read
| by Rev. Austin Dodge pastor Of the Putney
Congregational church. After music by the
| band, adjournment was made to the tables
which had been spread in the room below
where the demands Of vigorous appetites
were abundantly and handsomely met through
| the patriotism of the ladies.
After dinner came the toasts and responses
| with DIR. Foster as toastmaster We give the
list
Tie Ladics First at the bed of sickness, last
with a sorrowing friend. Patriotic, and for
union-tO a man. Responded TO by Henry
| @. Bacon.
Church and .Shte: May they ever be sep
arate, yet united in influence in every great
Wight.
Putncy Brass Band: Alive, dead and to-
day resurrected. Responded to by the band.
Putney: Although passed the zenith of
her glory, she is yet loyal TO her history and
remembered by noble band of sons and
daughters, who have gone forth to other
fields of labor. Responded to by Dea SADN.
IIoughton.
The Day W. celebrate Its glorious mem
cries and future possibilities. Responded to
by Hon. !. W. Patterson.
The boys had a foot-race in the afternoon,
with four contestants, the race being won by
Albert Pullen. contemplated match game
of base ball had to be abandoned for lack of n
cOntesting club, though numerous invitations
were sent out. In the evening there was
fine display of fireworks, the special attrac-
ton being the sending up of hot-air balloon
with n strong light suspended at the bottom.
1t sailed of to the south, giving fine effect
Everything passed of pleasantly, and the
celebration was success despite the rain,
which was gladly welcomed, even on the
| GLORIOUS Third"