Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-11-08
The Officers Reunion.

The nineteenth annual reunion OF the Vermont
Officers Reunion Society took place Thursday,
and eliminated in q magnificent banquet at the
Pavilion 1t was the largest and most distinguished
gathering in the history Of the society since Gen.
Sheridan was here in 1866. Among the promi-
nent gentlemen present (most Of them were &C.
companied by ladies) were General Barstow, ex-
Governor Proctor, Ex-Governor Farnham, General
Grout, General Stannard, Lieutenant Gov ernor
Pingree, General Thomas, Colonel Mead, General
Wells, Lucius Bigelow, Captain U. A. Woodbury.,
Colonel +. H. Ripley, F. Stewart Stranahan, Sena-
tor Herbert Brainerd, Colonel Aldace F. Walker,
Colonel George W. Hooker, General l.. G. Kings
ley, General T. S. Peck, Dr. P. O'Meara Edison,
General W. Y. W. Ripley, Colonel Willard Far
rington, Edward Dewey, General James S. Peck,
Major Horace X. Ide, Colonel J. H. Walbrdge,
Colonel w. c. Holbrook, General p p. Pitkin,
Judge W. G. veazey and General 7. o. Seaver.
BUSINESS MEETING.
The business meeting took place in the general
committee room Of the state house, in the
afternoon, Governor Barstow presiding. Treas
urer L. G. Kingsley and Secretary F. f. Smith
read their reports, which showed the society to be
in fourishing condition. Invitations were ex-
tended by various gentlemen to the society to
select Vergennes, Rutland, Burlington, and
Montpelier for the place Of their next meet
ing Rutland was finally selected The COM
mttee on nominations, through Colonel Ros-
well Farnham, reported the following list of
officers, which the society unanimously elected :
President, Major James S. Peck of Montpelier
vice-presidents, Major A. B. Valentine OF Ben
nngton, Lieutenant +. II. Ripley OF Rutland ;
secretary, Adjutant Fred f. Smith Of Montpelier
treasurer, Gen. L. G. Kingsley Of Rutland; exec
utive committee, Gen. W. Y. W. Ripley, Col. Red
field Proctor. Captain f. A. Morse OF Rutland.
General Perley p Pitkin was appointed marshal,
and Captain u A. Woodbury. chaplain for the
exercises OF the evening.
MR. BESEDIcT's GRAFTON
The Grafton was delivered in the evening In
representatives hall by the Hon. G. G. Benedict,
editor Of the Burlington Free Press, In the pres
ence Of a crowded audience. General Barstow
presided and introduced Mr. Benedict in an ee-
CANT speech. Mr.. Benedict's Grafton was upon
Vermont in the War and WAS a very valuable
and interesting contribution to the history of
those times His summary was as follows: But
we can claim, without fear Of successful contra
diction, that the people OF Vermont were more
nearly unanimous in the support Of the war for
the Union than the people Of any other state
We can claim that, in proportion to her taxable
wealth. Vermont paid more for the support OF the
government than the wealthiest state. We can
say that in proportion to population Vermont had
more sons In the army OF the Union and fewer in
the rebel army than any other state We can
say that our state was one Of three, Massachu-
sets and New York being the others, whose
troops fought from Big Bethel TO Appomattox.
We can claim that, in proportion to numbers, YER
mont gave more lives to the Union than any other
state, save one. We can say that no Vermont
regiment ever lost flag in action. We can say
that the soldiers OF Vermont had at least as much
to do in the accomplishment of the grand result
az any equal number. We can say that their
service was as intelligent rs II was effective. We
can say that our citizens made less out OF the
government than any Others and that no man
can point to any colossal fortune, in this state,
acquired by army contracts. II these things can
be said without desire to lower by hairs
breadth the credit due to any other community or
to take single laurel from the chaplets Of our
brothers in the Union army, why should they
not be said, and set down for the instruction OF
posterity? Mr.. Benedict was frequently ap-
plauded. The thanks OF the association were voted
him and he was requested to furnish a copy Of
his Grafton for publication.
| THE BANQUET
At ten o'clock the doors OF the great dining
room Of the Pavilion were thrown open and the
banquet was begun. The tables were elegantly
spread, and the presence of many ladies added to
the brilliancy Of the scene Governor Barstow