The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-06-27
A Great Day In Burlington.

Commencement exercises at the University
OF Vermont have been made memorable this
year by the imposing ceremonies attending
the relaying on the corner stone originally laid
by LAFAYETTE fifty-eight years ago. and nv the
unwilling In the college park of the statue of
the distinguished Frenchmsn, the gift Of John
p. Howard. Aside from the dignitaries. in
vited guests and those connected with the va =
rious organizations which formed part OF the
procession, multitude Of people from all
parts OF the state thronged to Burlington and
were interested spectators Of the scenes and
ceremonies. The streets OF the CITY were early
thronged and each arriving train till noon added
its contingent to the crowd. The CITY was CAV
with flags and streamers. Public buildings.
houses and private dwellings, streets and
blocks, bore an Enthusiastically gala day appear r.
ance. During the forenoon the annual meet
ipgs OF the Phi Beta Kappa society and Of the
alumni were held. and Mt half past ten o'clock
came the celebration Of the associate alumni,
with an Grafton by Hon. James FORSYTH OF
Troy, N. Y The popular interest however.
conferred in the exercises for the afternoon Al
half-past one o'clock the procession formed
under the chief marshalship 1T GENERAL Will
liam Wells. A battalion If United States in
fantry, OF the Vermont National Guard and of
the students OF the University. under their re-
spective commanders, formed the escort The
procession was made up of carriages containing
the gov rnor of the state, officers of the day
and invited guests, alumni medical stu-
dents, Masonic bodies Odd Fellows. Stannard
Post Grand Army of the Republic and vetera
soldiers, st. Joseph and st. John Baptste
societies. Piloted by BODY of police and To
the splendid music Of Sherman's band the
procession moved through the PRINCIPAL streets
OF the city to the park in front Of the Univer-
sity. Its arrival there was greeted with az
lutte OF seventeen guns In honor NJ his excel
!ency, the governor. The column formed hol-
low square in front of the University where
were held the ceremonies connected with the
reaying OF the corner stone The following
was the order of exercises First hymn nv the
students of the University Of Vermont and
state Agricultural College. Second introduce
tory remarks by the president. Third. relay
ing OF the corner stone originally laid by Gen.
Lafayette, June 29th 1925, with Masonic GER
emonies. Fourth laying Of the Howard corner
stone OF the reconstructed University building.
Fifth, prayer by the chaplain. Sixth address
BY Right Rev. W. II. A. Bissell, Episcopal
bishop of Vermont
At the close OF Bishop Bissell's address, the
bodies composing the procession, and the at.
tending audience moved to the Mace in the
College Park where stood the yelled statue OF
the friend Of Washington, the adopted child Of
the Republic he 80 powerfully assisted to es.
taelish by his arms and his counsels At this
point, In the midst of great concourse OF
deeply interested people the following order Of
exercises was observed: First, music nv the
SHERMAN band; Second. upveilng nj the statne
BY the sculptor Mr.. J. @. A. Ward Of New
York, with salutes of artillery and military sa
lutte third, presentation address on behalf Of
Mr.. Howard by c. A. DAWSON, Esq, of New
York; fourth, acceptance. bv President Buck
ham; fifth, address by Judge John A. Jameson
OF Chicago: sivth, singing national ode. by
Phllharmonic Chorus Of Burlington: seventh
remarks by Governor Barstow on the part OF
the state of Vermont Mayor Morse on the part
OF the city OF Burlington. and Hon II. H. Pow
ers OF Morrisville on behalf of the alumni
eighth, singing, Marseiles Hymn, by Philhar
monte Chorus; ninth, benediction BY the char
lain. A signal gun announced the time for the
unveiling OF the statue. AS the envelopnp
drapery was drawn away. the gaze of the mn
titude was fixed upon the spot, eager to catch
the hrst glimpse Of the outlines of the bronze
form its folds had concealed from curious ewes
the statue was greeted with loud and enthu.
siastic plaudits. And apart from the associa
lions which at any time and in any place, would
draw from Americans spontaneous burst O.
loyal applause for anything pertaining to La
1ayette. as a work of art the statue il worthy O
the acclamations 1t evoked In its heroic pro
portions, the munifcence Of the donor, Howard
the genius of the sculptor, Ward, and tn,
patriot and soldier whom it represents ar,
htlv commemorated.