Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-03-27

An OIl-Tashioucd Luncheon and stirring


Day" at the New Orleans exposition.
Wednesday, March Is is condensed from
the New Orleans PicdYvHc:
The elegant invitations sent out by Col.
John b. Mead United States commission
or for Vermont were responded to by an
audience which filed all the available
space allotted to Vermont and overlooked
into Massachusetts ON the one side and in
to Connecticut on the other. The plat
form for the speakers occupied place
over against Connecticut, opposite the
Arch of Titus, and folding chairs were
placed in every nook and space of the sur
rounding vacant area. Typical of its
title, the Green Mountain State each
guest wore dark green badge, with the
word Vermont in gilt across the centre,
and, appropriate for the occasion. Com
missioner Mead had provided for his
guests an old-fashoncd Vermont lunch
con, consisting of maple syrup, dough
nuts and sage cheese, followed with lem
onadc. The luncheon was served after
the speaking to the accompaniment of
music 10y Prof. Bochelt's brass band.
Each person present was provided with
plate for the cheese and duughnutS Il
small plate and Il teaspoon for the maple
syrup and Japanese paper napkin. 1t
is unnecessary TO say that the lunch was
heartily enjoyed by all
At O'Clock Commissioner Mead called
the interesting features of such occasions
are the opportunities offered FOR the happy
interchange of cOurtesies between the citi-
Zens of the States of the country. but
which are geographically divided. These
occasions meant more than they indicated
upon their surface, and carried more sub
stantial good with their results than is at
first appreciated. Among the happiest of
his life. said the commissioner, were found
in helping to realize the projected great
Wnrl1'S EVDnSitinp in the (11ppns 'itV nf
the south When it was first suggested
that Vermont should participate in it by
making an exhibit, the idea received from
him most cordial welcome, as he thought
that Vermont should not fail to take adj
vantage of the best possible OPP
portunity ever offered the State for
becoming acquainted with the South
and the Southern people, and the peo-
pie of his State should come down and in
terchange those touching acts of courtesy
which tend to make the people of all sec
tions of the country to become better ac-
quainted with each other and gain bet
ter knowledge of the great possibilities
and resources of their country. The peo-
pie know too little Of each other, and they
would he happier as Il nation and as in
dividuals if they were better acquainted.
When Commissioner General MOrehead
visited Montpelier and explained to the
Governor and legislature and the people of
the State the aims, objects and extent of
the exposition and told how heartily the
people of his section wanted Vermont as
well as the other Eastern States to iOin
with them in making the exposition
success, he touched the State pride and
patriotism of Vermont, which are never
found wanting when called on. The
leaven began to work and resulted in an
appropriation and in the sending of the
modest EXHIBIT of Vermont which is found
here to-day.
The next speaker introduced was Mr..
Hiram Atkins, editor of the Montpelier