Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-10-09

1919 by students OF various universities
various sections of the countryto become
mutually acquainted and to foster pa
triotic feeling for the whole country. 1T
grew in influence from the first and has
figured largely in the political history of
the country, and to-day is one of the
strongest bonds of union in the confed-
Grafton. This company was followed by
the Padagogia, a society composed OF
young candidates for the Iofngia After
these came various civil and political or
carnations from all the region round
about. The last division was composed of
representatives from the various cantons,
among which we noticed Iurichers who
to-day join in celebrating the valor OF the
heroes whom their ancestors assisted to
destroy. We could not help but think OF
the union of the Blue and the Gray not
long ago at Riverside Park.
One of the most characteristic features
of the procession was a number of ath-
letes adorned with white, red or green
rosettes, who walked beside the ranks in
the forward divisions carrying long poles
at the lofty ends Of which were long bags
or pockets made of white and red stuff
which they reeacded out to the crowded
windows as they passed by, to receive con-
tributions for the cause of certain sec
tons of the country which suffered Sc
verely through disastrous hailstorms dur
ing the early months of the summer.
The festival committee had announced
this feature of the parade the day before
in the programme of the fete and urged
the people to liberalty with the plea that
on August 20, li44 the inhabitants of the
striker sections had come gallantly to
the relief of the city of Basic and had
freely given up their lifeblood.
Arriving at the battlefield, which was
gay with flags, especially at those four
! ,h,r fri Inn pl
by public authority, the divisions separat-
ed. Before the speeches were given, the
threatening clouds came down in torrents
and the throng FASTENED back to the city
and took possession of several large halls,
where the orators held forth in regular
Fourth of July style, Among the oratlons
and toasts was n speech from a clergy
man from Holland, who drew some felici-
tous comparisons between Holland, at the
the mouth of the Rhine, and Switzerland.
at its source. An American, and espec-
/ tally New Highlander, feels much at
| home in such an aSsemblage in Switzer-
land. If a Hollander could draw compar-
isons, much more could a son of the Unit
ed States. One feels in more congenial at
mosphere here than in any political sec
ton of the continent. The vigorous
thought of each man has a chance to be
heard and weighed. Each voter is a re-
sponslble agent in all public affairs The
danger of Switzerland is in fact this very
emphasis of individuality. and all the
speeches Of the day laid stress upon the
necessity of union and an increased pa
trlotism for the whole Fatherland rather
than for the isolated Commune.
This anniversary of the battle of st
Jacob is thus characteristic Swiss fest
val. uniting old and new switzerland, ant
lets one into the inner life of the people
The busy city of Basic, lying on the Dor
Der lands of three countries, and with it.
great modern silk industries, shows
varied life but among all that is new
walks the old city with occasional quain
costumes and its rough but vigorous an
cient Allemanic speech. WOODWARD.