Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-01-27

Joseph Smith were their brethren. There
was a certain poetic justice, as well as
certain civil justice, that the statesmen of
Vermont should do what they could to
eradicate the heresy that the sons of Yer
mont had originated and imposed upon
mankind. If ne had lived long in Massa-
chusetts, and had nothing but gratitude
for this State, he continued, his heart
turned to the State OF Vermont.
Other speakers were Col j. II. Benton,
jr., aud Mr. Charles Robinson.
Letters we're received from many distin-
guished citizens of the United States.
United States Minister Phelps wrote;
LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,
LONDON, Jan. 4, 1888.
Nm Dear Jtdgc Bennett
The invitation you have so kindly conveyed
10 be present al the annual banquet at tie
Sons of Vermont in Boston on the l7th III
st0nt, makca ne regret more than ever that
am 20 tar away from home. | should GLADLY
accept 1t If | could. NcrmOnters, wherever
they are, may be pardoned, / THINK, = little
pride in tier native state, and i'll the children
it has produced. Nowhere can such II scnti
ment toe more justly INDUCED than among
those natives Of the Green mountains in BOs-
ton who have contributed so nrgeiy TO MAIN
tain the character AID prosperity of the
famous city II which they have made their
home.
Never were the foundations of Il State more
noply laid, nor by nObler men than were those
of the little republic that fought on its own
on the 18th of January, l777. TIE traditions
OF the men of those days-their excrtlOns,
their patriotism, their man mess, their self
sacrifice have pervaded all The generations
that have sue eeded them. Let us hope that
those memories may never wear out; and
that the inheritance eceyed from the fathers
may remain with the childten always, Il birth
right never to be battered away, a fame never
to be quilted. ] trust your festivities may be
attended by every enjoyment and success
beg you Will convey to the ASSOCIATION my
thanks for the honor of their invitation, and
my cordial wishes for happy New Year to
them all.
Always sincerely yours
e. j. PHELPS.
Hon. Frederick Billings wrote "You
will have a good time and the dear old
State will be lovingly remembered rs she
ought to be, not only for what she has
been and is. but for what she is to be-
am one of those who believe it is one of
the best parts OF the earth, and people
Will not be moving away from her for
ever"
Senator George F. Edmunds wrote
The sons OF Vermont, at least those who
have taken up their abodes in other States
and countries, have universally conferred
I honor upon their native State in every de-
partmeut of individual, social aud politl-
cal activity, and she may well be proud Of
them. | wish for you all every enjoyment
on the occasion and every personal felic-
! ity"
| In his letter Judge John A. Jane
son of Chicago sent the following senti-
ment: vermont May the vigor and poll
teal wisdom which, during the revolu-
ton, made her thoroughly successful in
her triangular duel with New York and
| England still keep her, what she proved
! herself during the late war, proportion
ately the most stalwart and self.sacrifc-
ing of the defenders of the Union and
may her battles continue to be fought, az
heretofore, outside her own borders and
! against an alien foe"
Hon. f. b. sherman, president of the
J Illinois Association Sons of Vermont sent
a sympathetic and cordial letter
Hon. George Nichols of Mortified
wrote: Those OF us who have remained
behind to protect and care for the homes
OF our bOyhood point with unerring pride
to those who have left, but never forgot
ten us, for everywhere that thrift, energy
and success are seen there will be found
i;IpresS of the old Green Mountain State. >
Elk Gov. John l.. Barstow wrote "Wheu
natives of Vermont, living in other States,
associates themselves together under the
name of Sons of Vermont it shows that
they glory in the past history of our dear
State, and it should be a StrOug incentive
to those of us who remain to do our ut
most to maintain the record and renown
not only OF the pioneers, bat of their sue
cessOrs as well.
Hon. + p. Walton wrote 'The Yer
mont OF to-day is the fruit of all that has
been suffered and achieved in the past
Not the Vermont which is represented by
one grand little mother, standing to-day
with frosty snow and crystal robes, nor n
she will stand in the refreshing greenness
and glories of summer when her sons aud
daughters come from afar to worship her
but Vermont as she is, in her thrifty chill
dren ut home and abroad, in every State
and Territory of our own country, and il
every civilized country throughout thu