St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-03-01
wAsHINGToN's BIRTHDAY


ed as a little celebration of the ami
versary of the birth of Washington.
A "colonial" supper was the first
weighty attraction, at which, beside
the usual eatables, baked beans, pump
kin pie, boiled dish with cabbage and
Old-fashioned nutcakes embellished the
bill of fare. After social hour at the
tables, Toastmaster Dakia raped the
assembly to order and after IL vocal
quartet by Messrs. Silsby, Baker, Ha-
zen and Tyler, announced the literary
treat which was to follow. He gave as
the first toast
l.. The Century's Progress.
This was responded to by Perley F.
Hazen, who briefly but cOncisely emu
merated some-of the inventions, dis
coveries, political changes, etc, that
had taken place since WashingtOn's
day, and closed with Il humorous poem
by Burdette, in which the difference
| between those times and these was
graphically pictured.
2. Truthful George-hiS early mis-
take and its influence. g Woedman,
spare that tree!"
Responded to by A. B. Noyes, who
| Washington's character. He thought
that the fact that our hero stuck close
ly to the truth, regardless of cOnse-
quences, was not followed to any alarm
| |. -, e tN1n
"a remark, by the way, that could
have no application in that audience.
He was not sure that th-telling was
his mistake, but more likely it was in
cutting down that tree, and thus set
ting an example, which being followed
ever since, is leading to the reckless
destruction of the forests all over the
country. When Mr.. Noyes took his
seat the quartet gave "Round," in
which the baritone chased the tenor
and he was in turn chased by the bass,
the theme being the cutting down of a
fruit tree by one 6. Washington with
a small ak.
g. George Washington the friend
of freedom and the early ddUOCGte of
emancipation.
This brought E. A. Silsby upon his
feet, who briefly but pointedly showed
from history that the man in whose
honor this company assembled, was
ahead of his age rs an antislavery
man; thai lie was disappointed that
emancipation was not engrafted in the
early constitution and that he took
measures to emancipate his own slaves
nearly hundred years before Abraham
Lincoln signed the emancipation pro-
clamation.
A. George Washington, the great gen.
eraI-'.tfrst in aoar, first IN peace"
Charles p. Carpenter responded to
this sentiment. He reviewed the char
acter under consideration us n man, a
soldier, and a general. While he did
not claim for him military genius, his
record entitled him to IL foremost
J place among military commanders. He
spoke somewhat particularly of his
early life and training all of which
tended so largely to make him the man
he was when the emergency of the
Revolutions came upon this country
. He named the keystone to his charac-
r ter, unselfish patriotism.
= 5. Martha Washington, the help
, meet "Of earthly goods the best is q
good wDe."
DR.. Henry c. Newell thought that as
this was his ''maiden" effort that it was
highly appropriate that he should re-
spond to this toast. Woman had al
ways figured largely in the affairs o
mankind, especially in the formation
of family. Martha was belle, ant
although George was soldier of nc
mean parts, his greatest conquest wa
when he won the heart and hand o
Wi low Cnstis. The domestic life o
this woman was highly complimented
and her ministrations to the sick ant
y suffering soldiers most commendable
At the close of these remarks a mixe'
quartet, composed of Mrs. Humphrey
II Mrs. Hazen, Mr.. Hazen and Mr.. Silsb,
al
: loudly applauded.
:. 6. George Washington may the men,
r Org Of has Uirtues eUer be perpetuated.
d This sentiment was eloquently re
"a sponded to by Judge Walter P. Smith
q who considered his subject in man
a phases, dwelling especially upon hi
d moral virtues, his pure character an
o. hatred of everything false. In hi
It comparison with Napoleon he mad
d the contrast great morally, for Will
,e the one "was guided by the star of dies
10 tiny, the other was guided by the Sta
q of Bethlehem"
F: Z. The George Washingtons Of toda!
"Why is that name better than yours?"
ir This was responded to by E. III. Wa
ot colt of the Caledonian.
u The exercises closed with singin
p. America. The sociable was marke
n success, and the speakers were abl
seconded by the original and happ
manner in which Toastmaster Daki
performed his part of the service.
At Improvements.
=. John A. Moore has completed I'll
=, improvements in his clothing stor
Ia now occupying both stores in Mason
= block on Main street. The new roo
s is devoted largely to children's an
- youths clothing and to trunks, ct