The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-07-25
rHE VERMONT DAY AT aErrYsBURG,

"A
monuments erected by the State on the
historic field Of Gettysburg are to be
dedicated on the 9th OF next october.
For such dedication the Legislature, at
its last session, made provision by voting
q moderate, but probably sufficient, APP
preparation to defray the expenses, and
the monument commission, of which the
Governor is a member, has been consti-
tuted by Governor Dillingham; as gen
eraI committee OF arrangements for the
occasion, Il has been the desire OF the
committee to have the occasion one OF
fitting dignity and interest.
IL fell to the lot Of the Vermont troops
chat fought at Gettysburg to render ser
vice Of remarkable prominence and i'm
portance, in that great pivotal battle OF
the war. The monument erected in
their honor by the State, occupies Q posi-
ton Of especial prominence on the field.
It stands near the site Of the Hancock
monument on the left centre, where the
shock Of the great crisis OF the battle
took place, in the forefront OF the HELD,
as-and because-the Vermonters stood
there in the forefront Of the battle. II
is in itself q very remarkable object
among the hundreds OF imposing me
MORALS with which the field IS studded,
Patterned after the Nelson column in
Trafalgar Square, London, and construct
ed OF Vermont granite, and bearing high
above the other monuments near It, a
heroic statue Of Vermont's hero, General
Stannard, it stands, striking In its sim
plitity, attractive by it's beauty, sym
metrical as well as massive, q complete,
rounded, satisfying thing-like the deed
it commentaries. Erected by the State,
as a matter OF State pride, 1t has seemed
proper to the committee that its dedica.
lion should be In it's proceeding, grand
State occasion-simple as BELTS our
Green Mountain Commonwealth, yet OF
true dignity-of as high dignity and In
terest as possible. To that end they de
cided that the leading speech ought %
be made by some Vermonter OF high
National reputation, Of brain and force
and power of utterance. The monu-
ment being Vermnnt's tribute TO her SOL
der sons, they thought it fitting also
that the address be made by some dis
tink uished citizen IN civil life who was
not soldier. These points settled, the
selection of the speaker was an easy
matter. The committee at once tender,
ed the honor OF speaking for Vermont
on this occasion to her foremost citizen,
Senator Edmunds, and the fitness OF the
selection will not be likely to be ques-
toned in or out of Vermont. Mr.. Ed.
munds, it must be said, shrank from the
duty, under modest distrust Of his OWE
sufficiency for the occa sion, and earnest
l. ka n1ifNoo raNOnainaE
their choice; but when informed that
this was final, having never yet refused
to obey any behest of his State or OF the
soldiers of Vermont, he did not now re,
fuse to accept the part allotted to him.
The leading address, accordingly, unless
something unforeseen occurs to change
the programme, will be made by Sena-
tor Edmunds, and Mrs. Dorr, Vermont't
graceful and spirited poetess, has been
asked by the committee to write an ode
for the occasion, and her consent to dc
so Is counted on. Governor Dillingham;
will present the monument TO the Get.
tysburg Battlefield Association, and
Judge w. G.. Veazey, who is member
of the Battlefield Association, il is ex-
pected, will accept the monument on
the part of the Association. The Yer
monters and others who will gather
around the monument on the 9th Of
October will thus have an opportunity
to see and hear the Governor OF ouI
State, Vermont's distinguished Senator
and one of the best and bravest soldiers
of our State, whose own part in the bat
tie and on the ground overlooked by the
monument was 80 notable and truly
brilliant, that he would by common con.
sent be selected by Vermonters as the
living participant in the struggle whom
they would Of all others prefer to lear
1t is expected that the speeches will mol
be long, aud the exercises not 30 extend
ed as to be wearisome to an audience
standing on their feet. The distinction
and eloquence of the speakers and inter
est Of the occasion will beyond doubt
attract to the spot large number of the
sons and daughters of our State. Fol
the transportation and accommodation
of all such, at specially favored rates
arrangements are now in progress.
Probably brief exercises will also bt
held at one or two of the other Vermont
monuments on the field and some mem
Der of each OF the organizations desig
mated by monuments, will be selected tc
describe the part taken at that point BY
the Vermont troops. A fuller announce
ment of various details will be made In
due season.
1t will be seen that the coming Yer
mont day at Gettysburg will be very
notable day, and the monument com
mission extends a cordial invitation Il
the soldiers and citizens of Vermont tc
join her State officials and representa-
tives In dong honor to the occasion ,and
to add to its impressiveness and success
by their presence on the field on the 9th
of October next.-Free Press.