The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-08-20
CENTENNIAL DAY.
Celebration Of Historic Events
in Vermont.
Ceremonies at the UnVeilins Of The Battle
Monument at Bennington.
Grafton by Hon. Edward j. Phelps, Fol-
lowed by Speech by the President.
Banquet and Presentation.
Eretial TO THE MORNING CALI.

its entire population into town. The deco
rations were elaborate and beautiful.
A mounted Grand Army post escorted
President Harrison from General McCul-
loush's house to the Soldiers Home, where
Governor Page and all the living ex-Gov-
ernors Of the State greeted him. He then
resumed his place in the carriage, which,
with other vehicles, took its place in line.
At 10 o'clock the procession moved, with
Putnam Phalanx of Hartford as escort to
the President. who was in the van, with a
score of carriages following containing dis
tinguished guests. The procession was
viewed by thousands of people. the Presi-
dent receiving great applause.
The President left the line at the review
ing stand and the column passed before him.
When the procession reached the monument
the different commands grouped about it.
Meantime the President and party, the ora
tor of the day, Hon. Edward j. Phelps,
Governor Page and other distinguished
speakers and guests, took the President to
the platform at the base of the monument
The intr oductory address was made by
General Veazey, accommodating n-Chief Of
the G. \. r., and President of the Day.
He was followed by Rev. Charles Park
hurst of Boston, Who offered prayer.
Governor Page, in a few well-chosen
words, extended welcome to all present.
In an eloquent address Governor Prescott
of New Hampshire, President of the Monu-
ment Association, presented the monu-
ment TO the Governor of Vermont. In doing
so he alluded in a brief manner to the his
tOrical facts covering the inception of the
monument idea, its progress and commem-
Grafton.
Governor Page. in behalf of his State.
made a brief but eloquent speech accepting
the monument.
THE GRAFTON.
Music followed. and then Hon. Edward
j. Phelps. Orator of the Day, was intro
duced. he was received with rOars Of
applause. In his Grafton lie said
| substantially: vermont consecrateS TO-
day her first historic monument but it is
| not hers alone. New Hampshire and Mass
| achusetts, who fought with her and for her
in Bennington, have joined in erecting
this memorial TO common history. And
! they are here represented by splendid
delegation to share in the triumph of its
| completion, and to give to the occasion by
| the distinction OF their presence higher
| dignity and more generous grace. The day
| has still larger Specification. II is trebly
| fortunate. Ii marks not only the anniyer-
| sary of the battle and the happy cOnsumma-
| tion in this structure of the exertions of
| fifteen years, hut likewise the centennial of
| the entrance of Vermont into the Federal
| Union. 1t is appropriate and gratifying
| that the Chief Magistrate of the nation
| should be our most nonOred guest In this
| scene party differences are forgotten. We
are only Americans, and in our loyalty to
! that great office and respect for the incum-
| bent who fills il so well, we are all this day
| on the Presidents side"
The speaker then followed with lengthy
| and eloquent resume of the events leading
| up to the battle of Bennington.
THE PRESIDENTS REMARKS.
President VeaZey introduced President
| Harrison, who arose amid cheers and shouts
| OF whats the matter with Harrison ?"
He's all right" The President said, in
| substance:
'Mr. President and fellow-citizens
There are several obvious reasons why
! should not attempt to speak 10 you. This
| great audience is so uncomfortably situated
that further prolongdti0n of the exercises
must be inconvenient to them. A stronger
reason is you have just listened to sch0l-
arly review of those Incidents which have
led to this assemblage and to those lessons
which they must suggest TO every thought
full and patriotic man. A son of Vermont,
honored by his State. by the nation, by the
profession to which he can do honor
honOred by all fell0w-citizens, has spoken
for Vermont, and 1t does not seem fit that
these golden sentences into which lie has
PdtnClSu lhOhE us VI pItpdlNl SNOulu DD
marred by anything l might add. l have
no further preparation for a speech to-
day than this cordial welcome you have en-
tended me, which makes it uniting that
should neglect to make most grateful
ackno wledgment Of it. Perhaps | NAV
be permitted as citizen of Western State
to give my tribute to Vermont. Perhaps as
rublic officer can bring to you tribute
Of their appreciation of the history OF this
State. The other colonies staked their
sl.. IL.
IL they were successful their rights and
liberties were theirs. and the inhabitants of
New Hampshire grants alone fought with
the inhabitants Of the other colonies alone,
unknowlng whether, when liberty was
achieved. their homes would be assured
them by victory. They had grave reasons
10 fear that that Government to whose su-
premacy Vermont had SO nobly contributed
might recognize the claims of New York
upon their homes, and yet through all this
struggle. though assurance could undoubt-
edly have been had from the Crown, Yer
mont took glorious part in securing the
independence which was the ultimate Sc
curty of the home OF her people. 1t is a
glorious aud unmatched history and is
worthy of Vermont.
AN ENvIABLE RECORD.
'She has kept the faith unfalteringly from
Bennington 10 this day. She has added IL
lustri0uS names to our roll of warriors and
statesmen. Her representation in Congress,
as | have known it, has become conspicuous
for influence, and, as far as / can recall, /,
been without reproach to any man. We
have occasionally come to Vermont with a
call that did not originate with her own
people, and those calls have always been
answered with the same conservation to duty
as .yeur own. l found when the difficult
task OF making Cabinet was before me,
could not get along without Vermont
stick in il. Laughter and applausel And
am sure you have plenty of timber left In
each Of the great political parties. [Cheers. |
The participation of this State in the War Of
the Rebellion was magnificent. Her troops
took to the field that high conservation to
duty that had characterized their fathers
ever in their vision lifting up their hearts in
the faith that God would bring their cause
to a just issue.
:" We arc to-day approaching the conclu-
sion OF summer OF extraordinary fruitful
ness. How Insignificant were the stores
gathered in Bennington in 1777 compared
with these store houses bursting with
plenty to-day. We ought to be a grateful
as well as prosperous people. European
deficiencies offer ready market for all our
cereals, ana we shall grow richer as they
take food from our store-houses, but, after
all. II is not the existence of wealth that
tells the greatness OF this country Vermont
has not been one of the rich States in gold
end silver, but she has been wrought out of
strife OF competition and has sturdy man.
noOu W mHiSh VIC stcullty VI our country
rests. [Applausel. In conclusion the
PRESIDENT thanked the audience for its at
tentl0n. 1t WAS late in the afternoon when
lie finished and the exercises were brought
to close.
SPEECHES AT THE BANQUET.
AT the banquet in the afternoon President
Harrison spoke again. He eulogized the
New England character, which, he said, had
been a source of strength 10 the nation.
That devotion to local lself-government which
originated from sound reasoning, establish.
ing and Derpetuating true democracy, was
cause of The development of the love of
social order and respect for the law which
has characterized New England communi-
ties: Il believe" said he, I'VE have come
10 10 the time when we may look out to greater