Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1891-08-21

| III continental unlTOrmSs vermont NeJ-
eran association, Boston Knights Tenn
plars, the grand commandery of the
State on horseback at their head, the
mounted Mount Calvary commandery of |
Middlebury as escort; Meacham drum |
corps; Brattleboro band, 30 pieces
cannon captured at the battle of Ben
nington, in charge of men from Full |
ler's battery in continental uniform
Sons of the Revolution; Sons of Veter- |
ans, 100 men; Manchester drum corps
members of the State Legislature. 107 /
representatives and eight senators, led |
by Speaker Mann and State Treasurer
Field.
Third Division-Col. William Strach-
an and his four aides; Lieut.. Gen. Tn
derwood, commander-in-chief of Patri |
archs Militant, and his staff Underwood |
hussars, II me united men; Col. y. NJ. |
Putfer, commander of the Vermont
Patriarchs Militant, and staff; Sherman's
Military band 80 pieces; First regiment
of Patriarchs Militant; Grand Lodge of
Odd Fellows and various cantons:
knights of Pythias, North Adams.
The presidents carriage was drawn by
four white horses with gold-trimmed
harnesses besides the president it con-
tanned Governor Page and Doctor W. ;. !
Webb.
1t was II - when Col. w. G.. Neazey, |
president of the day, called the vast
] l., H., =
right sat the orator, Hon. f. j. Phelps
on his left were Gov Page and eX.GOY. |
Prescott Of New Hampshire, president
of the Bennington Battle Monument
association, and Il large number of no. /
table men and women from Vermont and
abroad. In the rear were Senators Ed
munds and Morrill,, Judge Blatchford,
Attorney General Miller, Gen. Russell
\. Alger, Secretary of War Proctor, eX
Gov. John W. Stewart Rev. DR.. Charles
Parkhurst of Boston, Gen. Alexander ).
Webb, ex-Gov. Alexander II. Rice of
Massachusetts, Col. Mcdonald. United
States fish commits sioner, and Hiram At
kins.
The exercises Immediately connected
with the dedication of the monument
were of high and interesting order.
The introductory address was delivered
by Col. Neazey, who dwelt briefly on the
surprising Importance of the battle of
Bennington when measured by the con-
sequences and by the verdict of history.
After prayer by Rev. Charles Parkhurst,
ID. D., of Boston. Governor Page pro-
nOunced fitting words of welcome. sin
this august presence, he concluded
"Nermont unrolls the records of hun
dred years and points with just pride to
an historic page upon which she finds
nothing she would conceal, nothing she
would obliterate."
EX-Gov. Prescott of New Hampshire
as president of the Bennington Battle
Monument association, then formally
transferred through the governor to the
State of Vermont the deed conveying the
title to the property. In accepting the
monument on behalf of the State, Gov.
Page testified to the patriotic interest of
Vermont in the gift that had been be-
slowed and congratulated the association
on its fidelity and the success of its efforts.
swell done, good and faithful servants.
Vermont accepts the title to your COM
pleted work, but will claim only Joint
ownership with New Hampshire and
Massachusetts, in all that it is and all it
commentaries; and may this property
which we here hold in common, and our
common interest in that historic past,
ever tend to perpetuate the friendly and
fraternal relations which haye always ex-
, listed between us
The orator of the day, Hon. f. j.
, Phelps, of Burlington, was next intro
duce |. His address justified all high an
ticipations. 1t was filed with historical
interest, patriotic and eloquent. Its dis
| cusson of Nermont's early constitution,
of her decided stand against slavery, the
, first prohibition of slavery ever put forth
on this continent, through all parts of
, which the institution was at that time
legal; its graphic picture of the famous
battle; and its glowing presentation of
the lessons taught, combined to make an
effort worthy of the orator and of the
} theme.
At the close of the Grafton, President
; Harrison was introduced amidst great
cheering and spoke of Vermont, her pas t
, and present history 'most noble and un-
( matched" with an enthusiasm that wa
| evidently from the heart.
t The banquet followed, partaken of by
: over three thousand and not disposed of
: till five o'clock. The speech-making con-
y tinued for two hours more, the speakers
5 being President Harrison, Coy. Russell
of Mass, Gov. Tuttle of New Hamp-
$ shire, Gen. o. o. Howard, Gen. h. A. Al
ger, Secretary Proctor, Attorney General
Miller and others.
: While tha hanouat yas I'm nrooasS Of