The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-08-20

,on'. great day dawned clear and beau-
,ii,l III, and at an early hour all was hustle
and .tir with the arriving OF many
thousands OF visitors to join the thous-
and. already here. The decorations
were very elaborate. i,
coI, ". Seward Webb, accompanied
,r a mounted Grand Army Post, es-
cortcl President Harrison from General
yIeCullough's house to the Soldiers
Home. where Governor Page and oil
tLe living cx.Governors Of the State
were waiting to greet him.
MOo'clock the guns Of Fully's bat
,pry doomed the signal ior the forma'
non Of divisions, and at 1880 o'clock
.be procession moved with the Putnam
Phaianx, OF Hartford, in the position OF
honor as escort to the President in the
van, with a score Of carriages following
containing the distinguished guests.
The camp grounds where the Soldiers
Home is situated, and where the Ver-
mont National Guard had been in camp
lar several days, was filed with people.
The President dofTed his hat in salute
IA every manifestation OF applause. The
procession us it passed in the street to
;he monument grounds was viewed by
thousands Of people, the President and
many features Of the pageant receiving
generous applause. The President left
tbe line at the reviewing stand, and the
c5lumn passed before him. The pro-
re.sion continued its march to the mas
i've and lofty pillar which will tell gen.
era,ions yet unborn Of the patriotism OF
the Green mountain boys OF III.
Meantime the President and party,
the orator OF the day, Hon. Edward ].
Phelps, Gov. Page and other distin-
guisled speakers and guests, with the
representatives of the press, took their
positions on the platform at the base OF
The monument. Around and about, the
open spaces were black with tho multi
ladcs gathered from many States to
witness the ceremony OF the dedication.
When all were in their places and
quiet had been secured, Hon. Wheelock
Il. veazey, ex.Commander-in-Chief OF
tue e. A. r., arose, advanced to the
front Of the platform, and addressed the
vast Concourse.
Rev. Charles Parkhurst. D. D.. OF Bos-
Ton, then offered praise, the assembled
thousands assuming o reverent attitude
during the delivery.
Atihe conclusion OF the prayer Gov
ornor C. 5, Page was introduced and de-
livered tho address OF welcome.
Mr.. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLE
NrS:-0ne hundred and fourteen years
ago band OF Green mountain boys,
representing what was then known as
The New Hampshire grants, met in
Westminster, and, In convention duly
assembled, resolved that Vermont "of
right ought to be and is hereby declared
forever hereafter to be free and inde-
pendent jurisdiction or State"
To-day We again gather on this his
toric ground to celebrate the centennial
anniversary Of the wedding Of our
destinies as a State TO those OF the great
Federal family and TO dedicate to
liberty this majestic shaft.
We welcome our neighbors from the
old Bay State whose noble ancestors
from yon valleys OF Berkshire rallied at
The toCsin Of war, and snatching tho
battered arms OF their fathers and
fastened 10 the scene OF conflict.
Wewelcome our many friends from
the Granite State whose patriotic
fathers, under the leadership and in
spired by the peerless courage OF the
gallant Stark focked to yonder battle
We welcome as q mother welcomes
her long absent children, these sons of
our own Green Mountain State, who
have gone forth from their own hill
:. Yes, sons Of Massachusetts, sons of
New hampshire, sons Of Vermont; yes,
everybody, from the official head OF the
gTandest nation the sun ever shone on
10 tile plain untitled citizen.iriend and
Stranger, distinguished or unknown,
thrice welcome all to the festivities OF
utIs u, our centennial anniversary.
Inc Governors rrnOrks were hand
SS9mely applauded, and Ex-Governor
rifeS,cott, OF New Hampshire, president
C' thc Bennington Battle Monument
ASSOCIATION, was received with enthu-
s!asm as he stepped forward to transfer
y; Ine monument, the result OF the asso-
s.aton rs many years OF effort, to the
care and keeping OF the State.
lonr Excellency: My duty on this
occasion is simple, and should trans
ceRa 1t II | attempted to recite the
events presiding and at the battle of
bennington. will, however, allude TO
o,. " Jew lacts purely historical, and this
event may justify the rectal.
Lhen followed q statement of histori-
;' al iacts already familiar, covering the
Inception OF the monument idea, its
Progress and commemoration. Then
I sa'I thespeaker: 1--WE gather to-day 10
ueaicate and TO consecrate il. And
low LOW Slr, in this distinguished pres
vIee, y;s !, as the president Of the Ben
;n'"gIon - Battle Monument Association,
~ us behalf and by It's direction,
LLatsler u through You, rs Governor, to
sle stlte OF Vermont this monument.
ERECTED TO commemorate one OF the
; most decisive battles Of the Revolution.
property" ''' :" '''e
,,5 Governor Page then stopped forward
''ia g accepted the gift as follows.
nov Prescott: On behalf OF Vermont
ps aCSept from you as president OF the
bennington battle monument assecia.
,,Il SIg IhlS title deed and responsibilities
"tieh Wieh the acceptance involves.
,o.. .ou convey to US the title to the pro-
tS5.y ISet.y; but l assure you, Mr.. President.
moD, "", NGrmionts interest in this monu.
tb5n' H' snall M ever be something moro
s,s,,, "'ul. ! mere property interest. Il shall
siand " here untouched save by the finger
O1 on ame' to tell to our children
saa .,n. our children's children The