The Globe-republican., 1891-08-26
VERMONT CELEBRATES.

VERMONT CELEBRATES
The Centennial Anniversary Of the State
and the Anniversary OF the Battle Of
Bennington Celebrated - DiStinG rushed
Persons in Attendance.
BENNINGTON, Vt, Aug. 20.-The state
Of Vermont was 100 years old yesterday.
The centennial of her admission to tho
union and also the anniversary OF tho
battle of Bennington are being cele-
brated with great pomp and ceremony.
President Harrison, several members
of his cabinet, half . dozen governors
and host of other dignitaries are pres
ent The Bennington battle monu-
ment which is the tallest shaft ever
erected in this country to commemorate
q battle, has been dedicated with APP
propr.ate ceremonies
Bennington's great day dawned clear
and beautiful. Col E Seward Webb.
accompanied by q mounted grand army
post, escorted President Harrison from
Gen McCullough's house to the SOL
dier's home, where Gov. Page and all
the living ex-governors of the state
were waiting to greet him. The presi-
dent alighted from his carriage and
was escorted into the house, where he
remained short time while he was in
troduced to the distinguished guests.
He then resumed his place in the car
riage, which, with tho other vehicles,
took its place in the line.
At 1890 o'clock the procession moved
with the Putnam phalanx, Of Hart
ford, as escort to the president, in the
van. with score of carriages follow
ing, containing the distinguished guests
The lamp grounds, where the SOL
diers' home is situated and where the
Vermont national guard has been in
camp several days, was filed with peo-
pie when the procession moved The
president dotted his hat in salute to
every manifestation Of applause.
The procession, as it passed through
the streets to the monument grounds,
was viewed by thousands of people,
the president and many features of the
pageant receiving generous applause.
The president left the lines at the re-
viewing stand and the column passed
before him.
The procession continued its march
to the massive and lofty pillar which
will tell generations yet unborn of the
patriotism of the Green mountain boys
of 1777. Here tho first division, except
the batteries, was massed on the west
side of the monument; and the second
and third divisions, except the car
riages. on the east side. The batteries
then fired a national salute Of twenty
ole unS
Meanwhile, the president and his
party. the orator of the day. Edward j.
Phelps, Gov. Page and other distin-
guished speakers and guests, with the
representatives of tho press, about
forty people in all, had taken positions
on the platform at the base of the mon
ument Around and about, the open
spaces were black with the multitude
When quiet had been secured Wheelock
G. Veazey. ex-commander-in-chief of
the G. A. r, who was president of the
day, delivered the Introductory ad.
dress Rev. Charles Parkhurst, D.
D., Of Boston, editor of lions Her
aid, then offered prayer, the as
sembled thousands assuming reverent
Page was then introduced and deliv-
cred the address of welcome. The
governors remarks were handsomely
applauded, and ex-Gov. B. F. Prescott,
of New Hampshire, president Of the
Bennington battle monument associa-
ton, was received with enthusiasm as
he stepped forward to transfer the
monument, the result of the associa-
tons many years of effort to the care
and keeping of the state. Gov Pres
colt made an eloquent spe ech. Gov.
Page accepted the gift IN a brief
speech. Music followed and the presi-
dent OF the day. Gen. Veazey, came for
ward. leading the distinguished scholar.
diplomat and orator, Edward j. Phelps.
A roar of applause greeted their ap-
pearance and when at last the murmur
had died away Mr.. Phelps delivered the
GRAFTON of the day.
Following the conclusion of Mr.
Phelps grafton President Of the Day
Veazey introduced President Harrison.
who arose amid prolonged cheers He
paid his compliments to the vast gath
ering and to Mr.. Phelps and referred to
the noble work of Vermont in the past
and closed as follows: I'VE are to-day
approaching the conclusion Of q sum-
mer ofextraordinary fruitfulness. How
Insignificant the stores that were gath
cred At Bennington in 1777 compared
with these great store houses bursting
with fullness to-day. Our excess meets
the deficiency of Europe and ready
market is offered for all our cereals.
We shall grow richer by contributions
which other countries shall make as
they take from our store houses
the food needed to sustain their
people. But after all. it is not
the census tables of production or of
wealth that tell the story of the great