The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-08-20
VERHONT'S BIG DAY.
Dedication Of the Bennington Bat
tie Monument.
MANY DISTINGUISHED VISITORS.


coined to the Green Mountain VIII
lage - Addresses by Ex-Minister
Phelps and the Chief Magistrate.
The Taiiest Battle Monument in
the World.
BENNINGTON, Vt, Aug. 20.-More peo-
pie than this town ever held before trod
the streets yesterday. 1t was gay
crowd and the bunting displayed every
where was no gayer than the happy
Vermonters, with a president as their
guest to help celebrate the centennial of
the state and dedicate the Bennington
battle monument,
The states invited guests numbered
fully 700, including President Harrison,
Vice President Morton, members of the
cabinet, Speaker Reed, the governors of
ell the states and distinguished sons of
Vermont living i'll other states and those
residing at home.
The reception committee included Sem
ators Edmunds and Morrill,, Congress-
mon Grout and Bowers, ex-Governors
Stewart, Pingree, Ormsbee and Dilling.
ham and other representative men.
Colonel w. Seward Webb, accom-
panied by mounted Grand Army post,
escorted President Harrison from Cen
eral McCulloughs house to the Soldiers
home, where Governor Page and all the
living ex-governors of the state were
waiting to greet him. The president
alighted' from his carriage, and was
escorted into the house, where he re-
mained a short time, while he was in
troduced to the distinguished guests.
He then resumed his place in the car
riage, which, with the other vehicles,
took its place in line. The president re-
ceived an enthusiastic welcome all along
the line of march.
The Literary Exercises.
The literary exercises at the monu-
ment were as follows Introductory re-
marks by the president of the day.
Judge Wheolock q. Veazey, United
States interstate commerce commits
Bioner; prayer, the Rev. Charles Park
hurst, editor of Zion's Herald, Boston;
address of welcome, Governor Carroll S.
Page, of Vermont; address and formal
transfer of the monument to the state of
Vermont by Ex-Governor b. f. Pres
colt, of New Hampshire, president of
the association; acceptance on behalf of
the state by Governor Page; music; cen
tennial oration, Edward J. Phelps, ex-
minister to England; remarks by Presi-
dent Harrison; music; benediction.
ceived with the most appreciative atten-
tion, and was frequently interrupted by
, applause. In the course of his remarks
he said.
EX-minister Phelps Grafton.
"yerm0nt consecrates today her first his
tnric monument, but not hers alone. New
Hampshire and Massachusetts,, who fought
with her and for her at Bennington, have
Joined in erecting this memorial of their COM
mon history And they here by splendid
representation To share in the triumph Of its
completion, ana to give to the occasion by tho
distinction Of their pre- ence, higher dignity,
amore generous gIace."
Mr.. PhclpacxprCsS1d pleasure that the pres
idnnt of the United States should be the hon
ored guest Of tho occasion. Party differences
were forgotten on this scene. Here thore were
Americans only. Tho Importance OF BATTLES
did not depend entirely on the numbers en-
gagged in them, and that of Bennington might
bo reckoned among the most memorable bat
ties of the world.
The orator told of Now Engand's struggle
for liberty, Of John Stark, of Warner, OF al
those events that made this anniversary sol
memorable, and of Ycrmont's carly history.
Tho President Speaks.
The applause that greeted Mr.. Phelps
grafton was doubly renewed when
President Harrison was introduced.
After the applause had subsidized the
president spoke as follows:
AR. PREsIDEST AND FELLOW CITIZENS
There are several obvious reasons why should
mot attempt TO speak to you, You have just
listened TO a scholarly review of those Incl
dents which haYo led 10 this assemblRge and
to those lessons which they must suggest TO
every thoughtful 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 his fellow citizens, has spoken
for Vermont, and it does not aeom TO me tit
that those golden sentences into which he has
rFuf hET m 10 g.f
be marred by anything | might add l can
have no other preparation for speech today
than this cordial welcome you have extended
me.
Perhaps may be permitted as citizen of
western state To give tribute to Vermont.
Perhaps public officer can bring to you
q tribute of their appreciation OF the history
OF this state Tho other colonies staked their
liberty on the issue, with the assurance that
II they were successful their rights and liber-
tics were theirs, and the inhabitants of tho
New Hampshire grants alone fought with tho
inhabitants of other colonies unknowing
whether, when liberty was aohie we'd, their
bones would be assured them by the victory.
Yet, through all this struggle, though assur-
Anee could undoubtedly have been had from
the crown, Vermont took glorious part in
securing that independence which was the
ultimate security Of tho homes of her people.
1t Is a glorious and unmatched history YER
mont has kept tho faith unfalteringly from
Bennington to thls day. She has added illus
trious names to our roll Of warriors and states
mon. Her representation in congress, as 1
have known It, has been conspicuous for in-
huenee, and, as far as can recall, has been
without repronch to any man. found when
she diflicult task of making cabinet was bo-
fore me that could not get along without n
Vermont stick In II.
The participation of this state in the war of
the rebellion magnificent. Her troons
took TO the field that high conservation TO
duty that had characterized their fathers
ever In their vision lifting up their hearts in
faith that God would bring the cause to u just
Aisue
We are today approaching the conclusion Of
summer Of feKtrnordinaryfruitfu How
Insignificant tho stores gathered at BennIng-
ton in " compared with these store houses
bursting with plenty today. We ought TO be
agrateful us well as prosperous people. Eu-
ropean deflcieRGiesAoffer "a ready market for
all our cerehls. and Wa shAll rrnM richer ns