The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-08-20
BENN|NGTON'S BIG DAY.
The Battle Monument Was Unveiled
With Great Pomp.
Procession Moved Under Arches Made
Of Beautiful Maidels.
Brilliant Grafton by Hon, Edward ].
Phelps Of Burlington.
President Harrison Was HOarse But
He Made Two Good Speeches.

the drum-beat of marching bodies and the
hurry of preparations for the parade.
1t seemed as though the surrounding coun-
try for miles had emptied Its entire popula-
tien into this historic town. The decora-
tions, so elaborate and beautiful, were spared
the expected dampening. and were the admi-
ration and wonder Of every rural eye.
President Harrison was escorted by a
mounted guard Of the army to the Soldiers
Home. where he was introduced to the
| guests present, after which he took his seat
In the carriage awaiting the start of the pro-
cesslon. The column was slow in getting in
to position, and 1t was 1890 before the pro-
cession moved, with the Putnam Phalanx of
Hartford, Conn.,, in the position of honor as
escort to the President, In the van, with a
score Of carriages following, containing dis
tinguished guests.
The procession, as 1t passed through the
streets to the monument grounds, was
viewed by thousands of people.
| The column moved through North. Gage,
Stafford and Main streets to the reviewing
stand, where shoit halt was made to ena-
pie the reviewing party to take position in
/ the stand. The column then passed in re-
view before President Harrison, and contln-
ued the march to the monument, through
Main street and Monument avenue.
The President was given most hearty re-
| ception.
Arriving at the monument, the various d.
visions Immediately took the positions as
| signed to them, while the speakers and
| guests proceeded to the platform at the base
| OF the monument. Around and about the
open spaces were black with the multitudes
gathered from many states to witness the
| ceremony OF the dedication of the lofty pill
lar erected to the val0r aud patriotism of the
Green Mountain Boys of 1777.
The programme of the celebration was
| carried out.
The literary exercises were not concluded
until late in the afternoon.
The division then reformed and marched
to Camp Vermont where they were dis
| missed.
The Literary Exercises.
General Veazey, in his Introductory ad-
| dress, spoke of the dual observance of the
day, the dedication of the monument and
the celebration of the Tooth anniversary of
the admission of Vermont into the Federal
Union of States Each would naturally as
sumo somwhat of national character
Iogetner tney make an occasion OF unusual
national Importance.
Rev. DR.. Charles Parkhurst, editor of
lions Herald, offered prayer at the conclu-
sion OF General Veazey's address, and ne
WaS lVIloWeu Ny 0oVeInor rage, VINO uellV-
cred the address Of welcome.
General b. F. Prescott. president of the
| Bennington Monument Association, then
| transferred the shaft to the State of Yer
sketched the history of the monument move
| ment, and closed with the words: 81 know,
| sir. it will be as sacredly guarded in the com,
Ing ages as was the soil on which it stands
more than century ago, and will inspire all
who behold it to increased devotion to the
best government on earth"
Gov. Page then In short address accepted
the monument, saying, in part:
| "You convey to us the title to the property.
| but assure you, Mr.. President, that Vel-
| mont's Interest in this monument shall ever
be something more than mere property in
terest so long as the sons and daughters of
| vermont shall honor bravery and patriotism
and revere the memory of q loyal, self sacri-
ficing ancestry; so long, am sure, will this
memorial OF a patriotism as pure and holy as
ever made lis home In the breast Of man, be
guarded and cared for as a sacred trust.
1T shall stand here untouched, save by the
niger OF time, to tell to our children and our
chlldrep's children the story of the struggle
Tor liberty, and to inspire all who may come
beneath its shadow with a deeper love of
country, and higher appreciation of those
men whose sacrifices made possible the
| priceless dressings we are today privileged TO
enjoy"
After music Hon. Edward j. Phelps Of
Burlington delivered the Grafton Of the day.
Among other things in bis admirable ora
tion Mr.. Phelps said:
The day marks not only the anniversary
OF the battle, but likewise the centennial of
the entrance OF Vermont into the Federal
| Union. Well may Vermont throw open this
day her gates and her heart. Well may she
call ner chlidren home, and with a display
uncommon 10 ner simple life, with trumpets,
Il and banners. and QQola M "A tha II
umphant voice OF cannon, offer unb0unded
| welcome to the great cOncourse that has
gathered to her festival. 1t Is appropriate
and gratifying that the magistrate Of the ma /.
| ored guest"
The orator then went on to sketch the bat
consequences.
Mr.. Phelps then told the story of the ad-
mission OF Vermont into the Union at
length. In speaking Of the first constitution
OF the state he said: sit cannot be read
without admiration. Framed by a rural
people, In hardship and poverty, a foreign
enemy at their very gates, still more invet-
have been their protector. Its authors.
neitner statesmen nor lawyers, unframed In
poiltlcal science or literary accomplishment /;
not one OF them having ever sat in a legisla-
tive assembly before. They were only doing
their best under every discouragement, with
ara the foundation of government that
might commann the respect of mankind. IL
displayed breadth and elevation Of view, q
profound sagacity, an independence of
tnought, and sublime faith, not reasonably
to be looked for in such an assembly,"
Mr.. Phelps spoke at some length of Yer.
mont as part of the nation, OF her services
to the Union and Of the life and distinguished
services for her noble sons.
Many, alas, how many, OF those who in Its
1 md
guided our counsels, and who look forward
with us hopefully to their consummation,
have not waited for this day. but are gone on
before. But the work Is done. Committing
1t now to the care Of the state with whose
existence we trust it will be coeval, our con-
Germ with 1t terminates and our duty is dis
charged. Its stately prortions rise away
from us into the upper air. Our monument
no longer. Not for us, for our time 1t is
henceforth raised on high. Long before il
our children will have disappeared from the
scene. 1t is our messenger TO posterity.
Here IL shall wait for them while the success
i've generations shall be born and die."
President Harrison spoke briefly at the
conclusion Of Mr. Phelps's address. express.
ing his qualification at being present on the
occasion.
The President then said, after reviewing
the history of the state:
sit is most noble unmatched history. II
l may deliver the message OF Indiana as a
citizen of that state, as well the public officer
the message of all states, come to say
Worthy Vermont lCheers( She has KEPT
the faith unfllnchingly from bennington un,
til this day. She has added, In war and in
peace, many illustrious names TO our Ioll OF
military heroes and great statesmen. HeI
representation in the National Congress, as
it has been known to me, has been conspicu.
ous for its influence and for the high posi-
tions it has assumed in committee and in de-
bate, and SO far as can recall, it has been
without personal reprOacb. lCheers.
1.-The participation OF this state in the wal
of the rebellion was magnificent. Her troops
took to the fields Of the South that high con,
secration to liberty which characterized Their
fathers in the Revolutionary struggle. ZAP
plause.l They did not forget on the savan
nahs of the South the green tops of thasf