Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-08-20
Celebrating the Famous Conflict That
Took Place at Bennington.
DEDICATION OF THE SHAFT
To the Memory Of the Brave Green Mountain Boys
Of the Revolutionary War-Spsechss Of
Hon. Edward ]. Phelps and President
Observation-Disclosures Ends With
Great Banquet.


beautiful, and at an early hour all was
hustle and stir with the arrival of
many thousands of visitors to join the
thousands already here. The decora-
tions were very elaborate.
Col. w. Seward Webb, accompanied
by a mounted Grand Army Post, escort
ed President Harrison from General
McCuIlough's house to the Soldiers
Home, where Governor Page and all the
living ex-Governors of the State were
waiting to greet him.
At o'clock the guns Of Fullys bat
terry doomed the signal for the forma-
tion OF divisions, and at 10:30 o'clock
the procession moved with the Putnam
Philanx, of Hartford, the position OF
honor as escort to the President In the
van with score of carriages following
containing the distinguished guests.
The camp grounds where the Soldiers
Home is situated and where the Yer
mont National Guard had been in camp
for several days was filled with people.
The President doffed his hat in salute to
every manifestation OF applause.
The procession as IL passed
to the street to the monu-
ment, grounds was viewed by thousands
of people, the President and many fea-
lures of the pageant receiving generous
applause. The President left the line
at the reviewing stand and the column
passed before him. The procession
continued its march to the massive and
lofty pillar, which will tell generations
vet unborn of the patriotism OF the
Green Mountain boys of 1777.
Meantime, the President and party,
the orator of the day, Hon. Edward j..
Phelps, Governor Page and other dis
tinguished 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
the multitudes gathered from many
States to witness the ceremony OF the
dedication.
When all were in their places and
G. Veazey, ex-Commander-in-Chief of
the e. A. R., arose, advanced to the
front Of the platform and addressed the
vast concourse.
Rev. Charles Parkhurst, d. D., Of
Boston, then offered praise, the assem-
bled thousands assuming reverent at
titude during the delivery.
At the conclusion Of the prayer Gov
ernor c. S. Page was introduced and de-
liyered the address OF welcome.
The Governors remarks were hand
somely applauded and Ex-Governor B. f.
Prescott, of New Hampshire, President
of the Bennington Battle Monument
Association, was received with enthusi-
asm as he stepped forward to transfer
the monument, the result OF the Associ-
atoms many years Of effort, to the care
and keeping of the State.
Music followed, and General Veazey
came forward leading the distinguished
scholar, diplomat and orator, Hon. Ed
ward J. Phelps. A roar of applause
greeted their appearance, and when the
last murmur had died away the Hon.
Edward J. Phelps, the orator OF the
day, was introduced and gave succinct
account of the share of Vermont In the
war for independence, and OF her pros
perity since. In conclusion he said,
concerning the monument:
"The public spirit and the persistent
efforts of all these years have found
their reward in the structure that stands
before us. Many, alas, how many OF
those who in its foundation have shared
our labors and guided our counsels, and
who looked forward with us hopefully
to their consummation have not waited
for this day but. are gone on before.
The circle that is left to exchange these
congratulations is painfully narrowed.
But the work Is done. Committing II
now to the care of the State, with
whose existence we trust 1t will be CO.
eval, our concern with it terminates
and our duty is discharged. Its
stately proportions rise away from us
into the upper air. Our monument no
longer. Not for us nor for our time is
it henceforth raised on high. Long be-
fore II shall cease to be reckoned as
young, we and our children will have
from the scene. 1t is our
to posterlty. Here 1t shall
wait for them, while the successive
it shall wait for them through the even
ings and the mornings that shall be all
the days that are to come. Crowned
with the SHOWS of countless winters,
beautiful In the sunlight and the shad-
ows of unnumbered summers; CON-
panion of the mountains which look
down upon it, whose height 1t emulates,
whose strength It typifes, whose his
tory it declares"
The Grafton was received In the most
appreciative manner, and the applause
was renewed with increased Intensity
as President Harrison was introduced
and spske of his qualification at being
present.
1t was late in the afternoon when the |
President finished and the literary ex-
ercises, long to be remembered in the |
annals OF the Green Mountain State,
were brought to close with music and
the benediction.
The division then reformed In proper |
order with the carriages of each division |
In its rear, and marched through Monu-
ment avenue, Main and North streets |
TO Camp Vermont. where the troops |
and organizations were dismissed.
The escorts and carriages proceeded |
10 the large tent near the Soldies Home,
where the banquet was served, over
J. 900 people sitting down to the table.
The celebration will be wound up to-
night with great display Of fireworks.
Tha eacrof srf ~ hoautv Ifoa not In