The state capital., 1891-08-22

/ j, -
riages in the line were the First regi-
ment v. N. g.; three companies of
the N. Ell. N. G., militia com-
pany from Troy and one from
Hoosac Falls, n. Y; the Light Guards
battalion of North Adams, Mass; Bat
terry B, Fourth artillery, T. S. A., under
command of Brevet-Maj. Harry c. Cush-
ing, and the First light battery Y. n
G. These constituted the first division.
As the chief marshall gave the COM
mand for the column to start a platoon
of mounted deputies under Sheriff Rob
inson led the way, followed by
platoon of police. Then came the
grand marshall and his aides under the
escort of John A. Logan post G. A. r..
(mounted) of Orwell Then followed
the different divisions in their order.
At the head of the second division
marched the United States Military
band, followed by. the corps of cadets
$50 strong; then the department. Of
Vermont, G. A. R.; Willard Post. &. A.
R., of Troy, n. Y; the Vermont Veteran
association of Boston; Knights Tenn
plars mounted and on foot; Putnam
Phalanx, of Har tford, Conn.,, as a
guard of honor; a detachment of Full
ler's battery in Continental uniform In
charge of two pieces of artillery cap
tured by Gen. Stark at the battle OF
Bennington. These made up the sec
ond division under command of AS
sistant Marshal Col. A. w. Metcalf,
Second regiment N. Ii. N. G.
III Il Iix-fc 10
the members of the Vermont state leg
islature on foot.
| The third division was under the COM
mand of Col. VIM. NJ. Strachan. Then
came the invited guests in carriages.
There were nearly 500 of these car
riages in all. The head of the column
| moved at little after 1890 o'clock,
passing under an evergreen arch which
stood at the head of North street.
| Across the face of the arch in white
| immortelles was the inscription: MOL
| lie Stark Was Not Widowed" and the
dates "1791'' and ''1777." An enormous
crowd filled the street from curb to
curb and the advance guard cleared the
way slowly.
| The procession moved down North
| street and turned east to Gage street
| for two squares and turned into Main
street. At the junction of North and
Main streets huge arch in imitation
of masonry had been drawn across
Main street. Over the keystone OF the
arch stood the figure of the Goddess of
Liberty. Below were arranged thir-
| teen of Bennington's prcttiest girls
holding the flags of the thirteen origi-
nal states. AS the president passed
under the arch shower of roses fell
from the hands of the young girls,
which sprinkled his carriage and fell
all about it. At the same time the
chorus of childish voices struck up
America"
The reviewing stand was on Main
street, about a quarter of a mile be-
hind the arch Here the president stood
with head uncovered for u half hour
while the procession was passing in
review When the head of the column
of carriages came in sight the president
left the stand and resumed his seat in
his carriage. The head Of the column
had reached the monument by this time,
and the militia forces were massed on
the west of the great stand, which haC
been erected in front of it. The second
and third divisions were massed as
they came up on the east, and the
carriages then drove up in front
of the stand and the guests were
escorted to their seats. Seats fol
a thousand had been provided
on the stand, which was rooted in with
canvas. The seats were arranged IL
three tiers, and the orator of the day
the president and other speakers who
were to address the multitude were
seated on the second tier near the center
of the stand.
1t took some time to arrange all OF
the guests, and it was after the moor
hour when Hon. Wheeloclt G. Veazey
the president of the day, arose anC
spoke briefly. Gen Veazey then intro
duced Rev. Charles Parllhurst, of Bos
ton, the chaplain of the day, who deliv
cred the invocation.
Gov. Page then arose and, on behalf
of the state of Vermont, delivered al
address of welcome
Ex-Gov. Prescott of New Hampshire,
president of the bennington Monument
association, in brief speech then trans
ferred the monument to the state o1
Vermont and Gov. Page responded
briefly, accepting it,
Following this ceremony a chorus o
male voices sang dedication ode com
posed for the occasion. The presiden
of the day then introduced Hon. Ed
ward J. Phelps, of Burlington, the ora
tor of the day. He received an cnthu
siastic greeting. Mr.. Phelps said
Vermont consecrates to day her first his
toric monument; but New Hampshire AM
Massachusetts, who fought with her and fo
her at Bennington, have joined i'll erecting
this memorial of their common history
, And they are here by splendid representa-
zion to share in the triumph of is compile
tion, and give the occasion by the distnc
ticn of their presence higher dignity,
more generous grace
: The speaker then recited the occur
rences which led up to the battle of Ben
nington and Stark's victory and review
ed the famous controversy over th'
New Hampshire grants.
In 1891, he continued, Vermont's long con
troversy reached an end. Her demand
were finally conceded. An am'cable ad
justment was made with New York, and
> hundred years OF unbeoken friendship be
: tween these states has long obliterated al
trace of old time bitterness. On the 18th o
February, 1891, an act adopted by congress
fOrthe admission of Vermont to the union
was signed by the hand of Washington"
: Mr.. Phelps then reviewed the cours
of Vermont in her one hundred years
and concluded as follows:
E Gazing forward i'm the light of the vanish
ing century we are able to discern with tn
eye of faith and hope what this sentinel pill
shall look out upon in the days that are be
: fore it, 1t will look out upon Vermont, ol
Mhnse YalleYs and hillsidts The seed tim