The record-union., 1891-08-20
Special to the REcoRD-UN1oN.

BENNINGTON (Vt.), Aug. 19.-An i'm
mense crowd was here to witness the
dedication of the Bennington Monument.
The procession passed under triumphal
arch at the junction Of Main and North
streets. 1t was living arch, inasmuch
as 100 young ladies occupied it and sang
patriotic hymns as the procession passed
beneath, and on its top stood a living
Goddess of Liberty. Every building was
adorned for the occasion with bunting
and flowers.
President Harrison reviewed the pro-
cession. He received much applause
from those present.
Grouped about the monument and
stand at its base were the different COM
mands composing the parade, and thou
sands Of people listened to the addresses.
General Veazey, President Of the day,
made the Introductory address.
After prayer, Governor Page made the
address of welcome.
In an eloquent speech Governor Pres
colt Of New Hampshire, President of the
Monument Association, presented the
monument to the Governor of Vermont.
Governor Page accepted the gift in a
brief address.
Music followed, and then Hon. Ed
ward J. Phelps, orator of the day, was
introduced. His eloquent and somewhat
lengthy Grafton was received with great
applause.
In his Grafton he said substantially:
vermont consecrateS to-day her first
historic monument, but it is not her S
alone. New Hampshire and Massachu-
setts, who fought with her and for her in
Remington, have joined i'll erecting this
memorial to common history And they
4nI Nv, oil
CATION to share in the triumph of its COM
pletion, and to give to the occasion by
the distinction of their presence higher
dignity and more generous grace. The
day has still larger signifcation. 1t is
trebly fortunate. 1t marks not only the
anniversary of the battle and the happy
conSummauon OF this structure OF the eN-
ertions of fifteen years, but likewise the
centennial Of the entrance of Vermont
into the Federal Union, 1t is appropriate
and gratifying that the Chief Magistrate
of the Nation should be our most hon
ored guest. In this scene party differ
ences are forgotten. We are only Amer
leans, and in the locality to that great
office and respect for the incumbent who
mis- it well, we this day are Oh the
Presidents side" The speaker then fol-
lowed with a lengthy and eloquent
resume of the events leading up to the
battle of Bennington.
President VeaZey introduced President
Harrison who arose amid cheers and
shouts of Whats the matter with Har-
Tison? ?' "He's all right"
The President said in substance:
"Nr. President and fetLo10 citizens:
There are several obvious reasons why I
should not attempt to speak to you. This
great audience is so uncomfortably
situated that n further prOlongation of
the exercises might be inconvenient to
them. \ stronger reason is that you
have just listened to a scholarly review of
those incidents which led to this as
semblage, and to those lessons which
they must suggest to every thoughtful
and patriotic man. y son of Vermont,
honored by his State, by the Nation, by
the profession to which he can do honor,
honored by all fellow citizens, has spoken
for Vermont, and it doesn't seem lit that
these golden sentences into which he has
gathered thoughts OF preparation, should
be married by anything l might add.
81 have no further preparation for a
speech to-day than this cordial welcome
you have extended me, which makes it
uniting that | should neglect to make
the most grateful acknowledgement of it.
Perhaps | may be permitted as a citizen
ofa Western State TO give tribute to Yer
mont. Perhaps, as public officer, l can
bring to you tribute OF their apprecia-
ton of the history of this State. Other
colonies staked their liberty on an issue
with the assurance that if they were sue
ceSsful their rights and liberties were
theirs, and the inhabitants of New
Hampshire grants alone fought with the
inhabitants of other colonies, unknow-
ing whether when liberty was achieved
their homes would be assured them by
victory. They had grave reasons to fear
that the Government to whose supremacy
Vermont had nobly contributed might
recognize the claims of New J Eork upon
their homes, and yet through all this
struggle, though the assurance could un-
doubtedly have been had from the crown,
Vermont took a glorious part in Secur-
ing the independence which was the ulti-
mate security of the homes OF her people.
It is a glorious and unmatched history.
is worthy Vermont. She has kept faith
unfalteringly from Bennington to this
day. She has added illustriOus names to
our roll of warriors and statesmen. Her
representation in Congress, as | have
known II, has become conspicuous for in
ftuence, and as far as | can recall, has
been without reproach to any man. We
have occasionally come to Vermont with
q call that did not originate with her own
people, and those calls have always been
answered with the same conservation of
duty as your own. / found, when the
difficult task Of making a cabinet was
before me, that couldn't get along with
out Vermont stickIin it. Laughter and
applause.l And / am sure you have
plenty Of timber LETT in each of the great
political parties. lCheers.
"rhe participation OF this State in the
war of the rebellion was magnificent.
Her troops took to the field that high
consecration TO duty that had character
lied their fathers, even in their vision of
lifting up their heads in faith, that God
would bring the cause TO just issue.
I'VE are to-day approaching the con-
clusion Of q summer of extraordinary
fruitfulness. How insignificantthe stores
gathered in Bennington in II77 COM
pared with those storehouses, bursting
with plenty to-day. We ought to be
a grateful as well as prosperous people.
The European deficiencies offer ready
market for all our cereals, and we shall
crow richer as they take food from our
storehouses. But after all it is not con-
siderable of wealth that tells the greatness
Of this country. Vermont has not been
one of the rich States in gold or silver,
but she has been wrought out of the strife
ofcompetition, and has the sturdy man
hood on which the security of our coun-
trv rests" tApplause
In conclusion the President thanked
tbn audience for its attention.
It was late in the afternoon when the
President finished, and the literary eX-
ercises were brought TO close and a
banouet was served TO over 5000 people.
At the banquet in the afternoon Presi-
dent Harrison spoke again. he eulo-
rized New England's character, which