Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-19


American Revolution. Illinois association Sons
of Vermont and kindred societies, under the
escort Of the Sons Of Veterans OF Bennington.
These made up the second division under com
mand OF Assistant Marshal Col Albert W Net
calf second regiment New Hampshire National
Guard.
Following the second division came the men,
bers OF the Vermont state legislature On foot
The third division. which WAS under the COM
mand OF Col VIM. VI. Stracham, ninth rcgi-
ment. NJ. V. NJ, included the UnlerW ood Hus-
sars Of Boston and cantons from Albany.
n u, Troy and Amsterdam, y. J., aud the
department Of Vermont, Patriarehs Militant.
Behind them came the lndepeudeut Order q
Odd Fellows and then the invited guests in car
riages. There were nearly 800 Of Ihese carriages
in all
THE COLUMN MOVES.
The head OF the column moved little sfter
1850 clock, passing under an evergreen arch
which stood at the head Of North street.
Across the face OF the arch in white immor-
teIles was the inscription. 'Mollie Stark Was
Not widowed, and the dates "l79l' and
"l117. An enormous crowd hlled the street
from curb TO curb and the advance guard
cleared the way slowly. The houses on both
sides OF the street had been decorated pro-
fnseiy with flags and bunting and stands had
been erected on all OF the graceful green lawns.
from which the good people Of bennington and
their friends waved welcome 10 the chief
magistrate and his escort.
The President was greeted with prolonged
cheering along the line and he was kept busy
continually bowing 10 the right and left lie
rode with his hat in his hand along the entire
route, although the sun shone bright and the
day was quite warm. Gov. Page also had a
warm welcome, and the other distinguished
guests OF the occasion we're given an impartial
ana enthusiastic greeting.
The procession moved down North street and
then turned east 10 Gage street for two squares
and turned into Main street Here the most
elaborate decoration had been distributed aud
the fronts Of the buildings were covered with
national emblems. At the junction of North
and Main streets Was the crowning decoration
OF the occasion. huge arch in imitation Of
masonry had been thrown across Nam street.
Across the top Of this arch stood line Of little
girls, whose sweet childish voices broke out into
''Star Spangled Banner" the head of the pro-
cession came IN sight. Above thcm over the
keystone OF the arch stood the figure OF the
Goddess Of Liberty. Below we're ranged thir-
teen OF Benningtons prettiest girls. holding the
hields OF thirteen original states.
sPRNkIED wIru ROSES.
As the President passed under the aroh q
shower Of roses fell from the hands of the
young girls, sprinkled his carriage aud fell all
about it. At the same time the chorus of chil-
dren struck up America"
The reviewing stand was on Main street,
about quarter OF mile beyond the arch. IL
was designed for only fifty people. ard only
the members of the Presidents party were in
yited to enter it. When the head Of the col
umn had passed just beyond the stand il halted
and the Presidents carriage was driven 10 the
side of the road. The President left his seat
and, on Gov. Pages arm. entered the stand,
where he bowed response 10 the continued
cheering of the great crowd that swarmed
about il. Other members of the reviewing party
took places in the stand and the order was
given TO resume the march.
REVIEWING THE PARADE.
The President stood with head uncovered
for half hour while the procession pass
ing in review. When the Odd Fellows had
passed and the head of the column Of carriages
came in sight the President left the stand aud
resumed his seat in his carriage. The head Il
the column had reached the monument by this
time and the militia forces were massed on the
west of the great stand which bad been erected
in front of il. The second aud third divisions
were massed as they came up In the east. and
carriages then drove up in front of the stand
and the guests were escorted to their seats.
MONUMENT EXERCISES.
Seats for thousand had been provided on
the stand, which was rooted in with canvas.
The seats were arranged in three tiers and the
orator OF the day, the President and other
speakers who were to address the multitude
were seated in the second tier near the center
OF the stand Ii took some time TO arrange all
OF the guests, and II Was after the noon hour
Wuen hon. NneelOck kCaZeN. the President
OF the day, arose and spoke briefly.
GEN. yEAzEY's ADDRESS.
''There il, said Gen. yeazey, "a dual observ-
ance in Bennington today. One par: is TO be
in the nature of dedication of this monument;
the other celebration Of the one hundredth
anniversary OF the admission Of Vermont into
the federal Union of states. Zach would
naturally assume somewhat of a national
character. Together they make an occasion Of
unusual national Importance.
After eloquently referring to the decisive de-
feat Of the British by stark and his followers
and its effect on Burgoynes surrender Gen.
Neazey welcomed all IN a few graceful words.
The enormous crowd stood wilh heads barred
and listened with rerpectful attention 20 the
address. At its conclusion Mr.. Neazey intro
duced Rev. Charles Parkhurst of Boston. the
chaplain Of the day, who delivered the invoea-
ton.
Gov. Page then arose and. on behalf Of tie
state Of Vermont, delivered an address Of well
come.
Ex-Gov. Prescott OF New Hampshire, presi-
dent of the Bennington Battle Monument As
sociation, in a brief speech then transferred
the monument to the state Of Vermont, aud
Gov. Page responded briefly, accepting it,
Following this ceremony chorus Of male
voices sang a dedication ode composed for the
occasion The president of the day then intro
duced Hon. Edward J. Phelps of Burlington,
the orator of the day. He received an enthusi-
HoS. 4. y. PHELPS GRAFTON.
"Vermont," said ex-Minister Phelps, ''conss-
crates today her first historic monument"
The day also commentaries the centennial
of the entrance of Vermont into the federal
Union. 'In this scene party differences are
forgotten. We only Americans, and Ia
loyalty to that great Office and respect Tor the in
cumbent who Hills il well We are all this day
on the Presidents side"
Commenting on the battle of Bennington the
orator said that il is the cause that Is fought
for, the heroism and self-sacrifice displayed
and the consequences which follow that give
significance to conflicts of arms. Judged by
that standard Bennington may well be reckoned
among the memorable battles of the world
Mr.. Phelps proceeded to tell, graphically, the
story of the resistance Of the Green Mountain
boys to the invasion of Gen. Burgoyne flushed
with his victory at Iiconderoga and Hubbard
town. Even Washington was in dispair Of
stopping his progress toward Albany. That
conflict was the last hope of the Hampshire
giants. They were lighting for all they had ON
earth"
The story Of Bennington ''comes down to
us, said the orator. ''oniy in flashes, but they
are fashes Of glorious light
The oration was interrupted by frequent ap-
plause from the audience. At Its conclusion
President Harrison introduced. lie made
a brief extempore speech, after which there was
. selection by the band ana Rev. Charles Park