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

American revolution; Illinois association. Soma
Of Vermont and kindred soclcties. 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 Met
calf second regiment New Hampshire National
Guard.
Following the second division came the mann
1ers OF the Vermont state legislature on foot
The third division, which was under the conn
mand OF Col VIM. NJ Stracham, ninth reei-
ment. VI. V. NJ, included the Underwood Hus-
sars OF Boston and cantons from Albany
y. u. Troy and Amsterdam. y. n, and the
department OF Vermont Patriarch. Militant
Behind them came the Independent Order Of
Odd Fellows and then the invited guests in car
ri"ges. There were nearly 800 Of these carriages
In all
THE COLUMN MOVES.
The head OF the column moved a little after
1880 O'Clock, passing under an evergreen arch
which stood at the head OF North street
Across the face Of the arch in white immor-
telles was the inscription. "Molhe Stark was
Not WidoWed." and the dates 1871" and
"l711. An enormous crowd filed the street
from curb 20 curb and the advance guard
cleared the way slowly. The houses on both
sides of the street had been decorated pro-
fusoly with flags and bunting and stands he'd
been erected on all OF the gracef al green lawns
from which the good people of Bennington aud
their friends waved a welcome 60 the chief
mag lstrate and his escort
The President greeted with prolonged
cheering along the line and he was kept busy
continually bowling to the right and left. he
rode with has hst IN his hand along the entire
route, although the sun shone bright and the
day was quite warm. Gov Page also had
warm welcome, and the other distinguished
guests of the occasion were given an impartial
and enthusiastic greeting.
The procession moved down North street and
then turned east 20 Gage street Tor two squares
and turned into Main street Here the most
elaborate decoration had been distributed and
the fronts of the buildings were covered with
national embiems. At the junction OF North
and Nam streets was the GROWING decoration
OF the occasion. huge arch in imitation Of
masonry had been thrown across Main street.
Across the top Of this arch stood line of little
girls, whose sweet childish voices broke out into
Star Spangled Banner as the head Of the pro-
cesslon came ia sight Above them over the
keystone of the arch stood the figure OF the
Goddess OF Liberty. Below were ranged thir-
teen OF Bennington prettiest girls. holding the
hields OF thirteen original states.
sPRINKLED WITH RosEs
As the President passed under the arch o
shower OF roses fell from the hands of the
young girls, sprinkled his carriage aud fell al
about it. At the same time the chorus VI chi-
dren struck up America"
The reviewing stand was on Main street,
about quarter OF a mile beyond the arch. It
was designed for only fifty people, ard only
the members Of the Presidents party were in
vited to enter it. When the head Of the col
umn had passed just beyond the stand il halted
and the Presidents carriage driven to the
side of the road. The President left his seat
and, on Gov. Pages arm. entered the stand,
where he bowed a response to 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 was 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 and
resumed has 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 had been erected
In front of IT. The second and third divisions
were massed rs 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 tie stand. 1t took some time TO arrange al
of the guests, and 1t Was after the noon hour
when Hon. wheelock q. Neazey, the president
Va ZIG Ndss uTooS anu SPOKE
GEN. yEazEY's ADDRESS.
"There is" said Gen. Veazey, - dual observ-
ance in Bennington today. One part lis to b
in the nature Of dedication Of this monument;
the other. a celebration Of the one hundredth
anniversary of the admission Of Vermont into
the federal Union OF states. Each would
naturally assume somewhat OF a national
character. Together they make an occasion Of
unusual national Importance.
o Al
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 with heads barred
and listened with respectful attention to the
address. At its conclusion Er. Neazey intro
duced Rev. Charles Parkhurst Of Boston, the
chaplain of the day, who delivered the invoca-
ton.
Gov. Page then arose and on behalf Of the
state Of Vermont, delivered an address Of vel
come.
Ex-Gov. Prescott of New Hampshire, presi-
dent of the Bennington Battle Monument As
ISOLATION, in a brlef speech then transferred
the monument 10 the state Of Vermont, and
Cos. Page responded briefly, accepting IL.
Following this ceremony a 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. lie received an enthusi-
astic greeting
HON. 4. r. 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 in
loyalty to that great Office and respect Tor the in
cumbent who fills il so 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 IL fought
for, the heroism and self-sacrifce 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 20 tell, graphically, the
story Of the RESISTANCE of the Green Mountain
boys to the invasion Of Gen. Burgoyne flushed
with his victory at Iiconderogs and Hubbard.
town. Even Washington was in dispsir Of
stopping his progress toward Albany. That
conflict was the last hope Of the Hampshire
giants: They were fighting for all they had on
earth"
The story of Bennington "comes down to
us, said the orator. ''only in flashes, but they
are flashes of glorious light
The GRAFTON was interrupted by frequent APP
plause from the audience. At lite conclusion
President Harrison introduced. He made
a brief extempore speech, after which there Wa
selection by the band and Rev. Charles Park
hurst pronounced the benediction.
The procession then reformed in its original