Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1891-08-26

as state to those of the great FEDERAL fam
lily and to dedicate to liberty this majestic
shaft. We welcome our neighbOrS from
the old Bay State, whose noble ancestors
from yon valleys of Berkshire rallied at
the tocsin of war. and snatching the bat
tered arms OF their fathers. fastened like
brothers to this field of conflict. We well
come our many friends from the Granite
State, whose patriotic fathers, under the
leadership and inspired by the peerless
courage OF gallant Stark, fiOcked to yonder
battlefield. We welcome as mother well
comes her long absent children, those sons
Of our own Green Mountain State who
have gone forth from their ma
tive hillsides. Yes, sons of Massa-
chusetts sons of New Hampshire,
sons of Vermont. yes, everybody, from the
official head of the grandeSt nation the sun
ever shOne upon TO the plain untitled cit
izen. friend and stranger, distinguished or
unknown, three welcome al to the feStiy-
tiles of this our centennial anniversary.
Your presence atteStS alike your grateful
recollection of Vermont's grandest historic
achievement and early devotion to the I'm
ion. In this august presence she unrOllS
the cord Of an hundred years and points
with pride TO an historic page upon which
she finds nothing she would conceal, moth
ing She would obliterate.
PRESENTATION OF THE MONUMENT.
The governors remarks were hand
somely applauded, and ex-Gov. Pres
colt, of New Hampshire, president of
Bennington Battle Monument Associa-
ton, was received with enthusiasm as
be stepped forward to transfer the mon
ument, the result Of the associations
many years effort. Mr.. Prescott spoke
rs follows:
Your ExCELLENCY: My duty on this
occasion is simple. and | should transcend
it if | attempted to reclte the events pre-
ceding and at the battle of Bennington.
That duty has been committed to gentle
man whose ripe scholarship and graceful
eloquence admirably qualify him for the
effort, and to whom this vast concourse
OF people will be delighted to listen. I
will. however, allude to a few facts, purely
historical, as this event may justify such q
recital.
Then followed a statement Of histori-
cal facts covering the inception of the
monument, its progress and commem-
grafton. Then said the speaker:
We gather to-day TO dedicate and to
consecrate it. And now, sir, in this dis
tinguished presence, [, as president OF the
Bennington Battle Monument Association,
II its behalf and by its direction, now
transfer through you, as governor, to the
state of Vermont, this monument, erected
to commemorate one Of the most decisive
battles OF the Revolution, and this deed
conveys the title to the property.
ACCEPTING THE TRUST.
Gov. Page accepted the noble oferin z
in the following brief speech:
GOVERNOR PRESCOTT: In behalf of Yer
mont accept from you as president of the
Bennington Battle Monument Association
this title, and the responsibilities which
it's acceptance involves. You convey to us
the title TO the property, but | assure you,
Mr. President, that VermOntS interest III
this monument shall ever be something
rf.v inf
shall stand here untouched, save by the
finger Of time, to tell to our children, and
our children'S children, the story Of
the struggle tor liberty, and to in
spire all who may come beneath its
shadow with q deeper love Of country and
higher appreciation of those men whose
sacrifices made possible the priceless bless
ings we are to-day privileged to enjoy.
Vermont accepts the title to your COM
pleted work, but Will claim only a joint
ownership with New Hampshire and Mas
sachusetts in all that it is and all that it
| commentaries; and may this property
| which we here hold in common, and our
common interest in that historic past ever
tend to perpetuate the friendly and frater-
nal relations which have always existed
! between US.
PHELPS HISTORICAL ADDRESS.
Music folio we'd, and the president OF
the day, Gen. Veazey. came forward
leading the distinguished scholar, d.
pIomat and orator, Edward J. Phelps.
A roar Of applause greeted their appear
ance, and when the last murmur had
died away Mr.. Phelps delivered the ora
ton Of the day. He said:
Vermont consecrstes to-day her first his
toric monument, but not hers alone New
Hampshire and Massachusetts, who fought
with her and for her in Bennington, have
joined in erecting this memorial of the
s0eSd hs9ey Aa they aPs here By bs
| triumph of its completion, and to give to
the occasion, by the distinction of their
presence, a higher dignity, a more
generous grace. The day has a sill
larger significance. 1t Is trebly