The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-08-21
BENNINGTON.

state ana maBnluCenJ HarCn OF pro-
gress upon the soil of freedom, sanctifed
by the blood of freemen. Tens of thou
sands of patriotic and liberty-loving
Americans are assembled at Bennington
to dedicate monument destined to COM
memorate for ages to come an important
battle, fought in the Empire state but
won by the loyal and hardy sons of Yer
mont, in whose honor let every pean Of
praise be sung. Indeed, it was in the
suburban region to the north of us that
our revolutionary forefathers fought the
good fight of independence, and saved
this fair land from monarchial domina-
ton and oppression, Bennington. Bemis
Heights and Saratoga On these historic
fields young nation was born and bap-
TIED in blood, and the grandest evolu-
tionary epoch in the annals Of time
brought into being. In this great work
for the world, the valiant Vermonters
did their duty, and the Green Mountain
state fittingly pays tribute to illustrious
ancestry in the exercises of the day.
The proverbial esprit of rs" was per-
haps nowhere better exhibited than in
the person of the hero of the battle of
Bennington-John Stark. The stern
stuff of which soldiers are made was in
grained in his composition. He fought
Indians and he fought the British-the
redskins and the redj ackets-with all the
ardor of soldier who loves his cause and
his country. In the dashing and daring
intrepidity of his movements he
resembled the Sheridan and Stonewall
Jackson of later war. T,'
Captured by the Indians, he displayed
such valor by Unexpectedly clubbing
them right and left while running the
gauntlet" that they exempted him from
customary hardsh Ups and christened him
the young chief" When the revolu
ton opened he raised regiment from
the hills and dales of rock-ribbed New
Hampshire and marched to Boston. At
Bunker Hill, seeing that an engagement
was inevitable, he attacked the enemy
without waiting for orders, shouting the
famous order: "Boys, aim at their
waistbands!" At the battle commem-
GRATED to-day he yelled to his troops at
the outset: "There they are, boys. We
beat them to-day, or Molly Stark's a
widow" Under such inspiring leader
ship, defeat was impossible. 1t is not
surprising that century has failed to
dim the brilliancy of the fame of Gen.
John Stark. What opp ortunities of ora
tory his name suggests!
1t is possible that Saratoga, the de-
cisive battle of the war, would have been
lost but for this preliminary fight,
which played potent part in discourag-
ing and demoralizing the British in
vaders. Bnrgoyne little dreamed of en-
countering such military talent as Stark
and Schuyler, Gates and Ethan Allen in
an American wilderness.
The celebration to-day should impart
to the assembled hosts manysimpressive
lessons, and freshly imbue them with
patriotic fervor. To be sure The conflict
confronting us in onr day is not one of
war, demanding armed soldiery and the
accompanying horrors of battle, blood
shod and brutality. But in the fruitful
arena of citizenship and craftsmanship
there are yet splendid victories to be won
for humanity. Wrongs are to be correc-
ted, corruption to be suppressed, reforms
to be wrought, progressive policies to be
urged and educational and elevating in
fuences everywhere to be exercised
Evolution, no less than revolution, de-
mands martyrs and heroes. 1t is every
mans duty to assist in uniting humanity
on the. broad lines of brotherhood, and
establishing conditions most favorable to
the growth of civilization. With intem-
perance, improvidence, idleness and in
satiableness visible on every side, is the
world not in need of pioneers, preachers
and prophets of more enlightened era ?
Not one John Stark, but thousands en-
dowed with his indomitable spirit are
needed in the multiform avenues of cur
rent activities to cause the republic
which Bennington made possible to bios
som like rose and shed the fragrance of
its beneficence upon happy, prosperous
and intelligent people, emancipated from
the vice that now enthrall millions.
May the spirit of '76 find full express
ion in the heart of to-day TROY Press.
During the week ending August 10,
the business of the New York State
canals amounted to 172,351 tons. The
corresponding weeks traffic last year
was 100, 275 tons.
I'm Rice county, Kan, nearly pure
rock salt is being quarried at depth of
nearly 500 feet The supply is said to be
practically inexhaustible, as drills have
penetrated it to the depth of 300 to 400
feet.
The following epitaph is in Lanes
boro' S. c.; Here lies Jane Smith, wife
of Thomas Smith, marble cutter. This
monument was erected by her husband
as tribute to her memory and speci-
men of his work. Monuments of this
same style, $3.50"