The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-08-20

Vermont accepts the title to your
completed work, but will claim only a
Joint ownership with New Hampshire
and Massachusetts, in all that it is, and
all that it commentaries, and may this
property which We here hold in COM
mon and our common interest in that
historic past ever tend to perpetuate
the friendly and fraternal relations
which have always existed between us.
Music followed and the president OF
the day, General Neazey, came forward
leading the distinguished scholar, diplo-
mat and orator, Hon. Edward j. Phelps.
A roar OF applause greeted their ap-
pearance, and when the last murmur
had died away, Mr.. Phelps delivered
the Grafton OF the day.
Vermont consecrates to-day'her first
historic monument. But not hers alone.
New Hampshire and Massachusetts,
who fought with her and for her in BEN
nington, have joined in erecting this
memorial to their common history. And
they are here by splendid representa-
ton to share in the triumph OF its COM
plction and to give TO the occasion by
the distinction OF their presence high
/ OL ulkhlblg - luOAC ENAAGAOb9 sANsSs
The day has n still larger significance.
It marks not only the anniversary OF
the battle and the happy contamination
in this structure OF the eHertions OF fiji
teen years, but likewise the centennial
OF tho entrance OF Vermont into the
federal union.
History is full OF battles. All its
pages are stained with blood. 1t was on
our side, the peoples fight. No gov
ernmont directed or supplied it; no
regular force vas concerned; it was a
part OF an organized campaign. New
Hampshire sent her hastily embodied
militia, not the less volunteers. In
Vermont and Massachusetts it was the
spontaneous uprising OF rural and
peace.loving population to resist inva-
sion, to defend their homes, to vindi-
cate their right of self-government.
Lexington and Bunker Hill were in this
respect its only parallels in the revolu-
tionary war.
The march OF Burgoyne from Canada
to the Hudson had been till then con.
tinuous victory. lie was q brave and
sSilful soldier, leading well appointed
and powerful army. Ticondcroga, the
key and stronghold of the northern
frontier, had fallen unexpectedly with
out blow. The Vermonters retreat
ing thence had been overtaken and ut
terly defeated at Hubbardton. The ad-
vance OF the British to saltwater had
been almost unopposed and there was
us vet no promise OF efiectual resist
ance. Even Washington, steel proof
against despair, wrote that he saw not
how Burgoyne's march to Albany could
be checked.
The situation OF the inhabitants OF the
Hampshire Grants was most critical.
Their whole frontier was open to the
incursion OF IN enemy whose allies were
savages. They had been totally neglect
ed by Congress; not q step had been
taken for their relief.
They called upon New Hampshire and
John Stark. New Hampshire, ablaze
with patriotic feeling, issued instant or
ders for her militia to march. Stark's
reply was brief. He was not man Of
words. ~ am on the way" said he,
with all the men / can muster" that
the Hampshire Grant must bo held be-
cause no enemy could be resisted to
whom the gates OF the country were
thus thrown open, and that the etfectual
blow against Burgoyne must be struck
on his flank.
The orator then graphically de-
scribed the manner in which Bur
goyne's march was checked and his
army routed By John Stark and the
rough and unproyided militia OF the
grants.
The oration was received in the most
appreciatiye manner and applause
greeted the finish rs the beginning,
which was renewed with increased in
tensity as President Harrison was in
troduccd and spoke Of his qualification
at being present.
Following the conclusion Of Mr..
Phelps's oration, President OF the Day
VeaZey introduced President Harrison,
who arose amid prolonged cheets. He
spoke as follows:
Mn. PRESIDENT AND FELLow-ClTtzENs:
There are several obvious reasons why
should not attempt to speak to you at
this time. This great audience is SO
uncomiortably situated that n further
prolongation Of these exercises cannot
be desirable, but the stronger reason is
that YOU have just listened with rapt
attention to q most scholarly and inter-
estinE review OF those historical events
which have suggested this large assem-
blage, and to these lessons which they
furnish 10 thoughtful and patrioticmen.
Applause.
Perhaps | may assume as public
officer, representing in some sense all
the States OF the Union, to bring to-day
their appreciation OF the history and
people OF this patriotic State. Its his
tory is unique, as Mr.. Phelps has said.
The other colonies staked their lives,
their fortunes and honor upon the
struggle for independence with the u.s.
suranCe that, ii by their vNlor and sac
ritice independence was achieved, ali
these were assured. The inhabitants OF
the Hampshire Grants alone fought
with their fellow countrymGn Of other
colonies for liberty, for political indie
pendcncc, unknowing whether, when 1t
had been achieved, the property, the
homes upon which they dwelt, would
be assured by the success OF the con-
federate colonies.
They could not know. They had the
gravest reason to fear that when the au-
thorty OF tho confederation OF the
States had been established this very
government, TO whose supremacy Yer
mont had SO nObly contributed, might
lend its authority to the establishment
OF the claims Of New York upon their
homes; and yet in all this war, though
security OF property would undoubted-