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

property which we here hold in common
and our common interest in that historic
past, ever tend to perpetuate the friend
1y and fraternal relations which have a
ways existed between us.
Following this chorus of male voices
sang dedication ode composed for the
occasion. The president of the day then
introduced Hon. Edward j. Phelps of
Burlington, the orator of the day. He
received an enthusiastic greeting.
EX-MINIsTER PHELPS GRAFTON.
A Mastery Presentation of the Lessons
Taught by Bennington's Battle.
Vermont consecrates to-day her first
historic monument. But not hers alone.
New Hampshire and Massachusetts,, who
fought with her and for her at Benning-
ton, have joined in erecting this MEM
orial of their common history. And
they are here, by splendid representa-
ton, to share in the triumph of its COM
pletion. and to give to the occasion by
the distinction of their presence, higher
dignity, more generous grace.
The day has a still larger significance.
1t is trebly fortunate. 1t marks not only
the anniversary of the battle, and the
happy contamination in this structure
wise the centennial of the entrance of
Vermont into the Federal Union. 1t
unites in its suggestions the great mem
cries and the great hope in the life of
our commonwealth, the expiring cen
fury and the limitless future. it is fit
that we should signalize such an occa-
sion. Well may Vermont throw open
this day her gates and her heart. Well
may she call her children home. And
with display uncommon to her simple
life, with trumpets, and banners, and
acclamations, and the triumphant voice
of cannon, offer unbOunded welcome to
the great concourse that has gathered to
her festival.
1t is appropriate and gratifying that
the chief magistrate of the nation
should be at such time our most hon
ored guest. In this scene party differ
ences are forgotten. We are only Amer
icans And in loyalty to that great
Office, and respect for the incumbent
who fills it so well, we are all this day on
the Presidents side.
History is full of battles. All its pages
are stained with blood. Instruments,
for the most part of ambition, of tyranny
and of crime. 1t would have been well
for the world to be spared the misery
they wrought. 1t would be we'll for it's
history if their memory could perish
But there have been battles nevertheless
whose smoke went up like incense; con-
secrated in the sight of Heaven by the
cause they maintained. Such was that
for which this shaft shall henceforth
stand.
If battles were to be accounted great
in proportion to the numbers engaged,
Bennington would be but small. In
comparison with Marathon, and Water
loo, and Gettysburgh, it was in that
view only an affair of outposts. But it
is not numbers alone that give impor-
lance to battle fields. The fame of
Thermopyl9 would not have survived,
had the Greeks been great army in
stead of three hundred. 1t is the cause
that is fought for, the heroism and self
sacrifice displayed, and the consequences
which follow, moral and political as
well as military, that give significance
to conflicts of arms. Judged by these
standards, Bennington NAV we'll be
reckOned among the memorable battles
of the world
1t was, on our side, the peoples fight.
No government directed or supplied it.:
no regular force was concerned; it was a
part of no organized campaign. New
Hampshire sent her hastily embodied
militia, not the less volunteers. In Yer
mont 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 a con-
tinuous victory. He was a brave and
skillful soldier, leading we'll appointed
and powerful army. Ticonderoga, the
key and stronghold of the northern
frontier had fallen Unexpectedly with
out blow. The Vermonters retreating
thence had been overtaken and utterly
defeated at Hubbardton. The advance
of the British to Saltwater had been al
most unopposed; and there was as yet
no promise OF effectual resistance. Even
washington, steel proof against despair,
wrote that he saw not how Burgoyne' 6
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 in.
cursions OF an enemy whose allies were
savages. They had been totally neg
lected by Congress; not step had been
taken for their relief Scattered sparsely
through the country upon their farms,
without any organized state government
almost destitute of the material OF
war, except the firearms in their houses
they still had no thought of flight
or submission. They called upo1
God first. in day of fasting and prayer
appointed by their convention, and not
only appointed but solemnly kept. AnC
then they called upon New Hampshire
and John Stark. New Hampshire, ablazC
with patriotic feeling, issued instant OF
ders for her militia to march. Stark
reply was brief, for he was not man Of
words. Il am on the way" said he
with all the men / can muster. ;
With the eye of a born soldier he saw
that the VermOnters were right wher
they declared, that there could be M
frontier but a frontier of armed men
That the Hampshire Grants must b.
held, because no enemy could be resisted
to whom the gates of the country wert
thus thrown open. And that the effect
ual blow against Burgoyne must b,
struck on his flank.
Full justice has been done, in histor,
and tradition, to the bravery and thu
patriotism of John Stark. But his grea
qualities as general have not been Sc
forth as they deserve. No better piec,
of military work was seen in the Revo
luton, than he did in that brief and sud
den campaign. He concentrated til,
scattered militia at Charleston, with
rapidity that was marvellous. He wa
impeded by the want of the most neces
sary and ordinary supplies. Detained, HI
wrote, for lack of bullet moulds; "bu