The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-08-26

the historic town, which covered itself with
infinite credit by the manner in which it
entertained its guests President Harrison
had come ON from Cape May, amid great
enthusiasm all along the way, arriving at
North Bennington Tuesday evening. He was
received by General j. c. Mccullough and
Colonel w. S. Webb, the latter represent
ing Governor Page, and was taken to Gen
era McCullough's home, where he passed
the night. In the morning he was escorted
by the mounted Grand Army Post of Or
well to the Soldiers Home, and was there
met by Governor Page and all the living
eX-governors Then the distinguished
guests took their places in line in carriages
and awaited the signal for moving. 1t was
about half-past ten o'clock when the great
procession began the march from the pa
rade ground. The great crowds along the
line of the three-mle march cheered the
president, who acknowledged the compli-
ment by raising his hat Several of the
military organizations elected the hearty
applause of the spectators, but of course the
West Point cadets attracted the most atten-
ton. The most striking scene along the
nam house, as President Harrison passed
it. On the upper tier We're girls dressed in
white, singing" America" on the tier below
We're the pretty impersonators of the divin-
tiles of each of the states, waving banners
inscribed with the states seal, while all
above and below playiully pelted the chief
magistrate with flowers. AT the reviewing
stand on Main street the president and the
other prominent officials left the procession
TO review the line. 1t took the procession
an hour to pass the stand. Senator Ed
munds is credited with witty remark at
this point. The rear portion of the stand
suddenly went down with Il crash, but no
one was hurt. It's the first time" said the
senator, " | ever knew the rear guard to be
killed first"
THE PROCESSION
moved on to the monument, where the
literary exercises were held in the presence
of a vast throug Of people. Colonel Neazey,
as president Of the day, opened the exercises
with brief remarks; prayer was offered by
Rev. DIR. Charles Parkhuist of Boston, and
Governor Page followed with graceful adj
dress of welcome; eX- Governor b. II. Pres
colt of New Hampshire, president of the
Bennington Battle Monument Association,
formally delivered the deed Of the property
to the state of Vermont. The gift was ac-
cepted by Governor Page, who said; Yer
mont accepts the title TO your completed
work, Int will claim only joint ownership
with New Hampshire and Massachusetts, in
all that it is and all that it commemorate;
4 ~ ,yliplI here hold
in common, and our common interest in
that historic past, ever tend to perpetuate
the friendly and fraternal relations which
have always existed between us" After
music, the orator of the day, Hon. e. j.
Phelps, was introduced amid much APP
plause. Mr.. Phelps was followed by Presi-
dent Harrison. The Grafton and the re-
marks of the president will be found be-
low. 1t was late in the afternoon when the
beuedictiou was pronounced and the pro-
cession moved back to Camp Vermont,
where it was dismissed
THE BANQUET.
Two large tents on the Soldiers Home
grounds were filled during the banquet
which began at about four o'clock, after
the procession had been dismissed Plates
had been laid for 2,lOO persons. The scen'
was an inspiring one. The tents were
handsomely decorated, and the table a
which the president and the other Ills
tinguished guests sat was upon RAISED
platform, extending along the south side
the main tent The experimenting beSal
at five o'clock and continued until seven
Colonel Veazey presided, and the hrs
speaker was President Harrison, who, II
beginning his remarks, complinented Col
onel Veazey as AN interstate commerce com
missioner. Then followed a reference {
New England character AS developed b.
the town meeting, the public schools am