Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-01-21

pIUCe unIu evening IN tn0 epdCiouS c~"fNe
hall of the Grand Pacific hotel. More than
800 were present. The blaze OF incandes-
cent lights and handsome costumes, and
the music of the fine orchestra, combined to
create an inspiring scene. In the center OF
the hall, upon an imitation hill, or mound,
was a miniature of the Bennington battle
monument, 10 feet high, and constructed
entirely of the finest Vermont maple sugar,
in half pound cakes. The exercises of the
evening were without break and all OF
diem reaching the highest expectations.
The occasion was grnced by the presence
of his excellency, Governor Page OF YER
mont, to whom u reception was given, from
6 to o'clock The supper, from blue
points to coffee in the highest style OF
the art The order of exercises were inter-
spersed with orchestral and vocal music,
And a couple OF recitations by Mrs. John
G. Richberg, n daughter Of Vermont, touch
ing incidents of the battle of Bsnning-
ton. The governor is very popular
n this city among Nsrmontors
md he was given n most hearty welcome
1t Is the first time since the organization or
she society of the Sons of Vermont that we
have had live governor with us. We have
had addresses by such eminent statesmen
Ind scholars as the Hon. Edward j. Phelps,
late minister to England, and Hon. H. II.
but no one has ever enthused the members
of our society more than did Gov. Page.
After the menu had been disposed of, the
retiring president. Maj. John NJ. South
worth, Delivered short but earnest nd
dress. in which special mention was made OF
the fact that this society must keep open
doors during the year 1888, and render aid
to all Vernon who desire a home during
their stay at the worlds fair.
Thomas j. Sutherland, the incoming pres
ident delivered an interesting inaugural, in
which he, too, insisted and urged the men,
bers of the association to contribute freely
Of money ami time in the entertainment of
all our friends in our native State who shall
desire to visit the worlds fair.
a quartette, composed wholly of Yer
monters, than sang that beautiful song,
soft in the Silly night" and upon being
encored gave that other song so dear to the
heart of every native born Nermonter,
"My native hills
Gov. Page, the orator of the evening, was
introduced and spoke substantially as fol-
lows:
Gov. Pages Address.
Last June walked into the Adams House
In Boston, registered my name and, turn
ing from the Office counter was agreeably
surprised to find myself in the presence OF
~ old acquaintance from Chicago. He was
one OF those SONS OF the Green Mountain
State whose restless, hopeful disposition
CAaiei under the slow, conservative methods
OF Vermont ard like hundreds of others Of
those sons OF whom our State Is SO Justly
proud, he had lett his native heath for the
more enthusiastic and wids-awake Vest.
The customary greetings passed. between us
and then, referring TO his marked success i'll
his Western home, | said, II suppose you
ie,l that there is no place in this broad land
Ike Chicago" "Yes, he replied, Chi
caso is indeed, fine city. There is no
Lace like it for a live, vigorous young man
10 make money in. like its push, its vim,
ana its enterprise; but wish could 60 back
to the old farm in Vermont to bring up my
chiidren.h
HIS reply made deep impression on me-
Being gentleman OF broad culture he
appreciated fully the magnificent schools OF
Chicago. He did not under estimate the
many social advantages which his children
here enjoy, and Of which they would be de-
urlved in Il country town in Vermont, but
Notwithstanding all this he believed tina t
tner highest good would be subserved could
tney be surrounded, during the impressible
period OF their lives, with that excellent
moral AMI physical environment which his
own experience led him to be,ieve existed
nowhere as among the green hills OF his ma
live state. 1t is from this thought | would
draw my inspiration for the few words
that | shall this evening say TO you.
What are those influences SO peculiar tC
Vermont which have made her pre-eminent
IL the birthplace and early school OF sue
ces,ful professional and business men, oil
good citizens, eminent statesmen and brave
bodlers-men strong at home, strong
abroad, stIong in all the walk
Ct liie2 l believe they are in larg
measure traccable to her mountains heI
scenery her climate, and her thrifty, fruga
homes.
How many young man in Chicago to
night thanks fortune that business prosper
ity has enabled his father to surround hin
with all those Injuries which wealth affords
How different the lot OF the average farme
boy Of Vermont as you knew him in you
boyhood days He struggled up through
years of almost incessant hardship and toi
on the rough hillside farm. He had littl
opportunity to be lazy. lie fonnd it neces
ssry to rise at five in the.morning. to hel
father milk and care for the stock, and
dare say that the Vermonter to whom
ave just referred did this every winte
Aorning Of his boyhood, whether the Their
nometer registered 20 above or 40 below
end when the chores were done, breAkfas
eaten, ana prayers sald-for his father wa
good Congregational deacon-hs broke tn
PATHS with his cowhide boots through tn
nile or two Of storm swept road which in
tsrvened between his home and the llttl
red school house where he receive
the rudiments of his education. 'Wasn'
that toughW l think / hear fror
ZONE youth who rides in an electric ca
from the front door Of his home to tn
,chool house. Bless you, no. He loved il
and the harder the storm he was called upo
to face, the more vigorously did he fill tha
pair of stirling lungs with the mountain a
and the stronger did his heart pump II
pure blood through every VEN and arter
of his healthy system. 1t was under tn
kind Of discipline that the boy grew stron
nnd hardy and brave.
Sheridan Knowles has given most beaut
full expression to this thought. He says
with what pride use
To walk these hills and look up to n
God
And lsess him that it was so: loved
It's very storms
Hou know tho iuttIn1 cliN rouud which