The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-07-01

ity in the discharge of your pastoral du-
ties, to your earnestness in expounding
the word of God, to your unceasing at
tention to the sick, to your charity in
sympathizing with the poor and dis
tressed, in a word, to your zeal in pro-
noting our spiritual and temporal well
fare. Yes, Rt Reverend Bishop, we can
say without the slightest sanitation or
flattery that you have always been de-
voted priest, wise counsellor and father,
andIthat you have endeared yourself not.
only to every Catholic heart in this con-
gregation, but to this entire community.
When you came to Bennington you found
us adoring in church inadequate to the
wants of the people, and the worship of
the Almighty; but, thanks to your I'M
firing energy and financial ability we
have, in few years, undergone many
wonderful changes and ameliorations,
and, to-day we can point to a church un
surpassed, if equalled, in the State. We
are proud to say that this edifice which
you have raised to the Most High be
meath the shadow of yon towering shaft
commemorative of the deeds of our il
lustrious forefathers, is an ornament
which would embellish the grandest
city of our land, is a monument which
will ever perpetuate your name, Rt. Rev
erend Bishop, in the cherished memory
of the Bennington people.
Conscious as we are of all you haYe
done for us at so many personal sacri-
| fees, we cannot refrain on this occasion
from expressing many times our I'M
bounded joy and gratitude.
In the midst of our Joy, however, we
should consider ourselves ungrateful
children should we forget one who, by
his unremitting labor, ardent charity
and noble bearing has endeared himself
to every Catholic heart in this diocese,
and whose ihfirmities and advancing
years prevent him from participating in
this demonstration tonight. We mean,.
as you are already aware, our venerable
bishop, Rt. Rev. Louis de Goesbriand;
and we pray God to restore him to the
blessing of health and spare him to US
for many years to come. AS to you, Rt.
Reverend Bishop, the people of Ben
nington will watch with jealous pride
your onward career in the episcopate,
and will rejoice greatly at your success.
Knowing, however, the burden of the
high office to which you have been
raised, rest assured that the prayers of
st. Francis de Sales congregation will
will ascend like a perpetual incense be-
fore the throne of the Living God that
all your undertakings may be-
crowned with the universal respect and
affectionate regard which you have so,
worthily merited in this town, and that
you may live to see long, happy anu
prosperous ministration.
As DR.. Daley closed he presented the
bishop with the Offering of his people, a
generous sum of money, and a couple of
handsome bouquets.
Another fine selection by the band and
Major A. B. Valentine followed with an
able address in behalf of the citizens of
the town. He was concise and elected
much applause led by the ecclesiastics
present. We give Major Valentines
address:
Father Michdud.-You will ever be
known in Bennington as Father"
and so l use the word on this &C.
casion. 1t is with diffidence that 1
address you, surrounded as you are,
by these distinguished guests, fifty rep
resenting the greatest of religious organ
izations, here to take part in this dem
onstration in honor of one who has
walked in and out before us these many
years, and is now called to higher
duty, in that Church to whose service
you and they are cOnsecrated.
l certainly consider it a great COM
pliment to be invited, as an old citi-
zen of Bennington, to take part In
this joyous occasion. 1t is pleasant
task that has been - igned me,
made doubly so by the fact OF our
long and intimate personal relations. l
have right to speak for others as well
as myself, for know the feelings en-
tertained for you by our business and
public spirited citizens. l feel sure that
represent the sentiment of this town,
outside of the Church which has so
honored you, and we heartily unite with
your own people, in expressions OF Joy
at your elevation to the high position of
Bishop.
While you came among us as priest,
you came also as a citizen, ready at all
times to cooperate with as in matters
pertaining to the public veal. Your in
fluenoe, on questions outside OF those
strictly pertaining to your duties as
priest, has always been in the right di-
rection, at the right time. We remem-
Der with pleasure, yes, with gratitude,
your successful efforts to advance the
material prosperity of our town, by the
demand that law be respected, by wise
counsels relating to industry and thrift,
by your support of institutions for the
public good, and your ever ready voice
to still the troubled waters of discord.
You have demonstrated, if demonstra-
ton were needed that the duties of
priest are In accord, ana Ill line Will Lue
duties of a citizen. You have shown
that very broad and very liberal views,
both secular and religious, are not incon,,
sistent with zeal for the welfare and
prosperity of Church. You have
shown what is rare in the Protestant
ministry at least), great business capac-
ity, and executive ability, and this is
we'll illustrated by this splendid church
edifice, a credit to your congregation,
and an ornament to our town and State.
AS long as it stands, it will be . monu-
ment to perpetuate your name and fame
in Bennington.
And here let me remark that you are
, among the very few who so impart en-
| thusiasm to others while seeking tinan-
: cial aid. as to make the giver feel that
l what he gives is favor done to him
self, rather than to the solicitor. The
average business man of our village
would feel sighted if Father Michaud
passed him by on the other side, whep
seeking aid for any enterprise in when
, he Father Michaud), was interested.
l We are very glad to know that, for the
e present, your new duties and response
: bilities will allow your continued resi-
r dence among us.
P The manifest devotion of your parish
toners you have earned and deserved.
n The respect of the citizens of this com