The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-01-22

ton, is said to mediate the publication
at an early day of forecast of the posi-
ton of the planets and some of the
brightest stars in the heavens for the next
century. We would like to know where
in the tirmamert the professor is going
to place in this forecast the Star that
never sets. The astronomers tell us that
it takes the light two hundred years to
reach us from the bright star Arcturus;
why, jim one hundred years-for we have
only Just had our Centennial at Ben
ningtbn-the benignant influence and
light pf our Star has extended over this
broad land. For believe it is the fact
that almOst as MANY Vermopters live
outside the limits of the State as within
themt These are some of the Vermonters
abroad for whom | am asked to speak,
though | do not see why they cannot
speak for themselves, l guess it is
matter of history and is attested by the
presence of the distinguished New York
VerulOnters around this board, that
these wandering sons have managed to
get their full share of the good things of
this world, whether positions of prOmi-
nence or influence, and in whatever field
or calling or profession they may have
entered. We have the authority of our
war historian, the worthy brother of
youri worthy President, that Vermont
sent down to the Civil War larger per-
centage of her citizens fit for military
service than any other loyal State. And
it viii ever appear, search her earlier or
her later history, that where duty called
or danger led, Vermont will be found
very hear the front, whether at Saratoga
or Gutenberg, whether in building or
preserving the Republic.
This disposition to be up among the
first, and to stay there, is characteristic.
1t is almost a law of their nature. 1t
seems to be bred in them. The limestone
of her hills has entered into their bones;
the IRON of her quarries has mingled
with the blood that courses through
their3veins If ray of political intelli-
gence flashes across the country and pen
etrates the White House when occupied
by q Republican, Vermonter from
Shoreham, now New York Vermonter.
is appointed to represent the
country aU the Court OF Versailles,
Onlya little later to get very near the
top and be raised to fill and grace the
second office in tie peoples gift If a
similar ray of intelligence strikes the
Executive Mansion when occupied, as it
oOuiNOSShHlohdliy IL, og bCIuOCl"IlO
President, he does better even than the
Republican, for he sends a Vermont
Verlhonter as Minister to England, who
not only wOrthily represents his country
at the first Court of Europe, but soon
becomes .fdciIe princeps of the diplomatic
corps even at st. James. And so might
continue the catalogue all night about
| these VeImonters abroad and Vermont
ers at home, but fOrbear.
| The best contribution that Vermont
has made to this Nation, her best pro-
| duction, are her children. Her sons and
her daughters, whether in Brooklyn or
Burlington, whether on the Pacific or the
Atlantic coast, whether in public or pri-
vate life, are her jewels. And | cannot
better conclude than in the words of one
of the notices upon the arch at the Ben
nington centennial:
The best legacy of Vermonts first
centiry, her Sons and her Daughters"