Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-01-19

CHICAGO Ill.,, Jan. 1.-THE Sons Of
Vermont residing in Chicago held their an
nual banquet at the Grand Pacific Hotel
this evening. Two hundred and fifty bus-
ness and professional men, with their femi-
lies, filled the large dining room, and the
banquet was one OF the best this society
ever held.
1t is the first State society ever organ
iEsd in any Western city, and has been In
successful operation for over II years. The
banquet is held on this day to commemorate
the independence of the State Of Vermont
in 1117.
The music was furnished by the Imperial
quartette OF this city, aided by John ID
Hubbard, assistant postmaster, formerly
from Saxton's River, Vt, one of the most
powerful soloists in this country.
After the banquet, Hon. Lewis H. Bisbes
was inaugurated the incoming president of
the society and made pleasant speech, in
which he advocated that the society should
keep open house and entertain all Vermont
ers who desired to visit the worlds fair.
Gen. j. II. Stbbs, war veteran, rscitsd
some patriotic selections, which created the
greatest possible enthusiasm
The press of Vermont was responded to
by c. I. Walter of the st. Johnsbury Re-
publican in neat speech, in which he
told the of the Green Mountain State
in the West what the press Of Vermont was
doing.
H. p. Thayer of West Randolph delivered
very pleasing speech upon the present
progress being made in the agricultural and
manufacturing Interests of our native State.
The GRAFTON of the evening upon the sub
jact of the influence of the Now England
character abroad was an eloquent aud pa
triotc production by Gen. William w.
Grout, who spoke as follows:
Four hundred years ago great man who
first saw the light OF this world at the foot
of the Appeuines on the western coast of the
Italian peninsula and whose great soul was
shut in by the noun tains behind, looked off
to the west out over the tracsless deep and
with the eye of faith saw great continents
OF land standing out upon tue bosom of the
uneXpgorsl ocesn, from the mysterious
panse end the nameless tsrrors OF which the
stoutest hearts In that day shrank in dis
may. The presiding genius Of this great
spirit was ever beckonins him ou5 over the
waste Of waters to Land of promise, to
new world, which he avowed his purpose OF
reaching by sailing due west; aud though
sovereigns hesitatsd and repeated councils
o. wise men denounced the schems as Chin
erical, yet tnis greatest and brave4t of navi-
gators UGvered not in his purpose. He
chung steadfsstly 10 the great thought that
set aside all others; that gradually over
came all objections and at last led him
through ippumeTable difficulties and dan
gers 10 this
land of Wondrous Wealth and Eenuty.
-Four hundred years ago yesterday Co!um-
bus left Fort LaNavidad constructed, as you
viii remember, from tue wreck OF his
lrrgcst vessel the Santa Maria, In charge OF
1e ErrOOae0S md lark to
When lie returned 10 months atsr tae fort
was burnsl to the ground and not a single
survivor or the garrison was left TO tell tht
story of their massacre. 1t Was learned
from the natives Thus inauspiciousiy be-
gan the colonzGt on OF the new word. New.
ertheless it went rapid forward. Hther
came tho hard anu enterprislng Of every
crue aud people. The unbroken wilderness
gave place to fertile fields. The picture ,que
waterfall was harnessed to the wheels OF IN
dustry and every where arose the shop and
the fac .ory. Population multiplied, gov
ernments we're formed and to-day
Forty-four States, confederate in ono,
keep their starry stations around tAe west eru
sun.
FortyfOur IN one, all under one flag. the
flag Of liberty, beneath whlca stand g.
O0O. 0OO OF people free and happy. AS civ
!izatior pu he'd Its way across ths CONT
ades. Sxty-two ye'Ts ago the piac,
where we stand tonight was low, marshy
llaiu at the mouth os tho Chicago river
and partly under the waters of Lake MchI
gan. Now here stands in resplen isu
beauty
The second City OF this Continent,
and up to this magic city Of the might,
West this typical American city, hav
been invited all the leop!e OF The
earth to celebrate the 4J0tn anniver
sary OF the wonderful discovery o
this wonderful land wher~ a thess won.
deriul works have zoe. e Isnt. The mu.
OF history, OF yeiIta ~, was neve
before furnished "a, Jam recital o
which rival, even ~ t.4.st dreams O
fiction. This, howover, i, true not only o
cur country as wLoIe, out of every sectio
OF it. Every State hG1 a history peculla
to ITSELF and full OF romantic interest. Bu
there is one little state, constituting a yer,
ANAL part OF this TAR laId the unique his
tory Of which transcends the roman
merely, and psrtakes OF the hsI oic aud sub
lime. Need tell this audience that re
fer to the gallant little State of Vermont
Nor can We do better my friends, in TIA
few minutes shall dstaln you this evening &
than to touch briefly upon some OF tn
salient points in tho heroic birth and intrsE
Id career of this vallent little common wealth
which fought her way into u o Union {
these States, aud has ever since fought g
resoluteiy Tor the preservation of ths
Union; and in tender memory OF which you
hor sons and daughters, get yourselves to
gether annually to welcome from her som
msssage-hearng for the time, above tn
din and c!atter OF this great CITY. only th
sweet voices of childhood from the land {
your birth.
In recent conversation with distin
guished federal judge or a Western State. b
aaked; why is 1t that Nermonters, whom or
meets everywhere throughout the Wes
manifest for one another an attachment an
for their native State a pride not noticeab
among those from other States - And
ask why is it? 1t il because Of her hero
early history, because Of the brave dee
and wise statesmanship OF the men wl
built State, not out Of an ordinary viii
srness, but out Of q tract Of country whit
ne human bsing had ever before dared o.