The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-05-17

To this exposition the governments and
people of the world have been invited and
are represented in sublime contrast and
continuation of the spectacular ceremonies
that have recently taken place in the east
| ern waters of our coast, and here are seen
their grand and imposing display of indus
try and skill, in art, science, agriculture,
manufacture, mining and commerce, in
GLIDING all the various occupations, bust
ness and industries of the human race,
placed side by side, in friendly rivalry, with
our own products, and we shall thus be en-
own country with that of others in all that
affects and promotes the welfare of man.
Out Of this comparison the beholder will
see that the expression, westward the star
of the empire takes its way" which, CEN
fury ago was regarded as rhapsody of the
poet, was, after all, the prophetic judgment
of the philosopher.
To many of these nations who are our
guests at this great exposition, we are much
indebted for our present condition and
progress, for, while our national life is
measured by only little more than a CEN
tury of existence yet the first causes of it
lie much farther back along the stream of
time. Our nation is the outcome of many a
struggle for freedom in far-off lands. In
the Netherlands, in Germany, in France, in
England were those who suffered and died
for us. Indeed the very discovery of this
and inventions and triumphs, without
which the civilization of this Western
Hemisphere would not have been possible.
When the bold navigator Columbus stepped
from the Santa Maria, to plant the standard
of Spain on this continent, he was but the
forerunner of those new forces of civilza-
ton that were the outcome Of the struggles
in the Old World, and when, years after
amid the SHOWS of Plymouth, another class
of men landed from the Mayfiower, they
brought from the struggles of the older
nations the elements that made possible our
national commonwealth.
So | say we indulge, to-day, justifiable
pride as, amid these splendid triumphs of
our national life, placed side by side with
those OF other nations, we congratulate each
other upon our nations birth, growth, vigor
and hope, upon its tolls so well endured, its
battles so heroically fought and its victories
so wisely improved; upon its developed
wealth, its progressive intelligence, its aug
mented morality, and its flag unrent and
floating over united people.
Our republic is great territorially beyond
the conquered nations of the man of Mace
don whe wept for other worlds to conquer,
greater than was ever Swallowed by the
outstretched wings of the Roman eagle,
great in the wonderful growth and develop
ment OF our resources, great in the rapid in
crease and variety of population. But
greatest in the written constitutions which
guard the rights of the humblest citizen to
life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,
but grand as has been our past, and inspir-
ing as the exhibit here reveals our present
to be, our golden age is yet before us. Our
population is but fraction of what it will
be, our productions are meager compared
to what they are yet to become, the re-
sources Of our hills and valleys are but a
handful in comparison with what the fu-
ture is to reveal our knowledge in art, sci
ence, agriculture, commerce and manufac-
ture is but the primer lesson compared with
our future mastery, our enlightenment is
only as the twilight compared to the full
orbed light of the coming days. We are
destined TO deeper life in thought, purer
life in morals, a calmer life in effort, a
rounder life in culture, and diviner life in
charity, for AZ the poet puts it,
" DO you not see. upon the mountain tops,
Beacon TO beacon answeringY Who can tell
But all the harsh and dissonant sounds, which long
Have been-are still disquietlng the earth,
Are but the tuning of the various parts
For the grand harmony, prelusve all
OF that vast chorus which shall usher In
The Fastening triumph of our nations larger life"
Following Governor Fuller's eloquent adj
dress, Ex-Governor w. p. Dillingham; de-
livered an Grafton that was worthy one Of