News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1894-08-16
Ex-eoY. Eendee's Grafton.

Mr.. President, Ladies and Gentlemen;
Lam to be brief. / come to con-
graduate. Selected because born here,
yes, within a stones throw. We love
the places of our birth as well as the
places of our adoption, but there is a
peculiar lasting affection for the birth
place, and this although we do not
remain in it until old enough to re-
member the earlier Incidents of our
childhood. We all want to know
where we were born, and he who does
not know, seems TO have no identity,
no citizenship f.; or, in other words,
he lacks one of the essential elements
which go to make up and establish
his identity and citizenship.
| have said we love the birthplace.
Yes, we cling to its memories, its his
tory, it's associations. We remember
best and longest its earlier incidents,
who u play and school.mates were,
the festivities, the husking and rails
ing bees, the wrestling matches, the
spelling schools, apple parings, kitch-
en- iuukets, June trainings, with its
Flood-wood companies, rides in the
old red sleighs, and the chaises now
known only as relics and curiosities.
THERE'S a charm in the meditation of
those days of work, health and moral
excellence all admiration for the
strength, intelligence and industry of
the Early rugged, stern, and honest
men and pure women. Their work
was well done and quickly done.
Leisure moments, though few, were
always devoted to the best welfare
of the family and town. No drones,
no loafers.
Many of you wildly remember too,
the old fireplace with it's mammoth
back log rolled there by strong, will
ing muscle. and its cheerful glow,
around which the family gathered
nightly for light and warmth, moth
er and the girls knitting and mend
ing, father and the boys reading and
planning. All such scenes and many
others that | have no time to men
ton, have passed from our customs
and we now enjoy what seems to US
to be better. But let us pass over
much and come to this. and our day.
| congratulate you on the splendid
and attractive arrangements for this
commemoration. This grand assem-
blage, it's intelligent, eager faces it's
variety the boys and girls, the mid
die aged, the men and women of 70
years, so years, and may be 90 years
commingled with but one thought
the settlement of their native or
adopted town and it's history with
but n single enquiry-what shall be
it's future T?
How beautiful, instructive and JOY
full is the custom of the present day
of holding festivals. Wooden and
golden weddings, periodical reunions
of families and societies, Memorial
day, birthdaygatherings, grand dem
onstrations in honor of great discov-
cries and great discoveries, national
and world exhibitions, state and
town centennials, all have their mis-
sion. The golden wedding ever brings
fresh into cIouded memory the joys
and incidents of early life, the work,
ambition and anxieties of home get
ting and family raising, and all this
gives new life, new courage, new hope.
Family gatherings bring to new
view the associations, work, success
es and drawbacks of early family life,
the heart-aches and sorrows incident
to all human life and progress, the
joys of individual success, the pleas
ures of happy homes, and sadness
over tender memories of loved ones
departed. But such events strength
en- family ties, take some of the bit
terness out of passing years, and
make interesting pages in family his
tory.
The old soldier, when Memorial day
comes, is alert with the first rays of
the morning, that he may meet his
comrades to talk over the life, dan
gers, and results of 1S61-1S65. The
music and the words of the orator
stir up afresh memories of the days of
rebellion, the loss OF companions, the
sufferings and ~hardships incident to
their four years struggle to save
this great nation. This inspires new
patriotism, new love of home and
country, the backbone OF all repub-
lies; and silently awakens sad memo
ries of fathers, sons and brothers who
fell in their country's service and
pride in their deeds of bravery and
steadfast devotion to the old Flag.
We have had our Columbian exhi-
bition where millions gathered to
witness the world in honorable and
wonderful competition. Its history
has been written and read, its
great parts seen and photographed.
1t will be known in history as the
one great commemorative event oil
the past centuries. It's outcome will
be the advent of new enterprises, ac-
tivity in new methods andnew inven.
tions, broader ideas of life and its
works, emulationin everything, and q
rapid increase in the growth, wealth
and prosperity of the country.
And now we come to the centennia.
OfStowe. Rich and picturesque Stowe
Rich in soil, intelligence, store-houses
and industry. Picturesque in noun
tain, valley and stream scenery. Yes
Stowe has just passed her one hun
dredth mile-post. The old century
hos aIinnol ou,o ,,,nat;ooJ a-1 Al,