Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-02-13
THE BANQUET.
An Excellent Rcpast Followed by Enth u
siastio Speeches.

Montpelier Feb. 12.-It was a notable
gathering which attended the second an
nual banquet, which was held in the
Golden Fleece this evening The hall was
handsomely trimmed and decorated with
flags, streamers and various colored bunt-
ing, while pictures of Lincoln, Grant, Gar
field and Harrison were displayed in prom
inent positions. The galleries were filled
with a large representation of the hand
some women for which Montpelier is IA
NOUS
Five tables extended the entire length
of the room. They were crowded with the
representative business men of the State.
table stretching across the platform at
the head of the hall was occupied by the
guests of honor. At least 800 partook of
the splendid repast furnished by Caterer
Vallquet of Lynn, Mass. The service was
excellent the Mattresses being furnished
by the Heaton Aid society. six from each
of the churches in town.
Seated at the speakers table were Gov.
Woodbury., Lieut.-Gov Mansur, Major
General o. o. Howard, Congressman
Charles Russell of Connecticut. Porter
II. Dale of Island Pond, G. G. Fits of
BNttleboro. Paul w. Orvis of Manchester,
Capt. Il. l.. Greene of ST. Adams, Roger
w. Hulburd of Hyde Park, Joseph A.
De Boer of Montpelier, President George
NJ. Powers of Morrisvile, Secretary of
State Brownell of Burlington, Il. IL. Kee-
nan of st. Adams, A. j. Markham of Wash
ington. Other prominent guests We're Col.
Il. c. Smith of st. Adams, Speaker Stick
ney of Ludlow, Col. George Il. Childs Of
st. Adams, Major Josiah Grout of Derby,
Fuller c. Smith of St. Adams, Senator
+. ID. White of Rutland, Senator Ira r.
Allen of Fair Haven, Senator Horace
Bailey of Newbury. Hon. n. W. Fisk of
Isle La Motto Senator o. NJ. Barber of
Arlington, T. NJ Deal of st. Adams, Col.
f.. ID. Bennett of Bennington, j. w. Tit
comb and w. w. Sprague of ST. Johns
bury, Gen. w. II. Gilmore of Fairlee, Ma
jor ]. IL. Watson of Bradford, Hon.
Fletcher ID. Proctor of Proctor, w. H..
Bingham of Bennington, A. Il. Watson of
! Hartford, Elihu Taft, Max l.. Powell, IL.
S. Weed and d. j. Foster of Burlington.
President George NJ Powers of Morris
vile called the assembly to order and in
troduced the st. Adams Glee club. which
sang ITO Thee o Country" President
Powers said that the peasantest part of
the meeting of the club was the banquet,
and that the president was not expected to
make speech and so introduced Capt.
+. l.. Greene of St. Adams as toastmaster,
who said that when Daniel was cast into
the lions den he had the satisfaction of
knowing he was not expected to make an
after dinner speech.
Among other things he said we could
not have too much of simon pure republic
canism or get too much of sound republi-
can talk, SO introduced Congressman Rus
sell, who read what purports to be Lin
| coins first speech, which evoked consd-
cradle applause. He told several witty
stories and drew striking comparisons be-
tween the republican and democratic par
ties and their principles, and closed with
a splendid sentiment for republicans.
Gov WoODBURY'S SPEECH.
His Excellency Gov. Woodbury. was next
presented and was accorded most en-
thusastic reception as he arose to speak.
He said he always liked to be associated
with persons younger than himself both
male and female and so was very glad to
be with the young men tonight. He said
he believed that young men should en-
gage in politics but always republican poll
ties and that this assemblage present re-
minded him of the men of 81 who did tho
State great honor. lie said the young men
of Vermont were in his opinion the equal
of any young men in the country being
characterized with the same energy, thrift
prudence and honesty of their honored
forcfathers. That the dependence of the
State was on the young men and to them
we must look for our large majorities. The
republicanlsm of Vermont Is star that
never sets. When we think of the long list
of men who have been identified with the
republican party for the past 40 years we
can well feel proud to belong to such a
party
Gen. Howard was next introduced.
GEN HOWARD'S SPEECH.
Gentlemen: 1t is new thing to me t.
be present at festival of party organ
ization. Only few times In my life hav'
/ hitherto been allowed that privilege
Strange to say our democratic friends
have never invited me; and yet hav'
carefully abstained from deeply indugini
in republican politics, that might be- al
far as human nature and war prejudice
would permit, as free from bias as posi-
BILE, in order to serve our democratic ad
ministrations.
A NEW DEPARTURE--REPUB
PARTY IN 1866.
Now. that / have graduated from al
executive functions. am delighted to joil
you. happy republicans to think will
you and to act with you my small part II
the interest OF republican principles as
understand and interpret them.
! Gaas of you young men are old enoug