St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-02-12

Wnen ne look MS seat TO pTcslue oNeI the
Vermont senate, he had never even
looked upon legislative body. His
only resource was the discipline of the
country lyceum.
The main thing in this institution was
the debate. Many young man has laid
the foundation Of future greatness and
craftsmanship by his faithfulness in the
lyceum. Ask George F. Edmunds; ask
Justin S. Morrill,; ask Red6eld Proctor;
ask the biographers OF Solomon Foote
and Jacob Colamer what one thing,
above all Others, in heir educational life
assisted them to place and keep Vermont
where they have kept her tor the last
fifty years, in the front rank OF all the
states in power and influence in the
American senate, and they will tell you,
the lyceum.
Some years ago bright boy entered
one OF our Vermont academies. He early
developed talent and londness for writ
ing. He took leading part in the
lyceum. His mental trend was evidently
towards newsl aper work. and his studies
were selected accordingly.
Within five years after that young man
left the academy he was the managing
editor of one Of our largest metropolitan
journals. Such are the possibilities
which the country academy furnishes to
ambitious youths.
Early in the nincties Vermont dedicated
the battle monument at Bennington.
Allusion has been made here tonight to
the fact that the New Hampshire troops
took an important part in that great
battle OF the Revolution under the gal
liant Gen. Stark. In view of this fact the
duty devoved upon the governor of New
Hampshire to take 1t conspicuous part in
the dedicatory services Of the day. The
then governor OF New Hampshire had
been an old school mate of mine in the
country academy. We had worked in
the old lyceum together, and knew he
had no other preparation for performing
the delicate and difficult duties OF that
occasion. saw him take his place beside
the talented and accomplished governor
of sister state, a graduate Of Harvard
college, and do honor to himself and New
Hampshire. saw him take his place
beside Gen. Harrison, one Of our abcst
presidents, and do great credit to himself
and the Granite state. And when saw
this | said: This is the training OF the
country academy and lyceum."
| see by your programme that Gov
Grout was to be present on this occa
sion. regret that he is not here. Were
he present he would demonstrate the
contention am attempting to make, far
better than any words of mine Perhaps
| may be permitted to say in his absence
what it would be indicate and i'm.
proper to say if he were present. 1t was
my pleasure, few months ago, to wit
ness the inauguration OF Major Grout as
governor of Vermont. The spacious hall
OF the house of representatives was
crowded to It's utmost capacity. There
were present congressman and ex-
congressman. Ladies and gentlemen
distinguished in every walk of life were
there. Eminent guests from abroad
graced the occasion with their presence
| saw Gov. Grout rise to deliver his
inaugural message. He was perfectly
self.possessed. His elocution was clear
and distinct. His emphasis was most
just. His gestures were graceful and
effective, and his whole bearing was dig
nihed and imprt ssve
have witnessed the inauguration of
other governors, but | never saw this
effort OF Gov. Glout surpassed, and |
said: This is the finished product of the
academy and lyceum."
One chief glory Of those schools was
that they brought within the reach of
all the means OF Intellectual preierment.
Numerous as they were and easily
accessible, few ambitious youths failed to
secure an education. 1t is fortunate Tor
us that work is no disgrace, and many a
poor boy has reached the goal of his
ambition by honest toll.
President Arthur while a young man
in Vermont did not hesitate to earn
money to deiray his expenses. President
Garfield thought it no disgrace to resort
to the severest manual labor while he
was student. President Harrison rarp
the bell and did other chores that he
might be fitted for the exal ed station he
afterwards reached. And, ladies and
gentlemen, | could point you to another
president who, while he was fitting for
college in Vermont academy, thought
it no disgrace to work with his own
hands that he might secure the one
coveted amb ton of his life, a college
education, and can assure you upon the
au horty oil one who knows whereof he
AYERS, that you committed no error
when you made him president of this
association OF the Sons Of Vermont.
Anti=Brokers' Bill.
CONGRESSMAN Sh imam of tho JTt;,o