Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-08-01
OLD HOME WEEK SUCCESSFUL.
Hon. John Barrett Points Out to Ver-
monitors the Advantages That Will
Follow q Hearty OBSERVANCE

monitors the Advantages That Will
Follow Hearty Observance.
Hon John Barrett writes to the Boston
Globe as follows: In view OF the special
interest which the Globe has taken in the
Vermont cold Home Week" and of the
near approach of the first celebration of
that occasion, beg your indulgence to the
extent of a few obsrrVa tons on this sub
jcct.
Porn and raised a Nermcnter with my
cid home in On alton. Windham county,
aud maintaining all the time a deep in
terest I'm the States welfare although dut-
ing the past 10 yeers public and private
affairs have kept me largely beyond it's
borders, ] am with others, sincerely anX-
ious to see Nermont's Old Home Week
decided success in every way. While per
scnally l probably can have at heart no
more concern than every other patriotic
Vermontcr, there has tecn special oppor-
tunity for me to develop interest through
ont the United States in this occasion.
In other words, having visited nearly
every state and most all the leading cities
of the country more tran once during the
past two years, since my return FROM ex-
tended diplomatic service in the Orient, it
has been possible for me t. Gene in con-
tact everywhere with Nermonters and test
or arouse their interest in the Old tome
Week idea
It may pleGse NermCnters everywhere
|
widespread desire among sons and daugh-
tiers of the state to take advantage of this
week to return to their old homes ana
meet lonG-sepGrated relations, as well as
old friends and associates. They may not
cone this yer, but they will some soma
other year. especially if they hear that tn,
first trial has been a success, and that
the event is to be annually celebrated.
To illustrate the feeling. would cite
what happe ned at a gathering Of Vermont
ers in San Francisco upon recent visit
to that city There were POSSIBLY 20 or 80
natil es of Vernon assembled together. the
greater portion of v HON had not returned
to the State since they left it. The maj
GRITTY of them were prosperous. Some were
rich. At least oue-talf of them expressed
the intention of returning to Vermont this
year or next, and in the event that their
old homes had been sold or gone into he
possession of others they were intending
to buy them back If possible and fit them
up or repair them If necessary.
In Portland, Ore, Seattle Wash, Los
Angeles, Denver. New Orleans, CHICAGO,
St Louis Washington End New York 1
have repeatedly heard similar expressions
of interest, thus showing how general 8
the love of the state excited Icy the old
home movement
That this interest may not wane, but
increase. and therefore bring great 80 I'd
to our dear old commonwealth, let us bend
every effort to have at least a celebration
in every county, ard if ros Stle in every
town. If this is zone the movement will
be generally discussed by the newspapers.
and it will be advertised to TIE extent of
making those who aid not return aprre-
ciate tho advisability Of coming next year.
on the Other hand if little interest is
taken within the state itself and the first
Celebrat ton is not n marked success the
effect Will be depressing and make Yer
Tonters all over tie country hesitate
about coming hack at that time next year.
Even if occasions are not elaborate it
would seem rs If some little observance OF
the week should be planned.
There could OF least he meeting IL The
town hall, where some local man Of pro-
, miuence could give an historical address
ut very little orrense to the town or COM
Irunity. 1t would be a start in the right
direction. which could he enlarged upon
the following year.
With New Hampshire. Our sister state
has dore we'll In the celebration o: Old
Home Week that it is talked about all
over the United States, and has done the
state much good. Vermont must equal
New Hampshire In Enthusiasm and be re-
waIded with similar results.
] am one Of those who are extremely
, confident Of the lfsting material heneht
that will come to the state from sac
oessful observance of Old Home Week,
. 1t will not only bring large numbers Of
Vcrmontcrs to annual reunions, but 1t VII
bring much money to be e> pended in i'm
provcmcnts as well as in the development
of the agricultural. geological, timber, wat
2 or power resources and residential busi'
? ross ard manufacturing opportunities
which are not now as fully appreciated
as they deserve.
= All credit is due those men and news
4 papers that are Norfing go hard for thu
success of ola Home Week and certain
towns and cities are to be commended To-
Il the elaborate plGns which they have made
9 the celebration as general as possible.
| may he pardoncd for enlorGins so earn
estly upon this matter. but am receivin.
letters every day from Vermcnters | hav
= met in different parts of the United STATES
asking for diinite information on tn
celebration Of Old Home Week, and If
know whether this or that town will OBJ
d serve the occasion.
II There are yet, moreover large number
% of Vermonters who know nothing of on
$ Home Week, Within the last few days
q have met several prominent Nermontor
l. in Washingt on and New York who had no
!. even hoard of it,
/ Therefore It would be fortunate an
d helpful if every person living within tn
II state would send circulars or papers to III
n latter, informing them fully in regard o
e the week of August 12l7. which has bee
t. set apart by proclamation of Ge>
J. Sickney for this Information can be sc
T. cured from the secretary, Col Charlie
i Srooner Forbes, editor of the Nermontei
n ST. Adams.