St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1901-04-24
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

The Maple Sugar Party-The LOya
LegiOn-NatWraI cademy of Science
American Social Science Association
EDITOR of the CALIFORNIAN:
The much talked of maple sugar party
OF the Vernonters occurred Mond ay
night, April is, at Masonic Hall, corner
of 9th and F. streets, N. W. Although
the day was stormy, it did not pre-.
vent large company Of men, women
and children from assembling to enjoy
the repast prepared. The four long
tables were well filled with guests.
Great blocks of ice were placed upon the
tables at regular intervals so all who
desired could have the pleasure of eating
maple wax. Thirty young Priscillas, in
white caps and neckerchiefs, served the
maple sugar or syrup to the company.
We understood that it was obtained
from near Bradford, Vt. 1t certainly
had delicious flavor, as all testified by
the eating. Never have we tasted more
delicious sage cheese than that which
came from Orwell. Biscuit and butter,
pickles and doughnuts also had a New
England flavor in them. Orchestral
music was furnished by members of
Haley's Band.
AS the president, Senator W. P. Dill
lngham, was absent, the first vice presi.
dent took charge of the exercises after
the repast, and he called upon Senator
Proctor to say lew words. The sena-
tor declared that when he accepted the
invitation it was understood that he
was not to make speech, for his col
league, who was absent, was the talking
member OF the Vermont delegation in
the senate. He referred to the great 10y
atty OF Vermonters wherever found, and
declared that Vermont was grand old
state. Judge H. B. Mouton, a native of
Concord, made one of his eloquent, en-
thusiastic addresses. He said Yer
monters from the earliest times down
had taken front rank and amongst
them he cited many revolutionary heroes,
Thaddcus Stevens was a leading factor
in congress during the civil war. AL
though he represented the state OF Penn
sylvauia in congress, he was born and
educated in Northern Vermont, and
there first inhaled the elements of free
dom and liberty and gained an inspira-
ton for future labors. He paid a fine
tribute to the late Senator Morrill, and
said the elegant building for the library
OF congress was partly the result of his
labors. The destruction of the Spanish
armada at Manila was largely owing to
the skill and courage Of Admiral Dewey.
DR.. F. 5. Howe stated that he was not a
Vermonter by birth but by inheritance.
Before the civil war an old uncle had
planned to found an academy in Jamaica.
VT, and put him at the head of it, but
he enlisted in the army at the outbreak
OF the war and since that time had be.
come citizen of Washington, but he
still enjoyed visit to the Green Noun
tain state. Senator Edmunds was form
erly acknowledged to be one of the ablest
lawyers ill the senate, while Henry A.
Willard, next to Gov. A. Fl. Shepherd,
has done more to improve and beautify
the city of Washington than any, other
resident. A poem by Mrs. Winslow of
Boston was read bv Miss Helen Ross.
The leading address of the evening was
made by Col. John M. McElroy, editor
OF the National Tribune and former com.
mander of the department of the
Potomac, 6. A. r. In it he made
some very strong statements con-
corning the part that Vermont took
in the Civil War, and cited statistics to
verify them; among them we note that
the population of the states in 1860.
was 315 O98; yet from this small mum.
Der there were 35, 262 enlistments DRILL
per cent OF the population or 1 soldier
tor each four and a half males. This
may have been true in other states, but
never IN any country or age has such a
ratio been reached. According to tho
war standard 35 1862 enlistments repre.
sented an aggregate OF 26, 1856 men who