The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1901-08-21
A GRAND OCCASION.
Montpelier Celebration Of Old
Home Week.

Home Week celebration in Montpelier, held
Friday night In Armory hall, was q magnih-
cent success, closing most auspiciously q
round OF reunions and festivities that had
lasted since Monday evening, gladdening
with Joy and quiCkening with pride the
hearts Of the 1000 people present.
The hour fixed for the commencement OF
the programme was eight o'clock, but the
crowd began TO gather soon after seven, and
before the hour named every available seat
in the gallery and on the II Ior and platform
was occupied. On the platform were seated
the speakers and distinguished guests of
the evening, with nearly two score repre-
sentative citizens with their wives or lady
friends. Ten rows OF the front seats in the
hall were reserved for visitors, and those
were fully occupied.
A corps Of ushers, under the direction OF
j. p Adams, head usher. conduct d every
one TO their place without confusion or de-
lay.
Hon. Hiram Carleton, president OF the
local Old Home Week association, pre-
sided, and gave each speaker pleasant and
fitting introduction. The program was en-
livened by several selections by the Mont
pelier Military band, and by male quar-
tette composed OF II. ID. Hopkins, Joseph
Visu, q. f. Lowe and w. S. Smith.
After an opening selection by the band,
and prayer by Rev. j. e lward Wright the
ten by Mr.. Hopkins, which has been
printed ia the JOURNAL. Mayor Joseph G.
Brown gave the address OF welcome in be-
half Of the city. He said II was duty az
well as great privilege to welcome all to
our city, and expressed his pleasure that
the first Old Home Week Celebration had
been 30 much OF u success In Montpelier.
Such celebrations have been a great sue
cess In other States, giving the Legislature
OF Vermont an example, and il IL sure to
be success in the Old Green Mountain
State II anywhere. The people of Mont
pelier have been enthusiastic over 1t from
the start, and they have carried it to sue"
cessiul finish. Mayor Brown spoke Of the
change in Montpelier in the past twenty
five years, and OF the pride its Inhabitants
have In their little city. About l 600 invi-
tations were sent out to former residents,
and the result was most gratifying. The
mayor welcomed every one, regardless OF
race, religion or politics, and read letters Of
regret from Henry l.. L ,mb Of Troy, N. Y.
and Admiral George Dewey OF Washing
ton.
Captain Clark was seated near the pre-
siding officer. His name was not on the
programme for aspeech,. but every one was
anxious TO hear him. AS Judge Carleton
introduced him as "the hero Of Santiago"
and rs Capt Clark rose TO his feet, a cheer
broke forth that shook the raf,ers, and con-
tinued for several moments. A j. Sibley
mounted the platform and said: Ladies'
and gentlemen, am going to ask you TO
assist in giving demonstration of greeting
to Capt. Clark. 10 doing so l mean, ladies
and gentlemen, that the ladies shall assist
me as we'll as the gentlemen, l am going to
ask you, one and all to give three cheers
for the hero OF Santiago and of the Oregon"
The cheers were given with will, amid
the huttering OF hundreds OF handkerchief,
and the band struck up "The Star Spangled
Banner" When quiet was restored Capt
Clark said
Ladies' and gentlemen, friends My
hearts response goes out to each and every
one OF you though my words do not. This
is agreat pleasure to me to be here during
this Old Home Week occasion, and to be
the guest OF the city that was for 30 many
years my home, the home OF my father and
mother and brother. to meet my life long
friends and those who came back from 9th
er States.
81 want to thank you for all you have
done for me, for all you have tried and
wished 10 do for me, and II l have never
doue half you ascriba to me it il not my
fault, when people say as did Secretary Of
State Mr.. Rowland two years ago thai
when the war began it WAS between the
American people and the Kingdom o.
Spain, that later 1t seemed to be between
Vermont and the Kingdom OF Spain, and
still later between Montpelier and the King
dom OF Spain. Laughter) AMI l want tC
say about the press OF Vermont that what
ever II may say It has never been subsdiz
ed by me. (LauRhter) AS for Mr.. Ropes
and his peans of praise in the columns o.
the WATcHMAN nigh say, when my faith
or used to receive the Contrsci for publish
ing the reports and records OF the state he
always gave the printing to the WATcHMAN
and when they received the contract they
gave my father the binding, and l presume
MI Ropes thinks there is some such part
nership still existing. When he prints tn,
reports OF the Spanish war he always give'
me ali the fighting daughter and applause)
However IL Is not for ms to differ with MIR
Ropes. l hope you will all read his pape
and believe what he says, for / know it il
very difficult to decide between the merit
Of the mon engaged in the battle ofSantiagt
that is still going on.
II suppose that people outside OF Yer
mont may have right to think that state
that comprises only one two-hundredtl
part OF the country and has not singh
mile OF sea coast, has received her part o
the honors whsn the Office of Admiral wa
re created for one OF her sons But thinl
we should all exert ourselves and see tina
one more OF her sons is honored, and tina
William #. Smith, Badly Smith, is create,
Msjor General instead OF being as he
now, only ranking regimental ii sid Off Ger
(Applsuse) Again thank you for this cor
dial greeting
Rev DR.. George B. spAding was mex
introduced as zone OF Montpelier honore(
sons" DR.. Sp4lding said he counted it at
very happJ thing that Vermont has a Top
ted an Oh Home Week, and that thes
New Eogland States are calling their son
and daughters TO this annual meeting
Some have sneered at it, and called it sent
ment. But sentiment is patriotism, low
for the family, the town, and love OF coun
try. l take IL al something from God him
self that these New England people hav
risen to something higher than gettin
wealth and are coming hom3 to the hills o
their boyhood again.
DR.. S1slding INDUCED in "Reminiscences
OF his teaching the State stree school and
OF town meetings at the Center fit
years ago that we're thoroughly enj Dyed
AT this p int the lights went out because o
burned out fuse, and Dr. Spalding's ri
marks were concluded in total darkness
He paid tender tribute to the long roll o
prominent p5ople he once knew in Montpe
ler, who are now sleeping in Green Noun
cemetery, calling many OF them by name.
The lights were soon restored, and afte
selection by the quartette Rome g. Brown
Esq, OF Minneapolis, Mimi, was introduC
ed TO speak for ex-VermonteTs in the nortf
west Mr.. Brown said that Old HON
Week was not, for some OF us, now inst
tuition. Many OF us have been accustome
for one week in the year to return to Vel