Bennington banner and reformer. (Bennington, Vt.) 1903-19??, 1903-08-20

IbllIh 70 EnglduN III lht hU9boH ANbllc
library hangs the great parchment containing
IN autograph. the parole of honor signed 10y
hms If and his officers Bennington gave that
Cambridge house its distinction Bennington
hung that parchment on the walls Of the great
library
As. after Vicksburg aud Gettysburg, the
Union had friends in plenty beyond the Allan
tie. So after Bennington, the Revolution had
friends in plenty there also. The treaty with
France was concluded. Arms, ammunition
and men from that country no longer cOvertly
and sparingly, but openly and plenufuny ar
rived. The Tories cooled OF The French
Canadians grew shy. The Indians, with their
never failing instinct OF peril, ceased TO be
factor in the struggle. The opponents OF
George HIS policy In England were wonder,
fully strengthened, The debates IN the House
of Commons warmed. The tone even Of the
Ministry and of the King changed Earlier this
might have helped them. but 1t was now too
late,
In America, in the room Of almost universal
despair there were now hore, expectation.
confidence, everywhere Men perceived that
Il was indeed, still long and dark and pain
ful way, but that after Bennington there could
be but one ending OF the struggle.
Thus, though pomp and circumstances were
,ntng though It was not great battle Lu-
merically, though il was only plain and mod
est deed Of pain and modest men, 1t Is not too
much to say that the Battle Of Bennington ia
sured the success Of the American Rev luton
and became one of the great decisive battles
OF history.
The consciousness OF Bennington has been
always alive 70 the profound significance Of
It's battle And the consciousness OF people
handed down far more accurately than oral
tradition is ever a most impressive witness TO
a great reality Bennington has always re-
membered the anniversary day, and often with
Imposing commemoration. Moreover while
the participants in the battle, or While those
who knew them we're yet alive 1t began
through It's enthusiastic and pains taking anti
quarians and historians, the collection and
preservation OF the facts and memorials Of tho
struggle, so that this battle is able to be
studied and known In its details as are few
great battles Of so long ago.
viii It be inyldious II mention three OF sew
eral among the dead who merit the very es-
peeial gratitude Of all the future for their assd-
uous and fruitful labors In this drection9
They are George W. Robinson, Isaac Jennings
and Hlland Hail. These men will not be for
gotten for they have lined their names. by their
res earches with one Of the splendid decisive
events OF human history.
Best Of all--aud the fact owes an especial
debt for IT, accom- Ilshment TO those three
bennington has, near the site of the
coveted store house on yonder sacred hill. a
monumental shaft, which in size ana massive
aud nd No iftu 4 IN
amidst wonderful scenery with which t has
been perfectly harmonlzed has no superior on
this planet as "a memorial and interpreter OF a
great heroism. Just to look at 1t is an inspira-
ton There is not a letter on it. 1t needs
none. It is its own explanation And II ever,
anywhere in The breast Of any BennlngtOuian,
the tide OF high impulse and immortal hope
shal ebb if the monumente tender strength
and grace. CLEAN ng with high meanings from
afar are then remembered. can he fail to be
other than true?
what the Battle Meant.
What then let US ask are the high but clear
and simple meanings that emerge from the
Battle Of Bennington, unms akable primary,
creative, deathIess?
Is not one OF them a voice about a certain
sacramento quality resident in isolated places
amidst y i'd and beautiful scenery, and about
the sacrement Itself which hardness and Strug-
gle and TeyerSes constitute? For, not from
Boston not from New York, not from any fat
and tame country, not from amidst ease and
luxury and successes, but from among these
rugged and brave hills from hardy people,
long ground betwiGt the upper and the neither
milestone Of perennial and arduOus struggle
for their very farms and homes, came the one
clear note of absolute faith and expectation
for our common country In that darkest Of all
the years for America.
Is not the next meaning, the dynamics OF a
great ldea2 For the conviction of and the un-
remittng strife for the principle Of small land
holders rather than of landed proprietors, and
Of and for a simple freedom under which there
might be real homes, and under which the in
dividual might best develop. lit rs with q lam
bent flame, all America that day, because IL
had emancipated and transhgured the men OF
the New Hampshire Grants. Other men almost
everywhere expested defeat But there WIS
no man Of Bennington County, whom this
great Idea had possessed, and who had battled
successfully for during those diflcult triumph-
ant years Of the Boundary Controversy, who
did not know in his heart Of hearts that Yer
monts cause and Americas cause we're secure
and inyinclble
But Is not the Supreme meaning, that of the
sustaining and yiIalizng and inspiring nature
Of religion? For 1t was religion that brought
the Separahsts" here. 1t was religion con
celved In larger terms by Parson Dewey than
by some OF his brethren-in terms. that is to
say, of tolerance and of comprehensivenesS-
that attracted hither men of brains and Of
many minds until Bennington became noted
for It's solid, wise, enlightened citizens. More
over this was deyout and praying place. and
It was on the arms of faith in prayer hearing
ane prayer answering God that Nichols and
Heirick and Warner and stark and their men
were swept up the steep sides of Battle Hill,
over the breastwOrks and to victory.
Yes friends, isolated, beautiful. simpe, hardy,
sacnfcial living and a great emancipating,
constructive idea, and the power OF a profound,
broad.minded, inclusive religious faith, are the
primary meanings of yOnder magnificent battle
shaft, and of Bennlngton's pivotal day in hu-
man history.
viii you and ! from this anniversary night
ban,af,rtb a,,ar olinNy oureaIvas 10 he unrpepn.