St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1905-08-02
ATTRIBUTE TO VERMONT.
Brief Resume Of the States History
and Claims TO Homer.

The republic OF Vermont--such was the
name OF the Green Mountain state IN the
DAYS of Ethan Allen and John Stark be-
fore she Joined the Union. Then her
people had marked characteristics OF
free and independent race, and Yer
monters have ever shown themselves
worthy OF the brotherhood OF the old
thirteen" which they were the first to
enter after the adoption OF the constitu-
tion. The sturdy traits which made the
sons and daughters OF this common
wealth famous in the 18th century have
been communicated In large degree to
their descendants. Aside from recent
additions to the population by French
from Canada, Vermont always has been
singularly free from foreign admixture.
Its people are almost entirely agricultu-
raj, and manufacturing is carried on by
only small percentage of the popula-
ton. In this respect the state differs
from New Hampshire with which in
other particulars it has many points Of
affinity.
No better example OF true democracy
Is afforded today than the Vermont town
meeting. Her people do their own think
ing; abuses in her civil life are almost un-
known, and her officials have been sim
gularly free from corruption. Her stan
dard OF suffrage was early fixed on the
basis of an equal representation In the
Legislature from every town, and conse-
quently her lower House is as large as
the assembly OF the great state OF New
York. This condition OF affairs, which,
probably, never can be changed, presents
undoubted evils, but they are minimized
by the superior character and influence
OF the larger places.
The state is bisected by the Green
Mountain range which traverses it
from north to south, and, as only one
railway has ever been built across the
commonwealth, communication be-
tween the opposite sides is slow. This
geographical situation has established
the custom, apparently not to be depar-
| ted from for years to come, OF choosing
the governor, alternately, from "either
side OF the mountain" Small as Yer
mont 10, the state has exerted no little
influence in the halls of the nation.
Though it's average In the lower House
has not always been high, yet in the SEN
ate its influence has often been very
great-preponderatin indeed, Ia certain
important lines OF legislation. The ca
reers OF Senators George F. Edmunds
and Justin S. Morrill, are illustrious ex-
amples of what Vermont statesmen have
done. The late Senator William M.
Evarts of New York had his summer
home in Vermont, and the late President
Chester A. Arthur was native OF the
state. In the political life OF the nation
the Green Mountain state has furnished
admirable timber for cabinet and lega-
ton.
No slave was ever owned in Vermont,
and it was a Vermont Judge who
brought to book a southern slaveholdef
showing a bill OF sale for slave he
sought to reclaim. The bill was refused
status in court, and when the naughty
southerner demanded to be told what
( sort OF title would be acceptable, Judge
Theophilus Harrington replied, IA bill o
, sale from God Almighty" A Gordon Q
stations on the underground railroad
extended through the state, and many
former slave was transported to Canaot
and freedom. One OF these stations was
the Ferrisburg home OF Rowland 4. Rob
, inson, a Quaker farmer and author. IL
the Robinson house there still remains
,, the secret chamber over the kitchen. 4
, hidden stairway gave access to the room
where refugees were quietly sheltered
Robinson was a transcendent portraye
OF the life and characters OF Vermont il
the early part of the last century. HI
8 Yankee dialect Is said to be the most az
curate ever written.
Vermont's revered poet, Mrs. Julia {
+ R. Dorr, OF Rutland, has won wide recoe
! milton as "the poet OF the sonnet" an
!; l.. P. Thompson, OF Montpelier, immol
Il talized the early patriots OF the state
J. his "Green Mountain Boys" a boo
having wide popularity.
Though Vermont is an inland stat
a she has given three famous sailors to til
= country, Admirals Dewey and Temp
i and Rear Admiral Charles E. Clarl
. whose name will ever be associated wit
u the Oregon. In the civil war Vernon
J added a state pay OF seven dollars
q month to the $13 paid by the govern
'e ment to every non-commissioned office
'e and private from the state, and, THANK
to distinguished 6nanciering, ended TT
y conflict with no bonded debt. Millior
a. have been made from the marble of We
Y. mont hills, yet it is within the memor
ID OF the writer that a mountain OF marb
.. was unwittingly sold for yoke of oxe
" Vermonts narrow confines have force
r. large numbers OF her sons to 1nigrat
as and Vermonters have established ther
m selves In every state Of the Union. Mar
is OF them, located in populous commut
ir ties, have formed prosperous societie
Everywhere the pilgrims show deep 10
be atty to the old state, and this feelii
OF brings many OF them back for "old hor
b week." which has come to be year
OF time for reunion for former resident
lr- The central date for these gathering
N. which are held In the different tow
81 under the governors proclamation,
m. the anniversary of the battle of BENIN
a ton, in August. This, and the battle
Hubbardton were the only ones foug
, a on the soil of the state during the Rev
nd luton.
IN, After travel in many other lands, t
re- writer hazards nothing in challengl
'as any country to produce the equal to
drive through Vermont's exquisite v
OF leys in summer or during the supe
~. autumnal changes from Mount Killir
ace ton to the Canada line. Surely there
on no city lovelier than Burlington VI
Mount Mansfield and CamePs HUI
behind her, Lake Champlain at her fe
ere and the Adrondacks In the distance.
WIS Vermont may lack steady china