Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-10-05

said the doar old state mas always been
loyal to good citizenship and to the homes
that makes good citizenship. His refer
cncc to President Roosevelt. Admiral
Clark and Senators Proctor and Dilling-
ham created much enthusiasm.
The Hon. Joseph A. DeBocr, the speak
or of the hour. was pleasantly introduced
by Mayor Cory for the delivery of a
historical address. Mayor Cory referred
to Mr. DeBoer as THE Roosevelt of
Montpelier" Mr.. DeBocr was very cor
daily received and his splendid address
held the closest attention of the great
audience for nearly an hour.
MIR. DcBocr said:
MIR DEBOER'S ADDRESS
About 800 years ago. Il son of France
from which land Montpelier took its
title. sailed between the mountains of
Vermont and New York. During the
next hundred and sevcnty-tvo years, Eng
land was solving it's Indian question and
its permanent possessions in the North.
while tho colonies of New England and
the Atlantic South prepared themselves
for independence. Vermont settlements
date back to the days when England
conquered Canada. for even then there
were scattered atoms of humanity along
tn" banks of the Connecticut with here
and there 4 stout. brave heart in the
West. Vermont did not leap into exis-
tcncc but grew by effort sclf-sacrficc,
frugaltN and courage. 1t was the land
of the lroquois and the Waubanakcc.
debatable ground between the Indians.
as afterwards it was disputed by the
whites on either side. The products of
nature contested the ri2ours of a hard
climate. The settler held his rude home
against the Indians, as afterwards the
State held its own against the world 1t
has remained a State OF individualism.
of contest. criticism and debate in which
personal opinion dominates tho average
public opinion and thus creates "A solid
basis for the growth of character and
capacity for service. That perhaps, is
one reason why Vermont has given more
than it's share of able men and women
to the history of their times Even in
those DAYS of the French and Indian
wars. Vermont was known as the bcauti E.
ful wldcrncss.' through which trudged
huntsman, warrior, soldier and settler,
pursuing each his own wish but destined.
every man Of them. to enrich history with
the story of this State. In full time. as
Rowland Robinson has 50 stately said.
tine old war paths became the ways of
peace" and gentle peace found her way
to this spot among the hcmlocks spruce
and pine of the Winooski. This history
has bcen told by the scholars Of the
State. by Williams, Allen, Sladc Hcmen-
way. Walton. Thoml son. Hall, Benedict,
liuse. Robinson and the rest. 1t is not
a part of my duty to rchearse il hero.
but ! were mach in fault il failed In
speak Of the long. hard stubborn fight
which Vermont made for a personal
ownership Of its soil. Well might Bart
lett exclaim al Bennington. AS he thought
again Of its ancient tavern, there was
one catamount on the sign post and T.
catamounts within" That inside coun-
Gil Of the fathers did not ccncern itself
so much as now with questions Of high
ways. forestry and internal policy as
with soil ownership and independence.
for they were builders not conservators.
and fashioned their speech by that of
tho fiery Allen. moistened their discourse
with copous mugs of fip'' and pointed
their conclusions with an active leader
ship that aroused an Irresistible follow
ing throughout the coming state. Out OF
the vortex and whirl of all that colonial,
heroic romantic. military and pioneer
history of wars and immigration and
nnal settlement there gradually arose
and was maintained here sovereign
power among the hills. confessed upon
the principles Of tn" Revolution and i'm
piled by the solemn transactions of Con-
srcss" itself The treaty of Paris in 1883
included this territory in the belongings
OF the United States. but for eight years
substantially. or until admission in 1891,
she WAS the substance of her copper coin
motto "Vermontensium Res Publica," +"
the republic of the Green mountains, ms
independent in the exercise OF full
sovereignty. as any nation. however
great. which has exercised sclf-gOvern-
ment in the history of tho race.
THE CENTENNIAL.
May il please your excellency. Cover
nor Bell. and you. Mr.. Mayor. who di.