St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1907-05-01
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Maple Sugar Party of Vermont State
Association.

Association.
The seventh annual maple sugar party
of the Vermont State Association of
Washington, D. c., was held at the Ma
tional Rifles Hall on G street, N. W.,
Thursday evening, April %. 1t was a
beautiful evening and there was a large
attendance. Probably over 400 sat
down to the tables to partake of the re-
past, and enjoy Vermont maple sugar,
which is claimed to be equal if not supe-
rior to any found in the United States.
Edward L. Temple, the new president, a
native of Rutland, presided. The speak
ers of the evening were Hon. David J.
Brewer, of the United States Supreme
Court, Hon. w. p. Stafford of the Dis
trict Supreme Court, Hon. Charles A.
Prouty, a native of Newport, and Capt.
William P. Potter, in charge of the United
States Battleship Vermont. There were
over 40 "Priscillas," who acted as wait
resses at the tables. Programs, light
green in color, Illustrated by quotations
from Shakespeare, Milton, Pope and
Macaulay, were placed with sprig OF
cypress at each plate. There were large
axes of ice on the tables, so all could en-
JOY "waxed sugar" if they so desired.
An informal reception was held in the
upper hall from 8 to p. M, by the Off
GERS and guests of honor. Among them
were Justice and Mrs Brewer, Judge and
Mrs. Stafford, Hon. Charles A. Prouty,
Mrs. John w. Titcomb and we noticed
number of former residents from Caledo-
MIA county among them. Justice Brewer
is considered one of the most eloquent
orators and wits in Washington, and
his presence as a speaker draws large
audience. 1t is impossible to do justice
to his many bright and witty sallies and
jokes in his opening remarks, they were
so nicely barbed for the occasion. His
summer home is on Lake Champlain.
He stated that Vermont was his STEP
mother but not the kind which a man
once had, who rejoiced to hear that she
was not only cremated but buried He
referred to the early history Of Vermont
and paid a fine tribute to her soldiers in
the civil war and especially at Gettys-
burg. He praised former Governor Bell
for his courageous decision in administer
ing justice to a criminal, whether man or
woman, Law and not sentiment
must take its course" He enlarged
upon the loyalty and integrity of the
citizens and farmers and painted in glow
ing words the scenery around Lake
Champlain. In personal allusion to
his first wife, a Vermont young lady, he
paid noble tribute to Vermont women.
Judge Stafford spoke on his theme, 1.-THE
Literature of Vermont" citing the vari-
Gus historians and writers, reciting ex-
tracts from John G. SAKE and other we'll
known authors. He thought the His
tory OF Vermont was yet to be written,
and there was ample material for writ
ing good one. Hon Charles Prouty
told some amusing stories, and declared
his loyalty to Vermont by saying he had
been in every state in the Union and had
found none, taken as whole, that was
superior to it. He was about to take his
annual journey there to make his garden
and he said he had a step-mother who
was lovely woman and could make the
best strawberry shortcake you ever
tasted, and he would invite all of the So
ciety to come up there next simmer and
eat some of it, which brought the house
down. He challenged the statement that
the scenery around Lake Champlain was
more beautiful than that of Lake Men,
and would like all of the
members to visit Newport and decide.
After the banquet band of music in
the hall above, played lively music and
the young people engaged in dancing.
A. M. c.
Washington, D. c.. April 81, 1907.