Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1909-09-01
Clark, King and Kindred Association
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE

tHS. nc Ody Is lu0dl, GuG
delightful and our members bringing !
cheer are here in goodly numbers. It
is great pleasure to me to be per
mltted to meet with you on this occa-
sion. For months I have anticipated
this day with deep interest. In my
musings | have questioned if we fully
appreciate what this organization
stands zzfor and the useful purposes it
may and should serve. One of the
prime objects in forming this organiza-
tlon, | take it, was to honor and per-
petuate the memory of our ancestors.
| do not claim that their characters
were perfect, or their deeds in all re-
spects, above criticism; but there was
much in their lives to esteem and
emulate. Viewed in connection with
the DINNER light and the lesser advan
tages of their day the achievements
wrought by them challenge our highest
| admiration. They were honest, in
dustrious, economical and in large
| measure, God-fearing men and women.
| Their courage and mettle were freely
proven by their removal from the
civilization of more southerly section
of New England to the wilds of north
ern Vermont. making their way under
great difficulties, for long distances
through the unbroken forests, guided
|
| future homes where they were destined
to blaze the way for civilization
| greater than that they had left behind. |
1t must have cost them many pang
to break away from the old home and
the old ties but, as Grandmother Deb
orah Clark expressed it, they were
willing to make the great sacrifice in
the interest of their children who
would here find, as they hoped fairer
prospects and better opportunities for
life's career. l think the subsequent
history of the families fully justified
this expectation. 1t was about 80
years ago that Cephas Clark, Samuel
Clark, Silas Clark and George King,
with their families settled in this
town, then an almost unbroken wilder
ness. The few human habitations to
be found here were mostly log houses
ensconsed in the centers Of small clear
ings. These broad and fertile fields,
these large and well-flled barns, these
pleasant homes whose walls respond
with the merry voices of happy chill
dren-all these are the fruition of the
hopes, the unremitting toll and the
sacrificing deprivations of those sturdy
and upright pioneers. Their influence
was a prominent factor in moulding
the educational and religious character
of the community. They were strong
supporters of the schools and the
churches. Well may we, as descendants
of these noble men and women, glory
in their characters and achievements.
!, Next, there comes to my mind the
thought which perhaps may have been
l the central one in the minds of those
t who originated this society, the
thought of a pleasant reunion of kin.
11
the life blood descended from a COM
, how good and how pleasant it is for
brethren to dwell together in. unity"
Many of US who spent our early lives
within few miles of this spot can
! testify to the truth of this saying.
Since those happy days our various in
clinations and business interests have
led us to establish our homes in widely
! separated regions of the land. Hence,
= it becomes the more important that
we should make an annual pilgrimage
back to this hallowed spot, the central
one of the old homes Of our fathers
t and mothers, here to grasp the glad
hand, to exchange greetings and
. cultivate true friendship and sym.
pathetic interest in each others well
fare. hope that, as the years go by
: |
r places, the hands that bind US in the
unity of love and goodwill may con.
tinue in all their strength and blissful
influence. Again it has seemed to me
e that these gatherings ought to be made
: helpful to the younger members and
E to the children who meet with US on
these festive occasions. During the
past few years | have given some
: thought to the boy problem as it pre-.
3 sents itself in city and country. pity
g the average boy who has to be brought
= = up in the city and | have degree OF
L sympathy for the boy whose early life
t is spent on the farm. My study along
e this line has forced upon my mind the
,, conviction that injustice to childhood
. is the crime of the age. Nevertheless
u am almost envious of the boys Of this
!. generation. The opening door Of the
J. twentieth century is disclosing oppor
= tunities for glorious achievement:
= never presented to young men in any
l. previous age. But the boy who is tx
n enter into the full enjoyment and frui
r ton Of the advantages of this wonder
>. full age must be equipped to seize an(
= appropriate them to the advancement
e of his purposes. Opportunity rap;
IS once at every mans door and he whC
: has fitted himself to welcome her i
: wise and Will be made happy. vii
. you kindly allow me to mention a few
le of the more prominent qualifications
/, young man must possess to enable hin
r. to succeed in this new age? He mus
- be thoroughly honest apd trustworthy
- He must have we'll trained intellec
1T that he may be able to observe accu
IN rately, to gather and classify facts an,
III to deduce correct conclusions there
fbn oh nv
81 concentrate the mental faculties an
I'd to hold them subservient to the will
RS This applies to the farmer with tn
~ same force that it does to the profes
:" sional man or to the manager of grea
IN industrial enterprises. However desir
We able and helpful college course ma
1g be | would impress upon the mindl o
,;r the young man to whom such cours
is not open that it is not an essentia