The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-06-06

freeing a people from foreign despo-
tism and laying the foundations of
a great nation.
Why, indeed, should 1t not be made
an annual event? The sixteenth OF
August might well be celebrated each
year with the simple dignity and
beauty of a folk-festival. Thus could
civic patriotism be fostered, and
zach anniversary made the occasion
for raising, voluntarily, in "A
spirit of democratic good-fel-
lowship, the funds needed for
some local improvement in which
all would share, the poorest equally
with the richest.
Apart from every other considera-
ton. the restoration and preserva.
ton of the simple democratic spirit
which was the glory of old New Eng
land life would be an achievement of
great value.
After all, do we not recognize that
one of the greatest needs of Vermont
today is a rebirth of civic patriotism
which will destroy petty jealousies
and cliques, and make every citizen
loyal soldier Of the common good,
recognizing that we are all interde-
pendent, members one of another?"
II is fitting and well that Old Ben
nington, the gray mother on the hill,
should have her special celebration
There is no room in this for envy or
jealousy. There are events and ira
ditions which demand such distinc
tive celebration
The Rev. Isaac Jennings, whose
vigilant and scholarly investigation
and care of those records and tradit
ions which give to Bennington sc
much interest and charm. will, 1t is
Announced, make a special address al
the Old First church. on Sunday
June Is, which seems to be the exact
anniversary of the date of settlement
setting forth some important facts
concerning the origin and early his
tory of Bennington not generally
| known.
1t has been suggested by some who
care for the old village that 1t would
be fitting and graceful thing TO sup
plement the address of DR.. Jennings
by some simple ceremonial, as BELTS
/ the udls luS tNSul anu Nllt piaSNs
II is proposed that procession be
formed just below the line of the
old village, headed by the minister
and that it march into the village
possibly singing some suitable hymn
and enter the old church.
Here, again is an opportunity fol-
the manifestation of that healthfu
civic spirit which our little commun
lity so much needs. There is no rea
son why any man, woman or child
should refuse to participate The
"city folks" who come each year tc
enjoy the beauty and peace OF the
village may well join hands with the
oldest residents in celebrating the
heroism and sacrifice of the brave
simple pioneers who first settled here
and left an indelible record in our
annals.
Jew and Christian, Catholic and
Protestant and the man or woman
of no religious belief may very prop
erly join in such a celebration. For
the celebration is not of creed but
of human lives and deeds. That 1t
should eliminate in the village
church is eminently fitting, for in the
earlier life of the community the
church was not merely the place of
worship for those who believed In
common. II was a social center and,
often, the cradle Of liberty With
in its walls were initiated many of
those movements for freedom and
progress whose fruits we now in com
mon enjoy.
1t would be we'll If the procession
could be made a civic ceremonial in
a special sense. Following the min
lister the Representative of the town
in the legislature and all the officials
of the town and both villages could
march, thus stamping il with the
character properly belonging to com
munal celebrations everywhere.
Among the newer residents, and
especially those who reside here only
during the summer months, there are
doubtless many who will gladly avail
themselves Of the opportunity thus
afforded to show that they have a
real interest in the village to which
they come each year for rest and
beauty and peace.
Is 1t too much to hope that out OF
this anniversary will develop a move
ment to make an annual expression
of this interest? 1t would be a beau
tiful and graceful thing if volun-
tary organization could be effected
for the purpose of doing some one
thing for the village" each year A
simple festival or gala day could be
/ held when all the residents would
come together in simple, democratic
spirit, and the proceeds, augmented
by voluntary contributions perhaps
could be used each year to carry out
some piece of work of value and
pride to the whole community.
Surely there is enough to be done
The old brick academy needs re-roof
ing. repairing and painting. Unless
the work is done soon the old land
mark will 60 But it can be preser
we'd for generations. The old church
needs painting and the carriage sheds
behind 1t are in a disgraceful state
AS a beautiful specimen OF church ar
chitecture the old church ought tt
be as much an object of pride to ev
cry resident as are the old churches
in Europe which are so lovingly trea
sured and cared for as commune
possessions.
There is much more to be done
Coming into a rare heritage, villag
of wonderful beauty and charm