The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-04-08
PLUMLEY TALKS TO
vERMONTERS At
SPRINGFIELD
Guest of Honor at Annual
"Sugaring Off,
NEARLY 800 GUESTS PRESENT
Congressman Made Sons Of Green
Mountain State Proud Of Their
Birthplace

SprlnBUelu, MASS. April o. TIC
loyal sons and daughters of old Yer
mont filed Masonic hall last evening
on the occasion of their annual "sug-
airing off" ceremony observed each
year at the proper season with fer
vor that is almost religious and zest
that testifies to your Vermonters APP
probation of the good things OF this
world The guest OF honor last eve
ming was Congressman Frank Plum
ley of Montpelier, who represents the
2nd Vermont district. He spoke on
the meritorious achievements OF the
Great Mountain state, both past and
present, and recalled to the minds
of his hearers the deeds that have
been done by their brother Vermont
ers
There were about $50 people seated
at the long tables and many more
were turned away for lack of space to
accommodate them. The maple sy
rup, under the skilled and practiced
eye of Expert W. o. Parmenter, ac-
quired the delicate consistency recog-
MED as perfection by the initiated and
flowed abundantly. The correct ac-
compartments, rolls, crullers and
pickles we're served with the delicious
CONNECTION, which as those who have
experienced the joys of sugar eat
know is dripped on the little individ-
ual pans of packed snow, where II is
chilled into the hardness of soft chew
ing candy.
After every one had sampled the
sugar to his taste, President Cobleigh
introduced the speaker whose stir
ring recital of the prowess of Vernon
tiers made those present who claimed
that state as their home proud of
their birthplace Mr. Plumley vigor-
ously flouted the idea that Vermont
is decadent commonwealth and
mentioned a convincing array of
names prominent in modern public
life to prove his statement. Vernon
tiers have held big positions in the
national political world, one holding
the craftsmanship of the finance com
mittee and another being chairman
of the judicial committee of the Sen
ate within the last decade. Dewey
and Clark, names that will forever
stand for heroism and accomplish
ment when mention of the Spanish
war is made, were both Vermont men
and Judge Ide, who drew up the stat
utes of government for the Philip
pines, and Dean Worcester. the man
who regulated the educational activi-
ties of the islands were also from
] lot nf n
nine members of the supreme court,
and the court of appeals has three
members, one being from Vermont.
! Charles A. Prouty of Newport, VT,
is one of the members of the inter
state commerce commission.
The founding of the state and her
historical antecedents we're reviewed
by the speaker. The feeling of in
dependence was always strong. and
six months after the signing of the
| Declaration of independence Vermont
declared her individual independence,
and 1t was not until 1871 that she be
came state of the Union. During
that time she ruled herself, even
making coins and stamps. The first
man in all the northern states to pro-
/ test against the hunting of fugitive
slaves was Judge Harrington of Yer.
mont. who declared that he would
never sign a paper allowing a man
to 70 out of the state the property
of another, unless the name of God
| Almighty, were on the seal.
At the time of the civil war Yer
mont sent more men to the front
than any other state, and what is
more to the point, more of her sons
died on the field of battle with their
faces toward the foe. The strong vir-
lie, forceful personality characteristic
of the Vermont race has made their
fame matter of progress rather
than one dependent on the census
enumerator's report. The love of
life, freedom and the lust for power
always mark the Vermonters and it
is notable fact that wherever they
| go-and that is verywhere-they
form an association. Some have
come to Springfield and like the Con.
necticut river brings down from the
hills the strength and richness for the
soil, so the sons and daughters of
Vermont bring with them strength
and vitality that enrich the commun-
fly where they make their home and
the whole United States is better be-
cause there is a Vermont He Is for