The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-07-07
MR.. BArcHELDER's ADDRESS
(Continued from First Pea

places so IN llf6 the nrSt governor
was elected as also other officers and
that governor was Thomas Chittenden
who settled that year in Arlington,
and his dwelling stood on the very
spot where this new station now
stands; and for the nine years follow
ing,-for he lived here and was re-
elected each year,-that dwelling,
humble tho it was, was the Execu-
tive mansion of the chief magistrate
of Vermont
1t is not because Governor Chitten-
den happened to live, during those
nine years, on this spot, that we are
assembled here today; but it is be-
cause of what he did as governor, and
what he, with his co-patriots accom-
plished, while he lived here. and be-
cause he was the central figure
around whom the others gathered, of
ten on this spot, and discussed and
decided the many delicate and nitric
ate questions that arose, and shaped
the destinies of Vermont, that makes
this spot historic.
Governor Chittenden was not one
of the great men of the world, as
greatness is looked upon. But as fit
ting with full measure, into the place
to which the times and circumstan-
ces called him, and with consummate
skill and judgment accomplishing
what he did for Vermont, with faith
that never failed. a patriotism that
never faltered, it may fairly be said
that, aside fom Ethan Allen, who al
ways has been and always will DC
Vermont's idol, and Seth Warner, her
greatest soldier, he stands today the
most prominent figure in Vermont's
colonial and revolutionary history.
1t is said of him, that he talked
little, but was a good listener; he
heard with patience what others had
to say weighed ii carefully and
then, thus aided, decided on his judg-
ment and the council composed of
able and wise men, chosen under the
law, to be his advisers, rarely had oc-
casion to question his judgment.
But il there was one thing he could
do better than any one else, it was,
TO curb and control the turbulent
spirits around him, and turn their
rising wrath and rashness into en-
thusiasm for the performance of that
which he wished to accomplish. He
so held himself, and that in a natural
and unassuming manner, during all
that troublesome period, that no man
could approach him except with re-
spect for him as chief magistrate, and
as man.
Here he often met the Council"
and discussed with them, sometimes
with much anxiety, the grave ques-
lions that arose. Here also came
those others, whose counses he
sought or who sought to counsel and
advise him. Here came Ethan Allen,
that man of such conflicting traits
of character; at times arrogant and
yindictlve, yet tenderhearted as a
child; always loyal and brave even
to rashness, yet, sometimes, a bonn
bast and actor. No one but he, at
Ticonderoga, could have demanded
the surrender OF that fortress In the
tragic manner he did, in the name
OF the Great Jehovah and the Con-
tinental Congress which
event, has made his name immortal.
No one but he could have quelled the
rebellious spirit OF the inhabitants of
Guilford who decided with New York,
by telling them, In his impressive
manner, that If the town did not
submit TO Vermont he would lay it
as waste as Sodom and Gomorrah."
But when he came into the pres
ence OF Governor Chittenden he was
as gentle as lamb; heard what the
governor had to say, and said what
he had to offer without exhibiting any
of those traits which he so often dis
played
Here also came Seth Warner Of
Bennington, the gentle and valiant
soldier, with whom the governor con-
suited, on questions OF war, more
than with any other man, until worn
out by the toll of years in the service
OF his country and this state, he left
the scene of his checkered life, and
returned to his former home in Con-
necticut where he soon died at the
early age OF 41,-his was q gentle spir
It. He was cousin OF Ethan Allen
but unlike hin, except in patriotism,
courage and kindness.
To this spot during those years al.
so came Ira Allen. q brother of Ethan
courtly, educated and refined; -
whose handiwork is seen so frequent
ly in the formation and early history
of the state. He II was who, just
prior to the battle OF Bennington, put
forward the scheme to confiscate the
lands OF the tories of the New Hamp
shire Grants" to raise funds to pay
expenses. This was done, and the
Hampshire Grants were the first to
do this, but afterward some OF the
other states, during the Revolution,
followed their example Unless his
tory is at fault, this very place was
conhscated, before it came into the
possession of Gov Chittenden.
Timothy Brownson of Sunderland
was q trusted adviser Of the COVER
nor and often called to this place, as
well as his brother Gideon, both sold.
iers OF the Revolution and one a vet
eran OF Colonial wars, to advise with
him. Many of their descendants re.
side In Arlington, and some are here
today.
| cannot go through the list OF all
those who gathered around the gov
ernor here, they were so many and
equally worthy. have therefore
confined myself to some OF those In
this and the neighboring town of
Sunderland, except as to Seth War.
ner.
But there were other events, In
those days, which helped to render
this spot one OF interest to every
Vermonter
The device of the Great Soul" OF
the state, originated here and In this