The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-09-19
SARATOGA PARTY
PLEASED WITH
THEIR TRIP
Special Train Left After Exer'
cises Monday
DR.. JENNINGS AD DRESS
Fine Historical Discourse on Battle
of Bennington and Its Relation
to Burgoyne's Surrender.

A large amount of interest was evil
dent at the latter part of the New
York State Historical association al
the Congregational church Wednes-
day afternoon, which was attended by
a number of local people as well as
the members of the society. The
front of the church was decorated
with a profusion of yellow flowers and
bunting.
Hon. James A. Roberts, LII. D., Pres
ident of the society. presided and in
troduced the speakers. Eugene w.
Lyttle, Phi. D., of Albany made a STIR
ring plea for the closer relationship
of historic societies, saying that the
union of the societies of New York
and Vermont yesterday could be consl-
dered In that sense and that such
meeting was step in the way of bring
ing about such relationship. First OF
all, however intelligent leadership and
common purpose are necessary be-
in this direction. He called attention
to the fact that New York state had
established the office of state histor-
ian and pointed to it as step along
the right line.
Mr.. Lyttle said it should be the pur-
pose of historical societies to foster
historic sense among the youth OF
the country. He said that the method
of teaching history from the text book
in the schools today falls short OF Civ
ing a true historical understanding
and that this can be obtained only
from a study of the concrete, leading
to a sense of the relation of past his
tory to the present day. 1t should be
the aim of historical societies to en-
courage an interest in historical events
and this can be done by preserving
and arranging in historical sequence
all the objects of historic interest
available and using these as a text
book of history. In other words, work
from the concrete to the abstract.
Mr.. Lyttle is a believer in the fact
that history, like charity, begins at
home and that beginning should be
made by teaching the school children
civics and history from a local stand
point, rather than from a national.
He said that the youth of Germany
have a much better understanding of
the history of the country than the
American youth. Among the good
points in their training is the fact that
they are encouraged to take excur-
sions to points of historical interest
and of course, their military training
is of great Importance, at the same
time inspiring in them a vast amount
of patriotism. Mr.. Lyttle stated that
he did not wish to be understood as
making a plea for military training in
our schools.
He concluded by saying that he
fort to foster through concrete things
this historic sense. which is neces-
sary to national welfare.
Hon. William S. Bennett, LII. b., NJ
c., of New York City, followed with
polished and well delivered address
on What America Owes the Vernon.
ters," in which he spoke of the Green
Mountain state as a contributor to, ra-
Their than as creditor of the nation
He said no state had been larger con
tributor of good citizens than Yer.
mont She has sent out her finest
and brainest men to share in the work
of the nation and is still sending
them away, altho' il means loss to
herself.
Once a Vermonter, always a Yer
monter." said Mr.. Lyttle, was charas
teristic of natives of the state and he
said this cohesiveness of spirit among
her children was due to the early
struggles of Vermont and the purity
of her ideals, which have been pre-
served from early times. Vermont's
sons who have been in the service OF
the nation have been men of strong
bodies and fine minds, men with ideal.
of which they we're not ashamed. Yer
mont has been careful to select such
men as her representatives and has
been justly proud of them.
Today Vermont has more old mer
than young at home, and the foreign
| element is creeping in among the
pure Anglo-Saxon blood, but Mr.. Ben
net said that the state could keep VI
the high standard of its manhood by
intoxicating in the stranger within hel
gates, something of her fine ideals and
traditions.
The session concluded with a few
short remarks by President Roberts
thanking the Vermonters for theil
courtesy and the hospitality extended
to the visitors on their trip to Ben
nington. Mr.. Roberts said that the
latch string of the New York society
would always be out to Vermonters
and they would be glad to have then
visit their sessions at any time.
Frank J. Wilder of Saratoga made
a motion extending a vote of thanks
which included the ladies OF the Aid
society. which was heartily seconded
Immediately following the adjourn
ment. the New Workers left for theil
return trip 10 Saratoga
DIR. Jennings scholarly and inter
esting paper was as follows:
That the subject. which has beer
assigned for this paper. was chosen
by the Committee. will absolve the