The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1918-12-09
BENNINGTON, w.,
GREETINGS SENT
BENNINGTON ENG.
Striking Feature of Britain
Day Celebration
u. S. FLAG ALSO SENT
Public Meeting at Opera House Sat
urday Night In Honor Of Friendship
OF English Speaking People.

Address to the Citizens OF Benning.
ton, England, from the Citizens Of
Bennington, Vermont, U. S. A.
Citizens of Bennington. England
The citizens of Bennington, Yer.
mont, publicly assembled on Brit.
aims Day to celebrate the glorious
share of Great Britain and the British
Colonies and Dominions in the victory
Of Freedom and Democracy over Mill.
tarism and Autocracy, send friendly
greetings to the citizens of Benning.
ton. England.
In this New Eng and town, histori
cally associated with the crucial
phase Of the Revolutionary War Of
independence. British flags are being
displayed with honor today and the
yalor of the British naval and military
forces is proudly acclaimed by the
descendants of the men who hun
dred and forty-one years ago opposed
the army of Great Britain.
We recognize that in the war Just
ended the might of the great British
Empire has been eXerted to uphold
the most priceless heritage of civiliza-
ton; that your sons have fought and
died, upon land and sea, that Liberty
and Justice might live. Therefore
we have gloried in your triumphs and
been thrilled with gratitude and pride
by the heroism displayed by your
military aud naval fOrcao W. bouod
with reverent honor your nations in.
tegrity in defending Belgium and up.
holding the great principles Of inter.
national law so ruthlessly violated by
the Central Empires dominated by the
Hohenzollern and Hapsburg dynas-
ties, now dethroned.
We r>jntee that our nation and
yours have been privileged to fight
side by side for great and ennoblng
ideals that our sons-many OF them
lineal descendants OF the men who
fought against the British army in the
Battle of Bennington-have been com
rades.in-arms with your sons in this
| great conflict We rejoice, too. that
in the struggle through which We
have passed in triumph our two great
nations have reached a common un
derstanding and established endur
ing bonds of unity.
As a pledge of our friendship ant
esteem we send you from this assemb
lage an American flag which we asl
You to accept and display In som,
school or other public place alongsid,
The flag Of your own nation. UpOi
our side we shall be glad to displa,
the flags of the two nations togethe
rs symbol of our friendship.
The meeting for Bennington's Brit
ain Day celebration took place at tn,
opera house. Saturday evening. accorl
ing to schedule The stage was dec
Grated with flags, the British Uniol
Jack occupying the place OF honor
. Prominent Bennington men and VIC
= men representing various countries O
the British Empire and the Unite
States we're seated upon the stage.
Gokay's orchestra entertanet
the audience until the beginning q
the program and furnished accompan
ment for the songs The musical POI
tion OF the program, under the leader
ship of Judge H. c. Bennett, consis
ing largely of British songs, wa
thoroughly enjoyed by the audience.
Perrault led in "The Star Spangle
+, Banner" Judge Bennett sang th
2 verses of keep Your Head Dowl
= Fritzie Boy with the audience Joil
4 ing in the chorus. Herbert Small,
a Highlander costume, rendered
r Scottish song and responded to tn
: encore by another.
$ Arthur j. Holden presided at III
I meeting, prefacing his introduction {
the speakers by a few remarks sppr
pirate to the occasion. The fir
speaker was Professor McLaren
Williams college who gave a schola
~ historical address.
Rev. w. G.. Towart in brief a
dress paid a deserved tribute to n
h work of the British in this war.
d Hon. w II. d. Miller OF Montre
D. handled his subject with enthusias
IS and force, and struck responsi'
a chord IN the audience.
1t Hon. p. NJ Meldon Of Rutland WI
e unable to be present, but sent a Il
v ter a portion OF which is the folio
" ing
ID Il am more than sorrow ndv ca
IT not come, because | do not wish an
In one to think do not appreciate VIII
st England has done Ind wish to
on record to that effect | belle
g, that England has lost millions
h. treasure and OF men for our sake
- well as for her own believe 1
II, English Navy for these past years h
n, been the front line OF defense
y. America. OF humanity. of clvilizatl,
- OF Christianity; OF all that man hol
lr, dear and woman blest
y, ~ further believe that whate,
m. hlots may have been upon her recC
To- in the past. whatever stains m
M have been upon her flag, have in Il
ON war BEEN washed out by the blood
80 her glorious sons
d. And ! am more than sorry / cam
r. come down and meet your peo
ar face 70 face and say a."
Val John Suarko. after a few words
ia explanation concerning his nation