The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1918-11-15
MEMORIAL FOR
BENNINGTON IS
contemplated
Substantial Museum Building is
Suggested
TO EXHIBIT WAR RELICS
John Spargo Asks People TO Consider
Idea-communlty Should Be VIII
ing to Support This Project.

Editor of the Banner;-Now that
We are nearing the successful com
pletion of the United War Work drive
and while we are still thrilled by the
inspiration OF the great victory Of our
cause, we may well consider what
sort Of a monument this historic
community can raise In commemora-
tion Of the great struggle and sacri-
fec
suggest to my fellow citizens that
before the warmth of gratitude and
triumph has passed out of our hearts
We should have another drive. in
this community to raise the funds
necessary for worthy and enduring
memorial
suggest, further, that this mem.
orial ought to take the form of sub
stantial fireproof museum building in
which can be gathered the numerous
precious and priceless historical relics
connected with the notable place Of
Bennington in history.
Every bit of our civic pride should
lead us to gather together IN safety.
in some public place, all the relics per
tanning to the Revolutionary War and
to Bennington's decisive share in that
great struggle There are still
great many such relics available,
though unfortunately many have!been
taken from the State. know that the
owners Of many such relics would
gladly place them in public museum.
Then there are the numerous fine ex-
amples of Bennington pottery. the
early books printed in Bennington.
and SO on, n
in such museum could be gath
cred. too, the numerous Civil War
relics still happily available. Final
ly. many of our young men have been
rAlyileged to take part in the grand
climax of the greatest war in all his
tory They have fought at Chateau
Thierry at Verdun and at Sedan
Some OF them wili bring back trop.
hies which will in few years be re-
garded as infinitely precious memoir
ias of the most epochal events in our
history of our nations
first warfare on European soil
These, not less than the memorials OF
the. Revolutionary War should be
preserved for the perpetuation of
Bennington's glorious story and for
the instruction and inspiration of sue
ceeding generations OF Bennington
ians For example, the German Of
ficer's sword which I picked up on
the battlefield OF Chateau Thierry be
fore the dead were buried, and the in
famous Austrian spiked club which /
received from General Diaz are in the
very nature OF things properly sub
iects for public preservation and ex.
hilition. The same is true OF the
proclamations posted in Belgian cities
- the German military authorities.
documents of the highest historical
value. and importance. No doubt some
Of our soldier boys will bring trophies
If as great or even greater sig
ai1tancc.
A campaign energeticslly conducted
for week or ten days would enable
rs to raise the necessary funds for
wa, .hy and adequate museum build.
ing In the vestibule OF such build
ing could well be placed tablets bear
ing the names OF the sons Of Ben.
nington who fought in the three great
wars referred to- Perhaps If the mat.
ter we're taken up at once in hearty
spirit by an efficient committee 1t
might be possible TO bring about the
erection Of the much needed new H.
brary building in connection with the
museum
submit the matter for considera-
ton and suggest that YOU invite your
readers to give expression to their
views.
John Spargo.
Bennington, Nov. Is