The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1922-09-23

At meeting at high school hal
Friday evening, meeting representa-
tive of the progressive spirit and bes
thought of the community if not 81
numerous In attendance as the ac
lively interested had hoped, the move
ment for the observance OF the l50tt
anniversary Of the battle of Benning
ton and the independence of Vermont
in 1927 received an impetus that
augurs well for happy and success
ful realization. The observance plan
originating with the Bennington Bat
tie Monument and Historical society
has been under discussion for some
months and a large amount Of work
preliminary to the meeting Friday
evening had been accomplished. Ac
cordingly, when Philip r. H, Pierson
called the meeting to order in behalf
OF the committee of the historical so
ciety the stage was set for an assemh
lage characterized throughout by a
keen, intense and resolute interest
in the project at hand Something
of large dimensions was being pro
posed, something destined to materi-
ally affect the future of the communi-
ty, and it was being given the con-
sideration it deserved
James C. Colgate presided. After
humorously excusing the committee
for making the selection on the
ground that he was supposed to have
no associations that would bring him
into undue prominence, the chairman
moved abruptly into a more serious
vein and spoke briefly of the far
reaching significance of the occasion
and the need in the world today foi
sterling patriotism like that of the
early Vermonters.
The following report of tn. pro
gram committee was read by John
Spargo:
The Undersigned members of the
program committee appointed by the
organization committee of the cit
zens' meeting. respectfully make the
following report:
While it is too soon to begin active
arrangements for the celebration OF
the one hundred and tiftieth anniver
sary of the Battle of Bennington
which event will occur August 10th
1927, it is necessary to create a pre-
liminary organization to lay the foun
dations and prepare the way, If we
are to have anything like an adequate
celebration of the sesqui-centennial
Previous experience has shown thai
for such an event years of preparatory
labor are required, especially when
legislation Is called for. Any satisfac
tory plan for the celebration of the
one hundred and fiftieth anniversary
of the Battle OF Bennington and OF
the independence Of Vermont must in
evitably require some legislation
In recommending to this meeting thC
creation of preliminary organ cation
to be fully representative of our citi
zenship, we have deemed it best t
suggest the advisability and import
ance of making good use of the year.
Immediately ahead, while the plans
for the sesqui-ccntennial are beng
developed and matured We recon-
mend that the citizens committee tt
be selected at this meeting, and tht
executive committee thereof, be charg
ed with the responsibility of providing
for a worthy and fitting ce'ebrat on o
Bennington Battle Day IN 1928 and an
nually thereafter The citizens com
mittee should be responsible for ar
ranging the celebration of this grea
anniversary in 1923 and seeing tha
on or before that date the neaessar!
committees for the celebrations o
1924 are created In this way the or
gani2ation created at this meeting cal
become self-perpetuat ng
We believe that this anniversary
which is legal holiday in this State
should be regularly observed with pa
triotic exercises of high order cal
culated to deepen love and reyerenc,
for our country and its institutions
and to foster that respect for orde
and liberty within the law through
which alone the nation can hope t,
attain to the generous ideals of thos
who laid its foundations in sacrifice
The observance should be under tn
authority of some responsible body
entirely representative of every ee
ment in our citzenry embracing ever
party, creed, faction or group to h
found among us We believe that thi
can be done, to the common benefit o
all, and without conflicting with tn
interest of any organization or intei