Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-16
PRESIDENT LAUDS
VERMONT PATRIOTS
FeIicitateS Association Here
on SesquicentenniaI of
States independence.

Fluctuations from President Cool.
idge were received by the Vermont
State Association Of the District OF
Columbia. meeting last night at the
Continental Hotel to celebrate the
independence of the State. Mrs. VIII
liam e. Chamberlin, president OF the
association, read the letter from the
President which also expressed has
regret and that of Mrs. Coolidge al
their inability TO attend the observ-
ance, which was one of many held by
Vermonters throughout the country.
President Coolidge, in a letter ad.
dressed to John Spargo, president OF
the Vermont Nate Sesquicentennial
Commission at Bennington, Vt, ana
which was read by Mrs. Chamberiin
and the presidents of Vermont state
Associations over the country said:
THE convention which opened at
Westminster on January 10. 1777,
and which on the following day
made the historic resolve of inde-
pendence, was composed of as fine
body of men as New England could
produce.
Names states Patriots.
such men as Ira Allen, Nathan
Clark, Ebenezer HoiZington. John
fouTnnAln, lHOIndS 1nlllCHuCh oAN
Jacob Burton represented the best
of New England character.
They were men remarkable for
their patriotism and their Christian
character. The Commonwealth they
founded has never failed to exmplify
the same primary virtues. Vermont s
contribution to the successful issue
of the struggle for National indie
pendence is universally recognized
by historical authorities. Through
out the entire history of the Nation
Vermonters have worthily main
tained the high example set by the
patriot founders"
THE character and capacity Of the
people Of Vermont at the time they
resolved on independence is most ade-
quately portrayed in the nature OF
the constitution which they finally
adopted as the fundamental law of
their State. 1t has in 1t the declara-
ton of the great principle of liberty
coupled with the guarantees necessary
for the full protection of life and
property.
1T was a correct charter of Re-
publican form of institutions founded
on self-government. While recognize
ing and supporting the rights Of the
people, 1t was eminently conservative
and sound.
"A State that was represented by
such ideals was bound to prosper and
increase in strength and character.
I am glad that while the celebration
10 being held at Westminster many
similar gatherings of Vermonters in
various parts of the United States will
| be concentrating the same ami
verSary.
II shall be grateful to you if you
will convey to the friends at West
minister, and also to those gathered in
other cities. my heartiest greetings
and assurances that in spirit ] shall
participate with them in commemorar
tion of the birth of my native State.
CALVIN COOLIDGE"
Representative Ernest W. Gibson,
who spoke at the gathering here, re-
viewed the events leading to the dec
laration of independence of Vermont,
In which he said that the Vermonters
gathered in convention at Bennington,
resolved to used force to prevent New
York from taking their lands at the
behest of the Duke of York, and said
they would fight any one who came
to take their lands and send them to
hell"
StaffOrd's Poems Read.
Senator Porter H. Dale read poems
written by Wendell Phillips Stafford,
justice of the Supreme Court of the
District of Columbia and a native of
Vermont.
Among those present were Senator
and Mrs. Frank L. Greene, the Assist
ant Secretary of Labor and Mrs. w.
w. Husband, Representative f. S.
Brigham and Mrs. Brigham, Senator
and Mrs. Porter II. Dale, Representa-
tive Ernest w. Gibson and Col. and
Mrs. Joseph Fairbanks.
The program was concluded with