USA > Vermont > Rutland County > Rutland > Centennial celebration of the settlement of Rutland, Vt., October 2d, 3d, 4th and 5th, 1870, including the addresses, historical papers, poems, responses at the dinner table, etc. > Part 11
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the sittings of the Legislature; a chair manufactured 97 years ago at Portsmouth, N. H., by S. D. Peverly ; a large arm chair, 110 . years old, by Joseph Tower; a double chair, very old, by James McConnell ; a wagon-chair, 60 years old, H. Mussey ; two upholstered Gothic chairs, 60 years old, by Cyrus Porter; a pair swifts, 87 years old, Miss Pierpoint ; a small, round dining table, used by Capt. Jenkins, 90 years old; a work-basket, very old, Miss Pier- point ; a large basket, old, by the same; a hair trunk which was used by Capt. Jenkins when a young man, it is 50 years since he died, at the age of 67 years. An iron pot, 90 years old, taken by the Indians at the burning of Royalton ; an arm-chair, 100 years old, by James Holden; a chair, 107 years old, J. C. Dunn ; an arm-chair, 120 years old, Eli Farmer; an arm-chair, very old, Mr. Haskell; a rocking-chair, 70 years old, R. L. Perkins; a small spinning-wheel, 75 years old, F. Weeks ; a small spinning-wheel, very old, S. Green; a double linen-wheel, 127 years old, by A. H. Post ; a wheel-head, over 100 years old, Mrs. B. Parker; a pair of swifts, 86 years old, by Joseph Tower; a plastering trowel, and a coffee-mill, 107 years old, by F. Weeks; a dish tub, very old, Miss Pierpoint; a grain- riddle, very old, D. S. Squires ; a pair shoe-buckles, 100 years old, by the same ; an adze, very old, by James McConnell ; a pair of wooden shoes, by B. Tilley ; a warming-pan, 125 years old, by D. S. Squires; a warming-pan, 150 years old, Mrs. Carswell; two grind- stones, old, Dunn, Sawyer & Co .; two worsted combs, over 100 years old, James McConnell; two worsted combs, 100 years old, by D. S. Squires ; an hetchell, 100 years old, James McConnell; an hetehell, very old, M. Hilliard; an hetchell, 65 years old, by Levi Long; a tape loom, 100 years old, James McConnell; two loom reeds, 92 years old, James McConnell; a pair of cards, 80 years old, Mrs. Sarah Tower; two planes and veenering saws, very old, N. J. Green ; a pair of andirons, 60 years old, Dr. C. Porter ; a flax-brake, 70 years old, Henry Mussey ; one hand fan, 100 years old, D. H. Squires ; one flax-brake, very old, Azor Capron ; one wooden plow, made by Stephen Holt, of Pittsfield, the first settler of that town, and one wooden plow, 100 years old ; one large plow, very old, by A. II. Post ; one long handled hay-fork, very old, by James McConnell ; one wooden box, made by the Indians, and found in an old build. ing at Comstock's Landing 25 years ago, McDuie; one loom shut-
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tle, very old, used by J. C. Dunn's great grandmother, by J. C Dunn ; one pair of moccasins, very old, by the same; part of a wedding dress of Mrs. Noah Thompson, formerly of Bridgewater, made with her own hands from flax, in the year 1766, by Stillman Atwood ; one christening blanket for children, 175 years old-it was once lined with pink silk and bound with braid; one linen pocket handkerchief, old, S. G. Dunton ; one wooden tea-tray, very old, history unknown, Mrs. Rufus Long ; one silk shawl, very old, Miss I. M. Brown ; one piece copper plate, 90 years old, T. K. Horton ; one blanket, 115 years old, brought from Holland by Miss Brown's great grandmother, by Miss I. M. Brown; one coverlid, supposed to be 125 years old, and was the property of Mrs. J. C. Thompson's great grandmother. J. C. Thompson ; one tin baker, very old, the property of the late Robert Pierpoint ; one letter, July 5th, 1784, by G. C. Hathaway ; one genuine authograph of Sir John Franklin, by A. A. Nicholson ; one frame containing a New Hampshire $4.00, 1780; and also a striped worsted vest, made by Jennette Riche, in Scotland, in 1740, for her intended husband, Andrew Lackey. She also made a wedding-dress at the same time, and her husband's vest was patched with her dress. It was brought from Glasgow to this country in the year 1783, by James Ferguson, and his wife and three children, in the ship Laura Camp- den, Capt .. Gildrist in command. They were bound for Phila- delphia ; 300 Irish and 40 Scotch aboard the vessel, and were nine weeks crossing the ocean, and the vessel run aground near New- castle, Delaware ; the 40 Scotch landed, and walked 40 miles to Philadelphia. It is now owned by James Ferguson, of Barnet, Vt., the grandson of Audrew Lackey and Jennette Riche. A Com- mission to Lieut. William Dyer in the Vermont Militia, in 1812, signed by Jonas Galusha, Governor ; also a portrait of Samuel Dyer, a soldier of the Revolution, painted in 1845, and his account book, commenced at Cranston, R. I., in 1784, and closed at Ches- ter, in this State, in 1814, exhibited by James II. Dyer, grandson of William, and great-grandson of Samuel Dyer. A twenty dollar bill on the Bank of Plattsburgh, contributed by Rodney Pierce, of Brandon, who has had it in his possession 50 years : he received it at par just before the bank failed. A Bible, owned by James Mead, first settler of the town, contributed by R. R. Mead, it was printed
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in 1791 ; a copy of Virgil, printed in 1515, edited by Sebastian Brant, and containing 204 very curious wood cuts, and an English version of Homer's Iliad, by George Chapman, printed in 1610, both contributed by Judah Dana ; H. R. Dyer contributes a pocket- book and papers, 101 years old ; Maria Cook, a lot of bills dated 1816 ; "The History of the Low Countrey Warres," printed in 1650; The Social Harp, printed in 1801 : Travel in Germany and Elsewhere, printed in 1454 ; a paper of 1795, and an Almanac of 1798, by C. Carpenter ; a letter written by Nicholas Goddard of this place in 1797; a bottle presented at the battle of Bennington to Jonathan Haynes, grandfather of B. H. Haynes, by a Hessian ; a punch bowl 90 years old by F. B. Eustis ; a picture of Gen. Israel Putnam, very old and dingy ; a picture of Mrs. Rebekah Freeman of this town, who died in 1862, aged 97, taken when she was 91 years old, with various other books, pictures and literary curiosities, mostly Bibles and prayer books, showing our forefathers to be a godly people.
Among other attractive articles on exhibition were a chair for- merly owned by John Adams of Killingby, Conn., great-grand- father of Amasa Pooler, by whom it was presented; the wedding apron of Abigail Leonard, wife of Rev. Warham Williams, mar- ried in 1728, and also five silver table spoons, a part of her marriage portion (Rev. Warham Williams was son of Rev. John Williams, taken captive at Deerfield, Mass., 1704, and brother of Eunice Williams, grandmother of Rev. Eleazer Williams, celebrated as the Dauphin, or "Lost Prince," and supposed by many to be really the son of the unfortunate Louis XVI. and Marie Antoinette of France.) Also table and tea spoons belonging to Rev. Samuel Williams and his wife, Jane Kilborn Williams, married in 1768. All these arti- cles were brought to Rutland in 1792, by Rev. Samuel Williams, and now owned and contributed by Mrs. John Strong of this town. (Rev. Samnel Williams was the historian of Vermont, and founder and first editor of the Herald.) Here also was a "letter written by our blessed Savior, Jesus Christ, found under a great stone. 65 years after his crucifixion," and reprinted in London in 1791; a smoking tongs, brought from England before the Revolutionary war, by Rev. Mr. Carpenter, owned by J. B. Kilburn; a powder horn 112 years old, by II. Bateman; a dentist's turnkey, 1720,
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owned by Dr. Cochran, West Rutland; a tobacco box, 1760, con. taining knee buckles, sleeve buckles, and an ancient coin once worn about the neck of an ancestor, placed there by a "seventh son" as a charm against "Kings' evil," by Dr. Cochran. 1. The Doctor also 'has a compass of the make of 1720, and a fine looking side saddle, labeled "hands off" (for which we commend him), as well as other relics which contributed to make up the exhibition; a blanket 125 . years old, owned by Mrs. J. C. Thompson; an iron pot 99 years old, taken by the Indians at the burning of Royalton, owned by A. H. Post ; a walking cane, a peculiar looking affair throughout- it was made of wood from the rebel steamer "Merrimac," headed by a miniature cannon made from brass from the "Congress," and surmounted by an iron head made from the iron of the "Cumber- land." It will be remembered that the Congress and Cumberland were sunk by the Merrimac near Fortress Monroe in 1862, and finally that the monster rebel ram was driven back to her quarters up the James River, as well as her consorts, the Jamestown and Yorktown, by the little so-called Yankee cheese-box, "the Monitor") ; a plate brought from China 150 years ago, and used by the great- grandfather of Mrs. J. N. Baxter, with a curious monogram "O. E. C." in center; hatter's cooling iron, the one with which Anthony killed Green in a hat shop on Main street, Rutland, 1814, owned by Dr. Orel Cook; a brass pan brought to this country by Roger Williams.
In the jewelry department were many objects which we consid- ered more than noticeable, among them a clock made in 1580, pre- sented by Dr. Abell, the astronomer, to Ben K. Chase, Rutland; Gen. Stark's dram cup, presented to him by Hannah Dalton; locket with portrait and hairwork, contributed by Mrs. Baxter; a pair of knee buckles worn by Prince Robinson, of Washington's Black Regiment ; a pin ball made in 1768; a key and seal worn by Judge Briggs about 70 years ago; knee buckles worn by Major Post 105 years ago; a pencil carried by Daniel Webster 30 years ago; a silver spoon formerly the property of Sybil Huntington; a slipper worn by Sally Cluff over 100 years ago; a sun-glass over 100 years old; a pair of spoons 100 years old, the property of Mary Young ; spoons made by Lord & Goddard of Rutland. its first jewelers; a spoon presented by Gen. Israel Putnam to his oldest daughter on
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her marriage, about 106 years since; spoons 109 years old; a shirt brooch, L. L. Whitcomb; a watch made in 1785; sleeve buttons made in Scotland; buttons worn in 1759 by Mehitable Sperry; sleeve buttons worn 68 years, by A. Chase and 109 years old; a shirt brooch made in 1773; shell cased watch worn by John Han- cock, made in 1676; celebrated watch "Tempter," made between 1775 and 1800: Washington watch; English watch made in 1803; alarm watch bought in 1820 by Wm. Cawley; a gold Macedonian coin known as a double drachma, whose value when coined was $3.33. It is 2,200 years old, and as Lysimachus, tutor of Alexan- der and one of his great generals, caused gold coin to be stricken with the portrait of his great master on them, and from the near resemblance of the head on this coin to the bust of Alexander found at Tivoli, the ancient Tiber, in the year A. D. 1779, it may with certainty be regarded as a genuine portrait of Alexander the Great, and hence possesses a value to the lover of antiquity impos- sible to compute ; a solid silver flagon 102 years old, the property of Mrs. Jane Kilborn Williams, contributed by Mrs. Gov. Williams; a table spoon 146 years old, the property of Mrs. Leonard, con- tributed by Mrs. Gov. Williams: two tea spoons formerly owned by Miss Jane Kilborn, now owned by Mrs. Gov. Williams; a sugar tongs 102 years old, formerly owned by Mrs. Jane Kilborn Wil- liams, contributed by Mrs. Gov. Williams; a pin, earrings and sleeve buttons, 102 years old, belonging to Mrs. Gov. Williams: a plate belonging to Mrs. Sikes, great aunt to Queen Emma of the Sandwich Islands, 120 years old; two pairs of shoe buckles, 125 years old, owned by Mrs. Gov. Williams; a pair of ear rings worn by Phineas Pratt of New Ipswich, N. H., about 1780, contributed by Mary E. Ripley ; a shirt and sleeve buttons worn by Surgeon Hodges when on Washington's staff, contributed by Hugh H. Bax- ter; a breastpin, 1785, Mrs. Howard; a ring, style of 1785; a bull's eye watch, made in 1720; a belt plate worn by Gen. Elias Buell of Albany, in 1770.
Returning to the general department we found an hour-glass of 100 years ago, the contribution of Eli Farmer; the Ulster Co. Gazette of January 4. 1800; the Northern Spectator, printed in Poultney in 1826; an ancient and modern suit of clothes by Mr. Watkins; a pair of vases, known to be 1000 years old, and their 8
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history was lost, believed to be very ancient, presented by a Man- darin (Chinaman) to W. Y. Ripley some years since; a pair of stays worn of Mrs. Capt. Jenkins in 1785, contributed by Miss Isa- bella M. Brown; a wedding vest, by W. Y. Ripley ; a pistol carried by Gen. Washington as late as 1776, a piece of gun and balls found after the battle of White Plains, and a looking-glass owned by Mary Chilson, the first white woman in America north of the old Mason and Dixon line, contributed by Ezra Edson of Manchester; a bonnet presented by James McConnell, of the fashion of 1830- an old scoop, but not a "love" of the present day; a worsted comb used by the grandmother of O. H. Rounds in Scituate, R. I., 125 years ago; an embroided skirt 60 years old, by Mrs. L. G. Kings- ley. The contribution of John Cain, made for his son, Capt. Avery B. Cain of the U. S. army, who for years has been in army life on the frontier, was noticeable, and attracted more handling by visitors than it would were it ours. It consisted of a pipe of peace pre- sented by Red Cloud, two arrows captured from the Cheyennes in battle, needle cases made by Sioux squaws, pantaloon stripes worn by a Sioux chief, match safe, tobacco box, pouch and beads, by the same tribe, a blanket and earrings presented Capt. Cain by the Navajoes. Near by this collection was a sampler worked in 1800 by Mrs. Avery Billings of this town, the contribution of Miss Kate Connell; James Buckman's coat, worn at his wedding in 1778, a coarse article of goods, but which cost $8 per yard at the time of its purchase, was shown by J. C. Dunn; a quilt 125 years old, and a coat worn by Chapman Mattison 82 years ago, was furnished by O. H. Rounds; a fox muff bought in Albany in 1782, and beside it a set of mink furs, said to be old (which we doubted); an infant's dress skirt made in 1808, shown by E. B. Holden ; a breastplate picked up by Christopher Rice of this town on a rebel battle field, and worn by him, after the derision of his comrades, at the battle of Locust Grove, where it was struck by a ball which would undoubtedly have penetrated the wearer's vitals but for it. The ball flattened is shown with the plate.
Passing along, we came to an oil painting of Major Eaton, and beside it one of his wife, both made 85 years ago. and in the same department an oil painting of Nathaniel Gove, and adjoining it those of Jesse Gove and his wife; an embroidered picture made
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by Mrs. J. C. R. Dorr's grandmother in France, over one hundred years ago; bills of the old Vermont State Bank, a bill on the Bank of Windsor, very old, and one on the Franklin Bank of Boston, were presented by Judah Dana; a bunch of arrows, with their quiver, taken from a Sioux chief in battle by Capt. Wm. J. Cain, another son of our neighbor of the Courier, and by him presented to Master Hugh Baxter; and a copy of the New England Courant, pub- lished February 11th, 1723, owned by Joseph Adams of Cavendish, and presented by Newman Weeks; also copies of the first volumes of the Rutland Herald, by a gentleman from Saratoga, whose name we did not learn; and an important document, a charter signed by Cadwallader Colden, Lieut. Governor of New York, to Nathan Stone and others of a township of land in lieu of Rutland, which had been granted to them by the Governor of New Hampshire, and afterward chartered by the Government of New York to other parties, dated July 15th, 1774, belonging to Chauncy K. Williams.
In our further peregrinations of the hall we observed saddles and harnesses as old as 80 years, bedspreads, quilts, handkerchiefs, agri- cultural implements, and various other things which we would like to mention, but which we have neither time nor space to do, and which for aught more we can do must pass into oblivion.
THE PAVILION.
The Pavilion or tent in which the dinner was served, and in which was held the Promenade Concert, was situate on the lot purchased by the town, on which to erect a Town Hall, on the south side, and at the foot of Washington street. It was two hundred and ten feet long by sixty-six feet wide, and fully capable of seating three thousand persons. The walls were nine feet high, and the roof some twenty-five feet at the ridge, the whole supported by six stout masts. From the ridge of the roof to the top of the wall on the sides were hung streamers of alternate red and white bunting at close intervals, while on the ends were numerous streamers, emblematic of the national ensign, carried out from the centre at the top down to either corner. Around the tent, at the
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top of the wa'l, were interwoven stripes of red and white bunting, which hung gracefully, and were at once ornamental and attractive. About the middle of the tent, and in front of the stage, from the roof depended the stars and stripes, on either side of which, and extending to both ends, were hung numerous flags and banners of various nations. The platform was in the center, on the west side, and in full view and easy hearing distance of all parts of the house. For the purpose of lighting it in the evening, pipes were laid and connected with the gas works, and to these were attached one hundred and thirty-eight burners, some of which were arranged in the form of stars.
DECORATIONS.
The following is substantially the Herald account :
The decorations on account of the Centennial Celebration were extremely appropriate in every respect, and reflected honor upon our citizens, who thus evinced their determination to contribute to celebrating the anniversary of the settlement which gave our town a name and place in history second to none in our commonwealth.
One of the most beautifully decorated buildings in the place was the Opera House, whose inner appearance, with flags, streamers, mottoes, coats of arms, shields, evergreens, flowers and other orna- ments decking the walls, ceilings, stage, galleries, and every availa- ble place for such ornamentations, made it resplendent with beauty and admired by all who entered it during the week. Externally the building was proportionately beautified, flags and banners being displayed from every window and appropriately hung on the walls and over the door. Extending across the street from the Opera House was a line of flags, in the center of which was a tablet in the shape of a shield, with the inscription on the side, " Washington promulgated our principles, Warren died in their defense-ace intend to perpetuate them." On the reverse of the tablet was, " The Memories of the Fathers are the Inspiration of her Sons," the whole bordered with the Stars and Stripes.
In the tent, besides the decorations we have already mentioned, we could not but notice behind the stage a painting which was a
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globe resting on a shield, surmounted by the American eagle, with the motto " E Pluribus Unum" in his beak, the whole surrounded by wreaths of the olive branch of peace. On the opposite side of the hall was an allegorical painting of " America-as it was and is," and on each of the six masts, besides pictures of some of our elderly and deceased prominent citizens were trophies of flags and the coat of arms of some one of the six New England States. At the Central House a line of flags extended across to Kingsley & Sprague's block, in the center of which was a banner bearing on one side the motto, " Our Fathers left us the glorious legacy of Lib- erty-may we transmit it to posterity-have virtue to merit and courage to preserve it," and on the other side, " Stain not the glory of your worthy ancestors, but like them resolve never to part with your birthright." Other street decorations were made at the foot of Center street, where there was a line extended from the top of Morse's block to the Bates House, on which was a banner girded with evergreens and inscribed, " Welcome to Rutland," and on either side of it an American flag. Outside of the flag on the left was another of blue and white blocks arranged diagonally, under- neath which were the figures "1770," and on the right one of red and white blocks arranged in the same way, with the figures under- neath of "1870." Other street decorations were admired which led from Landon's block to Clark's block on Merchant's Row, from the Stevens House diagonally to Verder's block on Center and Wales streets, and from the residence of H. R. Dyer to the Strong mansion on Main street, as well as one at the head of the same street. An arch erected on West street, opposite the old State House, by the members of Nickwacket Engine Company, was very appropriate, and elicited the commendation of members of the pro- cession, and, indeed, of all who passed under it. It was tastefully trimmed with evergreens and flowers, and ornamented with Ameri- can, Turkish, Irish and State flags, and spoke well for the patriot- ism of the members of the company who constructed it. Colonel Veazey, who had his own house decorated very finely, appreciating the efforts of the boys, furnished them during the night of their work with edibles and etceteras, for which they desire us to return him this public expression of their thanks. The arch was inseribed, " Nickwacket No. 1, in honor of the old State House." The old
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State House, the present residence of Martin Spaulding, was orna- mented with flags and labeled with a brief history of it from its building to the present time. Of other decorations we can only say that nearly every house and business place along the line of march of the procession showed some emblem of decoration. The ones which most particularly attracted the attention of passers were the Herald building, decorated finely outside and centered with a , shield bearing the inscription, " The Rutland Herald, the oldest paper in Vermont,-established December, 1794." In the building the stores of Tuttle & Co. and Fenn & Co. had flags displayed in profusion. Morse's block and the building of the National Bank of Rutland had numerous flags displayed, as had also Dr. Pond at his drug store; the same was true of the Bates, Central and Bardwell Houses, the Independent office, Courier office, Paine, Bowman & Co., George H. Palmer, Newman Weeks, Ben K. Chase, George W. Chaplin, H. W. Kingsley, O. W. Currier, Lewis & Fox, Clark Bros. & Marshall, J. W. Stearns and others whom we do not now remember. The establishments of R. M. Cross & Co., B. H. Burt, George W. Hilliard, Allen & Higgins and the Rutland Boot and Shoe Company, were the richest looking on Merchants' Row in this respect, and the ornamentations we are pleased to learn proved pay- ing advertisements for their enterprising proprietors. The private residences which looked the best were those of Gen. Wm. Y. W. Ripley, Thomas Mclaughlin, J. N. Baxter, B. H. Burt, Martin G. Everts, Mrs. Gov. Williams, Dr. Haynes, George H. Palmer, Geo .: C. Royce, Albert H. Tuttle, Rev. E. Mills, Geo. A. Tuttle, H. C. Tuttle, F. C. Sherwin, Charles J. Powers and James Barrett, while at the residences of Henry Hall, Gov. Page and many others whose names and location we cannot here call to mind, very creditable displays of flowers, wreaths and the national bunting were made. In these decorations the good taste and materials of Lamphrell & Marble, practical decorator, of No. 357 Commercial street, Boston, was very apparent.
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COL. VEAZEY'S REMARKS.
The response of Col. Wheelock G. Veazey to the second regular toast, and of which an abstract is given in another page, through inadvertence was not received in season for insertion in its regular order, and we therefore give it here.
It is proper to remark that it was expected that the Governor of the State, Judge Poland, and other distinguished citizens of the State would respond to the toast generally, and it was not until almost the last minute that Col. Veazey understood that he was to speak, except to the military part thereof.
MR. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN :
If I were to point you to the greatest glory of Vermont, I think I should direct your view to the wonderful autumnal beauty that now clothes our mountain slopes, so far surpassing anything that art has ever been able to attain. I might properly refer, also, to the healthfulness of our climate, which, with the beauty of her scenery, makes Vermont the resort of the invalid and the tourist.
But there is another aspect in which to speak of our State.
Although Vermont had a settlement many years prior to the date which the charter of the town of Rutland bears, yet it is scarcely a violation of fact to say that our State is a product of the century just closed, which, historically considered, has been more fruitful of great men and great events than any which history chronicles. But, though a product of this wonderful era, her worth, her honor, her importance as a State is measured rather as a pro- ducer. In this respect, as in beauty of scenery and healthfulness of climate, she stands pre-eminent. In art, her sons are rapidly tak- ing rank with the most distinguished artists that the western world has produced ; in laws and institutions, eminent jurists and states- men have said, that she presents, on the whole, the best model of any people on earth. This, perhaps, is the best criterion of the purity and ability of the public men who have, under a general guidance of the people, shaped and moulded her laws and institu tions. But, independent of this, the character of her executives throughout the entire succession has been the pride of Vermonters Good government, protection of person and property, freedom of
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thought and action, liberty without license, have been the fruits of their faithful administrations.
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Among the best products of Vermont, we may safely name her judiciary. The names of Phelps, Royce, Williams, Collamer, Red- field, and many others that have adorned the Bench of Vermont, are among the highest of modern judges. Could we be assured that the century to come will have a judiciary in Vermont equal to that of the century past, it would be the strongest assurance of the preservation of our liberties, and the prosperity of our Common- wealth. Equal in character and ability with her executives and judiciary, stand her statesmen. Indeed, in many instances, the same men have aided to establish and maintain the proud position of Vermont, as governors, judges and legislators. In the civil service, Vermont has never been excelled by any State in the emi- nence of her public men.
There remains to speak of Vermont on the battle fields of the Republic. And yet the sentiment to which I am called upon to respond, comprehensively covers the whole ground : " Foremost, from Ticonderoga and Plattsburgh to Gettysburg and the Wilder- ness." Vermont has been called "the legitimate child of war." It is a curious fact of history that the territory now constituting Ver- mont, was more a battle-ground of fierce aboriginal tribes upon the north, west and south, than a home or possession that any tribe claimed. So, through the Colonial period, it lay in the pathway of British and French armies contending for supremacy in the new world. After this came the contention arising out of the double system of grants from New Hampshire and New York. Resist- ence to the unwarranted and unjust jurisdiction of New York was the occasion of that military organization known as the Green Mountain Boys, afterwards famed in the great struggle that resulted in severing this nation from an empire, and lifting it to the dignity of independent national existence. The grand figure of Ethan Allen on the heights of Ticonderoga, in the gray of the morning of May 10th, 1775, proclaiming the authority of the Continental Congress, and compelling the first surrender of the British flag "to the coming Republic." has been the inspiration of Vermonters through the succeeding generations. The preservation of the honor and integrity of the Republic has ever been to them the
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most glorious cause, the most exalted duty, in the performance of which they have held life as but an idle breath. When they planted our starry flag on the ramparts of the Hessian, at Bennington, the American heart was filled with joy and hope, and the success of the American cause passed from the possible to the probable. When, in 1812, the pestilence of war again breathed upon us, the lines of Vermont flamed along our Northern border, at Plattsburgh, at Niagara, at Crown Point, achieving glory worthy of Ticonderoga and Bennington. In the war with Mexico, though our people were not in full political sympathy with its object, yet when declared, and the national fame became imperiled, partizanship was buried in patriotism, and Vermont furnished her full quota, and con- tributed the brave and brilliant Ransom to the country's cause.
Next came resistance to the assaults of treason, in which 34,000 Vermonters participated with distinguished honor. They struck the first blow in Virginia. They were the first to enter Richmond. They set an example of gallantry at Lee's Mills that was never sur- passed, and Rutland there lost the brave and noble Reynolds. They were firm amid confusion at Bull Run, and their firmness con- tributed largely to the salvation of Washington. They were patient and persistent amid the disasters of the Peninsula, and through the seven days humilating conflict, never declined a battle. or failed to punish the enemy in every instance of his attack upon them. History will one day record what is now not generally known, that a *son of Rutland, here present, as effectually and surely contributed, by his personal exertions, to save our army from defeat at the desperate battle of Malvern Hill, as Warner con- tributed to the victory of Bennington. At Fredericksburg, South Mountain and Antietam they bravely bore our banners to victory. At Gettysburg, they stood in the pivotal point of our lines, in that pivotal battle of the war, as firm as the hills of their Green Moun- tain State, and after three days of stubborn fighting of 200,000 men, they dealt the blow that ended the battle of Gettysburg. which, in brilliancy, is not eclipsed by the resplendent glory that for half a century has steadily rested upon the field of Waterloo. In the Shenandoah Valley, their unyielding presence convinced the gallant Sheridan that he could turn defeat to victory. They were
* Lieutenant Colonel Wm. Y. W. Ripley.
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also on that outstretched battle-field, from the Rapidan to the Op- pomattox, running through from May to April, where the scythe of death swept as it never swept before, every day garnering up laurels that would have adorned the chaplets of Roman Emperors, in their triumphal returns from the conquest of Empires. They were at Baton Rouge, where another son of Rutland, the gallant Colonel Roberts, fell. They were everywhere, indeed, throughout the vast arena of conflict, making up a record which the most brilliant achievements of war never eclipsed ; and, thank God, they never, throughout the four years of fighting, lost a flag. May we not reasonably expect that in all the accomplishments of Vermont in the century to come, she will scarcely, at its end, be able to point to a nobler record than that of her brave sons in the gigantic struggle which resulted in lifting the cruel yoke of slavery from the necks of a race of human beings ?
Mr. President, I am mindful that I must close. I have said that the century we are to-day, in a certain sense, reviewing, produced Vermont. Vermont in turn has produced that which, it is said, in the highest sense, constitutes a State, "Men, high-minded men, who know their rights, and knowing, dare maintain !"
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