many evidences that your community is intelligent, industrious,
enterprising, and your people lovers of home and order. You have here
some great manufacturing establishments, whose fame and products have
spread throughout the world. You have here a class of enterprising,
public-spirited citizens, who are building these free libraries and
galleries of art and are ministering to the good of generations that
are to come. You have here an intelligent and educated class of
skilled workmen, and nothing pleased me more as I passed through your
streets to-day than to be told that here and there were the homes of
the working people of St. Johnsbury [applause]--homes where every
evidence of comfort was apparent; homes where taste has been brought
to make attractive the abodes where tired men sought rest; homes that
must have been made sweet for the children that are reared there,
and comfortable for the wives whose place of toil and responsibility
it is. Here is the anchor of our safety. This is the state that
binds men to good order, to good citizenship, to the flag of the
Constitution, a contented and prosperous working class. [Applause.]
I will not cross any lines of division in my remarks to night, for
this reception is general; but I will venture to say that all our
public policy, all our legislation, may wisely keep in view the end
of perpetuating an independent, contented, prosperous and hopeful
working class in America. [Applause.] When hope goes out of the heart
and life becomes so hard that it is no longer sweet, men are not safe
neighbors and they are not good citizens, Let us, then, in cheerful,
loving, Christian good neighborhood see that the blessings of our
institutions, the fruits of labor, have that fair distribution that
shall bring contentment into our homes. [Applause.]
But, my countrymen, I did not intend to speak even so long. I wish
it were in my power to make some adequate return for the generous
welcome you have given me. I am not a man of promises. I abhor
pretension, but every such assembly as this that I see--this great cup
of good-will which you put to my lips--gives me strength to do what I
can for our country and for you. [Applause.]
BILLINGS PARK, AUGUST 27.
When the presidential party left St. Johnsbury on the morning of the
27th, they were joined by Hon. A. A. Woolson, C. S. Forbes, ex-Governor
Farnham, and ex-Senator Pingree. At White River Junction the President's
car was switched to a siding running to Billings Park, where the Vermont
Association of Road and Trotting Horse Breeders was holding its annual
exhibition. Senator Morrill, Col. Geo. W. Hooker, and Capt. A. W. Davis
accompanied the party to the park, where carriages conveyed them over
the grounds. A large crowd was present.
Col. Hooker, as President of the Association, introduced President
Harrison, who said:
_Colonel Hooker and Fellow-citizens_--I have been called upon to
address my fellow-citizens under many diverse and some very peculiar
circumstances, but I think that those that surround me this morning
are absolutely unique. I understood that in the programme Secretary
Proctor had arranged for a day of pleasure here at this horse fair,
and that a more attractive entertainment was to be provided for you
and for me than speech-making. I am not well up in the rules of the
track, but I suppose on a morning like this some allowance will be
made for a heavy track, and if the horses are entitled to it I think
I may claim an allowance myself. [Laughter.] Therefore, I have only
to thank you for the friendliness of your reception and to express
my interest in this great industry which is represented here--the
breeding of horses. I understand that it was so arranged that, after I
had seen the flower of the manhood and womanhood of Vermont, I should
be given an exhibition of the next grade in intelligence and worth in
the State--your good horses. [Applause.] I have had recently, through
the intervention of the Secretary of War, the privilege of coming into
possession of a pair of Vermont horses. They are all I could wish for,
and, as I said the other day at the little village from which they
came, they are of good Morgan stock, of which some one has said that
their great characteristic was that they enter into consultation with
the driver whenever there is any difficulty. [Laughter and applause.]
Thanking you again, I hope you will give me the allowance to which a
heavy track entitles me. [Applause.]
BRADFORD, VERMONT, AUGUST 27.
At Bradford 1,000 people assembled to do honor to the President, who
arrived at 10 A.M. The visitors were escorted to a platform near the
station. Among the prominent residents who welcomed the Chief Executive
were H. E. Parker, Judge S. M. Gleason, Roswell Farnham, John H. Watson,
Dr. J. H. Jones, and L. J. Brown.
Ex-Governor Farnham introduced the President, who spoke as follows:
_Ladies and Gentlemen_--I will only say a few words to thank you for
this welcome which is extended to me this morning, and which it seems
to me furnishes some proof of your well wishes and kindly feelings. I
have had a journey through Vermont that will be very pleasant in my
recollection, although attended with some instances of an unpleasant
nature. As I understood the purpose of this trip when I gave my
assent to it at the request of your excellent fellow-citizen, whom
you kindly loaned me for a little while, and are now, as far as I can
see, about to reclaim, the trip was to be one of relaxation, and to
visit him and some of his friends. It seems to me that the circle has
been enlarged beyond the limit of his friends, and if not that they
include the whole of the people of Vermont. It is very pleasant to
pass through your enterprising manufacturing towns, and to see this
rural population, which, after all, is the foundation of all State
organizations, which are based upon the farms of old New England. The
farm has been, perhaps, one of the most productive measures toward
the enrichment of this country in things that are greater than the
material things--in manhood, valor in warfare, and statesmanship in
political life. It has been a matter of great pleasure to me as we
have driven through the streets of these cities, from Bennington until
this time, to observe one thing. As we pass by your streets I have
seen some aged father or mother or grandfather or grandmother placed
in a position for best observation and kindly attended by some member
of the family, showing that family love, that veneration for the aged,
that has, to me, been a source of particular gratification. For, after
all, the home is the beginning and centre of all good things. The
life of our Nation is learned in the first rudiments of government
at home and that lesson of veneration for things that are good. With
these elements I think you are sure to make the career of Vermont not
greater in temporary things, but greater in those things which are
more productive to the Nation and to mankind. [Prolonged cheers.]
WINDSOR, VERMONT, AUGUST 27.
It was raining when the President arrived at Windsor, at 1 P.M. He was
met by Senator William M. Evarts, accompanied by Hon. C. C. Beaman,
of New York; Hon. Chester Pike, of Cornish, N. H., and the following
prominent citizens, comprising the local Committee of Reception: Col.
Marsh O. Perkins, Dwight Tuxbury, Hon. G. A. Davis, Dr. C. P. Holden,
Dr. J. S. Richmond, U. L. Comings, George T. Low, Hon. Rollin Amsden,
E. C. Howard, Charles H. Fitch, O. L. Patrick, Rev. E. N. Goddard, S.
N. Stone, S. R. Bryant, J. M. Howe, George T. Hazen, S. M. Blood, S. E.
Hoisington, Horace Weston, A. E. Houghton, A. J. Hunter, Allen Dudley,
Dr. Deane Richmond, J. R. Brewster, A. D. Cotton, G. R. Guernsey,
Charles N. Adams, Col. M. K. Paine, H. W. Stocker, George M. Stone,
Harvey Miller, George T. Winn, and C. D. Penniman.
After partaking of luncheon at the residence of Senator and Mrs. Evarts,
the President was conducted to the Town Hall, and, being introduced to
the assemblage by Colonel Perkins, he spoke as follows:
_My Fellow-citizens_--I am about completing a very pleasant trip
through the State of Vermont--a trip which, while not the first,
has furnished the only occasion on which I have really been brought
in contact with the people of your State. My previous journeys were
those of a summer tourist, snatching these fine and attractive views
as we sped along some of your lines of railway, but getting little
impression of the character of the people who occupy these towns and
rural homesteads. It has given me great pleasure on this occasion
to receive at the hands of your people everywhere a most cordial
reception, It has been a source of constant regret to me that I am
able on such occasions as we have here this afternoon to make so
small a return for the care, preparation, and friendly interest which
the people manifest. I am under such limitations as to them and
about which I may talk that the fertility of a very rich and highly
cultivated mind and imagination would be necessary to furnish one
with something new or interesting to say in response to the repeated
calls. I have supposed that all of these meetings were expressions
of patriotism and of popular interest in a Government which Mr.
Lincoln so felicitously described as "a government of the people, by
the people, for the people." [Applause.] It is pleasant to have the
personal esteem and respect of my fellow-citizens, but I have not
thought of appropriating to myself these demonstrations. It is very
gratifying to see a people in love with their civil institutions and
with that glorious flag which typifies our diversity and our unity.
[Applause.] I have said before that it seemed to me this is the
essential element and base of every republican government, that the
loyalty and love of the people should be given to our institutions
and not to men. [Applause.] I think it is one element of discord and
unhappiness in some of our sister republics that the minds of these
patriotic and generous people are too much swayed by their admiration
for men, that they are often swept away from the moorings of principle
by the love of a leader. I have rejoiced to find everywhere in the
State of Vermont what seemed to me to be a deep-seated, earnest
patriotism. [Applause.] It is to be hoped that we may not soon have
any call for such manifestations as you have given in the past on the
battle-fields from Bennington to the surrender of Appomattox. [Cheers.]
It is pleasant to be here to day at the home of my esteemed friend
and your fellow-townsman, the Hon. William M. Evarts. [Applause.] I
am glad that he has introduced into Vermont model farming [laughter
and applause], and has shown you what the income of a large city
law practice can do in the fertilization of a farm. [Laughter and
applause.] He has assured me to-day that his farm yields a net income.
I accept the statement of my host with absolute faith--and yet Mr.
Evarts' reputation as a bookkeeper is not the best in the world.
[Laughter and applause.] It is pleasant to see him and to be for a
while in his genial presence, and to have this journey illuminated by
a visit to his home. I hope he may dwell long with you in peace and
honor, as he will always dwell in the honor and esteem of our whole
people. [Applause.]
CHARLESTOWN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, AUGUST 27.
Notwithstanding the heavy downpour, 1,000 or more sturdy citizens of
historic old Charlestown welcomed the President to New Hampshire. The
Reception Committee consisted of Hon. George Olcott, George S. Bond,
Frank Finnigan, Col. Samuel Webber, Herbert W. Bond, and Frank W.
Hamlin. Lincoln Post, G. A. R., Lyman F. Partridge Commander, also
participated in the reception. Colonel Webber delivered an eloquent
address of welcome.
The President, responding, said:
_Colonel Webber and Fellow-citizens_--I think it might be said
to-day that New Hampshire has "gone wet," as they say when the
election returns come in on a vote against prohibition. I am very much
obliged to you for this extraordinary manifestation of your interest,
for to stand in this downpour of rain is certainly an evidence that
you have a most friendly interest in this little party of tourists,
who touch in a journey through Vermont the mainspring of the State of
New Hampshire. I have been talking about Vermont for the last two or
three days, but if you will take the pains, in the comfort of your own
homesteads, to read all the good things I have said about Vermont,
and then understand that they are all said of New Hampshire, it will
abbreviate my speech and will be expressive of my opinion of that
sturdy, enterprising, masterful New England character which you share
with them. [Applause.]
BELLOWS FALLS, VERMONT, AUGUST 27.
When the train arrived at Bellows Falls, the rain was pouring in
torrents and the President was conducted to the Opera House by the
veterans of E. H. Stoughton Post, G. A. R. The Committee of Reception
consisted of Hon. Wm. A. Russell, Hon. A. N. Swain, Judge L. M. Read,
Barnes Cannon, Jr., Wyman Flint, John T. Moore, C. W. Osgood, Thomas
E. O'Brien, George H. Babbitt, and Capt. Walter Taylor, the latter a
veteran of eighty years, who marshalled the hosts for Gen. Wm. Henry
Harrison in 1836 and '40. The building was packed.
Mr. Swain introduced President Harrison, who said:
_My Fellow-citizens_--I will wait a moment until they turn out the
footlights. They put a barrier between us, and I always prefer to get
my light from above. [Applause.] We can only tarry in this busy city
a few moments. The inclement character of the day has driven us to
shelter, and the finding of a shelter has consumed some small part
of the allotment of time which our schedule gives to you. I greatly
appreciate the value and importance of these manufacturing centres,
which are now, fortunately for us, not characteristic of New England
alone, but are found west of the Ohio and of the Mississippi and of
the Missouri. I am one of those who believe that in a diversification
of pursuits we make most rapid increase in wealth and attain best
social relations and development. I am one of those who believe
that Providence did not set apart the United States to be a purely
agricultural region, furnishing its surplus to supply the lack of
other people of the world while they do all the manufacturing for us.
I think there are suggestions in our very geographical position, and
a great many of them in our history and experience, that we may well
desire and reach for that condition in which we shall raise our own
food and in which a manufacturing class, withdrawn from agriculture
and other pursuits, shall furnish the farmer a market for his surplus
near to his fields and gardens, while he exchanges with the farmer the
products of the shop and the loom.
I would not introduce politics. I do not intend to cross any lines
of division, but I think we all agree, though we may differ as to
the means by which it is to be done, that the nearer together the
producer and the consumer can be brought the less waste there is in
transportation and the greater the wealth. [Applause.] It is known
to you all that our 65,000,000 people furnish per capita a larger
market than any other like number of people. This grows out of the
fact that our capacity for purchasing is larger than is found in those
countries where poverty holds a larger sway. The workingman buys
more, has more to buy with in America than in any other land in the
world. [Applause.] I mentioned the other day at St. Albans that this
was the era of the battle for a market. The whole world is engaged in
it. The thought was suggested to me by a sentence in the address of
President Bartlett at the observance of the centennial of the battle
of Bennington in 1877. He says, "Trading Manchester furnished two
regiments to Burgoyne to conquer a market." The foreign policy of
the United States has never been selfish. There has always been, if
you will trace it through the struggles of Greece and of our South
American neighbors for independence and a free Government, a brave,
generous tone of sympathy with struggling people the world round in
our diplomatic policy. I think we may well challenge comparison with
the foreign policy of any other great Government in the world in this
regard. It has never been our policy to push our trade forward at the
point of the bayonet. We have always believed that it should be urged
upon the ground of mutual advantage; and upon this ground alone are we
now endeavoring, by every means in our power, to open the markets of
our sister republics in Central and South America to the products of
American shops and farmers. [Applause.]
We do not covet their territory. The day of filibustering aggression
has gone by in the United States. We covet their good will. We wish
for them settled institutions of government, and we desire those
exchanges that are mutually profitable. We have found that we were
receiving from some of these countries enormous annual imports of
sugar, coffee, and hides, and we have now placed these articles on the
free list upon the condition that they give to the products of the
United States fair reciprocity. [Applause.] If our own laws, or any
aggressive movement we are making for a larger share in the commerce
of the world, should excite the commercial jealousy and rivalry of
other countries we shall not complain if those rivalries find only
proper expressions. We have come to a time in our development as a
Nation when I believe that interest on money is low enough for us to
turn some of our accumulated capital from the railways into steam
transportation on the sea; that the time has come when we shall
recover a full participation in the carrying trade of the world,
when under the American flag steamships shall carry our products to
neighboring markets and bring back their exchange to our harbors.
Larger foreign markets for the products of our farms and of our
factories and a larger share in the carrying trade of the world,
peaceful relations with all mankind, with naval and coast defences
that will silently make an effective argument on the side of peace,
are the policies that I would pursue. [Applause.]
BRATTLEBORO, VERMONT, AUGUST 27.
Just before the train reached Brattleboro the rain ceased, and the
President rode in a procession to the house of Col. J. J. Estey. The
Committee of Reception consisted of Colonel Estey, Col. Kittredge
Haskins, Dr. H. D. Holton, N. I. Hawley, F. W. Childs, ex-Governor
Holbrook, Judge Wheeler, Hon. B. D. Harris, Hon. J. L. Martin, E. C.
Crosby, Judge R. W. Clarke, C. F. Thompson, Col. W. C. Holbrook, George
S. Dowley, Colonel Fuller, Dr. Conland, Dr. Ketchum, and G. A. Hines.
Veterans of the G. A. R., and the Estey Guard, escorted the Chief
Executive through the city. Several thousand were assembled on the
grounds.
Colonel Estey welcomed and presented the President, who made the
following address:
_My Fellow citizens_--Governor Proctor held out to me the suggestion
that this trip to Vermont would be a very restful one. He has the
queerest appreciation of what rest means of any man I know. [Laughter.]
When I attended the centennial demonstration of the inauguration
of Washington in New York, I spent part of one day on the bridge of
the _Despatch_ bowing to the fleet in the bay as we moved down to
the Battery, and the balance of the day shaking hands at the City
Hall, attending a ball at night; ten hours the next day reviewing a
procession, with a banquet at night; and about as many hours the day
following reviewing the civic procession; and when released from the
stand about 5 o'clock in the evening I hurried to the Jersey City
depot to take the train, scarcely able to stand upon my feet. One
of the gentlemen of the committee said to me: "Well, Mr. President,
I hope you have enjoyed these three days of rest in New York."
[Laughter.]
I wish I could see you more satisfactorily than I am able to do on a
hurried trip like this, but Governor Proctor kept me up very late last
night, and he was the last man down to breakfast this morning himself.
All that I have seen in your State has but increased the respect I
have always entertained for your people. My recent journey of somewhat
great length through the country has very deeply impressed upon me the
fact of the unity of our people. The building of these great railroad
lines making every part of every State familiar, and stretching across
the continent so as to bring within easy access the most distant parts
of our country, has had a great tendency to unify our people and to
wipe out whatever there was provincial or local in our character. It
has rubbed off some of the edges of the New England character, and
has rubbed on some of the New England polish upon the West. In fact,
wherever we have any combining, nothing makes it homogeneous except
a thorough mixer, and the American people have certainly had a most
thorough mixing. [Cheers.]
One of your war Governors was saying to me to-day, as we came along
in the train, your own distinguished fellow-citizen, that on a journey
West not long ago everywhere Vermont men came to meet him; and as I
went recently across the continent the railroad train scarcely stopped
at any station that some one from Indiana did not reach up his hand
and claim recognition; and so it is in all the States.
The West is now turning a little back toward the East, and I have
found some people, who probably had some ancestral connection with
New England, but whose birth, early residence, and business life
were in the West, who have come back to the old home. All this is
pleasant, all this is surety of the future of our country. It is
pleasant to know that the South is being obliterated, that all that
made it distinctive in the sense of separation or alienation is being
gradually wiped out. [Applause.]
Of course, the prejudices of generations are not like marks upon
the blackboard, that can be rubbed out with a sponge. These are more
like the deep glacial lines that the years have left in the rock; but
the water, when that surface is exposed to its quiet, gentle, and
perpetual influence, wears even these out, until the surface is smooth
and uniform. And so these influences are at work in our whole country,
and we should be hopeful for it, hopeful for its future. I am sure you
each feel pride in your American citizenship, and would show readiness
to defend it in war, and I am sure that from every class of your
community would come the response: "We will maintain it, honorable and
high, in peace."
I thank you most sincerely for your friendly greeting, and regret
that I am not able to speak to you more satisfactorily, and can only
accept with a heart full of appreciation these marks of your respect.
[Applause.]
RUTLAND, VERMONT, AUGUST 28.
The President and his party were guests of Secretary Proctor on the
night of the 27th, at the village of Proctor, in the Green Mountains.
The morning of the 28th, the party visited Rutland, and were met by
the local Reception Committee: J. C. Baker, H. H. Dyer, W. G. Veazey,
ex-Judge Barrett, J. W. Cramton, Dr. J. D. Hanrahan, C. H. Joyce, J.
N. Woodfin, E. P. Gilson, P. W. Clement, George E. Lawrence, Henry
F. Field, John N. Baxter, P. M. Meldon, John A. Sheldon, George J.
Wardwell, Dr. Norman Seaver, and Henry Carpenter, President of the
village.
Arrived at Memorial Hall the President was greeted by a large
assemblage, including many ladies. He was presented by Colonel Baker and
made the following address: