Centennial Celebration Together with an Historical Sketch of Reading, Windsor County, Vermont and Its Inhabitants (Volume 1)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1874. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... The audience were called together by the familiar strains of Hail Columbia from the band, and the afternoon exercises were commenced by singing from the choir, followed by a lively historical poem by Mrs. Frances Baker of Chester, a copy of which is. subjoined: Friends, Acquaintances, And Fellow Townsmen Of Reading: Somewhat less than a century ago, These States, then Colonies, as you know, Were in a state of wild commotion And exercised by fierce emotion; Because old England to her trust, Had been unfaithful and unjust. Illiberal in managing, tyrannical in governing; Over the rights of these thirteen daughters-, The mother country, beyond the waters, Had domineered with meddling hand: Till their wrath long up-pent, Now burst forth in ferment, Entirely beyond their control. Still, more in sorrow than anger, They commenced the horrid clangor Of arms, for the terrible strife. Which must end with freedom or life, And this was but the sad prelude, / Which ushered in the conflicts rude, Of Lexington, Concord, and Ticonderoga, Of Bunker Hill, Brandywine, and Saratoga f While Yorktown saw the final fray. And Independence won the day; Which the daughters convened, had voted to fix t, On the fourth of July, 1776. Then was settled the difficult suit, Of which this Union's the ripened fruit. But vast as it is and mighty and bold, In years and experience 'tis far from old; For its duly suns have not risen and set; Lacking four year*, on a century yet; And to-day we witness the strange paradox, Of one of the children, chip of the old block, Who years in age can now reckon more, * Than the dame who bore her can, by four! An example which, I am sorry to say, j Is far too common in Young America,1' Where one can see that her fast young women and men Are themselves...