The Banquet

When the carriages arrived back at the Soldiers' Home, everything was ready for the Banquet. The President and his company made a brief pause inside the Soldiers' Home so that a number of people could be presented to him. From there they moved to the Banquet tent.

The President,…. the Nation's chief Executive and Governor Page led the way to dinner, the Staff of the Governor of Vermont acting as a guard of honor, forming a square around The President, Cabinet officers, the officials of the Day, and guests, as they walked to the pavilion, ----the First Regiment band playing, 'Hail to the Chief,' as they entered. The people, who had previously assembled in the banquet-room, remained standing with uncovered heads, until the distinguished guests were seated.

The tables had been set for 3,500, but that number was insufficient to accommodate all who desired to participate in the festivities, although the large company was quietly and expeditiously seated, and pleasantly served.

The menu served consisted of consommé glace, salad of lobster, potatoes, sardines, dressed tomatoes, cold chicken, turkey, ham, tongue, lamb, veal, rolls, crackers, etc., cheese, almonds, frozen pudding; vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate creams, and a great variety of fancy ices, tea and coffee.

The Montpelier Military Orchestra played throughout the banquet.

Before the speaking began a great number of persons from the outside were permitted to flock into the tent and occupy the spaces in the aisles. There were probably 5,000 persons present when the President was introduced.

Following the President's speech he was presented with a Souvenir Gold Medal. The banquet exercises resumed with additional speeches, including one by John G. McCullough, who "spoke for the Battle Monument Association, and also for the people of Bennington." His remarks are expressed below:

The Battle Monument Association needs no other advocate than the shaft on yonder hill. The Monument speaks for itself. The silent eloquence of its stately and shapely proportions, down the ages, will ever be the best, as they will be the most enduring testimony to the labors of the Association.

And as for the people of Bennington, they would rather listen than be heard. To-day is Bennington's opportunity, her privilege, her gala-day. Like her ladies she is clothed in all the colors of beauty. At her humble board she is happy in entertaining the true nobility of the land, from the peasant to the President. For the second time in her history, she is proud to welcome the Chief Magistrate of the Nation, who has been 'so clear in his great office,' as also all these Governors, and Generals, and high dignitaries from all the professions, around about me. She is glad to have heard over again, from so many friendly lips, the old, old story that is ever young, -- the story of her heroic youth, of the sterling and stalwart virtues of her early manhood, of the crowning glories of the first century of Vermont's Statehood. As the motto on yonder arch says: 'The best legacy of Vermont's first century, is her sons and daughters.' And after listening to all this partial speech, you will forgive the little Commonwealth for believing herself, to-day, richer in all the essentials of true wealth, than the fabled garden of the Hesperides; and Bennington, you will pardon, after having returned her thanks and extended a cordial invitation to all to come to our future Centennials, if to-night she falls asleep dreaming herself, in all the elements of true beauty with her hills and her valleys of the Battenkill and the Walloomsac, as fairer than the classic vale of Tempe.

Near the end of the Banquet exercises, President Harrison and his party were driven to John McCullough's home in North Bennington where they were treated to a final formal dinner. The thousands who had attended the festivities of the day remained for yet the most spectacular and concluding event - the fireworks display. It was a disappointment to many that the most distinguished guests of the day could not be present for this colorful exhibition.

Before President Harrison left the North Bennington Station the next morning he told a reporter: "I have been much pleased with my visit, and the people of Vermont may well be delighted with yesterday's celebration."