USA > Connecticut > Tolland County > Vernon > A century of Vernon, Connecticut, 1808-1908 > Part 11
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And Marye's Heights, and Gettysburg await them, And many shall return no more,
Or come in coffined honor, or maimèd sore,
Their high design and inborn constancy And valorous hope elate them.
Now each new May let the nation's thanks
In fragrant bloom fresh wreaths of honor plait them, By whose blood and agony The nation's wound was heal'd.
IV.
Peace once more, and the fruitful arts of peace ! There know thy strength, my country, there Let thy pent youthful vigor dare -- Not in fleets nor tropic empire-seek release, Treading new pathways to a nation's glory,
Which yet are old as Athens. And Vernon's story Shall be true type thereof and prophecy.
Here patience, industry, inventive skill Win nature's power to do man's will To free mankind and magnify. And whoso buildeth honest work, Taking no private gain From other's loss or pain, He builds for all time, tho' his deed Aim but to fill the daily need For food and shelter ; and no subtle murk
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Of social theory can befog his mind Whose hands have earn'd a home. Here Irish wit and German thrift, Slavic passion, Italian courtesy, And many an Old World people's special gift, With plain New England common-sense combined, Shall shape a people sane and strong,
Full-rounded, like St. Peter's dome, Based on the old, unto new heights ascending. Here, too, the ancient Mother Church doth find Her wilful daughters, tho' estranged long, Hands of ungrudging welcome now extending,
While the firm Hebrew faith still proves its power,
Eldest, yet ever young, no longer forced to cower. Alike one Father-God they teach,
And that man liveth not by bread alone. For every word divine he must out-reach
In searching unafraid. Science and art Also are worship, and no lesser part Of our true native heaven-descended speech. And our democracy means equal right For all to climb the spirit's mountain height.
Here therefore shall stand open wide
All paths to ampler life-the treasured lore Of ages, and the swelling tide
Of incorruptible treasures new from every shore.
The hand shall here learn delicate power, the voice Grow musical, and homes be beautified With gardens, modest or stately, that all eyes rejoice. And for that sweet forest glen,
Long lost 'neath streets and factories, Art shall discern a way to compensate- With shapely bridge and planted bank and park again Make beautiful, with tamer harmonies, But noble still, what now is desolate- In civic grace the lovely valley recreate.
FRANCIS T. MAXWELL, Chairman of Finance Committee and Member of Committee on Historical Addresses, Events and Relics.
FRANCIS A. RANDALL, irman of Advertising, Publicity nd Printing Committee, Secretary f Finance Committee, Member of Committee on Licenses and Privil- ges.
DAVID A. SYKES, Member of Committee on Public Exer- cises and Committee on Licenses and Privileges.
FRANCIS J. REGAN,
Member of Committees on Safety and Transportation.
Public
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V.
Thou little commonwealth, our home, our pride,
A fairer dawn draws nigh.
The ancient Dark is fading; a light breeze
Wafts dewy odors, and the trees
Their leafy answer softly make.
Pellucid gold drifts up the morning sky, Song-sparrow and bluebird are awake,
Soon the full chorus will begin,
Bathing the world in music, telling of love. Then day shall enter in,
With light, with beauty, and with joy, whereof
The humblest with the highest shall partake.
COMMEMORATIVE ADDRESS BY HON. CHARLES PHELPS.
Following is the commemorative address by Hon Charles Phelps, president of the Vernon Centennial Committee :
Vernon, our beloved and typical New England town, has reached its one-hundredth anniversary. "The horologe of time strikes the full century with a solemn chime," and bids us take note of the passing years ; to heed the lessons which were imparted when the infant town was baptized and to recall those which we may have forgotten.
From modest beginnings, Vernon has assumed an im- portance out of proportion to its area and population. It has taken rank with the most progressive towns of the day and has given a splendid account of its hundred years of progress. The fame of its industries has become inter- national, and although its population numbers less than ten thousand, it is equipped with a free library splendidly appointed, a memorial building, and with site secured and arrangements made for the permanent establishment, in the near future, of a manual training school and a public hospital.
We are celebrating an event which took place one hundred years ago, but incidently commemorating one which occurr-
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ed three centuries ago. Between the years 1607 and 1609, in that portion of rural England termed the East Angelican Shires, a body of men with a purpose fixed as fate, pre- pared to leave their native country for the shores of Hol- land. No celebration of this character would be complete without their recognition. They stood for institutions and ideals which made New England history. They kept pace with the progress of independent thought, but were never swerved from their ultimate purpose. Later, when they reached the shores of America, they brought with them the principles of English liberty united to those of Dutch individualism.
One of the interesting questions of the hour addresses itself to the inquiry whether it is to England or Holland that we are most indebted for the best that remains to us of those institutions founded by the fathers. The town meeting, free public schools, equality of taxation, and the authority of a representative government, are the true prod- uct of English principles united on this soil with those derived from the Dutch Republic.
What was the ultimate object of those men who largely shaped the thought of our Colonial days? What dominant purpose impelled them to cross dangerous seas and to ex- plore a still more dangerous country? Obstructing forces and real and fancied persecutions at home were perils of less magnitude than those which awaited them in the New World.
Under those political conditions existing at the time of their separation, it was impossible for them to enjoy re- ligious and political liberty without incurring personal danger. But they were eager to develop and spread those principles for which they were willing to sacrifice all. With this desire, however, there was bred something of a spirit of intolerance which attempted to force upon others their form of a theocratic government.
Their purpose aside from this alloy of human fraility was one of the purest and noblest that has ever actuated
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the deeds of men. They wished to lead Godly lives, and to this end they surrounded themselves with those things which encouraged Godly living. They attempted to put into actual practice their own literal construction of the Bible. They insisted that others should do the same; sincere piety was to them the test of citizenship. They dreamed of a pure theocracy and laid the foundation for such a structure. They believed it possible to square their entire existence by arbitrary rules wrested bodily from Holy Writ.
Their ultimate object was impossible, but in their per- sistent search for it they revealed principles of political co-operation which has made their name immortal. Like the alchemist, they sought something visionary, but in that search they gave to the world the results of important and far-reaching experiments.
We are their heirs, and much of the good which they accomplished is still with us. We are all equal before the law; the burden of taxation is equitably distributed; the system of free public schools established, and the old- fashioned town meeting still in vogue. Too much cannot be said in praise of this last-mentioned institution. It is the forum of the people, and if the will of the people does not here find free expression, it is the people's fault. This institution is an exponent of pure democracy which an able American writer once compared to a raft. "Your feet are always in the water," he said, "but you cannot sink."
We are enjoying the blessings vouchsafed to us by the persistent efforts of a noble ancestry, but with these bless- ings have descended corresponding obligations. To our charge have been committed those principles of government upon which the hopes of a people rest, and upon this anni- versary we may be properly called upon to give an account of our stewardship. We were taught the value of the sim- ple life regulated by the precepts of the moral law; that personal independence and individualism, properly exercised, were the stamp of character; that the will of the people,
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properly expressed, was the supreme tribunal; that town and county, state and nation, had each its peculiar functions, powers and duties clearly defined and independent thought related; and that they should experience no conflict and suffer no encroachments.
Can we truthfully say that we have preserved those con- ditions or that the principles which they represent have not suffered at our hands? Facing the dawn of a new century, our answer to the stern inquiry must be in a measure apologetic. The simple life has disappeared and has been supplanted by one of a complex character. The excuse offered is the great and increasing activity of the age; the multitude of improvements and inventions impell- ing a degree of progress amazing and bewildering, and calling for a life of such intense and ceaseless activity as to strain the mental faculties to a dangerous tension; a life in which no space is left for reflection, meditation or prayer.
These conditions, exacting and exhausting, are to be de- plored, not only on account of their personal effect upon those involved, but also on account of the sacrifices which must be made along other lines to meet their require- ments. The reflective nature and the poetic temperament have small room in which to develop, when the mind is com- pletely engrossed with the thought of material gain. These conditions partially explain the relatively meager import- ance of the fine arts in the general progress. Poetry and music, painting and sculpture have not kept pace with in- ventions and mechanical devices.
He who would woo the muses must prosecute his suit for Art's sake. He cannot be chary of his time, or be en- tirely engrossed by the desire for material wealth. He must develop the reflective faculty and abide his time; he must wander "far from the madding crowd."
The tendency of the time leaves little opportunity for such devotion, and even when exercised it is doubtful if it be sufficiently appreciated. Material wealth has been
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given such undue prominence that men have envied the wearer of the golden rather than of the laurel crown. Money gatherers in their narrow and superficial review of men and affairs have classed the scholar and the pro- fessional thinker as non-productive.
Consistent with the idea of ultimate attainment, indi- vidualism has been thrust aside, and enormous combina- tions effected, stifling competition and minimizing the force of personal responsibility. The advocates of this departure urge with some truth the material advantages thus derived, instancing the increase and availability of those things which a few years ago were regarded as rare and costly luxuries. Yet, these very conditions lead to extravagance and excess, and no material advantage can compensate for the loss of the personal factor. The ten- dency to combine and centralize has so pervaded all depart- ments of business that the law has been invoked to correct the resultant evils. The Federal government has concerned itself in devising means to forestall the general effect of this centralizing tendency in public service corporations. And right here it may be pertinent to inquire if the gov- ernment, whose aid has been invoked, is itself entirely free from any fault in this direction. Has it drawn to itself powers not originally designed to be exercised by it; has it in this respect kept intact and inviolate the principles of the fathers; has it wielded no weapon in this warfare with the alleged evil other than that delegated to it? It must be admitted that the tendency of governmental supervision is to a degree in accord with that of corporate management. Both are systemizing and centralizing their forces ; both are combining all of the elements of power in their control that they may be directed from one author- itative head. Town authority is gradually yielding to the superior power of the legislature, and the authority of the state to that of the Federal government. Such a system naturally establishes great centers of power which disturbs the general equilibrium. It removes from convenient reach and makes it difficult to locate the responsible party, or
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to curtail acts "ultra vires." The very government is thus laid open to the charge that those evils so vehemently declaimed against in corporate management, have crept into our public policies.
In the closing hours of the first century of Vernon's existence she, in common with New England, is concerned with the question of the conservation of our natural re- sources. The greed and folly of man have dissipated these to an alarming degree. Commercialism and selfishness, un- der the guise of progress, have with ruthless hand laid waste mountain and plain. With utter disregard of those who are to follow us or of those finer feelings which are indicative of appreciation, we on a broad scale are following the example of the spendthrift and the prodigal. Warnings of wisdom and of expert science fall upon deaf ears, or if heard are received with indifference.
The wooded districts on our mountain sides protecting the sources of our noble rivers and cascades are as much en- titled to our thoughtful care and consideration as the main- tenance of our highways or of any of our erected memorials. Depletion of the soil and exhaustion of mineral wealth occa- sioned by wanton destruction are beginning to show their natural consequences.
Men in high places have for some years paid little heed to the voice of entreaty or to the note of warning. We are met with the brutal proposition that our children can take care of themselves, or with the arrogant assumption of superior wisdom that when all of these things disappear something better will take their place.
When the beauty of the noblest and most picturesque waterfall in the world is assailed by those who would use its power for commercial purposes, we are told that this is an age of progress. Those who have followed the discussion of this subject on the platform and in the halls of congress have had occasion to remark the general ab- sence of sentiment from the line of argument. The advo- cates of the measure looking to the conservation of our na-
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tural resources have perhaps with wisdom urged commer- cial reasons for stemming the progress of destruction.
And yet what mighty forces emanate from the familiar scenes of "Old New England"; her hills of picturesque beauty, her numberless waterfalls and cascades, her dells, rivers and streams! What associations cluster about each of these! What inspirations come to us from them! He who could witness unmoved their destruction is of a nature foreign to all principles adduced from the fathers, selfish, heartless, barbaric. He who would destroy them for gain would sacrifice any other temple and lay waste any herit- age. What would be the New England town when all that can speak to us of the past disappear; when material conditions shall be such that if one of the fathers could revisit the old familiar scene, he would fail in recogni- tion of it? What will New England be when conditions compel us to strike from our national hymn the words "I love thy rocks and rills, thy woods and templed hills," as too absurd to be continued longer ?
It is a commentary upon the character of our general patriotism that the president of our republic felt compelled, in the face of this menacing evil, to assemble at Washing- ton the governors of all of the states to consider the adop- tion of some systematic plan which would save us from ourselves. We are thankful, however, that the president had the courage and wisdom to arrange such an assembly under the very eaves of the Capitol and during the session of Congress. This is a good omen and a beneficent sign of the times, for it has already stirred the public conscience. The highest courts of some of our New England states have also moved in the right direction, and when of late appealed to, they have spoken with no uncertain sound. Forestry legislation, the institution of Arbor Day, and the quiet but effective work of the village improvement society, are most encouraging features.
Every true citizen feels that it is his duty to do something to preserve those things which have been passed along
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to him; to use them wisely, not to dissipate or destroy them. It becomes his pleasure to help render more secure the blessings vouchsafed to him of a material as well as of a political character. The obligations existing between him and his country are not as some would have us be- lieve, all on one side; neither can the citizen demand of the government as a matter of right those things which he does not happen to possess. This tendency leads directly to what has been aptly termed "paternalism in government"; that doctrine which educates the idle and restless to believe that the country owes them support as obligatory as that which rests upon a parent toward a child.
The words of our late ex-president on this subject are words of wisdom; he said it is the duty of the citizen to support the government, and not the government to support the citizen.
The founders of our New England towns laid great stress upon the obligations of citizenship. The duty implied therefrom could never be lawfully shifted to other shoulders. The duty exacted was a stern one, personal and perpetual.
A government built upon the basis of good citizenship, acknowledging personal obligation, becomes secure in its superstructure. The splendid record of the New England towns is a natural sequence of such a beginning. Person- ality of a high character entering into all departments be- comes the most efficient force in government. Where it exists there is little to be feared from the current evils of corruption, favoritism, boss-rule or monopoly, for the citi- zen makes the state.
Such was the doctrine of the fathers, and it brings us back to the point of individual responsibility. The town is what the citizens make it; if its politics are clean it is because its citizens make them so; if its government is wisely and efficiently administered, it is because its citi- zens are wise and efficient.
Let us then dedicate ourselves to the principles suggested and taught in the establishment of a New England town.
GEORGE P. WENDHEISER, Secretary of Committee on Public Exercises, Member of Committees on Advertising, Publicity and Print- ing, Licenses and Privileges.
A. B. PARKER, Member of Committees on Historical Addresses, Events and Relics, Invi- tations and Reception. Died Wednesday, March 3, 1909.
JOHN W. HEFFERON, Member of Committees on Finance and Public Exercises and Ex-Chief of Rockville Fire Department.
CHARLES N. McLEAN, Member of the Committee on Public Safety.
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Let us take a stand in its town meetings on the basis of mutual obligations, and for the principles of personal re- sponsibility.
COLONIAL BALL.
The Colonial ball under the auspices of Sabra Trumbull Chapter, D. A. R., commemorating the centenary of the town of Vernon, which was held in Town Hall on Monday evening, June 29, 1908, was the most brilliant social function in the town's history. It was in every way a fitting introduction to the events that followed.
The Town Hall was magnificently decorated. Green and white were the predominating colors, and American flags were con- spicuous. There was a streamer ceiling, every streamer being edged with a deep ruffle, the green streamer containing a white ruffle and the white streamer a green. The walls were covered with pleated bunting of white all the way around, partly covered with green and white fans, every fan containing a deep green ruffle. The tower was decorated in a similar manner. In the center of the tower was a D. A. R. emblem in between the laurel.
The stage was made into a balcony, the front being festooned in green and white. The background was green and white with a large sized painting of General Israel Putnam in the center, with large American flags, military draped, on each side. The picture motto contained the words: "He Dared to Lead Where Anyone Dared to Follow."
The booth in the southeast corner of the hall was decorated in white and green, with a large shield in the center, made of red, white and blue with spangled stars. Inside the booth were two flags on staffs near the lieutenant-governor's chairs. The gallery was draped in green and white in an artistic manner. The back of the same was draped in white and partly covered with green fans, edged with white ruffles. The pillars on each side of the stage in front were covered with silk banners. On top of each pillar was a shield draped with flags, each shield surmounted by a gold American eagle. On the east side, as one entered the door to the hall, was a refreshment booth draped in green and white in an artistic manner.
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The illuminations were magnificent. Streamers of electric lights were under the chandeliers, all wound with laurel rope. Streamers also followed the end of the drapery around the side walls. These many white bulbs added greatly to the general effect. The decorating scheme was an original idea of the New England Decorating Company of Rockville, and the electrical effects were furnished by Williams and Goltra of Hartford.
Sutherland's Foot Guard Orchestra of Hartford furnished a delightful concert program and music for dancing.
At 9 o'clock, the Putnam Phalanx, that historic military or- ganization, arrived from Hartford by special car. The members were escorted into Town Hall by the aides, floor committee and reception committee, led by George E. Sykes and Miss Florence M. Belding. They formed two lines. The members of the Put- nam Phalanx passed through and under an arch formed by the wands of the aides. The Putnam Phalanx were seated in front of the gallery, a section being reserved for them and their ladies.
Following the reception to the Putnam Phalanx came the reception to Lieutenant-Governor, E. J. Lake and Mrs. Lake. They were escorted by the aides, floor committee and reception committee. Two lines formed at the entrance to the tower, and Lieutenant-Governor Lake, escorted by Mrs. E. H. Preston, and Mrs. Lake, escorted by Colonel Francis T. Maxwell, passed under the wands of the aides, followed by the other members of the. reception committee. They were seated in the tower. The aides and members of the floor committee escorted Lieutenant- Governor Lake and Mrs. Lake and Mrs. A. N. Belding, regent of Sabra Trumbull Chapter, D. A. R., and all Daughters pres- ent, to the receiving line in front of the stage, where all were. received. As the lieutenant-governor entered the hall the or- chestra played : "Hail to the Chief." Those present arose and remained standing until Lieutenant-Governor Lake took his. seat.
The gowns of the ladies were conceded to be the most elabor- ate ever worn upon any occasion in this section, all being made with the Colonial ball in mind.
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To the following committees is due the credit for the success of the Colonial ball :
Committee of General Arrangements-Mrs. A. N. Belding, chairman ; Mrs. Robert L. McChristie, Mrs. E. H. Preston, Mrs. A. L. Martin, Mrs. L. T. Tingier, H. H. Larkum, Frank M. Adams, Dr. W. H. Robinson, George E. Sykes.
Floor Committee-George E. Sykes, chairman; Frank M. Adams, A. L. Martin, W. A. Howell, Dr. W. H. Robinson, H. H. Larkum, Harold Loomis, Fred N. Belding, T. W. Sturgeon.
Aides-Miss Florence M. Belding, chairman; Miss Mildred Orcutt, Miss Gladys, Keeney, Miss Katherine Murlless, Miss Edith Hayward, Miss Grace B. West, Miss Ethel West, Miss Edith Harwood, Miss Ruth Tillotson.
Press Committee-Miss Grace B. West.
Reception Committee - E. H. Preston, chairman; A. N. Belding, Francis T. Maxwell, A. T. Bissell, Dr. T. F. Rockwell, Robert McChristie, C. E. Harwood, A. P. Hammond, O. C. West.
THE AUTOMOBILE HILL CLIMB.
The automobile hill climbing contest on New England Hill on Tuesday afternoon, June 30, the first event of the kind that had ever occurred in Rockville, was an unqualified success. No feature of the centennial celebration aroused more genuine interest or was more thoroughly enjoyed. It was conceded by ex- perts to be one of the biggest events of its kind ever held in this country. Seventy entries were received, including several of the most famous machines in the country, with drivers of national reputation. For weeks the officers of the Rockville Automobile Club worked hard to make the event a memorable one. President George E. Sykes of the club was the moving spirit and he was a very busy man for two weeks preceding the automobile hill climb. Every precaution was taken to guard against accidents.
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