USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Fairfield > Fairfield, Connecticut tercentenary, 1639-1939 > Part 4
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MR. BURR: The Tercentenary Committee also appoint- ed a committee on speakers. Mr. Arthur M. Marsh is chairman of that committee, and he had all the work and worry of pre- paring and arranging this program. Even his vacation in Ver- mont was interrupted many times by letters and telephone calls in regard to it. I take pleasure in presenting Mr. Marsh.
Miss Jennings' Memory Honored
MR. MARSH: Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, before introducing our guests of the day, I want to express the feeling which I am sure is in the thought and in the heart of everyone here at present. It is a feeling of sadness, of sorrow and of regret that we must observe this landmark in the history of the town without the presence of one who was for many years one of its first citizens. Our assemblage is not complete without that figure of dignity and charm, which for so long graced every public meeting having to do with the welfare or progress of the town of Fairfield.
She was the honorary chairman of this Tercentenary Committee. It is a fine thing that the Fairfield Garden Club has been able to complete and install the beautiful planting on the terrace and on the north terrace in time for the celebration. It is done by that club as a tribute to her and as a memorial to her memory.
Fairfield was very close to her heart. It was the first or among the first, of her many and varied interests. The town was always in her thought. She did many things for Fairfield. These are, and will be for a long time, of value in a material sense. But far greater and of more striking importance was the example which she set of personal participation by the applica-
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tion of her intelligent interest to its affairs, by her gracious hospitality at her home, many times without number, by the exercise of her good judgment and her positive opinions in relation to its problems.
Whatever the questions, however numerous the calls and demands made upon her time, no one has ever known her to evade or make excuses. She was always ready to undertake the work, be it large or small. This is unusual in any citizen of whatever class or rank. Fairfield is grateful. The loss will be deeply felt. My words are far from adequate, but it would be sadly wrong to allow this occasion, the first great public event since her death, to pass without a tribute to her memory. With profound sadness we must say Hail and Farewell.
Governor Baldwin is introduced
Fairfield is having a birthday -- a notable birthday. Gov. Baldwin has come all the way from Chicago to help us cele- brate. He is not three hundred years old, but he is getting nearer to it every day, and I presume that while he was at the conven- tion of the American Legion, he felt very nearly three hundred sometimes in the morning. As the doings of those conventions are reported, the experiences of those who submit themselves to them are comparable to the hardships of the early settlers of 1639.
Fairfield stands out for many things and especially for its beauty. When we think of the horrors and sufferings which men and women are experiencing in the various parts of the world, we settle down with even greater pleasure into the peace and quiet and beautiful sights of our town.
Nevertheless there is a different side to this picture. Fair- field has also been known for the courage and sane patriotism of its men and women. Our instinct and desire are to keep out of war, but there is a peace which can be bought at too high a price. We must be prepared to stand the gaff. I trust that if this country has to make the choice between war and peace which cannot be had with honor, our men and women will be quick and ready to stand true to those traditions.
We of Fairfield County may be proud of Governor Bald- win, for he is the first governor to be elected from this county for nearly one hundred years, except the two Lounsburys from Ridgefield, both of whom were in the last century. We who are members of the bar may be proud of Governor Baldwin, because he stands as a fine example of a competent and upright member of that profession. We have had lawyers as governors in some profusion in the past, but for the last forty years no governor has been a lawyer, except Simeon Baldwin and Marcus Holcomb. Gov. Baldwin exemplifies the best traditions of the law.
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Lastly, those of us who have the pleasure of his friendship, can also be proud of that fact; and Gov. Baldwin may himself be proud to hold such a place in his profession and among his many friends that these things can truthfully be said of him.
It is an honor to present you the Governor of our state, who will speak to us on "Fairfield and Connecticut." The Honorable Raymond E. Baldwin.
"Fairfield and Connecticut"
GOVERNOR BALDWIN: Mr. Chairman, distinguished guests and my neighbors, I am very grateful to your kind chairman for the friendly, gracious things he said about me. He remarked that if those things which he stated could be truthfully said about any man, it was indeed a tribute. I do not think, how- ever, that he has any doubt himself about the truth, although I frequently have myself.
He has said that I came to talk to you today from Chicago. It is true that I have recently been in Chicago at the American Legion convention, but I would prefer to have you believe that I came today from Stratford, your neighbor on the east for three hundred years, and a town, which, while it is no longer coter- minous with yours, is still your neighbor and still has within its borders many, many people who take pride in Fairfield and who number among the citizens of Fairfield real, warm friends. I am sure that that situation has existed continuously for three hundred years.
I was very much pleased with these pageants, and I know that you all enjoyed them as much as I did. I could tell that from your applause and from your faces - the faces of the people that I could see. I think it is a splendid thing. It is grand to hear children sing, and especially, as is not always the case, when you can hear the words that they are singing. Thus there is combined that happy arrangement of lovely music and grand poetry such as we had in the song they sang which was composed for this occasion.
I was also amused and pleased to see that you have young men in this town who are microphone conscious. They know how to handle one, and that is a great thing, too, because it indicates progress.
I know that you enjoyed the dancing. There must have been among other compensations of that grand, by-gone day, the compensation of living in a period when people knew very little about syncopation, and had never heard of "swing."
I had forgotten for the moment that it appeared on the program what the title of my speech was to be, so that if I do not stick strictly to the text, I know that you will forgive me. After all lawyers are not expected really to stick to any text.
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Ludlow hailed as Founder
Reference has been made today to Roger Ludlow. Among the many citizens of this grand town I think Roger Ludlow is one of the most outstanding. When Thomas Hooker and others set out from the Massachusetts Bay Colony to come into the upper reaches of the Connecticut River, Roger Ludlow was one of the leaders of that band. The carly commission that was given by the Massachusetts Bay Colony to Thomas Hooker and others mentioned Roger Ludlow's name, and it is interesting in considering that commission to recall that in one part of it it distinctly said: "Whereas the persons are not of a mind as to what their government shall be, now, until they do appoint one, Thomas Hooker, Roger Ludlow and others are appointed a commission to rule over them."
It is interesting to know that that restless spirit, that sturdy character, Roger Ludlow, was the man who led, first; the fight against the Indians that brought him into this locality, and later, the band of people that came down here to settle and make this part of the colony of Connecticut their home.
I was interested in the comments during the introductory remarks. I think it was Mr. Burr who mentioned the fact that Roger Ludlow and his followers were not in God's favor, and consequently they lost some cattle that they intended to sell in New Haven. I wonder, knowing how frugal Yankees usually are, if the price was not good.
However, be that as it may, I was also amused by the fact that he arrived with his band on the banks of the Pequonnock River, and did not like it as well as Fairfield, and with others came on here. I suppose there are perhaps some people among you today who feel the same way about Bridgeport as Roger Ludlow and his band felt three hundred years ago. On the other hand, I said a moment ago that I was from Stratford. I can say this, that were it not for Stratford and Fairfield there could not have been any Bridgeport.
Wrote Connecticut's "Magna Charta"
Another thing, it seems to me, that is of great interest to lovers of liberty and freedom and those interested in its history, is the fact that Roger Ludlow is generally recognized as the man who drew up the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, adopted in 1639. He is, we know from documentary sources, the man who drew up the Connecticut Code of 1650. That Code was the first bill of rights of the people of Connecticut. Indeed, outside of Magna Charta, it is probably the first bill of rights in the world. If you were to read it, and I urge you to go to your library and do so, you would find that almost all the things that are stated there by Roger Ludlow are contained in
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the first ten amendments to the Federal Constitution and in the bill of rights of Connecticut down to this day. That is a grand contribution for the citizens of this town to make, not only to the history of Connecticut, but to the history of the United States and to the history of the long fight for individual liberty and freedom as well.
You know that the original colony of Connecticut con- tained the three towns of Windsor, Wethersfield and Hartford, and when they adopted the Fundamental Orders in 1639, they invited other colonists to join; and apparently, since Fairfield was an offshoot of the original three colonies that settled in the upper Connecticut valley, they probably were taken in right away.
I was a little bit amused to note in this pageant a certain remark, when they were discussing Yale College and Timothy Dwight and the difficulty that Yale College was in. You remem- ber that the man who came to inform Timothy Dwight said that Yale was in dire needs, because the General Assembly had failed to make the necessary appropriations. Perhaps some of you who watched the last session of the General Assembly are thoroughly convinced that it is still up to its old tricks.
Some Ancient Town Rules Recalled
Having attended several town meetings here in Fairfield in the past, I was very much amused to learn that in 1664 a Town Meeting passed some rules concerning conduct in town meeting. People were not allowed to "haw" and shout, and they were not allowed to expectorate on the floor, and they were pro- hibited from "talking long and making unnecessary language." I do not know about some of those items, but from my own personal observation of town meetings in Fairfield and town meetings in other parts of the state of Connecticut, perhaps it might not be a bad plan to revive some of these old rules and regulations.
While I made mention a few moments ago about the fact that Stratford and Fairfield had always been very friendly, I found out that for ten years the two towns were engaged in a row among themselves and with the Indians as to just what the boundary was. But finally in 1710 they got settled, and that part of Fairfield which ran nearest the Stratford town line was called Stratfield-of course, a derivation from Stratford and Fairfield. Probably the people from Stratford were a little bit ahead, because they got their town name in first.
The first pastor here, according to the chronicler that I looked up was one John Jones-The Rev. John Jones. He apparently had a splendid record, and was a great spiritual lead- er in this community in the early days. He was succeeded by a Samuel Wakeman, who came here about the same time as a man
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by the name of Richard Burgess. Richard Burgess is put down as an "honest smithy," and there, you see, is the happy com- bination of virtue in this town. Here was not only a spiritual leader but a mechanic as well, and it has been that combination down through the years-the spirituality of the people and their energy, their intelligence and mechanical ability-that has made Connecticut a great state, and that must, if we are to continue as a great state, continue to influence our life in the future.
The Dignity of Labor is Upheld
I noted that every one of the chroniclers said that it was always the custom in Fairfield to work long and hard, and that is an uncomfortable philosophy for us to espouse in these days. However, I think we should remember that among the early settlers of Connecticut and of this town there were very few white collars. We must get back to the proposition that after all there is dignity in labor; that there is honor in labor, and that skilfull work well done, on the farm and in the factory, is the equivalent of work well done in any other walk of life.
As we go forward into the future, inspired by the rich traditions, the grand history of the past, I think we would do well to recall to mind the toast that was passed around the con- vivial bowl in Fairfield in 1774. This town was tremendously interested in the Revolution and indeed very, very patriotic and very much American. I think it is still true, unless some more recent records have been discovered, that in one of the cemeteries in Fairfield-just one cemetery-there are more than one hun- dred soldiers of the Revolution buried. That is more than are buried in any single cemetery, I am told, in any other one place in the whole state of Connecticut. That merely indicates that Fairfield sent a larger proportion of men in relation to its popu- lation than perhaps any other of the colonies in the whole colony of Connecticut. That is a thing indeed to be proud of.
But the toast-I want to come back to that. It runs this way.
"Addition to the Whigs,"
(You recall they were supporting the Revolution.)
"Subtraction to the Tories,
"Multiplication to the Sons and Daughters of Liberty, "And division to the enemies of America."
Isn't that a grand toast? I think it is a good one for us to remember today.
I was happy to hear Mr. Marsh pay a tribute to Miss Jennings. I want to add a word to that, and say that not only was she a great citizen of this town that lay so close to her heart, but she also was a great citizen of the state, and will go
.
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down in history, I think, as a woman of firm mind and sturdy character and generous spirit, and a grand person to remember.
And so as temporarily the first citizen of the state of Connecticut-Governor of this grand little commonwealth of ours, I congratulate you on this anniversary. It is a great thing to be three hundred years old, and to have behind you such a rich tradition, such a glorious past, and at the same time so much enthusiasm, so much energy, so much good will, so much promise for the future.
President Seymour is introduced
MR. MARSH: Thank you very much, Governor Baldwin. A recent headline caught my eye, "Yale Looks to Sey- mour." I thought, "That's natural." On reading further, I learned that this Seymour "is the real thing. He is a prodigy for passing, kicking and running." The half column proved to be devoted to an agile sophomore who plays football, but I suppose there is still a place for the President to fill.
Some of us have been brought up to hold in disrepute the French philosopher, Voltaire, but nevertheless he made one remark which is immortal. It has often been quoted. Voltaire wrote to a friend, "I totally disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." Yale as one of the great centers of learning stands for free and untrammeled discussion and speech, one of our fundamental rights. Its motto "Light and Truth" stands in fine contrast to certain countries, where the burning of books and the suppression of research have reached the heights of intolerance.
The relations between Yale and Fairfield have always been intimate. One of its earliest graduates of the college came from Fairfield. He was Joseph Webb in the class of 1715. His father was Joseph Webb, a minister of the church, naturally in those days the Congregational Church, and one of the first trustees of the college.
Yale came to Greenfield Academy to obtain the first Tim- othy Dwight for its president. It is said that the academy stood so high and was becoming so conspicuous a rival that Yale had to take Timothy Dwight as president to avoid being eclipsed by the academy. However that may be, Yale soon resorted again to the academy for Jeremiah Day, who succeeded Timothy Dwight as president. President Woolsey also had Fairfield con- nections, and the second Timothy Dwight, although he only drank from the Fairfield Parnassus in his earliest years, never- theless imbibed enough so that he also became president of the college. How Mr. Seymour attained that office without getting his schooling here remains a mystery.
President Seymour has himself manifested his kindly feel-
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ing towards Fairfield more than once. In 1936 on short notice, and I am sure at considerable inconvenience to himself, he came to Fairfield and delivered the Fourth of July oration with his usual force and charm. Today he has come to us again at great personal sacrifice. This is the opening week of the university. It is crowded with engagements and with demands upon his time and thought. Nevertheless he is graciously present, and will speak to us on "Ideals of Citizenship." It is an honor and a pleasure to present to you Charles Seymour, President of Yale University.
PRESIDENT SEYMOUR : Mr. Chairman and citizens of Fairfield: Today we are met together to commemorate proudly and gratefully three hundred years of the life of a Connecticut community; to do honor to those who founded it and those others following in their footsteps who have perpetuated the traditions of the free citizenship here established. It is eminently proper that we should give thanks for the citizens this com- munity has provided and for the ideals which it has fostered. We may profitably read of the hardships they conquered, the disasters through which they passed; the culture they created; and contemplate the intelligence, the individualism, the sense of responsibility which they manifested. It is an example, for which we may well thank God, and to which we may grate- fully turn for guidance, as we find ourselves beset by troubles of a different kind, but of equal difficulty.
For me personally it is a matter of deep satisfaction and pride that upon this occasion I am given the opportunity of participating in this commemoration as the representative of Yale University, and may bring to this community on behalf of the university our profound appreciation and warm con- gratulations. We are close to each other geographically, breathe the same Connecticut air; more than that, ideals which that Fairfield citizenry in the past have shown forth in their lives are those to which Yale is consecrated. From the very first until now there has been this very close personal relationship, to which reference has been made, and which you have seen por- trayed upon the grassy Thespian boards.
I have a great admiration-I may say gratitude-for the confidence that Fairfield has shown in Yale, particularly after the incident referred to this afternoon, the incident of the Lud- low cattle, for apparently this cattle found no market, the citizens of New Haven being, as the Governor suggests, reason- ably tight-fisted. But the cattle themselves developed, and since that time there has been a rumor that they were not strayed; that perhaps they were all stolen. Yet Fairfield has continued to send her sons to Yale.
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Fairfield Minister was Yale Founder
I cannot rehearse all the Fairfield names which ring very pleasantly in our ears. Mr. Marsh has stolen much of the records which I had hoped to expound upon. But I must remind Fairfield of its responsibility for the creation of Yale; in the person of the Rev. Joseph Webb, one of the ten ministers who gathered to establish the Collegiate School in 1701. Thus we stem in part at least, from this community. Timothy Dwight was the greatest educator of his time. We had to come to a place like Fairfield to find so great a man.
Three quarters of a century later was born Benjamin Silli- man, by the accident of war and the terrible disaster which we witnessed this afternoon, not, indeed, in this place, but carrying a name which because of his father's heroism will always be cherished here and also at Yale. Three years ago we built a college carrying the name of Timothy Dwight. This year we are building a college which bears the name of Silliman, which reflects glory upon us and recalls memories to you. He was a great scientific educator, perhaps the greatest in our history, the father of scientific studies in this land. He was also a great citizen of the world, carrying abroad and to all parts of this country traits of mind, character and personality which we like to regard as characteristic of Connecticut, particularly this part of Connecticut.
In our own day we have had the closest of ties between Fairfield and Yale in the person of our beloved Annie Burr Jennings. In her nature and in her name she combined tradi- tional family qualities of Fairfield; and in her devoted loyalty to Yale she set a standard for all our graduates. No Yale Com- mencement ceremony could be regarded as complete except it were graced by her presence; she sat in the open football Bowl under drizzling rain, cheering the football team, win, lose, or draw; on the baseball bleachers, in her white suit and blue scarf, hat trimmed with Yale's bachelor buttons, she waited until the last man was out, whether the baseball game lasted nine or fifteen innings. We used to say, "She is the best Yale man for the last sixty years." We have much to thank Fairfield for.
Courage and Intelligence Characterized Town
As I turn the pages of town records of her biographical sketches, I am struck by certain salient characteristics of Fair- field citizens. First of all they believed in the power and im- portance of human intelligence. It was a duty to train and enrich the intellect. The problems of life were to be met with weapons derived from reason and not from emotion. They established schools that their children should learn to use their minds, and emphasized constantly the essential need of educa-
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tion in democracy. Through their town meeting and with an enlightened public opinion they were habituated to drafting a plan before they inaugurated a policy. It was a community of high intelligence.
It is clear also that these were men and women of strongly marked individuality. They felt themselves responsible each of them to Almighty God for the development of their own in- dividual characters, for the salvation of their own souls, for the maintenance of their livelihood. As one might expect, with the individualism went courage, whether of the physical sort neces- sary to meet the kind of dangers encountered or moral courage that developed an active sense of right and wrong with the determination to give practical effect to one's opinions.
It was natural that from such a rugged self-reliance would develop a sturdy loyalty to the principle of freedom, freedom of the individual, of the locality, of the nation; and this finally became, I think, the salient characteristic. It came to be taken for granted that a man was responsible for his life and welfare, and as he made his bed must lie upon it. The world did not owe him a living; as he labored, so he would reap. Conversely, if the individual was expected to be thus self-reliant, he had the right to expect that others would respect his independence, grant him liberty of action and of thought, refrain from inter- ference even upon the most benevolent ground. These men were entitled to freedom because they were producers.
Individual Liberty and Group Responsibility
Individual liberty of this sort could never have been main- tained, however, in any community, had it not been accom- panied by a clear and compelling sense of group responsibility. As in all social organizations, our forefathers of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries had to meet the problem of reconciling the liberty of the individual with the authority of the group. It was not easy of solution, nor was the outcome speedily assured. The drastic codes of theocratic government, the hyster- ical tyranny of public opinion as in the days of witch madness for long periods threatened to extinguish the effective enjoy- ment of personal freedom here as elsewhere in New England. The problem was met and was liquidated by reason of the fact that those individuals, extremely intelligent, voluntarily under- took social obligations that made the exercise of extreme author- ity unnecessary. For here is a paradox of human experience which is worth remarking; if a man is to retain his freedom, he must not merely be intelligent and self-reliant, he must him- self limit that freedom by self-imposed obligation to the group of which he is one.
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