USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Glastonbury > Glastenbury for two hundred years: a centennial discourse, May 18th 1853 > Part 20
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6. Wethersfield. The venerable mother of this rejoicing daughter.
7. The Governor of the State of Connecticut.
Governor Seymour responded by giving the following-
Glastenbury. May its future history present as fair a record of worthy deeds, noble sacrifices for the public good, and patriotic actions, as the past has this day disclosed.
8. The Natives of Glastenbury and the descendants of Natives, resident abroad and present on this occasion. We welcome the one to the scenes of their childhood and home of their earliest affection. We grcet the other as
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brethren of a common ancestry ; in honor of whom with us they join in celebrating this day.
9. The Connecticut Historical Society. The Guardian Genius of the Past- under its benign auspices the generations of the dead are made to live again, and their names and deeds endued with perpetual remembrance.
Remarks of Hon. THOMAS DAY, President of the Connecticut Historical Society.
Mr. President :-
In behalf of the Connecticut Historical Society, I thank you for remember- ing that Institution on this occasion. The announcement of your intended celebration was received by us with much interest, and the proceedings of this day have been witnessed by such of us as have had the privilege of be- ing present, with much satisfaction, and have met our entire approbation.
We think the thought of celebrating the day, was a happy one, and that it has been most successfully carried out. We especially admire the research and ability, with which the orator of the day has accomplished the laborious and instructive duty which devolved on him. Though some of us had previous- ly given our attention to the history of the early settlements on Connecticut river, and had studied the conduet and characters of the distinguished men who made them-particularly in the town of Wethersfield-we find that our researches were far too much restricted, being confined principally, to the right bank of the river. We are now taught, that a rich mine of historie lore exists on the other side of the river, and that the diggings there are worth looking at.
But the orator of the day, deserving as he is of all commendation, is not the only figure in the celebration meriting our regard. There were other heads and hands busily engaged for our benefit and entertainment; some ar- ranging the proceedings; others illustrating the manners and customs of for- mer times, among whom our ancient goodman astride his sorrel mare, and his fair dame on the pillion behind, are worthy of particular notice; and the next airing the worthy couple take, may we be there to see-and others, not a few or idle, who furnished the bountiful repast, and prompted the flow of soul.
The whole subject is so suggestive and exciting, that it is not safe or prop- er for an individual to occupy much of the short time that remains. On a review of the whole, the sons and daughters of Glastenbury will long remem- ber this celebration, as well they may, with pride and satisfaction.
10. The Orator of the Day.
11. " The Nutmeg State." The spice of the Republic.
12. The Heroes of our Colonial and Revolutionary Days.
13. The Church and School. The soul and mind of the State.
14. Public Education. A publie interest, and a publie charge.
15. The Mothers and Daughters of the Past and the Present. Whose la- bors and toils prepared the way for this day's festive joy, and the means of its delightful enjoyment.
VOLUNTEER TOASTS.
By JOHN A. HALE, Esq. Union and Harmony. As the streams gush- ing from the hills of Minnechaug, Kongscut, Nipsie, Wassuc, Naubuc and Nayaug, meet and mingle and flow on in harmony down the peaceful Con- necticut, so should we the citizens of these hills, meeting and mingling, flow on in harmony down the stream of life.
By Dr. CHILDS. Old Glastenbury. God bless her-" she never did bet-
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ter." May her Hales never fall-her Welles never fail-and if her Wrights should ever be wrong, may she never want a Smith to mend them.
By Rev. F. W. CHAPMAN. The Historian of Glastenbury. Indefatigable in his efforts to prepare an interesting and valuable history of the town ; may he be amply rewarded by an extensive and rapid sale of the work when it comes from the press.
Anonymous. To the Presiding Officer and his Assistants: Howe is it pos- ible for you to fail of success in the future any more than in the past, since you have by your side Posts of firmness, Welles of depth and clearness ; Smiths, Taylors, Millers and Carters, sufficient for all needful purposes, with men Strong and Hale as Sampson, to stay the vicious ; not to speak of the men of Gaines and Goodriches, all of whom, or Mosely, (mostly,) are known to be Wright.
The following letter with the accompanying toast was received by the Chairman of the Committee from the Rev. S. H. RIDDEL, formerly Pastor of the First Congregational Church in Glastenbury.
Letter from the Rev. Mr. Riddel.
BOSTON, May 16, 1853.
John A. Hale, Esq .:-
DEAR SIR :- I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your polite note of invitation to be present and participate in the ceremonies of the Cen- tennial Celebration of the town of Glastenbury, on the 18th instant. It would give me the sincerest pleasure, did circumstances admit of my being ab- sent from my engagements in this city at that time, to embrace so desirable an opportunity of meeting with the friends, with whom, during ten years, (the most interesting and pleasant of my life,) I was once associated as a fellow- citizen, in those relations of peculiar intimacy and responsibility pertaining to the Pastoral and Ministerial Functions. It had not occurred to me, until within a day or two previous to the receipt of your invitation, when I was in- cidentally informed of the fact, that the Second Centennial period of the settlement of Glastenbury was so near at hand; nor that the purpose had been entertained of commemorating the event by a public celebration. That purpose is one which I most fully approve, and which, if time admitted of my making any practicable arrangements to that effect, I should be most happy to assist, in any humble measure in my power, in carrying into execution. I regret exceedingly that it is otherwise; and that I am obliged to forego the pleasure of being present on the occasion, and sharing in the " Feast of Rea- son and the Flow of Soul," with which it will be hallowed. When standing thus at the goal where centuries complete their circuit, and listening to the voices that come swelling down from a venerable antiquity, our minds expe- rience sentiments of sublimity and sacred awe, which nothing else that is earthly can so much inspire. Among the memories which will be gathered into the day you celebrate, I am persuaded that, with so high-minded and vir- tuous a people, an honorable and grateful recognition will be given to those which flourish over the dust of a long succession of the Ministers of Christ, who have served their several generations, and rested from their labors among you. . To their faithful labors, in the different Christian denomina- tions with which they have stood connected, in preaching the Gospel of the Grace of GOD ; in founding and rearing up the Churches ; in fostering the interests of Popular Education; and in cherishing the spirit of an independ- ent, and at the same time, a just and law-abiding Civil Liberty among the people ; the present, and all coming generations, will be happy to acknowl- edge themselves indebted.
Could I be present, dear sir, and join with you and the numerous com- pany with whom you will be associated in the rational festivities of this your
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second Centennial Celebration, I should beg leave, in the spirit of profound deference and veneration, to offer as a sentiment-
The Memory of the Early Ministers of Glastenbury. Like the influence of their Doctrines and Example-IMMORTAL ON EARTH.
Very respectfully and truly yours,
SAMUEL H. RIDDEL.
To J. A. Hale, Esq., Chairman of Com. of Arrangements.
The following letter was received from Hon. CHARLES H. POND, Lieu- tenant Governor of the State :
HARTFORD, May 18th, 1853.
DEAR SIR :- Your polite invitation to attend the Centennial Celebration of Glastenbury, was duly received ; my answer has been deferred until this morning in the hope that I should be able to share in person the pleasures of this interesting occasion. Many and varied events and incidents oceur in reviewing the centennial history of a town, which interest not only its own citizens, but interest those who like to hear and see the evidences of the pros- perity of their fellow-citizens. I also hoped to have had the pleasure of meet- ing in your assemblage many valued friends; but I now find that cireum- stances will deny me the anticipated enjoyments. But, although I can not enjoy a personal participation of these pleasures, yet, I trust I shall have an opportunity of reading the doings and sayings of your celebration. Accept my thanks for your invitation ; should a chance offer, you can present this as my sentiment :
Glastenbury Celebration of 1853. May the blessings of your anniversary be increased a hundred fold at your celebration in 1953.
With great respect, your friend,
CHARLES H. POND.
To John A. Hale, Esq., Chairman, &c.
The following letter was also received by the Chairman of the Committee from-
REUBEN C. HALE, Esq., Surveyor of the Port of Philadelphia, whose father was a native of Glastenbury; son of (2) Elias W., (3) Gideon, (4) Benja- min, (5) Samuel, (6) Samuel.
PHILADELPHIA, May 14, 1853.
DEAR SIR :- I had anticipated much pleasure in attending your Centen- nial Celebration on the 18th instant, but the term of our Supreme Court commences on the 19th, and professsional engagements will prevent me from being present.
Glastenbury has always held a warm place in my heart. My father, Elias W. Hale, was born there, and my first visit to the old homestead was in his company many years since, when he met three brothers and three sisters. The lights and shadows of a quarter of a century have since swept along, and our fathers are in their graves; but one of the seven is left. There is to me a mournful pleasure in recalling my early impressions of the dear old town : its green meadows and sandy hills; its sunny brooks and arching elms; its pleasant walks and hospitable firesides, remain now as they were then, for railroads and canals have spared them. In vain, however, as I occasionally return and pass along the familiar street, do I look for many of those dear friends who then formed so bright a part in the picture. The old are in their graves, and the young, who are not sleeping by their side, are treading the
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busy pathway of life. But still, I love to drive down the sandy street. I meet some of the acquaintance of former years, and though their hair may have grown grey, and their cheeks furrowed, I find their hearts are as warm as in the sunny days of youth.
I should like to be with you on the joyous occasion, to meet your " fair women and brave men ;" but it may not be. With the sincere hope that the interesting occasion may be one of unmarred joy and happiness,
I remain, very respectfully,
R. C. HALE.
To John A. Hale, Esq., Chairman, &c.
The following letter to the Chairman of the Committee, is from the Hon. JAMES T. HALE, of Bellefonte, Penn .; son of (2) Reuben, (3) Gideon (4) Benjamin, (5) Samuel, (6) Samuel.
BELLEFONTE, May 5th 1853.
DEAR SIR :- Your letter inviting me to be present at the Centennial Celebration of the settlement of the town of Glastenbury, has been duly re- ceived. It would afford me sincere pleasure to accept the invitation and if previous engagements which can not be postponed or neglected, did not pre- vent me, I should certainly do so. I feel a lively interest in all that pertains to the land of my Fathers ; am proud to call myself a Yankee, although born out of the limits of your State, and I trust no son of Glastenbury, whether born within its limits or not, may ever do aught to sully the fair fame of his ancestors ; may ever forget the land which gave them birth, or cease to be influenced by the remembrance of those virtues which have laid deep and strong, the foundations of its prosperity, and have made New England the " Pride and Pattern of the Earth."
Highly appreciating the motives which have induced you to celebrate this anniversary, and wishing you the highest pleasure in its observance,
I remain, yours truly,
JAMES T. HALE.
To John A. Hale, Esq., Chairman, &c.
After leaving the table, various gentlemen were called upon for toasts, who responded with a sentiment and a speech. These are given so far as the Committee have been able to obtain reports of them.
The Hon. JOHN M. NILES, of Hartford, being called upon, responded : Mr. President :-
I am here, sir, as as an invited guest, not being a native of " Old Glasten- bury," but of a neighboring town in this valley, which bears the same, or as some think, an earlier date. On the call of the President, I will preface the sentiment I have to offer by a few suggestions. In what I have witness- ed here to-day, and at this moment in casting my eye over this vast assem- blage, I feel that this occasion is one of unusual and of solemn interest; an occasion that could not have occurred but once before since the settlement of the town, and which cannot occur again until the lapse of a century, when the vast multitude now before me will have passed away. It is an occasion which has brought together the whole population of this ancient town, and many of its sons and daughters who at different periods have left the green spot that gave them birth, and sought a home in other parts of our broad country, more or less remote. And many of those who have closed their earthly pilgrimage, are represented here by their children, and their child- ren's children. Many of the inhabitants of that division of the original town west of the river, are here, and also from other neighboring towns. The oc-
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casion directs the mind to the past ; to a review of the history of this ancient and first settlement in this beautiful valley ; of the seed scattered by the Pil- grims in the wilderness, which fell not on stony ground, but took root in a fertile soil, and has produced an abundant harvest, unequalled in the annals of colonization, in any age or country. In the admirable address we have listened to, our memories have been refreshed by a recital of many facts, showing the difficulties, privations and struggles of our Pilgrim Fathers, who first planted the seeds of civilization and Christianity in this valley, and with these, were planted the seeds of freedom, with the Puritan strictness of morals. The momentous results of this little valley settlement of only three towns, in a political, social and religious point of view, who can fully comprehend ? Who can declare the extent of its influence on the destiny of this great country, now stretching from ocean to ocean ? Those Pilgrims had no con- ception of what were to be the fruits of the work in which they were engaged. Whilst seeking only security for their religion and the enjoyment of civil freedom for themselves and their children, they were laying the foundations of a free Republic, such as the sun has never shone upon, and introducing a new phase of civilization. Surely the hand of Providence must have been in this enterprise ! The subject is too vast, and I forbear ; besides, few can hear my voice.
We have before us unmistakable evidence of some of the fruits of this new phase of civilization, religion, freedom and morals. This evidence is the as- sembled multitude around me. It has been my fortune to have witnessed many large assemblages of people in our own and in other countries, but I have never seen such an assemblage as this out of New England; nor do I believe such a one can be gathered together in any other part of the world. Here are neither Patricians nor Plebeians, Lords nor Serfs ; titled rank nor hereditary degradation, the trappings of overgrown wealth nor the squalid- ness of poverty ; nor the " proud man's contumely" nor the servility of the poor. Here, after the lapse of two centuries, we see some of the fruits of the institutions and principles of religion, freedom, morals and education of the first settlers of this valley. But these fruits are not now confined to this locality. The three towns constituting the valley settlements, were the germs of the Commonwealth. And when the State was settled, the enterprize of this people led them beyond its borders ; first, up the valley, planting them- selves in old Hampshire and Berkshire counties in Massachusetts; then further on into Vermont and New Hampshire. Vermont was the first child of Connecticut. They then penetrated West, planting themselves on the Hudson, Mohawk and in Western New York, and reaching Ohio, they took exclusive possession of a large district of that State. Connecticut is in Ohio, and where may you not find it ? Is it not in Michigan, in northern Illinois, in Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota ? And if you pass the Rocky Mountains, you will find it on the shores of the Pacific. This little settlement in this val- ley, became a germ of States-the seed of a great people.
And wherever the sons of Connecticut have gone, they have taken their principles, morals and social habits with them, to which they have steadfastly adhered, and caused them to take root on the rivers and prairies of the West, and even in the more hard and stony soil of the Atlantic cities. Without indulging further the thoughts that press on the mind, I offer as a senti- ment-
The Three First Towns in this Valley, Windsor, Hartford and Wethersfield. The germ of our Commonwealth-the seed which has been scattered over our broad country, and never yet found a soil where it did not take root and produce an abundant harvest.
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The Rev. ISAAC WM. PLUMMER, a native of Glastenbury, being called upon said,-
Mr. President of the Day:
You have called me up unexpectedly to offer a sentiment. And on an occasion like this, a sentiment should mean a Toast-something " cut and dried." And certainly, sir, I have nothing of the kind to give.
But to a man who has been absent from home and from his friends, a year and a half, and who returns to greet them at a festival like this, a sentiment is very apt to mean an emotion, and a throb of the heart; and I am not ashamed to say that I have sentiments of this kind-more than I could well give you.
And my first sentiment is, that I am very glad to see you all again. I am glad to see these invited guests, and these friendly visitors.
I have shaken hands, and given and received gratulations all day; and now, in this public way let me make my salutation to Old Glastenbury, and say-I am happy to see you looking so well.
And there, (pointing at the evergreen motto, " Welcome Home,") is your greeting to me. Your hands and eyes and lips have said it all day, and I feel and know that I am welcome home.
Friends, I cannot easily tell you in this off-hand way, how much this Day of Remembrance has done to bring down to me the Living Power and Sig- nificance of the Men and the Times that have gone before us-and to make me conscious of our Oneness with them.
We stand here upon the " Green" to day ; we are alive, and breathe the upper air ; but how suitable on an occasion like this, and how touching, that the Green and the Grave-yard should lie thus side by side. Here, is a living throng, above the turf, and like the grass we flourish for a little season. There, is another multitude, unseen and silent, beneath the sod; and the stones alone tell their names and their places. But, sir, to us a people, there is no other burial-ground like that, in all this world. Not that it is more picturesque than others, or more highly adorned : that were as nothing in comparison with the fact that it is our Ancestry-and they are our Fore- fathers who sleep there. And were we to take with us this thought of our oneness with them, and stand above their dust, and look upon their epitaphs, it might well startle us to read our own names letter by letter upon their tombstones. Indeed, what are we but bone of their bone and flesh of their flesh ? Do we not move here in their likeness to day ? Do we not carry their faces, and walk with their gait, and look with their expression ?
And yet, it is not this lineage of the blood, and of the natural life which we commemorate by these observances, and chiefly seek to honor. This, is but the outside of a something more central, and of deeper consequence. By far the better part of our ancestral heritage runs in channels deeper than the veins : it runs in the channels of our thinking, if it runs at all. It com- municates itself to souls that are kindred to their souls. It circulates through minds that can do and dare in this day, and for these times as they dared, and as they did in their own day and generation ; minds that can catch the living spirit of republican citizenship, and that can foresee, and under God can foreordain the more than imperial magnificence of Republican Sovereignty, which is yet to be revealed.
I have mused a little over the question whether we should not honor our Fathers best, by remembering that they have not done all the work which Freedom has to be done ; and that there are other kinds of freedom besides the freedom of the State, yet to be achieved.
Think only of Laws that sanction Slavery, or that protect Intemperance. Think of our system of Public Education not yet truly republicanized.
And in behalf of each of these three provinces, yet to be gained by con-
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quest to the Realm of Freedom, the God of Liberty is already mustering his forces, and choosing his champions.
And I suppose, sir, that if we look a little farther, we may find still other provinces, which are to be annexed to that same realm of Liberty, all in due time. For example, perhaps, one of these days we shall feel the need of freedom from party spirit. Party spirit-that blind Samson between the two pillars-or worse yet, that heathen giant Polyphemus with his one eye in the middle of his forehead-or still worse, that false-birth of a Christian Repub- lieanism, with its two eyes so given over of God to Judicial Blindness, that it can only see that our Party is altogether white, and your Party is altogether black.
And, for another example, possibly the day may come when we shall feel the need of freedom from the Spirit of Democracy-that vulgar feeling of personal consequence which says, "I am as good as you"-that false and im- pudent independence that can see no distinction between Political Equality and Personal Equality-between the equality of legal privilege and an equality of inward worth ; and which abhors principalities and powers and dignities after such a fashion that it forbears to respect any thing, even itself.
* * * *
But, Mr. President, I should be glad to say a few words to show how my mind has been kept at work all day, listening, and interpreting to itself, and catching the far-off meanings of these emblems and memorials of things which have passed from sight, but yet have not passed away.
What a strange meeting of things near, and of things that are far off. What a gathering of similitudes and contrasts : What a singular harmony of concords and discords, all blending themselves into one deep, solemn and beautiful meaning.
Why sir ! they made the dawn of the day explode upon us with the shock of artillery ; and then, while our startled ears lay and listened for the second burst-behold instead, the silvery tongue of the Sabbath bell began its Reci- tative of Peace on earth and good will to men. And with such a dialogue the drama of the day was opened-cannon and bells-bells and cannon -- a voice from the battle-field-the reply, from the House of God.
And then, those mighty banners ! spreading themselves abroad over our streets, that they might be as a covering and a defence to our place and people.
It could not have been expected, I know, that I should grow inspired at the sight of our poor, tormented star-spangled banner. But then, it happen- ed before the muster of the day had begun; and the banners and I had the street all to ourselves : and never as then, did the Flag of our Country tell me its story of Sovereignty and Protection, and of the Bravery of a true Freedom and a Living Peace. There they floated, wide and high, enwreath- ing themselves with the verdure of our Elms; and every wave seemed slow, majestic and silent with recollection : and as I rode beneath their waving shadow, other shadows and other waves swept over me-the shadows of the Past-the waves of its generations. I thought of the Tide of Time-history came to life again-the Memories of two hundred years returned to look me in the face, and the very Dead seemed alive. And I said to myself " In truth this Is ' Old Glastenbury'" -- Let us be still and hcarken !
Thus one side of a new contrast was given to me; and forthwith the other side appeared. For at my next view the Living were there : The Present had come forth to spend a day with the Past.
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