USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Bridgewater > Celebration of the two-hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, at West Bridgewater, June 3, 1856 > Part 1
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Gc 974.402 B76br 1417490
M. L.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01105 7673
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/celebrationoftwo1856brid
Rt. Rev. Manton Eastburn with the kind Regards
W Aller
CELEBRATION
OF THE
Two-hundredth Anniversary
OF THE
INCORPORATION OF BRIDGEWATER,
MASSACHUSETTS,
AT WEST BRIDGEWATER, JUNE 3, 1856;
INCLUDING THE
ADDRESS BY HON. EMORY WASHBURN, OF WORCESTER;
POEM BY JAMES REED, A.B., OF BOSTON ;
AND THE OTHER EXERCISES OF THE OCCASION.
With an Appendix.
PUBLISHED BY REQUEST OF THE COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS.
BOSTON : PRINTED BY JOHN WILSON AND SON, 22, SCHOOL STREET. 1856.
BRIDGEWATER
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION,
1856.
19
'ISNON- NMOL ONV HOUCHO TO
CELEBRATION
INCORPORATION OF BRIDGEWATER
AT WWME DRIDIEMATER JEG
-
BOSTON
CELEBRATION
OF THE
Two-Hundredth Anniversary
OF THE
INCORPORATION OF BRIDGEWATER.
MASSACHUSETTS,
AT WEST BRIDGEWATER, JUNE 3, 1856;
INCLUDING THE
ADDRESS BY HON. EMORY WASHBURN, OF WORCESTER ;
POEM BY JAMES REED, A.B., OF BOSTON ;
AND THE OTHER EXERCISES OF THE OCCASION.
Talith an Appendix.
PUBLISHED BY REQUEST OF THE COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS.
BOSTON : PRINTED BY JOHN WILSON AND SON, 22, SCHOOL STREET. 1856.
1417490
At a meeting of the Committee of Arrangements, held this day, the following vote was passed unanimously : -
Voted, That the thanks of the Committee be presented to the Hon. EMORY WASHBURN for his learned, eloquent, and interesting Address, delivered on the Two-Hundredth Anniversary of the Incorporation of the Town of ancient Bridge- water, and that he be requested to furnish us a copy thereof for the press.
A true copy. Attest,
FRANKLIN AMES, Secretary.
WEST BRIDGEWATER, June 5, 1856.
WORCESTER, June 20, 1856.
DEAR SIR,
The kind terms in which the Committee were pleased to communicate a request for a copy of the Address, which I had the honor to deliver on the third instant, hardly leave me free to deliberate. If it can be a means of gratifying any one, I do not feel at liberty to refuse it, and therefore hasten to comply with the wish expressed in this vote of the fifth instant.
I am, Sir,
Very respectfully your obedient servant,
EMORY WASHBURN.
FRANKLIN AMES, Esq., Secretary.
LbbE .D.d El-1986
69-51-9 1
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
INTRODUCTORY
OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES 11 ORDER OF PROCESSION . 17
9
HYMN BY WILLIAM C. BRYANT, ESQ., OF NEW YORK 18
ADDRESS BY HON. EMORY WASHBURN, OF WORCESTER
20
POEM BY JAMES REED, A.B., OF BOSTON
83
HYMN BY REV. DANIEL HUNTINGTON, OF NEW LONDON 97
WELCOME ADDRESS BY HON. JOHN A. SHAW, OF BRIDGEWATER 99
REMARKS BY HON. EZEKIEL WHITMAN, OF EAST BRIDGEWATER ยท 104
" HON. LEMUEL SHAW, OF BOSTON 110 ",
" HON. EMORY WASHBURN, OF WORCESTER . 116
REV. RALPH SANGER, OF DOVER .
118
" HON. GEORGE P. SANGER, OF BOSTON 121
" HON. WILLIAM BAYLIES, OF WEST BRIDGEWATER 124
DR. EBENEZER ALDEN, OF RANDOLPH 126
" HON. AARON HOBART, OF EAST BRIDGEWATER 130
"
HON. SETH SPRAGUE, OF DUXBURY 135
" HON. JAMES M. KEITH, OF ROXBURY 137
"
viii
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
SONGS WRITTEN BY MR. D. W. C. PACKARD, OF NORTH BRIDGEWATER . 141
LETTER FROM HIS EXCELLENCY HENRY J. GARDNER . 143
HON. EDWARD EVERETT, OF BOSTON 144
.. HON. CHARLES E. FORBES, OF NORTHAMPTON 144
.. .. HON. ISRAEL WASHBURN, JUN., OF MAINE . 145
.. .. HON. ELIJAH HAYWARD, OF OHIO . 146
HON. JAMES SAVAGE, OF BOSTON . . 148
..
HON. C. C. WASHBURN, OF WISCONSIN
149
ADDRESS TO THOSE WHO MAY CELEBRATE THE THIRD CENTENNIAL
ANNIVERSARY
. 150
APPENDIX
. 159
BRIDGEWATER
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
A MEETING of citizens of the four Bridgewaters was held at the Town-hall in West Bridgewater, Feb. 2, 1856, pursuant to public notice, to consider the expediency of celebrating the Second Centennial Anniversary of the Incorporation of the ancient town of Bridgewater, on the third day of June, 1856. Hon. JOHN A. SHAW, of Bridgewater, was chosen Chairman ; and FRANKLIN AMES, Esq., of North Bridgewater, Secretary.
It was resolved unanimously to hold such a cele- bration at West Bridgewater, where the first white inhabitants of the old town settled; and a Committee of forty-eight was chosen, consisting of twelve per- sons from each of the Bridgewaters, to make all the arrangements therefor, and carry the same into exe-
* BRIDGEWATER was incorporated June 3, 1656. NORTH BRIDGEWATER, June 15, 1821. WEST BRIDGEWATER, February 16, 1822. EAST BRIDGEWATER, June 14, 1823.
2
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BRIDGEWATER
cution. Said Committee consisted of the following persons : -
Jonathan Copeland, Albe Howard, Pardon Cope- land, Nahum Leonard, Nahum Snell, Thomas Ames, James Alger, Henry H. Whitman, Joseph Kingman, Austin Packard, Calvin Williams, and Dwelley Fobes, of West Bridgewater.
John A. Shaw, Artemas Hale, Philander Leach, Horace Ames, John Edson, Williams Latham, Tho- mas Cushman, David Perkins, Spencer Leonard, jun., Abram Washburn, Mitchell Hooper, and Calvin B. Pratt, of Bridgewater.
Welcome Young, William Allen, Azor Harris, James H. Mitchell, Samuel B. Allen, Benjamin W. Harris, Asa Mitchell, Aaron Hobart, jun., James Bates, Nathan Whitman, Seth Bryant, and Hector O. A. Orr, of East Bridgewater.
Eliab Whitman, Edward Southworth, jun., Perez Marshall, Franklin Ames, Ellis Packard, Martin L. Keith, George W. Bryant, Henry W. Robinson, Henry Howard, Isaac Kingman, Samuel Dunbar, and Jonas R. Perkins, of North Bridgewater.
It was decided by the Committee of Arrangements to have an address, a poem, and a dinner; and Austin Packard, Artemas Hale, William Allen, and Edward Southworth, jun., were chosen a Committee to pro- cure suitable persons to deliver the address and poem, and to employ the services of such clergymen as they might think proper.
11
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
Joseph Kingman, Calvin Williams, Henry H. Whitman, Mitchell Hooper, Williams Latham, Calvin B. Pratt, Benjamin W. Harris, James Bates, James H. Mitchell, Ellis Packard, Martin L. Keith, and George W. Bryant, were chosen a Committee to fix upon a definite plan of procedure, and report at the adjournment of the meeting.
In pursuance of the report of the last-named Com- mittee, the following officers were chosen : -
President of the Day.
JOHN A. SHAW.
Vice-Presidents.
NAHUM LEONARD.
JONATHAN COPELAND.
BENJAMIN B. HOWARD.
WILLIAM BAYLIES.
CUSHING MITCHELL.
PARDON KEITH. ARTEMAS HALE.
AZOR HARRIS. ELIAB WHITMAN.
SAMUEL LEONARD.
SAMUEL DUNBAR.
PHILIP E. HILL.
JOSIAH W. KINGMAN.
EDWARD SOUTHWORTH.
FRANKLIN AMES.
Treasurer.
AUSTIN PACKARD.
Chief Marshal. AARON B. DRAKE.
Assistant Marshals.
THOMAS AMES. GEORGE L. ANDREWS.
JAMES BATES. FRANCIS M. FRENCH.
Toast-Master.
BENJAMIN W. HARRIS.
HOLMES SPRAGUE. SOLOMON ALDEN.
EZEKIEL WHITMAN. AARON HOBART.
WELCOME YOUNG.
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BRIDGEWATER
Assistant Toast-Masters.
JOSEPH KINGMAN. 1 GEORGE W. BRYANT. DAVID PERKINS.
Committee of Finance.
DWELLEY FOBES.
ROBERT PERKINS.
NATHAN WHITMAN.
GEORGE W. BRYANT.
Committee on Sentiments, Invitations, and Reception of Guests.
AUSTIN PACKARD.
JOSEPH KINGMAN.
JOHN A. SHAW.
ARTEMAS HALE.
WILLIAM ALLEN.
ASA MITCHELL.
EDWARD SOUTHWORTH, jun. JONAS R. PERKINS.
Committee on Music.
NAHUM SNELL. SOLOMON KEITH.
EZRA KINGMAN.
ELLIS PACKARD.
Executive Committee.
THOMAS AMES. HENRY H. WHITMAN.
CALVIN WILLIAMS.
GEORGE WILBAR.
AMASA HOWARD.
WILLIAMS LATHAM. CALVIN B. PRATT.
JAMES H. MITCHELL.
SETH BRYANT. ELLIS PACKARD.
MARTIN L. KEITHI.
Committee to print the Address and Poem, with a Report of the Celebration.
AUSTIN PACKARD. ARTEMAS HALE.
WILLIAM ALLEN. FRANKLIN AMES.
Committee to prepare an Address to those who may celebrate the Third Centennial Anniversary.
JOSEPH KINGMAN. DWELLEY FOBES. JOHN A. SHAW. THOMAS CUSHMAN.
WILLIAM ALLEN. ASA MITCHELL. EDWARD SOUTHWORTH, jun. PAUL COUCH.
13
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
The Chief Marshal was authorized to appoint his aids, and the Assistant Marshals their aids.
The Executive Committee was authorized to act upon and decide all matters not specially assigned to any other Committee.
The several towns appropriated their proportion of one thousand dollars towards defraying the expenses of the celebration.
And the Committee on Printing was directed to enclose the various documents, relating to the Cele- bration, in a box, and deposit the same in the town- safe at Bridgewater, for the use of those who may celebrate the Third Centennial Anniversary.
The ringing of the bells on all the churches in the four towns, and the discharge of cannon, announced the dawn of the Centennial Day. The weather was as pleasant as could be desired, and a large number of people assembled to join in the festivities of the occasion.
Several places of historical note were appropriately designated, among which were the following : -
" CENTRE TREE."
A stone monument now occupies the place where the Centre Tree formerly stood. It was long known as the centre of Bridgewater, and was established, pursuant to an order of the Court at Plymouth, soon
14
BRIDGEWATER
after the incorporation of the town. It is on the southerly side of the road between the railroad and the house of Thomas Hayward, who, with his ances- tors, has owned and occupied the place about one hundred and fifty years.
" FLAT ROCK."
Rev. James Keith, the first minister of Bridgewater, is said to have preached his first sermon on this rock in 1664. An anecdote is related of him, the narration of which may help explain the meaning of a placard on the route of the procession. It appears that Mini- ster Keith had a daughter, Mary, who gave her heart to Ephraim, son of John Howard, the first settler of that name. Mary's father did not approve of the match; notwithstanding which, the lovers were united. The displeased clergyman preached a sermon, appro- priate to the occasion and to his feelings, from the following text : " Ephraim is joined to idols : let him alone." (Hos. iv. 17.) As time rolled on, Parson Keith became reconciled to his son-in-law, and learned to love and respect him. The parson then preached another sermon, and took for his text, " Is Ephraim my dear son ? is he a pleasant child ? For, since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still ; therefore my bowels are troubled for him: I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord." (Jer. xxxi. 20.)
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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
"INDIANS HERE IMPOUNDED."
According to Mitchell's " History of Bridgewater," a number of Indian prisoners were conveyed into the Town Pound on the night of Aug. 3, 1676, and an Indian guard set over them. "They were treated with victuals and drink, and had a merry night ; and the prisoners laughed as loud as the soldiers, not hav- ing been so well treated before for a long time."
The Green, selected as the place of general rendez- vous, was admirably adapted to the purpose. It can be entered by five different roads ; allowing a separate entrance for the procession from each of the four Bridgewaters, besides a common passage out when united in one column. Over each street through which the processions entered, was suspended one of the following inscriptions : -
"WEST PRECINCT." * "SOUTH PRECINCT, 1716." "EAST PRECINCT, 1723." "NORTH PRECINCT, 1738."
Over the street through which the general proces- sion passed from the Green, was erected a triumphal arch, surmounted by the American eagle and flags, with the inscription, -
" BRIDGEWATER, JUNE 3, 1656."
* The West Precinct, or Parish, was never incorporated by any act of the legislature, but succeeded the old town in the transaction of parochial affairs. - The figures show when the other parishes were incorporated.
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BRIDGEWATER
In the centre of the Green, a flag-staff was erected, and a structure for the exhibition of antiquities. This is the place where stood the old meeting-house built in 1731, and which, for many years, served the double purpose of a church and town-house.
The houses of Jarvis D. Burrell, Daniel Chaplin, Isaac Howard, Jonas Leonard, and the store of Baker and Williams, fronting the Green, and the houses of Francis Perkins, Sencca Folsom, Thomas Ames, Ben- jamin Howard, Daniel H. Baker, and others, were elegantly and tastefully decorated, under the direction of Col. William Beals, of Boston.
The inhabitants of each town assembled at an early hour, at a short distance from the Green, and formed a procession in such order as their respective Marshals directed.
The general procession, which was one of the great features of the day, was formed on the Green, at ten o'clock in the morning, and marched under the arch, by the mills, the houses of Benjamin Howard, Daniel H. Baker, and the meeting-house, under the direction of the Chief Marshal, escorted by the North Bridge- water Light Dragoons, Capt. H. A. Raymond, and Gilmore's Salem Brass Band, occupying about forty minutes in passing a given point, in the following order : * -
. The procession was amused in passing by W. C. Bailey, who was beating anl swingling flax.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 17
Aid.
CHIEF MARSHAL. Aid.
PRESIDENT AND ORATOR OF THE DAY.
POET AND CHAPLAINS.
INVITED GUESTS.
CLERGYMEN OF THE FOUR BRIDGEWATERS.
COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS.
VICE-PRESIDENTS OF THE DAY.
Aid. ASSISTANT MARSHAL. Aid.
THE WEST-BRIDGEWATER PROCESSION, Preceded by Flagg's Cornet Band,
Consisted of a large number of Citizens, with Banners, and the Pupils of the Public Schools, with their Teachers.
Aid. ASSISTANT MARSHAL. Aid.
THE BRIDGEWATER PROCESSION,
Preceded by the Boston Brass Band,
Had two beautifully painted Banners; one representing Bridgewater in 1656, the other in 1856. Accompanying the same procession was a large Carriage, con- taining a Representation of a School in Old Times, with the Teacher and her Pupils in the dress of those days. A gentleman rode on horseback, with a lady sitting on a pillion behind him. Then came a Carriage laden with Old and Modern Implements of Agriculture, followed by Old Chaises and other vehi- cles, filled with people dressed in the costume of former years.
Aid. ASSISTANT MARSHAL. Aid.
THE EAST-BRIDGEWATER PROCESSION,
Preceded by the Boston Brigade Band,
Comprised a Cavalcade of Citizens; a Corps of the Veterans of 1812, commanded by Capt. ELY BLANCHARD; a Representation of the Purchase of Bridgewater, in 1649, by Miles Standish, Samuel Nash, and Constant Southworth, -in behalf of the townsmen of Duxbury, and in the garb of our Puritan ancestors, - of Massasoit (or " Ousamequin," as he was then called), in the perfect costume of his tribe, from the feathery ornaments of the head to the decorated mocca- sons of the feet, with one hand resting upon a gun, and holding in the other the deed or written instrument of bargain and sale. The Scholars of the District Schools rode in carriages, covered with green boughs, bearing a Banner, in- scribed with, -" We revere our Forefathers." Another Banner bore the date of "1723,"- the time when the East Parish was incorporated.
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BRIDGEWATER
Aid
ASSISTANT MARSHAL. Aid
THE NORTH-BRIDGEWATER PROCESSION,
Preceded by the Brass Band of that Town,
Comprised a Corps of Soldiers dressed in the military costume of the Conti- nentals, commanded by Capt. JOHN BATTLES; the Campello Rangers, Capt. ZIBA KEITH; the Protector Engine Company, Capt. C. L. HAUTHAWAY, with their engine beautifully decorated, and drawn by four horses ; after which came the Enterprise Engine Company in uniform, and a large number of Citizens.
At twelve o'clock, the general procession entered the Pavilion, erected for the purpose by R. M. YALE, of Boston, in a field on the easterly side of the main street, between the houses of Azel Howard and William Copeland.
The exercises commenced by an Invocation by Rev. JONAS PERKINS, of Braintree.
The following Hymn, written by WILLIAM C. BRYANT, Esq., of New York, was sung by the assembled multitude to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne : "-
Two hundred times has June renewed Her roses, since the day When here, amid the lonely wood, Our fathers met to pray.
Beside this gentle stream, that strayed Through pathless deserts then, The calm, heroic women prayed, And grave, undaunted men.
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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
Hymns on the ancient silence broke From hearts that faltered not, And undissembling lips that spoke The free and guileless thought.
They prayed, and thanked the Mighty One Who made their hearts so strong, And led them towards the setting sun, Beyond the reach of wrong.
For them he made that desert-place A pleasant heritage, -- The cradle of a free-born race From peaceful age to age.
The plant they set - a little vine - Hath stretched its boughs afar To distant hills and streams that shine Beneath the evening star.
1
Ours are their fields, - these fields that smile With summer's early flowers : Oh, let their fearless scorn of guile, And love of truth, be ours !
Prayer was offered by Rev. PAUL COUCH, of North Bridgewater.
Hon. EMORY WASHBURN, of Worcester, delivered the following Address : -
20
BRIDGEWATER
ADDRESS.
WE have come up hither, to-day, to lay the offer- ings of cherished memories and honest pride upon altars which our fathers reared here in years that are past.
Two centuries have consecrated the spot by its history and associations ; and we dedicate the day to the reminiscences which this anniversary is calcu- lated to awaken.
Though there be little in the annals of such a com- munity that might be deemed worthy of a place in a nation's history, it is because the same courage and fortitude, the same love of country, and the same devotion to truth and humanity, which have immor- talized heroes and martyrs and patriots on a broader stage of action, have here been circumscribed within a narrower sphere.
Though the history of this little community may properly form the theme of our reflections on an anni- versary like this, we can neither contemplate the characters of its founders, nor the events that led to
21
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
the planting of this offshoot from the original colony, without recalling the men and the circumstances by which that colony itself was planted.
It cannot, however, be necessary, before this audience, to tell who and what were the Pilgrims who founded the Plymouth colony.
You know them; the world knows them; and their names will not perish till this wide continent itself shall have passed away. And standing, as we do, upon a spot which was witness to some of their struggles, and whose occupancy was among the early fruits of their triumph over the difficulties that surrounded them, the memory goes back instinctively to that train of events which was crowned by the planting of a colony of free and enlightened English- men on the shores of New England.
Bear with me, therefore, while I attempt to recall some of the circumstances which were connected with that system of training, and that sequence of events, which, in the order of Providence, made the founders of Plymouth the instruments of a social and political revolution more important in its consequences than any other that the world ever witnessed.
The world had, for centuries, exhibited the social antagonism of weakness and endurance on the part of the masses, and of arrogance and oppression on the part of their rulers, relieved, occasionally only, by the rise of some little republic, or the violent over- throw of some ancient dynasty.
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BRIDGEWATER
But neither in the political condition of the nations of the Old World, nor the extent of knowledge diffused among the masses, was there any well-grounded hope of any thing like a radical reform. Old notions, old habits, old prejudices, and old institutions, had ob- tained such possession of the popular mind in the Old World, that, to human calculation, it seemed impos- sible to lift the weight that was pressing it down.
If the light at any time dawned on any favored spot, every ray was soon absorbed and extinguished by the thick and impenetrable darkness by which it was surrounded; and the world had for a long time waited for some great movement to arouse the masses to something like a common purpose, when the Reformation broke the spell which bigotry and superstition had thrown over the human mind.
But there was danger that even this great move- ment would exhaust itself and subside. The excite- ment arising from the novelty of its views had passed away; the force of old habits and associations was already beginning to be manifested in a returning attachment to forms, and a growing reverence for the pomp and ceremony of a ritual that had so long daz- zled the senses of a superstitious multitude.
The leading spirits in that revolution had, one after the other, gone to their reward. Wickliff and Huss and Luther and Zwingli and Knox and Calvin had each done a noble work towards the religious emanci- pation of Christendom; but the spirit of trade and
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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
commerce, the love of ease and the possession of power, had begun to distract the counsels and subdue the zeal of those to whom had been intrusted the completion of the work. Even in England, the strong- hold of the Reformation, the punctilios of ceremony, the vestments of the clergy, and the ritual of the church, had usurped that place in the public mind which the true spirit of Protestantism had assigned only to the truths and mysteries of our holy religion.
Between the intolerance of the Roman pontiff and the scarcely less intolerant catholicism of the head of the Protestant English church, Protestantism was in danger of being crushed for ever. Power was against it; the passions of the human heart were against it; worldly ambition was against it; and the traditions of the past, as well as the love of present ease and comfort, were against it; and in few spots in the Old World was there any thing like a free play of the human reason to be found.
As we now look at the subject, from this point of view, one place of refuge only presents itself, where the faith of the reformers may be safe ; and that is the untrodden wilderness of the New World. There, away from the seductions of worldly power and worldly honors, beyond the empire of fashion and of rituals, with a field open and free for culture, Truth may strike its roots deep into a friendly soil, and spring up in vigor and beauty to bear the fruit of free institutions.
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BRIDGEWATER
But place was not the only circumstance concerned in the preservation and development of great princi- ples like those of the Reformation. Nor was it mere freedom in matters of conscience to which that move- ment tended. Though it came in the form of inde- pendence in religious opinions, its scope embraced civil as well as religious liberty, and depended for its ultimate success upon the character of its actors, and the opportunity they enjoyed for the exercise of the powers they possessed.
And, as we contemplate this subject more in detail, we perceive, that, in order to plant a colony which should stand by its own strength, and grow by its own inherent energy, it must be made of sterner stuff, and be actuated by higher motives, than any that had hitherto been attempted in the northern parts of America.
Enterprise after enterprise had failed, although fostered and encouraged by royal favor or the patron- age of the great. Cartier and Roberval had aban- doned their efforts to colonize Canada, while sustained by the prestige and the power of the monarch of France. The settlers at Sagadahoc, though patronized and encouraged by Popham, the Lord Chief Justice of England, after the experience of a single winter, had gone back to England, defeated and disheartened. Gosnold, under the favor of the Earl of Southampton, had begun an experiment, which, after a few months, he had ingloriously given up, even before he had
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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
encountered the rigors of the climate or the discom- forts of the emigrant.
Smith had explored, and given the attractive name of " New England " to, this portion of the continent ; but the men who should plant it, who should open its rugged soil to the sun, and fit it for the habitations of civilized life, were yet to be found. If they were not yet to be created, they had not yet been educated or trained for such a work as this. There were for the work certain qualifications which were essential to success ; and even these, without a proper course of training, would be found inadequate for its accom- plishment.
Nor are we at a loss to judge from what nation, and from what race, the founders of such a colony must come.
For centuries, the Briton, the Roman, the Saxon, and the Norman, had been mingling and blending into what we call the Anglo-Saxon race, the traits of whose character are still being manifested in the onward march towards universal empire. If we ana- lyze that character, it will be found to embrace the very elements the most needed in a work like that which we now know the founders of Plymouth colony had before them.
Promptness in devising plans, combined with a dogged perseverance in their execution; calmness in judgment, kept in vigorous action by the stimulus of self-love, and ambition for power, - were some of the
4
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BRIDGEWATER
characteristics of that race, whose political wisdom, inexhaustible resources, and warlike prowess, have filled so important a page in the history of na- tions.
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