USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Hubbardston > An address, in commemoration of the one hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Hubbardston, Mass. > Part 7
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The prosperity of a people from the nation to the individual, depends upon moral status, not on wealth or ontward seeming. A good, posthumous reputation, whether of person or a community, is a thing we may justly crave and labor for. You know me too well to think, for a moment, that I would urge yon to the en- couragement and planting of high moral ideas, for the sake of ontward good, though, on that ground, one could say much. .
The Christian idea is the only truc one-" he that loseth his life shall keep it unto life eternal." The performance of present duty, in the way and place of divine appointment, in an unselfish spirit, is the performance of duty to birth- place and brethren, and to coming generations.
We need no prophet's eye to enable us to look into the future, to determine what seed we shall sow, so that the future fruits shall be adequate to that coming gen- cration's wants. Duty lies in present action, in self-denial, and sacrifice, and labor for present good, in training our children by example, and teaching them to live for the future good of all that shall succeed them, by living for the good of those around them. * *
The noble, strong, good, valiant, reliable minds and hearts and hands, are not those who received their nobility, or strength, or valor, or goodness, by descent, but those who, inspired by trne ideas of greatness, and feeling that they were born of God, and endowed with power for good deeds, went out of themselves, and consecrated all to noble issues,-who, it may be, desired to live in the world's esteem as Christ did in the memory of coming times, but remembered in all, the trne foundation, and built on that.
6. The Orator and Poet of the day.
When Hubbardston has any favors to ask in their line, they will ever be found ready and willing to be-Store.
To which the Rev. J. M. Stowe very humorously replied, which was
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received with bursts of applause. The President then called upon Deacon Ephraim Stowe, and all that could have been said by the son to heighten the mirth and excitement, but was by him neglected, was added by the father, which emphatically " brought down the house.''
7. Barre, Our right hand sister,-a fortress on our Western horder. We know che will protect ns, and yet we do not fear her, even though her Woods come towards us.
The President now called upon Edwin Woods, Esq., of Barre, whom it was expected would have been present, but Mr. W. did not respond. Whereupon the President said, " Isee before me a gentleman from Con- cord, who thangh uot claiming to be a native of Hubbardston, yet he united with one of our Churches more than thirty years ago, and although never a resident in our town. has ever since continned a con- sistent member, and endeared himself to all our Churches. I call upon Sampson Mason. Esq., * of Concord."
Mr. M. responded as follows :
A hundred years-a hundred years-have mingled with the past, Since in this pleasant, rural town our fathers' lines were east. A hundred years-a hundred years-and this the natal day ; Of all that proud, ancestral race-our fathers-where are they ?
Their children's children hither come, a jubilee to keep, While their ancestral, patriarch sires rest from their toil, and sleep ; Not homes like these, or pleasant fields, for them were spread around, But, on a howling wilderness Wachusett moumain frowned.
The wintry clouds hang darker then, and deeper fell the snow, And stronger were the icy chains that checked the river's flow ; The hungry wolf, the savage bear, with Irking, stealthy tread, Came prowling round those scattered homes, their terror and their dread. And sad the legendary tale, narrated to our day, How to these fierce intruders two children fell a prey.
Dense forests of primeval trees some new-made home concealed, And only where its tire-side blazed, the enrling smoke revealed. Oft seantily the board was spread, and thin their homespun clothes, A failing crop, or seanty yield, were added to their woes.
Their candle was the flaming knot, to light the little room, As whirled the busy spinning wheel, or clatter went the loom ; The day's more active labors done in forest or in field, Evening claimed some lighter task, ere sleep their eyelids sealed. Anon these wilds were furrowed land, the forest felt the axe, Onr mothers made the dairy thrive, and spun the wool and flax.
* Husband of Mary Church.
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A brighter day seemed dawning now, when care and fear should cease ; The herd were thriving in the stall, earth yielded her increase ; The church had gathered in her flock, the place of worship rose, Secluded 'midst surrounding hills did Hubbardston repose.
A term of many happy years seemed now to them seenred, As a reward for all their toil, and hardship long endured. But as the ever shifting sand, or restless waters' flow, Unstable are our hopes of bliss, or happiness below.
Across Atlantic's surging waves, by cable then unspanned, Taxation and oppressive laws came from the mother-land. A stormy cloud was gathering now, it gloom and darkness spread ; But courage did not fail our sires,-hear what they did and said :
" Shall we submit, tamely submit, to those so far away ? Shall Tyranny or Freedom reign ; or freemen kings obey ? We've sought redress, craved milder laws, but sought and craved in vain ; All our petitions thus denied, one other course is plain. Our cause it is a righteons one, the country must be free, These wilds were cleared, these homesteads reared, and pledged to Liberty."
At length the threat'ning war cloud burst, the country needed men, Those new made homes, tho' rude-'twas hard to leave them then ; Yet they seized the well tried musket, the flask, and powder horn, Embraced their wives and children,-uncertain their return ; In haste they leave domestic scenes, the toils of war to share, The new made furrow half unturned, the plow left standing there.
Who now shall tend the flock and herd, or see to home affairs ? Our mothers, ah ! our mothers, a two-fold task was theirs, For they must spin and weave, perchance to plant or sow, And then the cradle must be rocked,-a hundred years ago ; For then, as now, infantile years required maternal care, Nor youth, nor age, nor home are blest if woman is not there.
Joy thrills each beating heart to-day, a quicker pulse is felt, As we revisit, once again, scenes where our fathers dwelt. The lands they cleared, the fields they tilled, the vale or hilly side, The straggling fence, the moss-grown wall, that field from field divide. The shady lane, the pond, the brook, the pathway to the door, All have a secret charin to-day, unknown, unfelt before. One other spot more dear than all, 'tis hallowed, holy ground ; Where'er in life onr footsteps tend, to this the heart is bound. No breadth of land, or mountain height, or ocean's boundless wave, Can ever cause us to forget the mound that marks a grave.
A century of years their golden sands have well nigh run, Since the historic page of Hubbardston begun. Oh what a length of changing years for mortal to survey, While unto God's vast viewing eye they are but as a day. 11
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Old favorite town ! now crowned with years, thy beauty lingers yet ; Ungrateful would thy children prove did they thine age forget ; But they have come with joyful hearts to greet thy natal morn, And feel a pride that they can say, here were our fathers born.
Here are the scenes they loved so well, here floats the air they breathed, Here lies the heritage around, which they to ns bequeathed ; How, then, em we forget the past, or cease to own its power ? Neglect upon its urn to cast the tribute of a flower ?
Our offerings here to-day we bring and lay upon her shrine ; The earnest heart, the happy wish, old town, to-day are thine. And when another hundred years have traced their circles round, May other hearts as warm as ours on this same spot be found.
8. Rutland.
Old Rutland's our mother, And Barre onr brother, And Oakham another, And Princeton is half brother, too ; While Pacton makes five, Who like brothers will strive, While their mother shall live, To be faithful and loving and true.
Hou. J. Warren Bigelow, of Rutland, was now called for, but was absent on official duty, although he had intended to be present, and Col. Calvin Howe, of Rutland was then called upon, who briefly and ably responded.
9. Our Eastern brother. Though he has risen to become the prince of towns, (Princeton,) yet as from his lofty height he looks down upon us, we hope he will not forget that we helped him to a wing. He once gave ns a good townsman, and we hope he is Good-now.
The President now called upon Wm. B. Goodnow, Esq., of Princeton, but Mr. G. excused himself. and proposed to " turn in his man," and thereupon called upon Deacon Everett, of Princeton, and he. following the example of Deacon Stowe, endeavored to make people " laugh."
Ile began by saying that the family now known as Goodnow, or as now pronounced Goodnow, was formerly by the people of Princeton called Goodnough. and if that gentleman had now undertaken to make a speech, it would have been good enough. After many other facetions remarks, and a play upon words and names, which brought ont roars of langhter. he closed by giving a compliment to the ladies of Hubbardston for their beauty, and then added the following, as a sentiment or bene- diction :-
The Ladies of Hubbardston. May their virtues ever be as broad and as ex- pansive as their skirts, and their cices as diminutive as their bonnets.
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10. Templeton. Onr paternal greetings and regards to our Northern brother.
This sentiment was ably and eloquently responded to by Col. Arte- mas Lee, of Templeton, who gave intimation of the friendly relations which had ever existed between the towns of Templeton and Hub- bardston, and the more intimate relation that existed during the last de- cade. And that although they respected the town of Gardner, and the inhabitants of that town, still it would have been more pleasing to him. and he believed to the inhabitants of Templeton generally, if the towns of Templeton and Hubbardston could have continued one Representa- tive District during the coming ten years.
11. The Medical Profession.
The ignorance of man in regard to the laws of life and health, creates its necessity. In the good time coming their prescriptions will be preventatives of, rather than enres for, diseases. Till then may their pills and powders be harmless. Dr. Moses Phelps was called upon, but there was no response.
12. Sons and Daughters resident in Worcester.
This was ably responded to by W. A. Williams, Esq .. of Worcester.
13. The scenery of our native town. In centennial bloom.
Responded to by George Swan, Esq., of Worcester, who to a very hap- py and appropriate introduction added the following truly appropriate poetical lines, prepared by himself expressly for the occasion :
A DAY IN MY NATIVE TOWN, JUNE 13, 1867.
Behind Wnehnsett's woody height, Aurora breaks her morning nap ; Folds up the drapery of the night, And hangs on high her misty cap.
Then first she steals a sidelong glance At glassy lake on Comet Hill, Whose crystal waters more enhance Her radiant charms "in dishabille."
But soon arrayed in bright attire, She dances up the mountain's height, Salutes, with grace, the village spire, And dawns on all the morning light.
The thrifty farmer, weather-wise, Now takes his reckoning for the day ; And, by the prospect of the skies, Determines when to cut his hay.
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One sign is always understood, However dry the times may be ; When old Wachusett wears a hood, A storm is coming off the sea.
His brow, to-day, no storm portends ; The misty cap Aurora lent, In glistening dewdrops quickly blends Before the Sun's bright Orient.
From monntain's base, to Burnshirt Hill, Whose fruitful soil, without one touch Of art or scientific skill, Produced the seedling tree-" Nonesuch ;"
From Ravendale to Ragged Hill, Abonnding in pyritic rocks, Which bear the marks of patient drill In quest of fancied " copper stocks"-
Extends the variegated scene Of wild and cultivated land ; With ponds and groves and pastures green, Arranged by Nature's lavish hand.
Why stops the tourist from abroad, While toiling up the village hill, To take his standpoint on the road That winds above the old gristmill ?
His sketchbook 's full of foreign themes For poet's pen or painter's dyes ; Yet there he stands, and gazing, dreams An outline sketch of Paradise.
An amphitheatre of hills- With homesteads on their sunny slopes, Capacions barns, and cider mills In orchards white with fruitful hopes-
Converging down to very brim Of Silver Lake, with islands green, Where truant boy's delight to swim, And lilies fresh and fragrant glean.
Upon the wide-spread plain above, Where radiate the rural roads, Contented Industry and Love Have fixed their permanent abodes.
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From cross of roads at either " Port," Where stands a church, and tavern too- In former times of much resort- A broad and level avenne,
Beneath the elm-tree's Gothic arch Extends, with walks of even grade, Where native maple, lind and larch Commingling, form a grateful shade.
From anxions care and strife exempt, Before ambition nerved our wing, Among these scenes our boyhood dreamt That life was one perennial spring.
We linger on the village green, The common field of our exploits, When closed the day in lively scene Of games at ball and pitching quoits ;
Or loiter in the old church-yard, Whose sacred monuments of slate, Retouched to-day by Laureate Bard, Shall save ancestral name and date ;
Until we hear that clear-toned bell, Whose curfew tolls the day's decline ; That deep-toned bell, whose solemn knell Too soon may count your age and mine.
14. Our Heroes. Long may they live to reap the rewards of their generons self-sacrifices.
Responded to by Peter Richardson, Esq.
15. The Farmers of Hubbardston. While they toil with untiring industry in this, one of the noblest callings of man, may they not neglect to cultivate the mind and heart as well as the soil.
Deacon Andrew Gleason was called upon, but made no response.
16. The Municipal Fathers of the town. Notwithstanding our first Board of Selectmen was composed of material somewhat Green, after a few years we adopted the plan of taking more substantial and seasoned Woods, brought from Marlborough, and a few years later resorted in a great degree to Greenwood, yet we often had to Waite for the best material, which was always promptly on hand. We would inquire of the tail of the present Board to tell us Howe it is now.
Responded to by Abel Howe, Esq., who very puningly wove into his response almost every surname that could be arranged into any sen- tenee in the English language.
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17. Our Assessors. In making up these Boards, we have ever looked Woodward.
Briefly responded to by Lyman Woodward, Esq.
18. The Press. First among the agencies of civilization and enlightenment. May its influence ever be for justice, humanity and the right.
Mr. Baldwin, of Worcester, reporter for the Spy, was called upon to respond, but failing to do so, the President then called on Mr. T. Cle- land, Jr., of Worcester. reporter for the JEgis and Gazette, who arose, saying he had not risen for the purpose of making a speech, but to tell a story :
At a time, a traveler, journeying upon important and pressing husiness, was overtaken by the night, and being overcome by the fatigues of the day, and desiring a little rest and repose, chaneed to come upon a wayside inn. He called up the landlord, stated his case, and desired lodgings for a few hours, and feed and care for his beast.
The landlord regretted to inform him that he had no accommodations, that his beds were all ocenpied. The traveler further urged his claim, and the necessities of the case, and also his disposition to tit himself to the circunstances, and added that he was willing to take lodging with some other guest. Whereupon the landlord informed him that every bed in the house was already occupied by two persons, except one, and in that was a colored man ; wherenpon the traveler re- plied that that was no objection to him, and that he would willingly take lodgings with him. And thereupon the obliging landlord consented to give him the very best necommodations in his power. Before retiring, the traveler requested the landlord to call him at a certam hour in the morning, which would be long before the dawn of day, that he might pursue his journey, and then the traveler was conducted to his lodgings, to share the bed with the negro. This disturbed the former occupant of the bed. He did not like to have his rights thus abridged, and desired to wreak his vengeance upon the weary traveler.
The traveler was soon in a profound sleep, and the negro rose from the bed, burnt a cork, and blackened the face of the traveler till it resembled the hne of his own, and then again retired.
The landlord, prompt to duty, called the traveler in the morning at the ap- pointed hour, when he hastily arose, dressed himself, and before taking his leave happened to look in the glass, and, discovering the color of his face, turned to the landlord, and with clenched fist, which he shook in the face of the other, loudly exclaimed, " You old rascal! you 'e called up the wrong man."
19. The distinguished Mechanic of Worcester.
To this sentiment Hon. Lucius W. Pond briefly, but very appropri- ately responded, giving to Hubbardston due credit for the influences with which he was surrounded during early childhood.
20. Good Templars,-So well represented here to-day, may their influence never be less than now.
Response by O. S. Brigham.
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21. The Natural History Department. Among the numerous brood over which the old mother spreads her wings to-day, she exhibits several native Swans.
The President here called npon Mr. James Swan of Boston, but fail- ing to draw out a response, he then called upon Mr. Reuben Swan of New York City, but met with no better success; wherenpon one of the Vice Presidents suggested to the President that if it was impossible to raise the flight of a Stran, that he attempt to scare up a C-lark, which had mated with the Swans.
The President now called upon Abijah S. Clark, Esq., of Bellows Falls, Vt., who very humorously responded, and drew out much applanse.
The following original Hymn was prepared for the occasion by Wil- liam E. Richardson, Esq .. of Boston.
FOR THE HUBBARDSTON CENTENNIAL. AIR, -Old Hundral.
From every pilgrim hither come . To crown with joy their ancient home, From every tongue break forth the song, To welcome this ancestral moru.
Our homes shall catch the gladdening strain, And roll the echo o'er each plain, Till every mountain, grove and glen Repeats with joy the glad Amen.
Ye aged heads, with honored grey, Join in the chorus of to-day, For ye have known what hopes and fears Have triumphed in One Inudred Years.
Let lisping childhood time each tongue To strike the notes their fathers sung ; Ilere have your graudest garlands spread, To crown the memory of the dead.
One hundred years ago here stood Primeval forests, unsubdued ; Here, where was heard the red man's yell, Now sweetly chimes the Sabbath bell.
These are their triumphs, glorious now, The church, the school, the loom, the plough, While from the dawn to setting sun Our starry flag protects each one.
Then join the anthem, swell the strain, Roll the proud echo o'er each plain, Till every mountain, grove and glen Repeat once more the glad Amen.
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The following letter was received by the Committee in response to an invitation extended by them to Commodore T. O. Selfridge of Philadel- phia :
NAVY YARD, PHILADELPHIA, May 10, 1867.
Gentlemen : I regret to say that it will not be in my power to accept the kind invitation to attend the Centennial Celebration in your town June 13th, 1867.
With my best wishes for a pleasant meeting, I remain,
Very truly yours, THOS. O. SELFRIDGE, Commodore U. S. N.
Messrs. L. Pierce and others, Corresponding Committee, Hubbardston, Mass.
A synopsis of, and extracts from, a letter from Asa C. Gates of Wey- mouth, Nova Scotia :-
WEYMOUTH, NOVA SCOTIA, May 27, 1867.
Gentlemen :- Your note of invitation to the Centennial Celebration, duly came to hand, remailed from Calais, Me.
Nothing could give me greater pleasure than to visit my native town on so ino- mentous an occasion, but, owing to a press of business, I shall not be able. Old Hubbardston ! the ndopted home of my four grandparents, adopted when they were in the strength and vigor of manhood, the early prime of life, and when the town was yet in its infancy, and their last resting place, (as the dust of each now slumbers in the old graveyard in the rear of the first Church,) that home where they severally experienced all the hardships and privations of pioneer life, the birthplace of both my parents, (where they were born about 85 years ago, ) and also their home till middle life, the birth place and early home of myself and most of my brothers and sisters,-that spot must ever remain dear to me.
Although an alien from my native country for more than 30 years, and a sojourner from the town of my birth more than 43 years, my mind often reverts back with pleasure to that place, and the scenes of my early childhood. I often speak of those scenes with heartfelt joy. And although ouly nine years of age when I left the place, I can quite well remember the situation. Old Hubbardston surely must be a beautiful place now-it was so half a century ago. The Com- mon,-wlint a delightful place it must be. The street from the Common to Ellinwood's corner, (I think they called it, ) at that time so beautifully decorated with young trees, which, if now living, must be a most delightful place.
How well can I remember " Grandmother Church" telling the hardships she endured while her husband ( my grandfather) was away in the army, and showing me the old relies, such as the Horn Cups, Continental Money, Oaken Chests, &e., &e., which he brought back from the War of the Revolution. She, poor woman, must have lived to a great age, as I understand she died about A. D. 1844. I could till a sheet, if time would permit, but it would not interest yon, and there- fore will close by saying that I shall bear in mind the thirteenth day of June, and be with you in spirit, though not in body.
Yours most respectfully, ASA C. GATES. To Messrs. L. Pierce, L. Woodward, T. S. Heald.
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Letters in reply to invitations were received by the Committee from Rev. A. S. Ryder of South Boston, Leonard Wood, Esq., of Boston, Miss Elizabeth Selfridge, of Middlebury, Vt., and others.
After the sentiments and responses at the table were concluded, the Band gave the closing benediction in some well chosen and fitting strains, and as the sun was sinking below the Western horizon, the vast concourse abdicated the tent. and the parting greetings were hastily given and received, and many of the visitors left the town that evening for their homes.
Thus passed the thirteenth day of June, A. D. 1867, in the town of Hubbardston; a day that had brought together more people than had ever before been assembled in the town on any occasion ; a day rendered pleasant by all its surroundings, a clear sky. a bright sun, pure air, and gentle zephyrs; pleasant by the friendly greetings of old friends and associates, the returned sons and daughters of Old Hubbardston, returned to the old homestead for an affectionate embrace. Many had returned to meet aged parents, others to meet brothers and sisters, uncles and annts, others still to meet nephews, nieces and cousins, and still others to meet no kindred or relative. but nevertheless to meet friends, warm friends, and re-visit and review and revive the scenes, the haunts and memories of former years, the homes which they had once left, possi- bly without. at that time, " casting one longing, lingering look behind," but to which they now turned with fond delight.
Thus passed a day long to be remembered in the annals of Hubbards- ton ; a day which was closing without the happening of any accident to mar the pleasures of the occasion ; a day in which we had heard rehearsed the deeds of valor and self sacrifice of our fathers and mothers, the first settlers of the town.
And now, drawing a veil over all their failings. let us so endeavor to emulate their noble deeds, that the coming generations may find as little they would seek to hide, and as much to admire in our history, as we do to-day in the pernsal of theirs. And as we to-day are blessed by the institutions that the fathers have handed down to us, so let us en- deavor to transmit to coming generations blessings equally as great.
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APPENDIX.
The following is a list of persons who have served as Selectmen in Hubbardston from 1767 to 1867 inclusive, together with the year when, and the number of years each person served :
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