USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Cambridge > Cambridge fifty years a city, 1846-1896; an account of the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts, June 2-3, 1896 > Part 2
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The pupils in the primary schools were addressed by the fol- lowing ladies and gentlemen : Miss Alice M. Longfellow, Mrs. J. H. S. Lansing, Mr. Warren F. Spalding, Mr. Sanford B. Hubbard, Mr. Joseph J. Kelley, Mr. H. Porter Smith, Mr. W. R. Adams, Mr. Francis J. O'Reilly, Mr. Joseph A. Coolidge, Dr. W. H. Clancy, Councilman Cornelius Minihan, Mr. B. J. Brogan, Mr. John McSorley, Rev. George A. Phinney,5 and Rev. C. W. Biddle, D. D.
The speaking at the schools, for the most part, was informal. All the speakers sought to impress the significance of the cele- 1 See p. 156. 2 See p. 151. 3 See p. 104. 4 See p. 135. 5 See p. 120.
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CAMBRIDGE FIFTY YEARS A CITY.
bration upon the minds of the scholars; and, by means of his- torical illustrations and personal reminiscences, held up before their young minds the grandeur and greatness of Cambridge. In general, one thought was dwelt upon : that the celebration was not held simply because Cambridge had been a city for fifty years, but that the Cambridge of that day was a city in which every one should feel a great pride, even to the small- est children in the kindergartens. A semi-centennial, it was shown, meant more to Cambridge than to most other cities, and the virtues peculiar to our municipality were set forth in exalted terms. Cambridge was held up to the children as a model of city government ; Cambridge as the seat of learning ; the home of poets, authors, and statesmen ; rich in the most precious historic associations ; the place which first responded to President Lincoln's call for volunteers to crush out a civil war; Cambridge, the home of temperance, thrift, and good gov- ernment. These were some of the ideals presented to the school- children, and which they were exhorted to maintain and honor.
The speakers were so tactful and so sincere that even the little ones in the primary grades seemed to catch the true inspi- ration of the celebration. The following is an instance of how the youngest children were made to realize what it all meant.
The speaker 1 began by explaining what birthdays were and the value of celebrating them. She next gave Cambridge a personality, the right to have birthdays following naturally. The children, in concert, then wished their city the conven- tional, "Many happy returns of the day!" The rest of the address was a succession of pictures of what Cambridge could remember : First, the wilderness ; second, the coming and going of a people, the children of whom were little papooses and their mothers dusky squaws, and whose life was a series of picnics ; third, a few families of white people, with great hopes in their hearts. That was the time the town began, a very little one, - a baby town, perhaps, - but with a head to make wise plans, and hands and feet to carry them out. Here a contrast between a governed and an ungoverned people was made; and the dif- ference between good and bad government was pointed out. The growth of hamlet to village and village to town was traced, and it was shown that when the town became too large to man- age easily, city life began. All these were given as the birthday
1 Mrs. J. H. S. Lansing, at the Reed Primary School.
1
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THE CELEBRATION.
remembrances of the city of Cambridge. Then the best wishes from the people were alluded to ; it was shown how the "many happy returns " were to be secured ; and the talk closed with a picture of what love of city and country would make of such children as those in that primary school.
THE AFTERNOON EXERCISES IN SANDERS THEATRE.
The exercises in the afternoon were devoted exclusively to the older pupils. The scholars of the English High and the Latin schools, and the higher grades of the Parochial schools, met in Sanders Theatre at 3 o'clock. Mayor Bancroft 1 pre- sided, and addresses were made by President Charles W. Eliot,2 of Harvard University ; Judge Charles J. McIntire,3 of the Probate Court of Middlesex County; and Hon. Frank A. Hill,4 secretary of the State Board of Education. The addresses were interspersed with musical selections by the High and Latin School orchestra, and the chorus of schoolchildren under the direction of Mr. Frederick E. Chapman. This meeting closed the formal exercises, designed primarily for the schools. In some respects it was the most impressive event in the celebration. The throng of young men and young women of Cambridge, old enough to appreciate the full import of the anniversary occasion, had their budding minds turned to the one hundredth anniver- sary of the city. The path of the half-century before them was pointed out by those who had helped to make and mould Cam- bridge in the fifty years then ending. There was mingled pathos and hope in the oft-expressed thought that 1946 would see the listeners at that Sanders Theatre meeting shaping the destinies of Cambridge, and the speakers of that afternoon would have then finished their life work. If the American re- public endures, the centennial anniversary of the incorporation of the city of Cambridge will probably be celebrated in the year 1946. It needs no gift of prophecy to see one of the young men who were present at those Sanders Theatre exercises searching in his library for a little slip of paper that was handed him then. This card contains some comparative statistics of the schools of Cambridge, compiled by the superintendent of schools. The years 1845 and 1895 are contrasted. And at the end of another fifty years this little card will be in the hand of one of the speakers at Sanders Theatre, a tangible connecting link between the Cambridge of 1896 and the Cambridge of 1946.
1 See p. 56. 2 See p. 73. 8 See p. 108. 4 See p. 95.
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CAMBRIDGE FIFTY YEARS A CITY.
THE PUBLIC MEETING.
It was very fitting that the public jubilee meeting, which closed the exercises of the first day's celebration, should have been held in Sanders Theatre. Whenever the people of Cam- bridge want inspiration from the past, and courage for the .future, they seek that noble place of meeting. For half a gen- eration many memorable gatherings, more or less connected with the higher life of Cambridge, have been held there; and it was toward Sanders Theatre, with its atmosphere of learning and patriotism, that the people of Cambridge turned on the night of June 2. Mr. George A. Allison, the chairman of the sub-committee, introduced Mayor Bancroft as the chairman of the meeting. The evening's exercises included a brief speech by Mayor Bancroft,1 an historical oration by John Fiske, LL. D.,2 an address by Rev. Alexander Mckenzie, D. D.,3 and music by Thomas's Cambridge orchestra. The theatre was en- tirely filled with an audience of representative Cambridge men and women. Thus the first day closed, - the atmosphere of the city vibrant with expectation for the second day's festivi- ties ; and with the hearts of the children, as well as those of maturer years, burning with a stimulated municipal patriotism, and bright with newly awakened civic ideals.
THE SECOND DAY.
A salute of fifty guns ushered in the second day of the cele- bration, June 3. The day was a fine example of June weather in its most agreeable mood. The sky was perfectly cloud- less, - an unbroken expanse of tender blue. The tempera- ture rose during the forenoon from 52° at sunrise to 76° at noon, when the wind was blowing lightly from the west. The spirit of the anniversary permeated the whole city. The schools were closed. All business was suspended. The streets were alive with people. The doors of the city were thrown wide open, and Cambridge - a gracious hostess - welcomed the entire Commonwealth of Massachusetts as her guests.
The people of Cambridge entered into the day's festivities with unbounded enthusiasm. This was to be the greater of the two days. It was the day for the people, - for all the 1 See p. 58. 2 See p. 29. 8 See p. 111.
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THE CELEBRATION.
people, and the humblest and the highest citizens were made to feel that they had a part in, and themselves were a part of, the celebration. Citizens vied with each other in their efforts to make the celebration a success, and to make it a memorable event in Cambridge history. Open house was the rule, not only in private residences, but in all the clubs and social organizations of the city. Indeed, many of the more notable societies of Cambridge devoted some part of the two days to special exercises in commemoration of the anniversary. The Cantabrigia Club, composed of the gentlewomen of the city, for instance, was conspicuously alert in entering into the spirit of the celebration ; and to the Colonial Club belongs the honor of having entertained, at lunch, the governor and the members of his staff. Upon every hand, and in innumerable ways, the people expressed their devotion to Cambridge, and manifested their deep interest in the anniversary of their city's beginnings. Besides the morning salute, the bells of the city were rung ; and the cannonading, mingled with the pealing of the bells, also marked high noon and the setting of the sun. But these were inerely minor parts of the fête day.
OUT-DOOR SPORTS AND GAMES.1
The out-door athletic games and sports, which were held during the entire day, attracted large crowds of people. The entertainment at Cambridge Field (ward 2) began at 7.30 o'clock in the morning, and continued till late in the afternoon. The entertainment on Rindge Field (ward 5) began at 8 o'clock. The entries, in many of the events, were open only to the resi- dents of Cambridge, and the programmes included both am- ateur and professional events. Suitable prizes were awarded. Music was furnished by military bands at both places. The large attendance at the athletic games indicated the deep inter- est in this part of the celebration. The crowds, although very enthusiastic, were quiet and orderly.
Another large crowd witnessed the " play-out," 2 a friendly contest between two old-fashioned hand-engine companies, - the Red Jackets, of Cambridge, and the Salem Company, - which took place on Everett Street, late in the afternoon. The sham battle between Company B, First Regiment, M. V. M., and a detachment from the Massachusetts Naval Brigade also at- 1 See p. 176. 2 See p. 178.
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CAMBRIDGE FIFTY YEARS A CITY.
tracted a throng of spectators, although this event was not upon the official programmne. The evident pleasure which many thousands of the people got from these open-air enter- tainments fully justified the large part of the celebration which was devoted to them.
THE PROCESSION.1
What the glistening white foam-crest is to the combing breaker, the civic and military parade was to the celebration. The enthusiasm, which had been gathering with tremendous force, reached its highest point in the pomp and splendor of the great pageant, and from then it gradually receded to the more quiet, but still brilliant end. The decorations were most profuse along the route of the procession, which was as fol- lows : -
From Third Street, Cambridge Street, Windsor, Harvard, Columbia, Lafayette Square, Massachusetts Avenue, Lee, Har- vard Street, Harvard Square, Brattle Square, Brattle Street, Craigie, Concord Avenue, Bond, Garden, Linnæan, Massachu- setts Avenue to Cogswell Avenue ; countermarching to Massa- chusetts Avenue, Waterhouse, past Washington Elm to Sol- diers' Monument, for review.
It was announced that the procession would start at 11 o'clock. Acting Governor Wolcott and the other official guests who were to ride in the parade had been formally re- ceived at the city hall, earlier in the morning, by Mayor Ban- croft, the chairman of the general committee, Mr. Henry O. Houghton, the chairman of the citizens' committee, and other city officials. The formation of the entire procession,' with the exception of the trades' division, which formed on Broadway, Harvard and Main streets, was made in East Cambridge, in a space less than one half of a mile square. The formation was executed with such promptness and precision that Chief Mar- shal Read gave his orders to march at the first stroke of the city bells striking 11 o'clock. Not only this, but the column moved with the same precision ; for every point along the line of march was passed exactly at the announced time. The column traversed seven miles of Cambridge streets. It took three hours in passing a given point, and it was about four miles long. A better idea of the length of the procession can
1 See p. 163.
·
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THE CELEBRATION.
be gained in the knowledge of the fact that after the head of the parade had gone over the entire line of march to North Cambridge, countermarching to the common, more than three of the divisions had passed in review while the trades' division was still passing up through Harvard Square. There were about twelve hundred horses and over ten thousand people in line.
First came the platoon of police, mounted. Then came the chief marshal, Hon. John Read, and his staff. Next came the regimental escort, the entire Fifth Regiment, M. V. M., having volunteered its services for this duty, as a compliment to the colonel of the regiment, Mayor Bancroft. The First Corps of Cadets, escorting Acting Governor Wolcott, were next in line ; and following the long double column of carriages, with the invited guests, were the six large divisions : The first division was composed of militia companies, G. A. R. Posts, school cadets, and other organizations of a military or semi-military character. The second division was made up entirely of the students of Harvard University. In the third division were more militia organizations, the Cambridge police and fire departments, the veteran firemen, and representatives of the secret societies and clubs of the city. The fourth division included many of the Catholic organizations of Cambridge, and the fifth division was composed of the Cambridgeport Gymnasium Association and other organizations connected with St. Mary's parish. The sixth and last division was devoted to a trades' exhibit. In many respects it was the most striking and interesting part of the procession. The Citizens' Trade Association, in carriages, led the long display, in which were represented all the branches of trade and indus- try in the city.
The parade, with its soldiery, civilians, and tradesmen, was the most ambitious affair of that nature that had ever been seen in the streets of Cambridge. From the moment the chief mar- shal gave the orders to march, on the very second of the announced hour, till the imposing and dignified review, as the parade was dismissed, nothing occurred to mar the perfect enjoyment of the greatest event of the celebration. The streets were filled with people, but there was no disorder. The temper and spirit of the waiting crowds were as sunny as the June day itself. There was a calm dignity resting over
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CAMBRIDGE FIFTY YEARS A CITY.
the whole occasion, as the long columns erept between the lines of patient but interested on-lookers. There was no more signi- fieant sentence uttered during the whole celebration, and none more expressive of the spirit which actuates the people of Cam- bridge, than the words of President Eliot, after he had ridden over seven miles of Cambridge streets. " I never before received so strong an impression," said Dr. Eliot, " of the general cour- tesy and fine bearing of the men, women, and children of the city assembled in great numbers for a publie festivity."
THE CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT AND THE MEMORIAL TREE.
Three huge tents were pitched on Cambridge Common to accommodate the schoolchildren. At the request of the sub- committee on entertainment, the Cantabrigia Club had ap- pointed a committee from its membership1 to take charge of the children's entertainment. The exercises began at 12.30 o'clock, when the granite tablet which marks the Memorial Tree was unveiled. The tablet bears the following inserip- tion : -
"On this spot 2 in 1630 stood an ancient oak under which were held colonial elections. This scion 3 of the Washington
1 Mrs. Mary P. C. Billings, Mrs. William Goepper, Mrs. A. Packard, Mrs. G. F. Ford, Mrs. C. L. Edgerly, Mrs. J. B. Rice, Miss E. F. Blodgett, Mrs. W. O. Barbour, and Mrs. Alice Teele.
2 The following letter proves the historic value of the place : -
June 4, 1896. JOHN J. AHERN, EsQ.,
Sec. Committee on Tree, Semi-centennial Celebration.
DEAR SIR, - The spot in which the young elm tree is planted on Cam- bridge Common marks the location of the old oak tree mentioned in Doctor Abiel Holmes's " History of Cambridge " as the place where some of the early colonial elections were held. The spot was pointed out to me by my father when I was a lad, and your committee can be assured that you have now re-marked a most interesting historic place.
JOHN HOLMES.
3 The identity of the tree is established by the following letter :-
BOSTON, Mass., May 28, 1896.
MR. G. R. COOK,
Supt. of Parks, Cambridge, Mass.
DEAR SIR, - It gives me pleasure to present to the city of Cambridge the elm which you are to use in connection with the celebration of June 3d. This elm is the only one I know of which is grafted from the Washington Elm, and I can certify most positively that this elm was grafted from wood taken from the old elm standing at the junction of Mason and Garden
GENERAL COMMITTEE-WARD THREE
John T. Shea George H. Howard John H. Ponce Rev. John O'Brien
James M. Price Joseph J. Kelley
Charles W. Dailey
James F. Aylward William Goepper Hon. John W. Coveney John S. Clary
GENERAL COMMITTEE- WARD FOUR
Charles W. Cheney John Hopewell, Jr. Edmund Reardon
John D. Billings Dr. James A. Dow William A. Munroe
Joseph P. Gibson Isaac S. Pear Warren F. Spalding
Theodore H. Raymond
J. Lyman Stone
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THE CELEBRATION.
elm was planted May, 1896." The tablet was unveiled by Hon. Chester W. Kingsley, who also delivered a short histori- cal address to the schoolchildren.1
One of the very inspiring incidents of the children's enter- tainment was the singing by several thousands of the school- children, under the direction of Mr. Frederick E. Chapman. In addition to " America," the "Cambridge Hymn," written by Mrs. Emma Endicott Marean for this part of the anni- versary celebration, was sung, as follows : -
THE CAMBRIDGE HYMN.
TUNE : Flag of the Free.
Fair on the sight Dawneth a light, Heralding ages that yet are to be ; When every man, Earnest in plan, Steadfast for duty, life's purpose shall see. Noble the city, noble the state, When all her children, humble or great, Seek to repay Each in his way,
Blessings unnumbered she lavishes free.
Heirs of the past, We will hold fast All of the lessons she teaches to-day ; Giving in turn. Thus may we learn Calls of the future with joy to obey. City of freedom, city of peace, May all our lives thy honor increase ; Pledge we in truth, Now in our youth, Gladly to serve thee as years pass away.
streets. It has always been marked in such a way that its identity cannot be questioned, and I am glad that the city will be able to plant it out and preserve it, so that when the original tree shall have departed, the city may have a living reminiscence of it for many years to come.
Very truly yours,
SHADY HILL NURSERY CO., E. L. BEARD, President.
1 See p. 106.
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CAMBRIDGE FIFTY YEARS A CITY.
In the tents, after the exercises at the tree, the children were amused and entertaincd with music, readings, and cxhi- bitions of magic.1 Finally they viewed the procession from their point of vantage on the common. Thic tents were named "Camp 1946," in honor of the future men and women of Cambridge.
THE BANQUET.
The official guests of the city were entertained after the parade at a banquet in Union Hall. The affair was informal. Mayor Bancroft presided, and welcomed the guests. Speeches were made by Acting Governor Roger Wolcott,2 President Charles W. Eliot 3 of Harvard University, Mayor Josiah Quincy 4 of Boston, and Rev. S. M. Crothers of the First Parish Church. There were about two hundred around the tables, including the invited guests. The gallery was open to women. The banquet, designedly, was given but little promi- nence in the programme of the celebration.
THE RECEPTION AT CITY HALL.
The public reception at the city hall was the closing social event of the celebration. The florists had decorated the inte- rior of the building with prodigal hands. The principal re- ception was held in the mayor's office, the receiving party including the following ladies and gentlemen : Mayor and Mrs. W. A. Bancroft, Mr. and Mrs. Henry O. Houghton, President and Mrs. Charles W. Eliot, Mr. Henry Thomas, Mayor Josiah Quincy, ex-Mayor and Mrs. J. M. W. Hall, ex-Mayor and Mrs. S. L. Montague, ex-Mayor C. H. Saunders, Miss Saunders, Mrs. Clapp, and Miss Bradford, daughter of ex-Mayor Isaac Bradford.
At the same time, other receptions were in progress in the offices of many of the city departments, where the receiving parties comprised the commissioners and heads of departments, with their wives and ladies. The head ushers, Mr. Charles C. Read and Mr. William S. Hall, were assisted by a number of the representative young men of the city, including many Harvard undergraduates.5 Light refreshments were served.
1 See p. 191. 2 See p. 154. 3 See p. 76. 4 See p. 131.
5 Mr. L. V. P. Allen, Mr. Edmand K. Arnold, Mr. L. F. Baldwin, Mr. Hugh Bancroft, Mr. S. F. Batchelder, Mr. Alexander Baxter, Mr. Stough- ton Bell, Mr. Leslie Bigelow, Mr. Shirley Boyd, Mr. Arthur H. Brooks, Mr.
25
THE CELEBRATION.
Music was furnished by Thomas's Cambridge orchestra ; and there was dancing. The reception lasted from 8 o'clock until 10, and during that time several thousands were in attendance to exchange congratulations over the success of the celebration.
THE FIREWORKS.
While the reception was in progress at the city hall, thou- sands were enjoying the closing out-door events of the celebra- tion, - the fireworks displays. Two of these were given, - one on Cambridge Field (ward 2), and the other on Holmes Field (ward 1). Band concerts were given at each field, and great crowds of people were in attendance.
The celebration had proclaimed to the world the glory of Cambridge. It closed with the people of all classes in the city participating in it. The two days' programme had been planned for the people, and by the people it had been carried out. The celebration had wrought a more unified Cambridge. It had brought the people together as they had never been before. They had been shown new possibilities in their own beautiful city, and their minds had been inspired with new and higher ideals of municipal life. The influence of the semi-cen- tennial celebration did not cease when the last spark flickered out in the soft night air of June, for the aroused and invig- orated civic patriotism will impress itself upon the future de-
Frank Carney, Mr. George H. Carrick, Mr. A. S. K. Clark, Mr. B. G. Davis, Mr. George Doane, Mr. Clifford W. Dow, Mr. S. H. Dudley, Mr. William H. Evans, Mr. Howard B. Flint, Mr. Eliot H. Goodwin, Mr. A. G. Goodrich, Mr. Henry D. Green, Mr. W. A. Hayes, 2d, Mr. George B. Henshaw, Mr. Frank B. Hopewell, Mr. Edward R. Houghton, Mr. Freeman Hunt, Mr. Brooks Walker, Mr. Carroll Watson, Mr. Strafford Wentworth, Mr. Wil- liam R. Westcott, Mr. Austin T. White, Mr. James K. Whittemore, Mr. A. E. Jones, Mr. Arthur M. Jones, Mr. Lowell Kennedy, Mr. Eric A. Knud- son, Mr. Edward B. Lambert, Mr. Daniel J. Madden, Mr. P. J. Madden, Mr. R. J. Melledge, Mr. George F. McKelleget, Mr. Charles Mullen, Mr. William T. Neilon, Mr. George E. Norton, Mr. W. B. Odiorne, Mr. H. N. Parker, Mr. Henry L. Rand, Mr. W. L. Raymond, Mr. R. L. Raymond, Mr. J. Bertram Read, Mr. William Read, 2d, Mr. John J. Reardon, Mr. George E. Saunders, Mr. Huntington Saville, Mr. Herbert E. Sawin, Mr. P. P. Sharples, Mr. George L. Smith, Mr. C. Lawrence Smith, Jr., Mr. Thorndike Spalding, Mr. J. William Sparrow, Mr. J. Lyman Stone, Mr. Milton J. Stone, Jr., Mr. Ezra R. Thayer, Mr. Sturgis Thorndike, and Mr. Charles Walcott.
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CAMBRIDGE FIFTY YEARS A CITY.
velopment of Cambridge, and help to keep the city true to its ideals. Cambridge lives not unto herself alone. IIer unfolding has been a blessing to her people, to the American Commonwealth, to humanity ; and her future is pregnant with promise.
.
,
.
-
GENERAL COMMITTEE-WARD FIVE
Otis S. Brown Thomas F. Dolu John E. Parry Walter H. Lerued
George A. Allison Dr. Charles Bullock Stillman F. Kelley
David T. Dickinson Hon. Chester W. Kingsley. John C. Watson Henry D. Yerxa
Alfred Borden, 2d Div. Edmund Reardon, 4th Div.
CHIEFS OF DIVISIONS Charles H. Morse, 1st Div. Wm. A. Hayes, 2d, Chief of Staff. Edward H. Baker, 6th Div.
George S. Evans, 3d Div. Patrick Crowley, 5th Div.
II.
JOHN FISKE, LITT. D., LL. D.1
WE have met together this evening on one of those occasions which keep recurring, for communities as well as for individ- uals, when it is desirable to take a retrospect of the past, to call attention to some of the characteristic incidents in our his- tory, to sum up the work we have done, and estimate the posi- tion we occupy in the world. As long as we retain the decimal numeration that is natural to ten-fingered creatures, we shall encounter such moments at intervals of half-centuries and cen- turies, and happy are the communities that can meet them without shameful memories that shun the light of history ; happy are the people that can look back upon the work of their fathers and in their heart of hearts pronounce it good! What a blot it was upon the civic fame of every Greek community that took part in putting out the brightest light of Hellas in the wicked Peloponnesian War! Can any right-minded Vene- tian look without blushing at the bronze horses that surmount the stately portal'of St. Mark's ? - a perpetual memento of that black day when ravening commercial jealousy decoyed an army of Crusaders to the despoiling of the chief city of Christendom, and thus broke away the strongest barrier in the path of the advancing Turk! What must the citizen of Paris think to-day of cowardly massacres of unresisting prisoners, such as hap- pened in 1418 and in 1792? Is there any dweller in Birming- ham who would not gladly expunge from the past that summer evening which witnessed the burning of the house and library of Dr. Priestley? From such melancholy scenes, and from complicity in political crime, our community, our neighbor- hood, has been notably free. The annals of Massachusetts during its existence of nearly three centuries are written in a light that is sometimes dull or sombre, but very seldom lurid. In particular the career of Cambridge has been a placid one. We do not find in it many things to startle us; but there is much that we can approve, much upon which, without falling 1 Oration delivered at the public meeting in Sanders Theatre, June 2.
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