USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the settlement of Boston, September 17, 1880 > Part 4
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Mr. Evarts' remarks were received with great applause, and his local allusions were highly appreciated.
The Mayor then presented Hon. CHARLES DEVENS. Attorney- General of the United States, who spoke as follows : -
ADDRESS OF HON. CHARLES DEVENS.
I am very glad, Mr. Mayor and fellow-citizens, to be here upon this interesting occasion which celebrates the emigration from the northern bank of the Charles river to the settlement in this city. I cannot claim, with my friend who has just addressed you, to have been born within the ancient limits of Boston; but I was born within the town of Charlestown, which Boston now includes. In the fables of mythology, which you and I, Mr. Mayor, learned when we studied our Latin and Greek together at Cambridge, the god Saturn was said to have devoured his own children. In this case the fable is reversed ; for the daughter has devoured her own mother, and both daughter and mother are doing extremely well.
It is not alone the little event of crossing that channel to make this small settlement here, which became almost imme- diately the chief town of the province, and the chief town of New England, that you celebrate. It is the founding of a State, and it is the men who did that act whom you meet to commemorate to-morrow. Certainly no event in history could be more interesting than the foundation of these States. In Lord Bacon's essay upon honors and dignities he places at the head of those entitled to honor, " The Founders of States." Of this fame the founders of this city and State were eminently - worthy. They were a noble, great, and manly race of men. We have been too much accustomed, I think, sometimes in the change of manners that has taken place, to speak of them with
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their limitations and deficiencies; and sometimes by elaborating these we draw them out of true perspective when compared with their real character and great virtues. The discoverer of America bore the proud motto, "To Castile and Leon a new world gave Colon." These men are entitled to a prouder motto. They gave a new world to mankind when they laid the foun- dations of a State here dedicated to civil and religious liberty. Connected with this important anniversary are many interesting events, which are dated from the same anniversary, which will more appropriately, I doubt not, be the subject of our address to-morrow. It was early seen that the union of these colonies was essential to their safety, and in 1643 there was formed the first confederation of the four New England colonies, - Massa- chusetts, Plymouth, New Haven, and Connecticut, -and John Winthrop, whose statue you have reared to-day, was its first President. Here was the germ of that mighty union whose gateways are to-day on the Atlantic and Pacific seas. It is an interesting fact, also, that while that event occurred on the 17th of September, 1643, the day upon which the Constitution of the United States was finally agreed upon and promulgated to the people of the States for their acceptance was also the 17th of September. Assuredly no event could be greater than this; when we remember how hard and difficult it is to reap the results of a great popular movement; when we remember how difficult it is to bring into a compact form the results of a revo- lution; when we see how completely that was done in the Con- stitution of the United States, -no coincidence could be more interesting than the fact that the anniversary of the day upon which that was done is also the anniversary of the settlement of this city. We that have known the blessings of that Consti- tution; we that have seen its vast power of expansion, as State after State has come within its limits, from regions which were
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then but wildernesses; we who have seen its capacity to vindi- cate itself in the wildest storms of civil commotion, -may surely remember with gratitude that this anniversary, which to-morrow we are to celebrate, is also the anniversary of the formation of the Constitution of the United States. In remem- brance of all the prosperity that has come to this country, in gratitude for all the prosperity of this great and widely extended city, no prayer can be more appropriate than that the same powerful Hand which sustained our fathers may extend its pro- tection over us and those who are to come after us.
Hon. CHARLES R. RAY, Mayor of St. John, N.B., was next intro- duced, and said : -
ADDRESS OF HON. CHARLES R. RAY.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen, - The very kind and courteous invitation which was extended to me, as chief magistrate of the City of St. John, to be present and participate in the celebration of the founding of Boston two hundred and fifty years ago, is appreciated by my fellow-citizens; and the City Council, as their representative body in session convened, deemed it their duty, and with evident pleasure and gratifica- tion, to present to you, Mr. Mayor, through me, a series of resolutions in testimony of the high respect and admiration they entertain for the citizens of Boston; and on their behalf, as well as my own, I thank you, honored sir, and the members of the several committees of your City Government, for the distinguished honor accorded to me in being one of the guests of the City of Boston on this interesting occasion. I have now the pleasure of presenting you, Mr. Mayor, with the resolutions from the City Government of St. John, N.B .: -
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CITY OF ST. JOHN, PROVINCE OF NEW BRUNSWICK.
DOMINION OF CANADA.
At a meeting of the Mayor, Aklermen, and Commonalty of the City of St. John, in Common Council, held at the Council Chamber, on Tuesday, the fourteenth day of September, A.D. 1880, -
On motion of Mr. ALDERMAN SKINNER, seconded by Mr. ALDERMAN DUFFELL, the following resolution was unanimously adopted : -
" Whereas, His Worship the Mayor has informed this Council that the City of Boston has extended to him an invitation to be present at the celebration, on the seventeenth day of September instant, of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the settlement of Boston, and to accept the hospitalities of the City of Boston on that occasion ;
" And whereas, the citizens of St. John remember with the warmest feelings of gratitude and satisfaction the large-hearted and generous manner in which the people of Boston, during the unprecedented calamity that fell upon this city three years ago, came to the relief of those who temporarily required assistance ;
" And whereas, by reason of the intimate social and commercial relations existing between citizens of St. John and the large number of persons now residing in Boston who first had their homes in New Brunswick, and in recognition of the high literary position attained by the City of Boston, and the many evidences it presents of an elevated civilization, and of the fact that the citizens of Boston have from the beginning stood in the van of those who have widened the area of human liberty, it is most seemly that this city should with alacrity avail itself of the present auspicious opportunity of adding its tribute of respect to a people who are fulfilling in so noble a way, as are the citizens of Boston, duties that make the future so hopeful to all who believe in he elevation of our race, -
" Therefore, resolved, That His Worship be requested to accept the invitation, and to convey to the Mayor and City Council of Boston the congratulations of the people of St. John, upon the fact that Boston has arrived at its two hundred and fiftieth anniversary, and presents so many and varied elements that promise for it a future which will not only keep it an honor to its own nation, but make men everywhere look to it with pride because of the great possibilities it continually shows are within the reach of all people ; and that, while so presenting the congratulations of our city, His
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Worship be also requested to make manifest to the City of Boston that the citizens of St. Johm are desirous that both countries will in future see their way clear to widen rather than narrow the channels of trade between them, and to show that whilst the past demonstrates the capacity of each country to be prosperous independently of the other. yet the higher points of success cannot be brought within the reach of all until our mutual trade shall have as full a share of freedom as is now enjoyed by the citizens of both countries."
[Extract from the Minutes. ]
Given under the Common Seal of the City of St. John and the hand of the Mayor the said fourteenth day of September, A D. 1880.
CHARLES R. RAY, [SEAL. ]
By order of the Common Council.
Mayor.
B. LESTER PETERS, Common Clerk.
Mr. Mayor, reference has been made, in the greeting which I bear from the City Government of St. John, to the generosity and whole-souled aid which the citizens of Boston rendered to the inhabitants of our city in their distress and affliction, made by the fire of June 20th, 1877. I cannot forego the opportunity personally of thanking you, Mr. Mayor, for the prompt and energetic action taken by yon; for no sooner had information of the calamity reached yon than a despatch was received by my predecessor, the late Mayor: " What can be done?" and, in characteristic keeping with the past record of Boston, you at once summoned a public meeting, and then the generous impulses of your citizens gave vent in cheerful and liberal assistance, as they always do when the call for help is made, from whatever land, and always meet with a generous response. I would be recreant in my duty, and to the trust reposed in me, should I forget, on this evening, to tender on behalf of my countrywomen, which I do with the utmost respect and consideration, the lively and warm affec-
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tion which they entertain for the generous and open-hearted liberality which animated the women of Boston in sending such material aid as was most welcome and wanted at the time; and I assure you, ladies, it was, still is, and ever will be, appreciated. The noble efforts put forth by you on that occa- sion, the name of Boston, will forever be fondly cherished and revered by the citizens of St. John.
The social and commercial relations existing between our city and yours, which has made such wonderful progress in population, wealth, and commerce, are nearer and more intimate and cordial, I am happy to say, than they ever have been at any previous period; we have mutually lived down all the ill-founded prejudices and jealousies that arose out of former disputes and contests, and we now recognize each other as brothers of the great Anglo-Saxon race. The oppor- tunity presents itself of making a few remarks on a subject which I consider of great import to the people of the United States and Canada; that is, the commercial relations of the two countries should be still closer and more extended than those now existing. It is but natural, when we consider the geo- graphical position and close proximity of the same, possessing as they do all the facilities for transport and rapid communi- cation, that they should engage and awaken intelligent inquiry and agitation to bring about that desirable result. If the hon- orable gentlemen who are charged with the administration of their respective governments at Washington and Ottawa could be induced to take up the question, and arrange for negotiations, I am satisfied that a just and equitable treaty could be enacted, which would prove mutually beneficial to all interested.
There are some historic facts in common between the cities of Boston and St. John which may not be out of place
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to refer to at this time. The oldest church in Boston is Christ Church, Salem street; the commmion service now in use was the gift of His Late Majesty, George the Second; and if his grandson, George the Third, had possessed the wisdom and benevolence which characterize his granddaughter, Her Most Gracions Majesty, Queen Victoria, England probably would not have lost her old colonies, and with them the brightest jewel of her crown. From the steeple of this ancient church Paul Revere hung out the warning lights on the night of April 18th, 1775, and on that same day the Rector, Dr. Mather Byles, officiated for the last time. I refer to it and to him, as he was born in Boston, and for nearly twenty-five years was Rector of Trinity Church at St. John, where his remains repose. On Christmas day, 1791, he opened our old Trinity Church, - the most historie of all the edifices swept away by the great fire. The only relie saved from it was the "Royal Coat of Arms." They were placed in the old church at its dedication, and remained for nearly a century. The old " Arms" have a history: they are refugees ; for, at the evacu- ation of Boston, March 17th, 1776, they were removed out of the Council Chamber, in the old Town House, head of State street, and taken to St. John when the British army retired; this sacred old relic - the Royal Arms (Lion and Unicorn) - will, in a few weeks, take its place again in the new Trinity Church. Then, my friends, if you desire to see what your ancestors saw, - the old Coat of Arms, - I cordially invite yon to come down to St. John.
Boston can with confidence claim that no city has taken one step in advance of her, as by common consent she „stands forth as one of the most beautiful, complete, and refined cities in the world, being surrounded with all the accessories which contribute and lead up to the highest state S
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of civilization and culture, courting self-investigation and free thought, -the evidence of which is seen in her splendid seats of learning, free libraries, and other benevolent institu- tions, denoting the wisdom and benevolence of her patriotic and philanthropie citizens, who have founded and sustain by their gifts these noble and stately edifices for the well-being of man. In the proud and happy position which Boston holds to-day, the proofs of the Divine favor may plainly be read as bestowed upon her in the past two hundred and fifty years, and at the close of her fifth century of existence as a city may her greatness and prosperity be increased a thousand fold, and the beautiful prayer which is inscribed on your City Arms-" Let God be with us, as he was with our fathers" - be accorded to you in the future, as it has been in the past.
MAYOR KELLEY was next introduced, and said : -
ADDRESS OF HON. FRANK H. KELLEY, MAYOR OF WORCESTER, MASS.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen, - I thank you for this cordial greeting, in behalf of the citizens of the heart of the Commonwealth, whom I have the honor to represent on this occasion.
The Tree of Liberty, planted on these shores two hun- dred and fifty years ago, found in Boston a soil in which it has grown and flourished, and its majestic branches protect to-day your happy homes and thriving industries.
Every man, woman, and child of your city partakes at will of the fruit which hangs in golden clusters among its sheltering leaves. From its boughs you have filled the ta- bles of this hospitable anniversary. I congratulate you, in the name of the City of Worcester. My simple words but
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poorly convey to you the sentiments of pride which thrill the heart of the Commonwealth as the seroll of your history is unfolded.
That history is yours; but it is the property of fifty millions of American freemen, and to-day permeates the whole country - Boston, truly the Athens of America, with her public schools, her libraries, her churches, her publie gar- dens, her monuments commemorative of civil and religious liberty, the most illustrious in the annals of the.
I bow in reverence before those patriots and heroes who look down upon us from these hallowed walls. The immortal Webster seems still to speak to us here, for liberty and union, with eloquence irresistible as the tide of a mighty river. What were the temples of Minerva compared with the pillars of our republie, based on freedom, virtue, education and toleration !
Would you accept the Acropolis, restored to its original charms and glory, with its associations, for Faneuil Hall and Bunker Hill, with their associations? Never ! No, never !
Greece, in her glory, had 475,000 slaves ; Rome, 900,000 ; America has none. Greece had 25,000 free people ; Rome had 300,000; America has 50,000,000.
Boston is the crown jewel in our constellation, because she has always been foremost for liberty and the rights of man, and against tyranny and tyrants. The conquering power of freedom was well illustrated when Boston received the gallant sons of South Carolina with open arms, who came, after slavery went down in the darkness of war, to plant the Palmetto tree on Bunker Hill, beside that monument to which Kossuth, from _an Austrian dungeon, pointed and said, "My voice shrinks from the task to mingle with the awful pathos of that majestic orator, - silent like the grave, and yet melodious like the song
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of immortality, a senseless cold granite, and yet warm with inspiration like a patriot's heart, inmovable like the past, and yet stirring like the future, which never stops, it looks like a prophet and speaks like an oracle."
There it stands, overlooking a free and happy people, and may it forever remain the emblem of equality, unity, and peace. And may the Palmetto tree grow and flourish, reminding us of the necessity of pacification and concord.
Hon. G. WASHINGTON WARREN was then introduced as the rep- resentative of the First Church of Boston. He said : -
ADDRESS OF HON. G. WASHINGTON WARREN, OF BOSTON.
Mr. Mayor, - In responding to the call to speak in behalf of the First Church in Boston, I may say, that, like that church and like this good town of Boston, I had my origin in Charles- town. I was born, sir, within a stone's throw of the spot where the first Court of Assistants was held, and where Gov- ernor John Winthrop for the first time on the soil of Massa- chusetts unrolled the charter which he brought over from England. It always has seemed to me that upon this spot a statue of Winthrop holding that invaluable charter ought to be erected ; or, at least, some memorial should be placed to distinguish that great historic event.
Before forming a town, however, and before taking measures to constitute a commonwealth, the first thing which Winthrop and his associates did was to form a church, - showing that the chief object which they had in mind, and what they came here under so many privations to secure, was the free, unmolested worship of God, according to the dictates of their own consciences. And this first work which they did has lasted to this day. The First Church has now
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precisely the same form of covenant, in precisely the same words, which was framed and signed by Winthrop, by Isaac Johnson, - the husband of the princely Arabella, -by Deputy- Governor Dudley, by John Wilson, the first minister, and the others. This was on July 30, 1630. The first Court of Assistants was held on the 23d of August following, at which the first thing determined upon was how the ministers should be maintained. This was fifteen days before Boston was named.
The difference between the first house of worship erected by Winthrop and his associates, the low, mud-plastered building at the corner of State and Devonshire streets, and the tasteful temple which their successors now hold, at the corner of Berkeley and Marlborough streets, marks, as well as any other illustration which can be given, the advance which these two hundred and fifty years have brought about. But the most interesting memorial we have in our present elegant, archi- tectural church edifice is the original church covenant, in- seribed on one of the stained-glass windows. By this we testify that, whatever change and progress may be brought about by prosperity in material things, there need be no change in the expression of Christian fellowship. Governor Winthrop, we are told, often, in the absence of his minister, exhorted in the church. And this grace, or at least the faculty of exhibiting it, has been shared by his successors in office.
We of the First Church in Boston cheerfully cooperate with you, sir, and the other fathers of the city, in seeking to pay honor to the memory of John Winthrop, your founder and our founder. No character, during the centuries of modern history, is more illustrious for those peculiarly com- bined qualities of persistency and resignation, of courage
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and meekness, of firmness and conciliation, which he exhibited in the accomplishment of his great work, - the founding of a Christian commonwealth. Moses, in leading the Israelites through the wilderness, did not show greater faith and courage than did Winthrop when he pioneered his fleet of ten ships to these inhospitable shores. Whatever good influence Massa- chusetts has exerted, what she is and what she has been, may be traced back to the good seed which he brought with him and planted here.
Mr. Mayor, the motto on our city seal - Sicut patribus, sit Deus nobis - is an official acknowledgment of the provi- dence of God, and a perpetual prayer for its continuance. This is the lesson of the hour. As long as in church, and in school, and in daily life, the providence of God is devoutly recognized, we need fear no evil.
This closed the exercises, and the audience dispersed.
EXERCISES IN THE OLD SOUTH CHURCHI.
١
Fredencts O. Prices
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EXERCISES IN THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
A more appropriate place could not have been selected for the literary exercises of the day than the Old Sonth Meeting House, a building hallowed by association with so many important events in the history of the city. The interior of the building was hand- somely decorated with flags and hunting. A large platform was erected on the side where the pulpit formerly stood, upon which the members of the city government and their guests were seated. The audience was accommodated with chairs in the body of the house and in the galleries. The Boston Cadet Band was placed in the first gallery, and played appropriate selections at intervals during the exercises.
At 9 o'clock the Mayor introduced the Rev. GEORGE E. ELLIS, ! who offered the following prayer : -
PRAYER BY REV. GEORGE E. ELLIS.
Almighty and eternal God! Thon art the Author and the Giver of life; the God of nations and of men; the refuge and hope of all our fleeting generations. We would
' Rev. Rufus Ellis, D. D., the seventeenth in the line of succession of the minis- ters of the First Church of Boston, - which is so identified with the first settlement of the town, - and now in the twenty-seventh year of his pastorate, was designated as the chaplain for the commemorative services to-day. He being in Europe, his brother was invited to represent in this service the First Church, of which he is himself a member.
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acknowledge Thee in all our ways. We would lift a devout and reverent thought to Thee, that we may hallow the memories, the exercises, and the enjoyments of this day. Thou wert the God of our fathers. Their strength and their fidelity came alike from their faith in God, from their reverent obedience of Thy will, from their carnest piety, from their regard for us their children, to a late posterity. We bless Thee for all those guiding and protecting provi- dences of Thine over these passing centuries of time, while these scenes have changed from a wilderness to civilization, to the marts of industry, thrift, and prosperity, and the homes and altars of domestic life! Inheriting the blessing of a wise and faithful ancestry, we would live and act in the reverence of God, in the love and obedience of all Christian truth, in filial regard to Thy holy will in all things. May we leave this fair heritage to those that shall come after us more and more privileged, secure, and happy under Thy guidance and blessing.
We would all, as dependent and trusting children, join in the filial prayer, - Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Music followed, and the Mayor then read the following ode, written for the occasion by MARGARET CATHERINE WINSLOW, a de- scendant of John Winslow, brother of Governor Edward Winslow : -
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THE ANNIVERSARY ODE.
God save our City loved, The Pilgrims' refuge proved In darkest hour. Ilome of our fathers' choice, Home where Religion's voice Still called them to rejoice, Unchecked by power.
Home in our fathers' need, Home of a simpler creed, Iloly and pure. Free now from bigots' rule, God save the Church and School, Ne'er let a tyrant's tool From truth allure.
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