USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Bridgewater > Celebration of the two-hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, at West Bridgewater, June 3, 1856 > Part 7
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Mr. President, we are here this day - and, for myself, I rejoice in the happy opportunity to recognize and renew the recollections and associations which bind us together - as the descendants of a common ancestry, and to congratulate each other upon the striking manifestations of success, pros- perity, and social improvement, which surround and pervade the place of our common origin. Here, from one small set- tlement, we behold the establishment of four large, thriving,
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and well-ordered communities, each with its various churches, academies, and schools ; its numerous farms and commodious dwellings ; its manufactories, and places of trade ; and each numbering its inhabitants by thousands, enjoying all the advantages which religious and civil institutions cannot fail to bestow. And all this has occurred upon a scene and over a territory, - as we have been reminded by the interesting historical researches through which the orator has to-day vividly carried us, - a territory " inhabited," shall I say ? - no, scarcely more than wandered over, - by a handful of savages, little raised above the rank of barbarism.
And within what time has this vast and beneficial change taken place ? In certain points of view, two hundred years may appear to be a long period of time ; to each man's per- sonal experience, looking at the events of his own life only, it may seem so: but, in marking the infancy, growth, and maturity of tribes, states, and nations, it is, in truth, a com- paratively short period. Not only Bridgewater and the old colony, but this vast confederacy of the North-American States, have risen to their present greatness in the short space of two hundred years. May I, in this connection, be permitted to allude to a circumstance, somewhat curious in itself, which may aid the imagination in conceiving of, and realizing the comparative shortness of, this time ? We all know, from well-authenticated tradition, that Peregrine White was the first child born in the Plymouth colony ; that his birth, therefore, was at about 1620 ; and that he lived to be about eighty-five years old, thus carrying him to about 1705. Mr. Cobb, the centenarian of Kingston, died in 1803, at the age of a hundred and seven. Perhaps some who hear me may recollect him. I myself visited him at the com- mencement of the present century. He stated that he recol- lected Peregrine White, and had seen him, and had heard him talk. And this might even be ; for he must have been eight or ten years old when Peregrine White died. Para- doxical as it may seem, Mr. Cobb lived through part of three
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centuries, - the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth. Born in 1696, and dying in 1803, he lived four years in the seventeenth, during the whole of the eighteenth, and three years in the nineteenth century. Thus three lives, one, at least, still subsisting, - and probably many others, some of whom now hear me, - cover the whole period from the arri- val of the " Mayflower " to the present time.
What, then, we are led to inquire, with earnest and affec- tionate interest, led to this change from a wilderness to a garden, from barbarism to high civilization ? These causes, these results, were probably not peculiar to the founders of the old colony ; but then they were strikingly displayed and illustrated.
In the first place, the founders were actuated and governed, in all their thoughts and all their movements, by high reli- gious and moral principle. They were not adventurers, who had left their country for a time to mend their fortunes, and then return to pass the residue of their lives in their native land : they came to seek an abiding-place, to establish a home for themselves and their descendants, which should satisfy their cherished ideas of a pure, religious commonwealth. They came with little property ; but the means on which they relied, - and on which, as the event proved, they might rely with success, - next to an undoubting faith in the providence of God, were earnest minds and willing hands.
To establish the means of religious instruction and public worship, where all might participate and enjoy equal privi- leges, was regarded as a duty of the first necessity. But their religious character has been too often considered to require any extended comment now. Their views may often have been narrow or erroneous ; they may have been stiff, or even obstinate, in maintaining them : but they were sin- cere. It is not on their religious character, however, that I would dwell ; but I do wish to ask your attention to their high moral principles. In my judgment, they were truly and conscientiously governed by a principle of strict integrity,
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a pure sense of exact justice, of strict equality of rights in the distribution and enjoyment of all civil and social benefits and advantages. If a tract of land was granted to a company of proprietors, it was to those who had united to form a set- tlement, designed for their personal occupation, and divided with strict equality, usually by lot ; and if, by any accident or mistake, any one had not his full share in real value, it was made up to him out of the common stock. No seignories, no large tracts, were granted out to individuals for speculation and for being leased, or for the purpose of creating distinc- tions in rank or social position ; and I have always regarded it as one of the vast advantages, and as giving a character in the outset to the condition of society, that land was granted in small parcels to actual settlers, to be held by actual occu- pants, by the freest of all tenures. This affords the highest encouragement to permanent improvement ; because every occupant feels assured that every permanent improvement will enure to his own benefit and that of his children. This it is which converts the sterile plain into a fertile field ; this it is which marks the distinction in improvement between the farms and buildings of a body of free yeomanry, cultivating their own lands, and the farms and buildings of a tenantry, even on the most fertile soil.
But next to the religious character of our ancestors, and the high-toned, strong sense of morality, of justice and integrity, of perfect equality of rights, which marked their conduct in all their social and political dealings and relations with each other, I consider that the remarkable growth of the communities, in advancing from poverty to competency, to wealth, and to all the refinements of an advanced civilization, are mainly attri- butable to two qualities, - industry and frugality. Labor, honest labor, even hard and persevering labor, in a laudable and honest calling, brought no discouragement, no want of respect, no loss of social position. This was a general and pervading feeling, and extended to all classes of society. It extended to both sexes : mothers and daughters, as well as
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fathers and sons, were actuated alike by a common self-devo- tion to useful industry, to advance the common interests of the family. If a son was to be supported at college, or a daughter to be fitted out with a comfortable marriage pro- vision, it was only a stimulus to more assiduous and cheerful industry to the whole household.
But I fear I am detaining you too long. I do wish, how- ever, at the hazard of being tedious, in reference to the last topic alluded to, to express, for myself and my cotemporaries of the present time, a deep feeling of gratitude, veneration, and filial affection, for our female ancestors. Though less conspicuous, their duties were not less important and efficient. Animated by an abiding sense of religious dependence, and sustained by an unshaken faith ; governed by an entire devo- tion to duty, and in a self-sacrificing spirit ; without display, and without a thought of being applauded or noticed, - they proceeded in the performance of their appropriate duties with a quiet but persevering energy, which did much to mould the character of their sons and daughters to honor and virtue, and elevate the tone of society by impressing it with something of their own pure and lofty spirit.
These virtues and characteristics were not rare, excep- tional, and occasional, but everywhere abounded as the lead- ing characteristics of the wives and mothers of our early ancestors, and tended to give to society formed under domes- tic auspices a character of high excellence, though still little advanced in wealth. Wealth is adventitious : virtue is perennial.
And may we not, with propriety, hold up these virtues of the wives and mothers of the olden time, as objects worthy of imitation by the women of our own age ? For although they are now seldom called on to engage in the same labors ; though the useful arts of domestic manufacture have given place to literature, the fine arts, and the more delicate occu- pations of refined society ; though the music of the piano has superseded that of the spinning-wheel, - yet the same
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piety and faith, the same disinterested, self-sacrificing devo- tion to duty, the same quiet energy and earnest maternal affection, which constituted the crowning grace of the humble dwellings of our ancestors, will still add grace and dignity, and shed a purifying influence upon the more sumptuous habitations and refined households of modern society.
Permit me to offer you a sentiment : -
"May each succeeding Centennial Anniversary witness the same deep interest in the homes of our ancestors, the love and veneration of their virtues, and the same fraternal harmony, which this day characterize the re-union of the Bridgewaters."
4. " The Orator of the Day. - A descendant of one of the original proprietors and settlers of Bridgewater: no long line of ancestry can add to his reputation as a statesman and a man."
Mr. WASHBURN, in responding to the above sentiment, said that he had already taxed their indulgence too severely this day to feel justified in occupying any more of their time, which could be so much more profitably employed in listen- ing to others.
But he should be doing injustice to his own feelings, if he suffered the occasion to pass without expressing the satisfaction with which he had this day visited a spot so long associated in his mind as the carly home of his ancestors.
He had come here well-nigh a stranger ; but as one object after another had been pointed out to him, and he had looked upon the farms which had been planted by men of his own name two centuries ago, he felt as if he had come back to what he had a right to claim as his own home .*
. Ellis Ames, Esq., presented the speaker, on this occasion, an original parch- ment-deel, executed by John Washburn, 2d, one of the original settlers of the town, bearing date, Nov. 1, 1686, and acknowledged before William Bradford, Deputy-Governor.
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And, when he found himself greeted with the warm wel- come of hospitality, he forgot that his birthplace was any- where than amidst these scenes of comfort and independence by which they were surrounded.
But he claimed the right of a stranger to speak, as an impartial observer, of what he had witnessed this day; and he did not hesitate to say, that nowhere could we look for a higher degree of intelligence, good order, and, in every sense of the term, respectability, than the multitude who had con- vened here had this day evinced.
Here were assembled, promiscuously, the people of four independent communities, numbering by thousands, and yet observing all the decorum and self-respect which are looked for in the social gatherings of friends and familiar associates, the courtesies of social life controlling the scenes of a public festive holiday.
Nor was it too much to say, that they witnessed in this the legitimate fruits of the opinions, institutions, and example which had been left to this generation by their fathers.
Well might Bridgewater be proud of such sons and daugh- ters ; and well might they come up hither, from their homes far and near, to do honor to the memory of its founders, and the associations that cluster around this spot.
He proposed, as a sentiment, -
" Bridgewater and her Children. - May she ever find a devotion as sincere on their part, and they a home as pros- perous and a welcome as cordial on hers, as the old home- stead has this day presented !"
5. " The Attorney-General of the Commonwealth. - Elected to his office for the ability and fidelity with which he has discharged its duties, and not for party pur- poses."
Hon. JOHN H. CLIFFORD, the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth, who had attended the celebration,
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and would have replied to this toast, was compelled to leave the table, by pressing official engagements, before it was announced ; leaving with a friend the following sentiment, which was read and cordially received : -
" The Ancient Town of Bridgewater. - She has successfully solved the most difficult political problem of modern times, by showing that there can be a North and a South, an East and a West, whose lines of division only serve 'to form a more perfect Union.'"
6. " The Ancient Ministers of the Town. - Keith, Perkins, and Reed, of the West; Shaw and Sanger, of the South; the two Angiers, of the East; and Porter, of the North, - in their times, the beacon-lights of knowledge, the heralds of religious and civil liberty. Their remains rest peacefully beneath our soil; the hallowed influence of their lives and labors, diffused throughout the community, will never die."
Rev. RALPH SANGER, of Dover, replied substantially as follows : -
MR. PRESIDENT, - You will bear me witness that I knew nothing of this sentiment till late last evening. Another person (Dr. Gannett, of Boston), an honored descendant of Bridgewater, was expected to respond to this sentiment. He is not here. I was asked to take his place. My feelings prompted me to do it. I could not bear the thought that there should be no response to this sentiment ; for although delicacy may forbid me to say much of one whose name is mentioned in the sentiment just read, yet several of them I had seen, and of all of them I had read or heard.
Mr. President, most of the carly ministers of Bridgewater attained a great age. The average length of the ministry of Keith, Perkins, and Reed, was the remarkably long period of fifty-six years. The average length of the ministry of
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the first Angier, Shaw, and Porter, was the still longer period of more than sixty-one years. This fact reflects much credit both upon the ministers and the people. It shows that there was mutual attachment, without which a ministry can be neither long nor profitable. It furnishes a striking contrast to the frequent changes in the ministry at the present time. I know that some religious societies have had not less than six, and others not less than eight, mini- sters since the time of my ordination. A brother clergyman, in reference to this state of things, remarked, that soon a minister would be considered very old at the age of twenty- five, and that people would wish to get a young and smart man to take his place.
Mr. President, I saw, in my early years, the venerable Shaw and Porter. They sustained, each of them, a long and useful ministry. They were beloved in life, and lamented in death. Their children and children's children have risen up, and called them blessed. They are honored in many of their descendants, and surely, in no small degree, by two of them present on this occasion, whose voices we have been glad this day to hear, - one presiding with dignity at this table ; and the other presiding, with eminent ability, as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of our honored Common- wealth.
But, Mr. President, the two ministers just mentioned died when I was very young. Dr. Reed, on the other hand, sur- vived till I had seen more than twoscore years. I knew him from my earliest recollection. He was often at my father's house. He and my father were like brothers. They loved each other ; they respected each other ; they frequent- ly visited each other ; they often exchanged on the sabbath ; they preached for each other the lecture preparatory to com- munion ; so that I often heard him both in public and in pri- vate. He was very interesting and instructive in conversa- tion. Dr. Reed, as it seems to me, was an original thinker. I have known ministers who would probably be regarded
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as more learned ; I have known those who perhaps had a knowledge of more languages, and were esteemed more criti- cal scholars : but I think that I have never known a minister who had a more original and discriminating mind. Judge Metcalf said of him, that he reminded him of Franklin. Like Franklin, he had an original mind; he uttered short and pithy sayings ; thoughts came out of his mind like sparks of the electric fluid from the battery ; they came not only with light, but with power. Let me add, that his character was no less remarkable for its excellence than his mind was for its clearness.
" His doctrine and his life, Coincident, exhibit lucid proof That he was honest in the sacred cause."
Mr. President, there is one minister, mentioned in the sentiment, of whose life and character and services I may not speak at large. But I may be allowed to state one or two facts to show that he was a patron of literature, and a lover of "religious and civil liberty." Though his salary was small, he expended freely of his little income to purchase books, and collected, during his lifetime, what was thought to be not only the largest, but the most valuable, library in that vicinity. He paid nearly a whole year's salary for one single work ; viz., " Rees's Cyclopedia." He contributed one-thirtieth part toward the first academy which was erected in Bridgewater. He was very fond of literary and scientific, as well as theological, studies ; and, whenever occasion re- quired, he stood forth the defender of "religious and civil liberty."
Mr. President, I have spoken briefly of the "ancient ministers of Bridgewater " whom I have seen, and of whom I have personal knowledge. Those whom I have not seen -the venerable Keith and Perkins and Angier, of whom history and tradition speak - were doubtless "beacon-lights " in their day and generation. They performed a good work
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in their time. They sowed seed, which has sprung up, and borne precious fruit, of which we and all coming after us will partake. Sir, I concur heartily in the closing language of the sentiment, -" The hallowed influence of their lives and labors, diffused through the community, will never die." No, sir, it will not die. Let us hope that it will live and flourish ; let us hope and pray that the good influence, which has come from our fathers to us, may be like a pure and holy stream, widening and deepening and increasing in all future time. And so, when the children of the ancient town of Bridgewater shall come in 1956, from " the North and the South, the East and the West," to the Third Centennial Anniversary, may they come with as warm and joyous hearts as we do this day !
Mr. President, allow me, before I close, to say that I am here to-day in the home of my early years, in the home of my childhood and youth, in the home of my earliest memories and affections. I rejoice to be here. I rejoice to see the family at home so much enlarged and improved ; to see so many new brothers and sisters in the " old homestead." God bless them all, and multiply them a thousand-fold !
Mr. President, permit me to close by offering the follow- ing sentiment : -
" The children of Bridgewater, who have been abroad, and have been kindly invited to return home, present their hearty thanks for the generous hospitality which they have received in the ' old homestead.'"
7. " The Judiciary of Massachusetts, - the anchor which holds the Ship of State fast to her moorings, whatever storms may assail her."
Hon. GEORGE P. SANGER, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, being called upon to respond, spoke, in substance, as follows: -
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I regret, Mr. President, for your sake, and for that of the brothers and sisters before us, that it had not fallen to him to respond to this sentiment whose name instantly occurs to every one, as the profound lawyer, and the most able, learned, and upright judge, whenever, in our Commonwealth, the judiciary is referred to, and who, present here as a descendant of one of the former worthies of the town, has already an- swered to a sentiment complimentary to himself. But his presence makes my duty light ; for my best response to the sentiment to which you have done me the honor to ask me to reply is simply to point you to him, who, throughout the Commonwealth, is known and honored as the upright and honorable man, and, over the nation and across the ocean, is recognized and appreciated as the learned and profound judge.
You will permit me, Mr. President, to make one suggestion in regard to the phraseology of the sentiment. It speaks of the Ship of State only as at her moorings, and assigns to the judiciary the sphere of holding her to her moorings, whatever storms may assail her. This is all true, sir. But our Ship of State is not always at her moorings : she has her voyage to accomplish ; and, whether her course leads her beneath sunny skies or over stormy seas, the judiciary plays its necessary and important part equally as in holding her to her moorings. For, sir, I believe in that true progress, that steady advance with no backward step, majestic as the march of the ages, by which commonwealths, as well as individuals, are led forward in their upward and onward course. Did I not so believe, the times upon which we have fallen would be to me most grievous ; and the incidents of the past few weeks, still fresh in the hearts of the people, would overwhelm me with un- utterable sorrow. The low wail of liberty that comes up to us from the Federal Capitol, where freedom of speech is stricken down in what should be her sanctuary ; and the agonizing shrieks that pierce our ears from the Western prairies, where the sons and daughters of the Free States are insulted, oppressed, outraged, and murdered, simply because
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they would keep that fair garden of the world open to free- dom, - would burden me to the earth, did I not believe, that, even now, a brighter day is beginning to dawn, and that the historian of American liberty will look upon this year as the time when, and these acts as the crowning aggressions by which, the free people of the nation were at last to be aroused to the determination, that thenceforward, for ever, the blight of slavery should not be extended. And, sir, may not this be one of the lessons that this time and occasion teach ? Looking forth upon these fair fields, which our fathers, with unremitting toil, redeemed from the wilderness, should we not pledge ourselves anew to lives of honorable and manly labor ? Standing by the sods that rest lightly upon their honored dust, let us dedicate ourselves for the future to a life, as nearly as may be, as patient, as enduring, as frugal, as honest, as patriotic, as Christian, and so as fruit- ful, as theirs. Living in a land by them made free, let us consecrate ourselves for ever as untiring champions of reli- gious freedom and republican liberty.
In the Appendix, Mr. President, to Mitchell's "History of Bridgewater," which has been referred to so often and so favorably to-day, there is a preface, written by the Mathers, of religious memory, to a published sermon of, I think, the Rev. Mr. Keith, the first minister of this town, in which they speak of the then reputation of Bridgewater as that of " a most pious and a most praying town ;" and to the piety and prayers of its people do they attribute the many mercies which God had vouchsafed to them. I give you, sir, as a sentiment : -
"The most praying and most pious town of Bridgewater : May its descendants imitate the example of their ancestors ! and so to themselves insure the great reward."
8. " The Adopted Children of our Common Mother. - We extend to them the hand of fellowship, and welcome them to all the blessings and privileges of our common inheritance."
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Hon. WILLIAM BAYLIES, of West Bridgewater, re- sponded as follows : -
MR. PRESIDENT, - I shall not attempt to make what might properly be called a speech. Such an attempt would require an effort beyond my strength, both of body and mind. I must, therefore, in replying to the toast just offered, restrict myself to narrow limits and a few words.
To be recognized, on this occasion and in this presence, as an adopted son of Bridgewater, - Old Bridgewater, in all her territorial entireness and integrity, - is gratifying to my feelings : nothing could be more so. I acknowledge the relationship, and am proud of it. Old Bridgewater I shall never forget : the remembrance of her is dear to my heart, and will be so till that heart shall become as cold as marble.
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