City of Melrose annual report 1862-1879, Part 50

Author: Melrose (Mass.)
Publication date: 1862
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1032

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E. H. G.

PROCEEDINGS.

On the 25th of May, 1876, the President of the United States issued the following Proclamation : -

WHEREAS, a joint resolution of the Senate and House of Representa- tives of the United States was duly approved on the 13th day of March last, which resolution is as follows :

" Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States, in Congress assembled :

"That it be and is hereby recommended by the Senate and House of Representatives to the people of the several States, that they assemble in their several counties or towns, on the approaching centennial anniversary of our national independence; and that they cause to have delivered on such day an historical sketch of said county or town from its formation; and that a copy of said sketch may be filed, in print or manuscript, in the clerk's office of said county, and an additional copy, in print or manuscript, be filed in the office of the librarian of Congress, to the intent that a com- plete record may thus be obtained of the progress of our institutions dur- ing the first centennial of their existence."

Whereas, It is deemed proper that such recommendation be brought to the notice and knowledge of the people of the United States,

Now, therefore, I, Ulysses S. Grant, President of the United States, do hereby declare and make known the same, in the hope that the object of such resolution may meet the approval of the people of the United States, and that proper steps may be taken to carry the same into effect.

Given under my hand at the city of Washington, the 25th of May, in the year of our Lord 1876, and of the independence of the United States the one hundredth.

U. S. GRANT.

By the President.

HAMILTON FISHI, Secretary of State.

On the 6th of June, at a regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen, Messrs. WALTER BABB, HENRY G. FIELDS and NATHAN D. BLAKE, the following gentlemen were appointed a Committee, with full power, to arrange for the Celebration in accordance with the above Proclamation: Messrs. GEORGE F. STONE, WILLIAM L. WILLIAMS, JOSEPH D. WILDE, HENRY G. FIELDS, W. IRVING

PROCEEDINGS.

ELLIS, ARTEMUS BARRETT, LEVI S. GOULD, JOHN W. FARWELL, JOHN O. NORRIS, CHARLES C. BARRY, GEORGE E. CARR, GEORGE EMERSON, and ELBRIDGE H. Goss. This Committee held its first meeting in the Selectmen's Room, June 12th. Mr. Stone not being able to serve on the Committee, resigned, and it was then organized as follows: J. D. WILDE, Chairman; J. W. FARWELL, Secretary; and C. C. BARRY, Treasurer; and the following gen- tlemen were added to the Committee: Messrs. WALTER BABB, NATHAN D. BLAKE, THOMAS J. KIMBALL, SAMUEL A. DRAKE, FRANK A. MESSENGER, HORATIO N. PERKINS, MOSES S. PAGE, and CLARK B. BALDWIN. The various Sub-Committees were appointed as follows: Finance, Messrs. ELLIS, KIMBALL, CARR and BLAKE ; Music, Messrs. EMERSON, NORRIS, FIELDS and CARR; Decorations, Messrs. WILDE, WILLIAMS and FARWELL; Invitations to Representatives of the Old Families, Messrs. GOULD and BARRETT; Printing and Programme, Messrs. DRAKE, BABB, WILLIAMS, CARR and EMERSON; Regatta, C. C. BARRY; Base-Ball Match, Messrs. BLAKE and BABB; Invitations to Clergymen, W. L. WILLIAMS; Croquet Match, W. L. WILLIAMS; Antiques and Horribles, M. S. PAGE.

It was voted to request Hon. DANIEL W. Gooch to act as President of the Day, Mr. GEORGE E. MUNROE to read the Decla- ration of Independence, and Mr. ELBRIDGE H. Goss to prepare a historical sketch of the town. Various other meetings of the Committee were held, and all the necessary steps taken to have what proved to be a very successful celebration.

THE CELEBRATION.

At sunrise, the bells of the town were rung, a salute fired by a section of Battery C, and the large and handsome thirty-foot flag, presented to the town by the ladies, thrown to the breeze from the top of town hall. Following this came a procession of the Antiques and Horribles, under the command of Chief Marshall Klaw-Hammer, ending with an oration from the music-stand on School-house Green, on Emerson Street, by Col. Much Chin. From seven to eight o'clock a concert was given at the music- stand by the Melrose Orchestra Band, under the direction of Mr. B. FRANK BURNHAM. At eight o'clock, on the green in front of the " Mountain House," there was a match game of Base Ball between the "Mutuals," Capt. CHARLES MERRILL, and the "Alphas,"

TOWN OF MELROSE.

Capt. EDWARD E. BABB. Prizes, $7 and $3. Score: " Mutuals," 28; "Alphas," 4. At ten o'clock, a match game of Croquet, on the lawn of ISAAC EMERSON, Esq., between Col. FRANCIS S. HESSELTINE and Rev. DANIEL P. LIVERMORE, and Messrs. WIL- LIAM D. SERRAT and FRANK G. HOWARD. Prizes, two ebony wood croquet mallets, won by Messrs. SERRAT and HOWARD. At 12 o'clock, M., there was a general ringing of bells, with a salute. At 2 o'clock the literary and musical exercises took place at the town hall, with the following Programme: -

ORDER OF EXERCISES.

Reading of the President's Proclamation, Mr. JOSEPHI D. WILDE Introductory Remarks, Hon. DANIEL W. GOOCH Prayer, Rev. D. ALLEN MOREHOUSE Music, "The Great Centennial Year,"-Words and Music by Mrs. GEORGIE N. BORDMAN. (Sung by the pupils of the common schools.)

Reading of the Delaration of Independence, . Mr. GEORGE E. MUNROE Music, "America," MELROSE ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS OF MALE VOICES

Cornet Solo, " Young America Polka," Mr. WALTER EMERSON

Historical Sketch of Melrose,

Mr. ELBRIDGE H. Goss

Marching Song, "The School Brigade," . Mrs. GEORGIE N. BORDMAN (Sung by the school children.)

Presentation of the Flag to the Town, Miss CARRIE L. WILDE Response, Mr. WALTER BABB Music, "Star Spangled Banner," ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS OF MALE VOICES Closing Remarks, . Rev. WILLIAM A. START

Doxology, " Old Hundred,' BY THE AUDIENCE Benediction, Rev. NAPOLEON B. THOMPSON

Mr. WILDE introduced the proceedings at the hall, by reading the President's Proclamation; after which, in a few appropriate remarks, he presented the President of the Day, Hon. D. W. GoOCH, who made the following Address:

MR. GQOCH'S ADDRESS.

FELLOW CITIZENS:

Your Committee of Arrangements has assigned to me the pleasant duty of presiding at this meeting, for which I tender my sincere thanks.

To-day closes the first hundred years of our national life, and we all most cheerfully respond to the resolution, passed by the Senate and House of Representatives, approved by the President, and enforced by his Procla- mation, to the reading of which you have just listened.

It is a pleasant thought, that, on this day, the people of every mu-

PROCEEDINGS.

nicipality throughout our broad land are called upon to assemble and listen to an historical sketch of the leading and important events which have transpired within it since its formation. It will make a most valuable contribution to our country's and the world's history, to which future generations will turn with deep interest.

It has been truly said, that the American Revolution was born in the primary assembly, in the town meeting. We all know that the most inter- esting portions of New England history are found in our municipal records; and it is certainly well, that, as a part of the exercises of this Centennial Anniversary, we should devote something of time and effort to extending and perfecting these records, and giving to them a more enduring form and greater publicity.

Fellow Citizens: One hundred years ago to-day, the declaration of the great principles on which this nation was to stand, and in accordance with which its government was to be administered, was made to the world; principles so plain, so simple, so just, that they almost immediately com- manded the carnest and hearty support of all loyal and patriotic men; and yet so broad, so deep, so comprehensive, so far in advance of anything the world had ever known, that it has cost two bloody wars, almost count- less millions of money, hundreds of thousands of lives, and a century of time to secure for them practical recognition in the legislation and admin- istration of the government. God grant that no succeeding century shall ever undo or impair the noble work which the first has accomplished.

Ladies and Gentlemen: The programme of the entertainment provided for this afternoon, which you hold in your hands, admonishes ine that I must not detain you from its enjoyment.

PRESENTATION OF THE FLAG.

The President, upon introducing Miss WILDE, who presented, in behalf of the ladies, and Mr. BABB, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, who received, in behalf of the town, a beautiful flag, which had just been purchased by the ladies, and was then float- ing over the town hall, - spoke as follows : -

When the Declaration of Independence was declared from the State House, at Philadelphia, the king's arms were taken down, carried to the Common, and burned. The Declaration ended the supremacy of England over the Colonies, and by this act the symbol of her power was destroyed.

There are many traditions as to the origin and devices of our flag, but neither the time or circumstance of its first use is definitely known. Almost a year after the Declaration of Independence, the American Congress, by formal resolution, adopted it; and from that time the stars and stripes have been our national banner, and every loyal citizen has ever looked to it with pride and satisfaction: with pride, because it has com- manded the respect of the world; with satisfaction, because it pledges the mighty power of the government, whose symbol it is, to the protection of every citizen.

TOWN OF MELROSE.

A few days ago it occurred to Miss MINNIE C. KIMBALL, that it would be a very appropriate and graceful act for our ladies, on this occasion, to present to the town, for use in connection with this building, the American Flag ; and the ladies, responding cheerfully to the call of Miss Kimball, have procured the beautiful flag which now floats above us; and Miss CARRIE L. WILDE, in behalf of the donors, will now present, and WALTER BABB, Esq., in behalf of the town, will receive it.

MISS WILDE'S ADDRESS.

HONORED SIR:

On the 14th of June, 1777, nearly a year after the Declaration of Independence, whose centennial anniversary we are this day celebrating, the Continental Congress adopted, as our national banner, the stars and stripes in the following resolution :-

" Resolved, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."

Since the day this resolution was adopted, great and wonderful changes have taken place in our nation's history. The noble men then assembled at Philadelphia have long since passed away, leaving to us this emblem of union and liberty, to be kept unsullied and to be passed by us to the care and keeping of coming generations. All loyal hearts love and reverence it, and in times of peril thousands have been found ready to rally to its defence. In times of peace, we love to decorate our homes and public buildings, on festal days, with this national standard. We teach even the children to love and cheer it when they see it floating in the breeze, and all because it speaks to our hearts of the country we love so well, of the liberty we enjoy, and of the ever increasing brightness of that " new constellation " which our revolutionary fathers labored so earnestly to place among the nations of the earth.

In every town and city of our country this standard waves to-day, the emblem of a free people, inspiring them with both loyalty and patriotism.

" Its hues are all of Heaven : The red, of sunset dye ; The whiteness, of the moonlit cloud; The blue, of morning sky."

It is with pleasure, sir, that, in behalf of the ladies of Melrose, I present to the town the beautiful flag now waving over this hall. We felt that we could no more appropriately celebrate this hundredtli anniversary of our nation's independence than by placing in charge of our town officers this cherished symbol of freedom. I would, therefore, ask you to accept this flag ; and I charge you to guard sacredly its honor, and see that no disloyal heart ever insults or dishonors it; and that, in years to come, it may be 'seen proudly waving over true hearts, and in sight of our peace- ful, happy homes.

PROCEEDINGS.

MR. BABB'S RESPONSE.

Mr. PRESIDENT:

It would be a bold man indeed who would at this late hour, and under this oppressive heat, attempt anything like a speech, even on an occasion so grand as this, the reception of a Centennial Flag from the hands of the ladies of Melrose; and more particularly after the subject has been so fully covered, as it has been, by the eloquent remarks of our president, in the introduction of the young lady who has so gracefully and beautifully made the speech of presentation.

Mayor Cobb, of Boston, said, the other day, in presenting bouquets to the school children, that the duties of the Mayor were not always pleasant, that he was often brought into contact with hard men, men devoid of principle, and that sometimes his official duties were distasteful and un- pleasant; but, said he, this occasion, the meeting with the graduates of the publie schools of Boston, listening to their merry voiees in song and praise, more than offsets all things else. So let me say that the seleetmen of even so cultured a place as Melrose find many duties distasteful and unpleasant. We often find men unreasonable ; there is sometimes a elamor for impossi- ble things, and a great deal of fault found because we perform our duties as to us seems best ; and then comes in an occasion of this kind, and we forget it all. This occasion comes like a ray of sunlight through the storm- clouds.

It has been left to the patriotie women of Melrose to complete the erowning act of this centennial "Fourth," in the presentation of the beautiful flag now flying from yonder staff. In behalf of the town of Melrose I accept this flag ; not in the material sense, as so many square yards of bunting, but in that other and higher sense, as the emblem of our nationality and of everything worth preserving. I accept it as the emblem of a republican form of government, of free schools, churches, colleges and the ballot; as the embodiment of those principles which our soldiers in two wars so freely gave their life-blood, and so many of whom found it their winding sheet; as the emblem which all of us, whether living or dying, have learned to love, respeet, and esteem. I receive it in behalf of this town of ours, of which this day we have heard so much in praise; this town, which twenty-six years ago had little but natural seenery to recom- mend it, now dotted all over with churches, school-houses, publie buildings, and every improvement for comfort and convenience; also represented by all the various fraternal and other societies which have done so much to uplift our raee ; this town, which has so many men and women of intel- ligence, which, for integrity and purity of morals, and for everything that goes to make a noble community, is equal to any and second to none in this commonwealth. In behalf of the town, then, I accept this flag, and assure the donors that, during the present administration, nothing shall be done that is not in keeping with all the sentiments expressed, and that no aet of ours shall ever lower the standard now attained. This flag shall fly on all publie occasions from this building, and as often as our eyes shall gaze upon it, with pride shall we ever remember the loyal, generous and patriotic women of Melrose,

TOWN OF MELROSE.

After the reception of the flag, Miss WILDE presented a silver medal, with appropriate remarks, to Miss MINNIE C. KIMBALL, as a token, from the ladies of Melrose, of their appreciation of her interest and success in raising the money for the beautiful flag, now the property of the town. On one side of this medal was engraved a flag; and on the other, "Presented to MINNIE C. KIMBALL by the ladies of Melrose, July 4, 1876."

The Committee to invite Representatives of the Old Families, issued a notice in the Melrose Journal, and also sent the fol- lowing circular of invitation : -

The Committee appointed to make arrangements for the Centennial Celebration of American Independence respectfully solicit your presence, as natives of North Malden, at the exercises to be held in the Town Hall, during the afternoon of July 4th, as guests of the town of Melrose. Seats will be reserved for your accommodation, tickets for which will be fur- nished, upon application to the undersigned, or at the ticket office, in the Town Hall, after the doors are opened.

In behalf of the Committee.

Melrose, June 26, 1876.

LEVI S. GOULD.

In response to this invitation there was a very general accept- ance, the seats reserved for them being fully occupied.

In the account of the proceedings of the day, in the Melrose Journal of July 8th, the following remarks occur concerning these exercises : -

"These services in the hall were to many the chief enjoyment of the day. The spirited, patriotic introductory address by our honored towns- men, D. W. Gooch, the singing of "America," the sweet voices of the children, the fervent prayer by the Rev. Mr. Morehouse, the history of our beautiful town, and, lastly, the singing of "Old Hundred" by so many voices, all made an impressive service, which will mark the day as one of the pleasantest that ever passed."

At six o'clock the regatta took place on L Pond; the first race being between the four-oared boats, the "Blues" and the " Reds,"-the prize being a ten-foot flag, costing $10.00. The " Blues " were CHARLES B. HILL, stroke, JERRY SCAMMON, NO. 2, JOHN W. ROBSON, NO. 3, and WILLIAM D. SERRAT, bow; the " Reds," FRANK H. DAMON, stroke, FRANK T. HINCKLEY, NO. 2, JESSE A. DILL, No. 3, and GEORGE E. MUNROE, bow. The race was a very close one, but was won by the "Reds." The double scull race, for a prize of $3.00 in silver, was between FRANK II.

PROCEEDINGS.

DAMON and ELISHA W. COBB, and ALBERT B. CLEAVELAND and WALTER C. SANDERS; race won by the two latter. The tub race, for a prize of $2.00 in silver, was between MILLEDGE MCALMON and CHARLES S. JONES, and was won by the former.

The decorations of the residences of many of our citizens were one of the most pleasing features of the day, many of the dis- plays being very fine; as were also the illuminations in the evening; both decorations and illuminations, combined, produced remarkably pleasant pictures in many instances. There was, also, an exhibition of rockets and fireworks in different parts of the town during the evening. Taken all in all, the celebration of the Centennial Fourth of July, 1876, in the town of Melrose, was a thorough and complete success in every particular; and the committee having charge of the arrangements, and the citi- zens generally, have every reason to feel satisfied with the result of their united labors.

At the final meeting of the committee of arrangements, it was voted that its records be deposited with the town clerk, and that he be requested to make such entry of the celebration on the town records as he deemed necessary; and there being a small balance of money in the treasury, it was voted to deposit six dollars in the Melrose Savings Bank, principal and interest to be held until Melrose shall celebrate the one hundredth anni- versary of its incorporation, May 3, 1950: said sum to be added to the $1.50 now deposited in said bank, in the name of Dexter F. Munroe, Treasurer, which was a balance left in the hands of the committee that represented Melrose at Concord and Lexing- ton, at the celebration of the 19th of April, 1875.

Press of T. W. Ripley, 138 Congress Street, Boston.

352 M52t

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City of Melrose annual report 1862-1879, Part 50

Author: Melrose (Mass.) Publication date: 1862 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1032

Author: Melrose (Mass.)
Publication date: 1862
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1032