USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Genealogical history of the town of Reading, Mass., including the present towns of Wakefield, Reading, and North Reading, with chronological and historical sketches, from 1639 to 1874 > Part 71
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But while this voiceful marble speaks to us thus, my friends, of what our fallen soldiers have done and suffered for you and for me, for your children and for mine, may it also speak and speak to willing ears of what we owe to the families they have left behind them. It has been said that " Republics are proverbially ungrateful." Citizens of Reading, let not the taunt find any support whatever in our treat- ment of the families of our fallen soldiers. We ought most cheerfully to regard them as a sacred trust, put under our guardianship by the noble men who have gone forth to battle and to die in defence of our common liberties and our common country. And it is due to ourselves, not less than to our fallen townsmen, -it is due to the patriotism of coming generations, which we ought not to stifle, but to encourage and develop, -that we do everything that can consistently be done to
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secure the comfort, the education, the prosperity in life of those whose natural guardians have laid down their lives for us. I know not how it may be with others ; but for myself, I can truly say that I scarcely ever see a soldier in his war-worn uniform of blue without a sense of personal indebtedness, and a feeling of personal gratitude, arising in my heart towards him. I feel somewhat as I should if he had rushed through the flames of a burning house, and at the risk of his own life saved my children from a horrible death. And so, in a measure, ought we all to feel towards the widows and the children of our unre- turning soldiers, showing at once our gratitude to the heroic dead, and our own manhood in our treatment of the dependent ones they have left to our sympathy and protection.
But not of the dead alone, nor of the families of the dead, does this monument speak. Though none but the names of the fallen are chiselled upon its sides, and though it is " dedicated to the sons of Reading who died for their country in the Great Rebellion," yet should it speak to us of the living also; of those who have borne the same burdens and exposed themselves to the same dangers, and yet have returned to us safe from amidst them all. For it is owing to no lack of courage, to no shrinking from the post of duty or of danger, that these too were not numbered among the dead. They have marched the same long and weary marches ; they have bravely and often faced the same stubborn foe ; they have fought side by side upon the same battle-fields with their fallen comrades. They are as worthy of our gratitude and praise as if their bones were now resting upon the field of Gettysburg or the Wilder- ness. Most heartily do we tender them our thanksgiving to-day. This monument we dedicate is a monument to their heroism and love of country, as well as to the patriotism of those who are no longer with us. It shall speak to us of the living defenders of our liberties as well as of the dead. It shall help us, I trust, to remember the debt of gratitude we owe to those who have fearlessly hazarded life and limb in the nation's defence, as well as to those whose lives have been actually paid as the price of our country's redemption.
A monument is usually the expression of regard and sorrow. And so it is with this. It is the expression in marble of our townsmen's grateful regard for those whose names the monument hands down to posterity, and of our sympathizing sorrow with the families and kin- dred whom their death has caused to mourn. The early loss of so many of our young men, who have shown by the heroism of their death that they were so fit to live, is surely an occasion for sorrow. And yet I cannot look upon that monument as an expression of grief alone, but
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also of pride and rejoicing. The darkness of our sorrow is but the shadow of a great joy. If it saddens us to remember that forty-six of our young men have been sacrificed in this war, it fills us with patriotic pride and pleasure to remember the nobleness of the cause to which their lives have been given.
In the history of ancient Rome, we are told that a vast chasm, open- ing in the very heart of the city, filled its inhabitants with anxiety and alarm. All efforts to fill it were vain. But on consulting the sooth- sayers (the historian tells us), they declared that if the Roman com- monwealth was to be everlasting, the most valuable thing that Rome possessed must be sacrificed to this yawning chasm. On hearing this answer, the young hero, Marcus Curtius, deeming that Rome owned nothing more valuable than the lives of her young men, cheerfully offered himself for the sacrifice. Arraying himself in full armor, and mounting his war-horse, he leaped into the chasm and disappeared. Its horrid jaws at once closed over the victim, and Rome was again peaceful and prosperous. But the name of Marcus Curtius was not forgotten. For ages it was treasured and honored by the nation with exultant pride. His family instead of sorrowing over his loss triumphed and gloried in his sublime death.
The Roman fable has become an American fact. The demon. of slavery has opened through the heart of our republic a yawning chasm, which threatened to devour not only our prosperity and peace but our very existence as a nation ; and one of the most sublime spectacles the history of any people ever saw, was the zealous promptness with which, not one alone, but thousands upon thousands of our young men came forward, like Marcus Curtius, to offer themselves in sacrifice, if necessary, for the closing of the chasm and the riveting of our Union.
The work has been accomplished. The chasm has become the grave of Slavery itself, and our Union is more firmly compacted than ever before. And now, are we to look upon the death of those who have fallen in this sublime service with nothing but sorrow and mourning ? Shall we not rather rejoice, as did the family of Curtius, with a patriotic joy, that our sons and brothers have died such a noble death in such a noble cause ? And, if the Roman Senate erected over that closed abyss a triumphal column to give expression, not to their grief, but to their joy and pride that Rome had given birth to such a hero as Curtius, should not we, much more, look upon this monument we dedicate to-day as an embodiment of our pride and rejoicing that so many of the sons of Reading should have been willing to give life or limb for their country ? It is, indeed, something of which to be proud,
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- something over which we may, and should, rejoice with a patriot's joy. And in all the years that are before us, during which (as we may rationally hope) our regenerated nation is to stand before the world as this marble shaft stands on yonder hill, no longer, like Nebuchadnez- zar's image, part of iron and part of clay, but homogeneous throughout, - pure, erect, symmetrical, and strong, based upon the eternal gran_ ite of justice and freedom, and crowned with the proud symbol of our nationality, spreading its guardian wings over the whole; in all these coming years it will be an occasion of grateful pride for our children, and our children's children, to point to this marble emblem of our na- tion's purity and power, as a monument to the patriotism of Reading in the dark days of our country's peril.
And while recording the patriotism of the past, may it perpetuate this same spirit for the future. May it inspire our young men with a new readiness for self-sacrifice and a new love for their country. May it aid them to see and to feel that it is a noble thing to suffer or to die in the cause of humanity. May it teach them - may it teach us all - that, precious as are life and home and friends, there are things far more precious still ; and that no price is too great to pay for personal manhood and nobility, or for the triumph of national righteousness and constitutional freedom.
ODE BY MRS. P. H. HANAFORD.
Air-" Pleyel's Hymn."
To this sacred spot we come, Half triumphant, half in gloom, Thinking of the brave and blest Gone to share a patriot's rest.
Now the marble shaft we rear, - Hero-names recorded there, Telling to all coming Time Of their patriot deeds sublime.
And though far from us repose Some that bravely met our foes, Near or far, they all shall be Honored by the pure and free.
Lord ! may we life's conflict meet, As they went, with willing feet ; Crowned as victors may we rise, Meet our brave ones in the skies !
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HYMN BY MISS ELIZA EVANS.
Tune-" Shining Shore."
Our fall'n heroes, glorious dead ! In Freedom's cause enduring ; Through toil, privation, prisons, death, Our liberties securing. For them we raise the sculptured pile, Their names we'll fondly cherish With deep devotion in our hearts, When other names shall perish.
When in the nation's darkest hour, Rank Treason's host assailed, Then Freedom's champions quick arose, And mightily prevailed. Oppression from her seat was hurled, And Right became victorious ; And lasting days of peace shall crown The victory so glorious.
The loved have fall'n, - the true and brave The fearful numbers swelling : Our mourning households, stricken, lone, The tale of woe are telling. On battle plain, by treason slain, Their precious dust is sleeping ;
God knows His own, and He, our trust, That hallowed dust is keeping.
Our Honored Dead ! let history's page Record their deeds of glory, That generations yet unborn May know, and read the story. When with our Heroes we shall meet, Beside the peaceful river, To God, our great Deliverer's praise, We'll strike our harps forever.
JAMES S. CAMPBELL, F SOLON A. PARKER, Trustees. JOSEPH L. PRATT,
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O.
NAMES OF THE OWNERS OR OCCUPANTS
OF DWELLING-HOUSES IN THE FIRST PARISH (NOW WAKEFIELD) IN 1765, WITH THE NAMES OF THOSE WHO OCCUPIED THE SAME HOUSES, OR SITES, IN 1795, IN 1812, AND IN 1865, OR LATER.
1765.
1795,
1812.
1865, or later,
Rev. Wm. Hobby.
Samuel Poole.
Wid. Sam'l Poole.
Stephen Hale's Inn.
James Barrett.
Nathan Eaton.
Aaron Bryant.
Eben'r Nichols.
Thos. Rayner.
John Rayner.
Dr. J. G. Brown. Willis' Building.
Quanapowitt House S. O. Richardson. Cyrus Wakefield. Adam Hawkes.
Asa N. Sweetser. Taken down.
Do. Do.
Richard Upham.
Wid. Spear.
Tenement house. John Waitt. Aaron Green. Aaron Green.
Chas. Green.
C. W. Green.
Judge Nash.
A. Drake, &c.
Lt. John Walton.
Walton.
James Smith. John Smith.
H. Richardson.
Mr. Oliver.
Almshouse.
Capt. Sam Bancroft. Thos. Green.
Jona. Poole, Jr.
Thos. Wiley.
Jona. Poole. James Wiley.
Nath'l Wiley.
Leon'd Wiley.
Nath. Wiley.
Nath. Wiley.
Eli Wiley ..
Irish family.
Ephr'm Weston.
Noah Eaton.
Lilley Eaton. Wm. Gould.
John Gould.
Taken down.
A. Young.
Wm. Stimpson. Thos. Burnap.
Jere'h Brown.
Jer'h Brown.
Thos. Emerson.
John Sweetser. Do.
John Sweetser. Do.
Thos. Swain.
D. Batchelder.
A. Foster. Suel Winn.
Nath. Swain.
Dea. T. Parker. Jos. Burditt.
T. Parker. Wid. Burditt. Issachar Stowell.
Wood.
Issachar Stowell's
old house. Ed. Upton. H. Eaton. Austin. Oliver Walton, Jr. D. P. Emerson.
Jotham Walton.
Oliver Walton.
Jona. Brown. Jona. Cowdry.
Walton. Oliver Pope.
Col. Jas. Hartshorn. Col. J. Hartshorn.
Sam'l Felch.
Michael Sweetser.
Isaac Smith.
Dr. John Hart.
Dr. John Hart.
Benja. Smith.
Ebenezer Smith.
Jona. Evans.
Jona. Evans.
Daniel Gould.
Gould.
Ezekiel Pitman.
P. H. Sweetser.
Chas. W. Green.
James Lord.
Thos. Green.
Daniel Green.
Capt. Dan'l Green. · Green. Do. old house. Daniel Green.
Reuben Green. Nathan Green. Benj. Walton. Ezek'l Oliver.
T. Emerson. Benj. and Peter
Emerson
Thos. and Jeremiah C. Wakefield. Green. Tenement house.
Caleb Eaton.
Mrs. Spaulding. Tenement house.
Wm. Gould.
Jere'h Bryant. John Gould.
Lilley Eaton.
Eunice Eaton.
John and William Brown. Dr. Cushman. Dana Clayes.
Joseph Underwood. Dr. Oliver Swain. Do. Thos. Parker.
Oliver Swain. - Lewis.
Capt. John Swain Jacob Parker. and son. Jeremiah Brown. Benj. Peters. J. Brown. O. Walton. Nath. Brown. John Walton.
Wid. Peters. John Brown, Jr. Oliver Walton, Jr. Oliver Walton. A. Hawkes.
J. F. Hartshorne. Taken down. Aaron Bryant.
John Vinton. Cornelius Wotton.
- Vinton.
Samuel Wiley.
Cornelius Sweetser.
Cornelius Sweetser. Joseph Bryant. Paul Sweetser.
Pomp Putamia.
Paul Sweetser, Jr.
Dr. Hart's old house. Samuel Evans.
Wm. Green, Sen'r.
Aaron Green. Aaron Green.
Wm. Green, Jr.
Amos Boardman.
T. Emerson.
Benj. Emerson.
James Wiley. Mrs. David Wiley.
Jacob Eaton.
Jere. Bryant.
Paul Sweetser. Reuben Eaton. - - Sweetser.
Rev. Caleb Prentiss. Burrage Yale.
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APPENDIX.
James Emerson. Eben'r Gould.
J. Emerson. Dan'l Gould.
Capt. John Goodwin. J. Goodwin.
Thos. Hay.
Amos Boardman.
Dr. John Hay.
E. Eaton.
James Hartshorn.
J. Emerson, Jr. Charles Gould. Wid. J. Nichols. Amos Boardman. Dr. John Hay. Benj. Swain. James and Jer'h Hartshorn. Suel Winn.
J. E. Emerson. Clarissa Gould. J. Eustis. Mrs. Benj. Emerson.
Mrs. V. Holt. Jos. Hartshorn.
Eben'r Damon. Widow Lambert:
Phineas Parker. Will'm Lambert.
David Smith
Jeremiah Bryant. James Bryant.
J. Bryant.
Wid. J. Bryant.
James Bouttell. Davis Foster.
Nath'l Cowdrey.
Cap. John Goodwin. James Nichols.
Joseph Gould.
J. Gould.
Wid. Newhall.
J. F. Emerson.
Joseph Emerson.
Joseph Emerson.
Eben'r Nelson.
Hon. Tho. Emerson.
John Batchelder.
T. Evans.
Thos. Evans.
Tenement house.
Munroe, formerly of Nichols.
Newhall.
Wm. Stimpson.
Mrs. F. B. Eaton.
John Batchelder. J. Nutting.
Jos. Corditt.
Removed.
Gen. Benj. Brown.
B. Brown, Esq.
Thos. Clement.
Lucius Beebe.
Joseph Brown.
J. Smith.
Do. farm-house.
Taken down.
John Pratt.
Wid. Nichols, of Salem.
Tenement house.
L. Beebe.
Dea. B'wn Emerson.
Wid. Edes.
James Gould.
Dr. F. P. Hurd.
John Nichols.
David Smith.
Noah Smith.
Tenement .- C. W.
James Woodward.
T. Stimpson.
Penniman&Tileston.
W. Stimpson's heirs.
Wm. Eaton.
- Hill.
Cornelius Sweetser.
Ensign Hopkinson. Dea. Hopkins.
Joseph Hopkins.
E. Sumner Hopkins.
P.
DEDICATION OF WAKEFIELD HALL.
The dedicatory exercises of the new Town House occurred on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 1871.
The day was pleasant, fulfilling in this respect the fondest anticipa- tions, and the fact that it was the anniversary of Washington's birth made the selection all the more appropriate.
Though business in town was generally suspended, the stores closing at an early hour, our streets throughout the entire day never presented a more animated appearance. Visitors were present, not only from the towns adjoining, but from Lynn, Chelsea, Cambridge, Salem, Pea- body, and other places even more distant.
The mansion of Mr. Wakefield was open during the day, and hospi- talities were dispensed to all visitors.
Though the exercises did not commence until two o'clock, the people began to assemble at the building at half-past twelve; and when the doors were opened, at half-past one, a vast audience had assembled, who eagerly made their way through the spacious entrance and up the
Mrs. Winn. Tenement house. Taken down. Do.
Dea. Francis Smith.
Capt. Johnson. Nath'l Cowdrey.
Aaron Cowdrey. Wm. Beard & Co.
Burnt. H. L. Eaton.
M. F. Leslie.
Dr. Wmn. Hay. Thos. Damon. Benj. Hartshorn.
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APPENDIX.
wide stairways, and in less than fifteen minutes every available seat and standing position in the Hall was occupied, -the galleries being filled with the delighted, expectant faces of the children from the public schools. Every aisle, nook, and corner, together with the stairways, corridors, and anterooms, were thronged ; and the number present could not have been less than two thousand.
In the centre of the rear gallery was stationed the Wakefield Brass Band.
At the appointed time the President of the day,- Hon. P. H. Sweet- ser, - Cyrus Wakefield, Esq., the town officers, and distinguished in- vited guests, made their appearance on the stage.
The exercises commenced by the playing of " Hail Columbia " by the Band.
Mr. Sweetser then said : -
FELLOW-CITIZENS : On this national holiday, this anniversary of the birthday of Washington, we have assembled to dedicate this edifice. The service seems to me eminently appropriate to the day ; for I re- gard this splendid structure, with all its grand purposes, one of the legitimate fruits of the free, paternal government of our country, - a government under which laudable ambition and worthy enterprise are better stimulated and rewarded than in any other country on the face of the globe ; a government, for which and all its attendant bless- ings, we are under greater obligation to Washington than to any other human being. It is proper on this occasion that we acknowledge the Infinite Giver of all our benefits.
Prayer was then offered by Rev. Charles R. Bliss, after which " Hail to Thee, Liberty," was finely sung by a select Choir.
The following Report of the Building Committee was then submitted by the Secretary, Daniel Allen, Esq. : -
FELLOW-CITIZENS : It will be well remembered that, during the year 1867, the erection of a Soldiers' Monument and the building of a new Town House were matters that were freely discussed among our citi- zens, and that during the year a Soldiers' Monument Association was organized, and a small amount of funds raised towards carrying out the purposes of the Association.
At a town-meeting held April 15, 1867, an article appeared in the warrant, to see what action the town would take in regard to erecting a Soldiers' Monument ; and the subject was disposed of by choosing a Committee, consisting of Hon. Lilley Eaton, B. F. Bancroft, James M.
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Sweetser, James F. Mansfield, P. H. Sweetser, James Oliver, Cyrus Wakefield, and Dr. S. O. Richardson, to take the whole matter into con- sideration, and report at the next town meeting.
At a town meeting held Nov. 2, 1867, the above committee reported, that they had not been able to agree upon any definite plan in regard to a monument, and requested further time to consider the subject.
At a town-meeting held Jan. 20, 1868, the committee reported, in- stead of the erection of a Soldiers' Monument, that they had the pleas- ure to say to the town, that one of our patriotic and generous citi- zens had proposed to the town, through the committee, to donate to it a lot of land on the Noah Smith lot, on Main Street, of suitable size and surroundings for a Town House; also, in addition to the above donation, a sum not less than Thirty Thousand Dollars, - and an additional sum of Five Thousand more, if necessary - for the pur- pose of erecting a Town House, of sufficient capacity to furnish a suit- able Hall for town-meetings and public lectures, a Soldiers' Memorial Hall, Room for the Town Library, Town Officers' Rooms, and Rooms for Military and Municipal purposes.
This committee also reported that another of our wealthy and lib- eral citizens proposed to donate the sum of One Thousand Dollars, provided the house was located on said Noah Smith lot, for the purpose of adorning and furnishing the new Town House.
The town then unanimously voted to accept both of the munificent donations, and with much enthusiasm passed a vote of thanks to the generous donors. At the suggestion of Mr. Wakefield, a Building Committee was chosen to carry out his proposition to the town, and the following persons were chosen that committee : Cyrus Wakefield, Dr. Solon O. Richardson, Hon. Lilley Eaton, Daniel Allen, P. H. Sweetser, Dr. J. D. Mansfield, and Thomas Emerson, Jr.
FEBRUARY 22. The committee met at the house of Dr. S. O. Rich- ardson, and organized by the choice of P. H. Sweetser as Chairman and Daniel Allen as Secretary. Mr. Wakefield then gave the commit- tee some general outlines of his plans and ideas of the building he contemplated erecting for the town, and proposed, at the next meeting of the committee, to present to them full and complete plans of the building. At the next meeting of the committee, full and complete plans were presented, of a building much more elaborate and expen- sive than the committee supposed was intended by the donor. After a very full examination and explanation of the plans, the committee unanimously voted to leave the whole subject of the erection of the building to the liberal donor.
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APPENDIX.
The committee would further report: that thus far the expense of the building to the town is : Services of the Building Committee, by a vote of the town to serve without pay - Nothing. Paid by the town for land and building - Nothing. It will thus be seen that the posi- tion of the committee has been somewhat novel, but easy and pleas- ant. No funds to spend, no early or late suppers, no junketings ; but, with our fellow-citizens, to quietly look on and witness the erection of this noble edifice, much more expensive than was proposed by the donor, fully satisfactory as well as gratifying to the committee, as we feel it must be to all our fellow-citizens.
All of which is respectfully submitted in behalf of the committee.
DANIEL ALLEN, Secretary. WAKEFIELD, Feb. 22, 1871.
The reading of the report being concluded, Mr. Allen then read the deed, by which Mr. Wakefield conveyed the building to the town, as follows : -
Whereas, I, Cyrus Wakefield, of the Town of Wakefield, in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in consideration of my attachment to the place in which I have established and con- ducted the business by which I am enabled to make the gift hereinaf- ter set forth, and in recognition of the honor conferred on me by my fellow-citizens, in giving my name to said Town, have recently erected upon the parcel of land herein described, a building designed for a Town House and for municipal uses ; but also with the desire and intent that such portions thereof as are adapted thereto shall be from time to time devoted to use for patriotic, charitable, scientific, military, literary, æsthetic, educational, moral, and religious purposes, and for meetings, lectures, and addresses promotive thereof ; and whereas I desire to present the said land and building as a free and unrestricted gift to said Town for its acceptance : -
Now, in consideration of one dollar to me paid, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, I, the said Cyrus Wakefield, do hereby give, grant, and convey unto the said town of Wakefield, the parcel of land situated within said town, bounded and described as follows, viz. : -
Westerly by Main Street ; southerly by Water Street ; northerly by a new street fifty feet in width recently laid out by me; and easterly by a street sixty feet in width recently laid out by me; together with the Town Hall thereon erected by me, and all the rights, privileges, easements, and appurtenances thereto belonging. To have and to hold the same to the said town of Wakefield, to its use forever, for the uses and purposes above set forth.
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In testimony whereof, I, the said Cyrus Wakefield, with Eliza A. Wakefield, my wife, in token of her release of all right of homestead and of dower in the above granted premises, have hereto set our hands and seals, this twenty-second day of February, A. D. eighteen hundred and seventy-one.
In presence of
THOMAS RUSSELL, to c. W.
CYRUS WAKEFIELD. ELIZA A. WAKEFIELD.
GEO. H. WORTHLEY, to E. A. W. '
MIDDLESEX SS., Feb. 22, 1871.
Then personally appeared the above named Cyrus Wakefield, and acknowledged the foregoing to be his free act and deed.
Before me,
LILLEY EATON, Justice of the Peace.
The reading of the deed was received with shouts of prolonged and enthusiastic applause.
The President then introduced Cyrus Wakefield, Esq., whose appear- ance was the signal for renewed cheering, waving of handkerchiefs, and demonstrative greetings such as are seldom witnessed. Mr. Wakefield delivered the following address, in a voice clear and distinct, every syllable of which was heard to the remotest corner of the hall : -
MR. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN :
The occasion which has called us together to-day is one of peculiar interest to me, as I doubt not it is to all of my fellow-townsmen here assembled, -marking, as it does, a fresh event in the growth and progress of this town, which has always sustained an enviable reputa- tion for its enterprise in all that pertains to the industrial interests of a community, as well as for its maintenance of everything which affects the welfare of society in education, law, and religion.
Every thoughtful member of society, whatever may be his occupation, his religious creed, or bias in politics, knows that the happiness and welfare of a community are wholly dependent on the virtue and intel- ligence of its members. Every well-wisher to society, then, should do all in his power to encourage and sustain the various means adapted to secure to every man, woman, and child, intelligence, refinement, well being, usefulness, and virtue.
Early instruction at the fireside of home, and at the village school, deeply imbued my mind with the value of education, - a blessing which is imperishable. "It is," as has been well said, " a companion which no misfortune can depress, no clime destroy, no enemy alienate,
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no despotism enslave ; at home a friend, abroad an introduction ; in solitude a solace, in society an ornament." "Whence," said one of the most distinguished promoters of education in Massachusetts, "whence have come all those mechanical and scientific improvements and inventions which have enriched the world with so many comforts, and adorned it with so many beauties ; which to-day give enjoyment and luxuries to a common family in a New England village, which neither Queen Elizabeth of England nor any of her proud court ever dreamed of, but a little more than two centuries ago? All history and expe- rience affirm that they have come, and must come, from the people among whom education is most generous and unconfined. These are the results which you can no more have.without common education, without imbuing the public mind with the elements of knowledge, than you can have corn without planting, or harvests without sunshine."
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