USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Rehoboth > Historical addresses, poem, and other exercises at the celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the settlement of Rehoboth, Mass., held October 3, 1894 > Part 5
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The war he waged was furious and relentless. The year that followed was one of horror. The frenzy of the red man thoroughly aroused, inspired him to deeds of awful barbarity. He despoiled with demon-like atrocity. From his headquarters on Mount Hope, Philip directed the slaughter. Thirteen towns were pillaged. Six hun- dred colonists were killed. The same number of houses were reduced to ashes. This section was the scene of de-
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vastation and ruin. The war was commenced and ended within the confines of the original town of Rehoboth.
The terrors of that winter cannot be adequately pie- tured. Vigilance was never abated until the twelfth of August of seventy-six, when Philip was killed by Captain Church's company. With the capture of Annawan, six, teen days later, almost at your very doors, and but a few miles from the spot where we are now gathered, the war was closed. Rehoboth furnished thirty men, who served with valor and distinction. Subjected to great privation and ceaseless anxiety, they had spent the year. The end of the struggle saw the people impoverished, but not dis- heartened.
With saddened hearts the work of reconstruction was commenced. Undismayed by hardship, they built anew. Calamity had not discouraged them. With commendable energy they labored.
Fortunately the next one hundred years saw nothing of war. Peace and progress reigned supreme. It is not written that much of historical interest transpired between this period and the Revolution. What effect it would have made upon the after growth of the town and vicinity had the State House been built here when the Massachu- setts bay and Plymouth colonies united in 1692, can only be a matter of conjecture. Boston was the largest of the one and Rehoboth the largest of the other colony. A spirited contest was made by the aspirants of each for the honor of being the State Capital ; it was developed that Boston had a few votes the most and won the prize.
A continental congress was held in Rehoboth in October, 1709. At just what point they assembled is a
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matter of doubt. The town grew in size and influence. Highways were built and new settlements appeared. The names of the residents at this time are in a great part familiar. Many there are present directly descended from this sturdy band. Successive generations, filled with an abiding love, have remained faithful to the old town. Rehoboth's people are not rovers by disposition. Through the long years they have trod the walks of their ancestors.
The trials of that colonial era were forming a sub- stantial character that has been transmitted from genera- tion to generation. The vicissitudes that had been under- gone, the obstacles that had been overcome, were pro- ducing a marked type of humanity.
The time was coming to shake off the yoke of op- pression. The preliminary murmurs of the impending struggle for independence were heard in the land. It was manifest that a crisis in their affairs was near at hand. The policy of the colonies could not be determined in a day.
Opportunity for conferences was limited : methods of travel primitive, the conveyance of news slow and in- frequent. It was not every man who stood ready for . battle. Some counseled caution and more deliberation. One man's influence counted for little beyond his imme- diate circle ; the voice of a community stood for every- thing ; there was no uncertainty of the attitude of New Eagland and no hesitaney on the part of the town of Re- hoboth. The legislative representative of the town was quickly advised, in Boston, that James Otis was indorsed : a military company was organized and the town stood to resist the might of tyranny as against the right of man and family. Had not their fathers left the only home they knew for a dwelling or home in reality with all that
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implies? Had not the Indian all but destroyed it beyond redemption " In all things they had triumphed under the banner of right, and should they, then sons, now surrender?
The wholesome, patriotic ideas that were deeply in- stilled in their minds for bade such a thought. The minute men of Concord and Lexington were not trained soldiers. They left their plows to take up the musket. All men know the story of that gallant conflict. It was the same kind of patriot that the process of the years was making in the town of Rehoboth.
Fortunately the desolation of war did not come to these borders. The peace so much coveted was not dis- turbed. Myles bridge and garrison house, as truly historic as Lexington common, ere not to be again the theater of combat.
We can imagine the thrill of exultation with which our ancestors received the new's that justice had prevailed ; that England had relinquished her efforts to compel alle- giance. How their hearts must have been gladdened at the thought of freedom! They had sought to sever every tie of religious and civil relationship that bound them to the land of kings; they had longed for liberty of conscience. To entirely escape the old, and be unmolested in the new life was their greatest hope and fondest desire. It is true that their neighbors had not always met them in the frank, open spirit of the Plymouth colony, but there was no division of opinion, they thought as one-on the subject of resisting absolute subjugation by Great Britain. When the time had come for battle it found them a band of brothers united ; standing steadfast and undivided.
1
ESEK H. PIERCE.
1
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Right successfully resisted might. Then as the smoke of battle cleared away it must have dawned glo- riously upon the faithful men and women that thereafter they were to be assured immunity from inter-colonial inter- ference ; that the birth of a great republic should see the acknowledgement, without question, of the right of all men " to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
They were diligent in the management of the affairs of the town. All efforts were made for the encourage- ment of industry and education that their means would permit. The slender salaries. of the parson, the doctor and the schoolmaster amuse us, but they were paid by the Jabors of honest toilers who could spare no larger. They freely gave the utmost they could afford. Their deep ap- preciation of the equity of a people's government is dis- played in the conduct of the town meetings. Stringent provisions were made for compelling attendance. The greatest regard was had for a full, fair and honest debate. Their belief in the honesty of majority rule lead them to invite the fullest discussion of all matters up for consid- eration. It was very essential that the accurate sentiment of the majority be obtained. It is reported that there was great unity in their deliberations and a remarkable absence of discord or honest difference of opinion. All were im- bued with the same patriotic instincts and each strove diligently for the common good. The town meeting is the ideal government. Every man speaks for himself. Ilis views are presented directly to his fellows. Each can learn from the other by actual presence, sight and hearing, the force of his convictions, his manner, sincerity and purpose are on exhibition. 'The opportunity for the minutest investigation is had without the intervention of a representative. Of course, when, as in modern days, the
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population of the districts and cities becomes large, the people must delegate their powers, in the city, state and nation, to act for them in the councils, legislature and congress. It cannot be controverted, however, that the town meeting is the highest example of the perfection of a government of the people, by the people and for the people. The number of those who do not attend are a small proportion of a town's inhabitants.
The townsman goes interested and determined to act as his best judgment shall dictate. As communities in- crease in size and the necessity of a government by repre- sentation arises, the keen attention of the voters is diverted from the subjects passed upon. With some one to act for them there is no necessity to do for themselves, and it is too often true that the agents do not respect the wishes of the principals. The constituency is not infrequently ig- nored by the legislator. In a town meeting each man represents himself and together all represent the town.
The doings are for what is conceived to be the right. No townsman meaningly prejudices the town : no man intentionally robs himself. Rehoboth's people have an enviable record for their wise control of her corporate affairs. There has been no anticipation of alliance with the cities. There has been constant and close attention on your part to the needs of the present.
Wisdom has characterized your use of the prerogatives of citizenship. Fidelity to honorable principles has been an inheritance that has equipped each generation for land- able endeavor whenever occasion has demanded. Educated in an atmosphere of honesty and integrity, you have sent energetic and able men, who have won wealth and dis- tinction in other fields. They have reflected credit on the place of their birth and added strength and dignity to the
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homes of their adoption. They have been well schooled in the practical phases of life and went admirably qualified to cope with the busy throng wherever fortune should send them. At home and abroad these people have been of the bone and sinew that seeks to build firmly, soundly and enduringly ; who were content to produce ; who aimed to do all things well. This firm solidity of character has, in the process of evolution, given us remarkable specimens of manhood.
A brief consideration of a few honored names fur- nishes us with examples from which we may learn with profit.
The pronounced individuality of William Blackstone, the Newmans, father and son, Roger Williams, John Myles and Thomas Willett, has often been recalled: Far in advance of their times in mental growth they have come down to posterity as marvels of consistency. They deprecated warfare, and preferred pacific means, but in defense of home they possessed that staunch courage which braves all suffering with unswerving calmness. Over the grave of William Blackstone now stands an im- posing shaft ; it is inscribed to the first white settler of Rhode Island. The tribute to his worth is richly deserved. As the foremost illustrious quartet, which included with him Newman, Myles and Willett, he is rightfully entitled to all homage and enduring memory. This noble four, the contemporaries of Roger Williams, his firm friends and close in his counsel and esteem, are as notable exponents of the cause of liberty as history anywhere discloses. They have not been accorded their full measure of praise ; their names are not as familiar and as oft repeated as others who gave their lives to the same cause.
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There are other parts of this commonwealth better known and more generally spoken of, which have been favored with a continned recital of the deeds of men of glorious character, of towering luster, who have brought renown to their particular locality ; name and place have become coupled and inseperable. Without boasting, but with becoming modesty, you have the privilege of demand- ing that all hearts be turned with appropriate regard to a lasting remembrance of these grand freemen.
James Brown, Obadiah Holmes and John Hazell suf- fered bodily for daring to assert their manhood as their convictions compelled them. They bore their troubles stoically, and sought a refuge in Rehoboth, where no man was harassed. Walter Palmer, the first deputy to Ply- mouth court, was a man of ripe judgment and great good sense.
Stephen Bullock, judicially minded and able, repre- sented with great satisfaction his district in congress. Phanuel Bishop, also in the halls of the national house of representatives, was a wise and studious legislator.
I should like, if the time permitted to speak of towns- men of recent date of the typical names of Pierce, Bullock, Davis, Horton, Goff, Bliss, Carpenter, Miller, Wheaton, Hunt, Thurber, Peck, Robinson, Perry and others, whose acquintance I have enjoyed. Our distinguished chief justice of the superior court, Albert Mason, traces his an- cestry to the Samson Mason of Cromwell's army, who early settled here.
The state of Rhode Island has elevated to the gov- ernor's chair a Rehoboth man in the person of " Honest John Davis." What higher encomium could man desire ? What prouder title could attach to integrity.
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You have been sensible of the value of relies of for- mer days ; you have desired to preserve the menentos of antiquarian values. The society you have organized is of inestimable worth ; its work will materially promote the canse of education in the town.
The loyalty of Darius Goff in defraying the greater part of the cost of this memorial building, which takes his name, cannot be too highly commended. His was a char- acter fine and sensitive.
Constituted with a lasting pride in Rehoboth, he gave freely.
When it became manifest that the people, filled with enthusiasm, were bound to seeure an edifice for town pur- poses ; when he saw that a subscription from the common purse was gladly forthcoming, he readily gave from his abundance the sums that made so fine a structure possible.
It was the assurance that the interest was general that appealed to him : the fact that all the people greeted the idea with pleasure, and were ready to contribute as their means would allow, was to him the convincing evi- dence of the wisdom of building largely and well.
Generous and wise man that he was, he delayed not ; he saw the people use this building ; he had the pleasure of sharing their gratification. Standing near the spot where his father before him and his brothers with him had commenced and carried into execution the industry, which in after years had, in the cities, made wealth for him and employment for many, it is indeed fitting that in this hour of reminiscence, we feel and acknowledge our profound appreciation of his sterling worth and merit. I have spoken of the all-important fact that must become
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indelibly impressed upon the mind of the reader of history that the Rehoboth man is endowed with the greatest rev- erence for the sanctity of home; that he is unalterably opposed to oppression.
Outside of the ordinary pursuits of the home and farm he has made his influence felt and his word of con- sequence and moment. The industries of Pawtucket and Providence have had substantial indorsers in Rehoboth men ; they have put time and capital into the channels of business that built up these cities and caused them to flourish. The first mill in Fall River had subscribers for one-fourth of its capital stock from this town.
The men of this town have never lacked courage to engage in that which involves labor; they are so consti- tuted that they are not awed by task.
I have endeavored to relate, with some attention to their chronological order, the instances and occurrences of their domestic life that have seemed to me important. I have told of the attitude they assumed when they have suffered encroachment, whether as a community in par- tienlar, or as a part of our nation in general. In the last great civil strife, the war of the rebellion, Rehoboth fur- nished her full quota of men.
With a population of fifteen hundred souls, she sent a goodly number to shoulder the musket for their country. To those of us who recall the days of that trying period, it seems but a short time since the marching troops re- turned. Back from the horrid ordeal of waging cruel warfare against their own countrymen -- men of the same great national family, having the same ambitions, alike honorable, and the equal of any in social and political status. Divided on the question of the abolition of the
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slave trade, one part of the country opposing another, see- tional hate once aroused, soon swept away all thoughts of former unity.
The remembrance of their power when all hearts beat for a mutual cause, held no power to stay the threat- ening storm. It was useless to try to avert the necessity of a resort to force. There was no cowardice on the part of either north or south. Since the days of the " Father of his Country," the southern suns had beheld the colored man the property of his white brother, who was not want- ing in refinement and sensibility. Distinguished men who had inherited, owned, bought, bartered and sold the slave in precisely the same mamer as other property. People beeame habituated to their surroundings ; they grew ac- customed to the uses and practices about them. By ho word or argument could the position of either great sec- tion be made plain to the other. The Union was threat- ened, it must be preserved.
The pitiable spectacle of brother against brother in deadly affray was only terminated after bloodshed yet fresh in mind. The present generation has eagerly sought a rehearsal of its every detail ; the world of literature has retold the story from every standpoint,-the grim chron- icles having a fascinating interest to the student of his country's history.
The abhorrent and unholy traffic in human life was forever stopped in the " land of the free and the home of the brave." Secession was prevented; the Union was maintained. The victory, however, had been for principle instead of power.
The proud privilege of wearing the button and the badge is each year vouchsafed to a smaller band. On
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cach succeeding observance of the veterans' holiday fewer hands there are to place the flowers, and more graves there are to decorate. May Decoration Day teach to the sons who take up the fathers' work, the beauty of heroic love for country ; may it prove a potent factor in inspiring us all to deeds of loyal duty ; may the necessity of facing the blight of war again be long postponed. Thirty years have since gone by, -years that have seen but little change in the physical appearance of the town. Your population, uncentralized, clings to the localities identified with fam- ily tradition. Surrounded by the evidence of the honor- able past, you pursue uninterruptedly the vocations of your choice. You have gathered and arranged in this hall antique records and relies that stimulate in us a ven- eration for our fathers. The objects of interest carry our minds to the days when they fought against dangers that we shall never know. The library is commemorative of the free hearted and illustrious name of Blanding, and contains the chronicles of trials bravely met and patiently overcome.
Our thoughts are turned devotedly to the inheritance that has come down to us. Amidst this environment there is inspiration for the future. The legacy that is ours points a golden pathway of promise. We live in a great .epoch of improvement. Science has made great discoveries ; invention has rendered great mechanical problems easy of solution. On every hand the onward march of civilization is observed. As the foremost nation of the earth, we are but yet in our infancy. There is much to be done to render easier, more just and equitable, the condition of all men. The relations between capital and labor are not such as the enlightenment of the cen-
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tury requires. The extension of the grand system of arbitration is to be perfected.
Great work remains to be done to limit the increase of poverty. The control of criminality by universal edu- cation, and many other great problems, are engrossing public attention. Science is constantly producing more wonderful phenomena and improvement in mechanies is the order of the day. Human ingenuity has succeeded in abridging distance by marvelous advancement in the art of building conveyances for travel on land and sea. On every hand we see the realization of projects that have been considered beyond the scope of man's ability to com- plete. Great as has been our progress, it is not within the bounds of prophecy to predict with any degree of accuracy with what success we shall yet advance.
The world grows wiser from many trying experiences. Each disaster has its compensating lesson. Every calamity emphasizes the method of its prevention in the future. We should have few safe-guards if no accidents happened to show their necessity. It is not human to fortify against that which is not likely to occur. We defend against the things our daily life has taught us are liable to take place.
With what success we render our existence the more secure depends entirely upon our intelligence as a people. The ability to take heed of passing events, to utilize for present employment and future perfection is not an uni- versal gift. The men who shape the policy of trade : the minds that direct the course of business, are not equipped by chance. . Hard and persistent work has been the only pathway that leads to success. The thoroughly reliable man in whatever sphere of action has gained his qualifica- tion only through constant application. A work that re-
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quires quick and decisive action cannot be properly per- formed by one except he has trained himself in each sue- cessive channel that leads to the result he would attain. Intuitive genius and keen perception are faculties that in many amount to talent.
As auxiliary accomplishments they may be of the greatest service in whatever capacity they are applied. Tact, which in its broadest cultivation we are wont to call diplomacy, is often of a utility that works benefit to the cause in which it is exercised. We often stand amazed at the variety of acquirements one man may possess ; we are moved to wonder at the facility with which he can sur- mount a portion of the difficulties which are spread in life's pathway. Such instances are numerous ; our admiration is challenged : we are pleased to contemplate the qualities displayed and are in turn moved to regret the inadequacy of the whole man.
The hand that points the way in any given line is seldom conspicuous by a great array of adornments. The efficiency of a well trained mind lies in the equal distribu- tion of the qualities needed. The prominence the few gifts bring to the possessor is dimmed if as an entirety he is deficient : the talents intensify the defect.
There can be no loftier work to demand a town's at- tention than the persistent effort to foster and promote the fundamental precepts that lead to the grandeur of self-reliant and dignified manhood. The safety and pro- tection of our country, the perpetuation of her institutions, depend not alone on zeal and tireless energy ; respect for principle, love of right and truth, home and family, kind- ness, consideration, sympathy and charity must be cherished and not allowed to decay. There is no place like the vil-
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age and the town in which the virtues that make substan- tial citizenship can be so well matured.
Here you have no confidence in the base and artifi- cial ; you dismiss the counterfeit and strive for the true and the genuine.
My friends, I commend to you the continued reverence for your ancestors ; I congratulate you on your present material prosperity ; I bespeak for you further contentment and happiness in the good old town of Rehoboth.
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Sampson Mason,
Exile from Dorchester 1657 Leave to sojourn at Rehoboth Dec. 9, 1057.
Remarks of Albert Mason, one of his descendants Oct. 3, 1804 at the celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the settlement of Rehoboth.
CITIZENS OF REHOBOTH :-
A record which I cannot question, denies me the distinction of nativity in this historic town. My humble claim of duty and pleasure to have share in your five-fold jubilee, rests upon a simple vote of Rehoboth passed Dee. 9, 1657, " That Sampson Mason have free liberty to sojourn with us."
The language is suggestive and significant, and truth compels me to admit that my ancestor was at that time deemed unworthy of citizenship in the colony of Massachu- setts. He was an adjudged heretic under sentence of banishment. He came to you a homeless exile, and you gave him free liberty to sojourn with you. Those of his faith who had preceded him in Rehoboth had not proved altogether peacemakers, but the broad spirit of tolerance which had charactized the settlement was not exhausted, and it cheerfully bore this further test. Seven years before the sturdy soldier fresh from service in the parliamentary army under Fairfax, had settled in Dorchester.
Macaulay in that scathing paragraph upon the days
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which followed the restoration of Charles II, says, " The government has just ability enough to deceive, and just religion enough to persecute." The colony of Massachu- setts surely had more than this quantum of religion, but the rigid Puritan, earnest for freedom to live up to his own religious convictions, was not as ready to accord the same freedom to others as was the separatist Pilgrim of the earlier colony. Narrow formulas of doctrine were inad- equate to the spiritual thirst of the scholarly Newman. He sought less restricted means of reaching infinite stores of truth in the Divine Word. He saw in his experience a likeness to that of Isaac when Lis herdsmen strove with those of Gerar over successive wells insufficient for the natural thirst of animals, until a well was digged equal to the needs of all " And for that they strove not, and he called the name of it Rehoboth ; and he said, for now the Lord hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land." Two years after Newman and his flock withdrew to find here the Rehoboth which he sought, the hard lines of the restrictive puritan polity found embodiment in a standing law of the colony, that any who should openly condemn or oppose the baptizing of infants, or should purposely depart the congregation at the administration of that ordinance, should on due conviction be sentenced to banishment. Sampson Mason had become a Baptist while in the army. The characteristic tenet of the denomination at that period was not with reference to the mode of administering the ordinance nor the logical consequence of its administration by an insufficient mode, but was the doctrine upon this very question of baptizing those incapable of assenting to the spiritual purification which the ordinance signified. I trust it is no surprise to those who have known his descendants in Rehoboth and Swansea, to learn that what
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