USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Greenfield > History of Greenfield : shire town of Franklin county, Massachusetts, Vol. II > Part 35
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SESQUICENTENNIAL
Misses Helen and Julia Sears drove a carriage belonging to Miss Warren of Deerfield, which was decorated with pink laurel.
Miss Lillian O'Hara, daughter of James O'Hara, rode in a Japanese cart painted and decorated to represent a Japanese house, which was drawn by Mr. O'Hara's little horse, Floss. The decorations were of pink laurel.
Mrs. F. E. Snow and Mrs. F. K. White had a stanhope drawn by a dark bay horse, with shaded blue plumes and ribbons. The decorations were of bachelors' buttons in three shades of blue, festooned with ground pine and tied with large bows of blue ribbon. The occupants wore costumes to cor- respond.
The open barouche that represented the Father Matthew T. A. society and Ladies' Aid was drawn by two horses with floral decorations, and was occupied by Michael E. Dunnigan, . Miss Mary E. Finn, Michael J. Bulman and Mrs. James Pigott. The Ladies' Aid designed the decorations, consisting principally of chrysanthemums and oak leaf foliage.
The operators of the telephone exchange had a trap trimmed with blue, which is the color of the telephone sign of the blue bell. Blue carnations were used in decorating the horse and carriage. The names of the occupants were Misses A. M. Woodlock, N. E. O'Keefe, May Harrington and Lydia E. Triebel.
Misses Grace and Nina Kingsley of the Meadows entered a stanhope with pair of black horses, trimmed with pink roses.
THE GUESTS
Gov. Bates and party arrived by special train from Boston at II o'clock, following closely upon the heels of the accom- modation. The crowd gathered at the station to welcome the distinguished visitors was not a large one; still it covered the platform sufficiently so Station Agent Stoddard found plenty
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SESQUICENTENNIAL
to do to keep the people off the tracks, as the regular accom- modation train pulled into the station at a slow rate of speed. The committee of arrangements, with District Attorney Ma- lone, were waiting upon the platform. They are good-look- ing men in their everyday clothes, but dressed up in their Sunday best, with silk hats and all the rest of the outfit, one must pronounce them a very impressive representation of Greenfield.
Gov. Bates and party, with the militiamen in all the glory of gold lace, were welcomed with some hand-clapping and es- corted to the reviewing stand, where seats were reserved for them, and where they liberally applauded the interesting features. The Governor and his party had dinner at the Mansion House. Most of the other invited guests had lunch- eon at the Greenfield club.
The party with Gov. Bates consisted of the following : Gen. Dalton, Gen. Brigham, Col. White, Lieut. Col. Carpen- ter, Lieut. Col. Hawkins, President Tuttle of the Boston & Maine, President Jones of the Senate and Speaker Myers of the House.
The party of guests and county and town officials that rode in the carriages in the parade consisted of the following : Rear Admiral Clark, and Lieut. Gov. Curtis Guild; Councillor Richard W. Irwin, Arthur Lowe of Fitchburg, William B. Plunkett of Adams, James Reynolds of the Republican state committee ; County Commissioners O. L. Leach and Jas. D. Avery, Sheriff Chenery, John D. Bouker; Selectmen R. E. Pray, M. J. Sauter and W. A. Ames, with Capt. George Pierce and Wm. Blake Allen ; George Sheldon of Deerfield, Major Davis, sergeant-of-arms of the Massachusetts House, ex-Mayor Field of Northampton and Clerk of Courts Clifton Field; the assessors, Capt. Anson Withey, Representative Frank Gerrett and Harry Richardson, Special Commissioner Amos Stewart of Colrain.
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SESQUICENTENNIAL
THE EXERCISES AT THE HALL
The exercises at Washington hall lasted about two hours and a quarter. The hall was crowded, and many of course were unable to find entrance. Judge Fessenden presided with the peculiar dignity and impressiveness that the occasion de- manded. His introductions of the speakers were graceful rec- ognitions of the eminence of the distinguished guests, and his own brief utterance a thoughtful interpretation of the sig- nificance of Greenfield's life worthy of the scholarly tempera- ment of the speaker.
The two leading orators, Senator Lodge and Gov. Bates, suggested some contrasts. Gov. Bates never quite gets away from the manner of a stump speaker. His voice, always clear and resonant, just failing of a musical quality, always has a certain note of fervency, of effort to convince, that is charac- teristic of the hustings. His language is plain, straight, hon- est English, lacking the " decorative phrase," but effective by its simplicity and straightforward quality. There is a reserve in the Governor's manner that never allows a weakening of dignity. There is no sawing of the air, nor superabundance of gesture, but one hand gives all needed emphasis, and this hand is at rest behind his back much of the time. The Gov- ernor's rather prominent lower jaw and firm lines of his mouth with a little droop of the lips suggest decision, and altogether one can't help feeling that this man rises to the dignity of the high position he fills.
Senator Lodge, too, is not a whit lacking in dignity, but his attitude Tuesday seemed that of one who was not striving to convince, and was not trying to win over those of opposing view ; rather of one who sets forth in orderly and symmetri- cal expression certain principles drawn from a body of fact that lies incoherent in most minds, and sets forth these prin- ciples with so sure and firm a touch that dissent seems impos- sible. How far Senator Lodge's appearance was affected by the fact that he had not been well during the morning could
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AT WASHINGTON HALL
not be told, but it was hardly the ardent orator of the Senate and the stump, striving to win over the unwilling and stirring the pulses of the sluggish, that spoke Tuesday. Rather it was the Lodge of literature, the scholar, and with his semi- conversational manner and with little gesture one might have thought him a college professor. The beauty of the address lay in the exquisite finish and the richness of the English, in the wide range of historical allusion and comparison. His finely moulded sentences, massed with the skill of the rhet- orician, revealed a rare command of English and an intimate knowledge of words, the tools of thought. The apparent lack of effort to convince, with the keen face and kindly smile, sug- gested the repose of high attainment. From time to time an accession of emphasis would indicate the reserve power be- hind the speaker, but the general tone of his manner sug- gested the literary and historical investigator much more than the political advocate.
The front seats on the platform were occupied by Judge Fessenden, Senator Lodge, Lieut. Gov. Guild, President Tut- tle, Rev. Francis Denio, of Bangor, Me., Rear Admiral Clark, Gov. Bates, Speaker Myers, President Jones, and Arthur Lowe, of Fitchburg. Others on the platform were E. B. Blake, George E. Rogers, Charles R. Lowell, Franklin E. Snow, Dana Malone, Rev. M. J. Carroll, James Reynolds, of Boston, Judge F. M. Thompson, Major F. E. Pierce, George H. Danforth, J. W. Stevens, Sheriff Chenery, Lieut. Hawkins.
Governor Bates looked pretty solemn when Judge Fessen- den was making him compliments, as if he were wondering how he was ever to live up to his reputation. The Governor looks as if he were too sober to make a joke, but the pleas- antry about the baby carriage hit the audience about right. The exercises closed by the singing of " America."
After the exercises Judge Fessenden drove to the Main street school lot with Senator Lodge and Governor Bates and
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JUDGE FESSENDEN'S ADDRESS
General Brigham. It had been expected that the two dis- tinguished guests would speak briefly to the crowd who had been listening to the band concert, and an immense throng gathered about the carriage. Then Judge Fessenden rose and said that it was necessary that Senator Lodge and Gov- ernor Bates take the train at once for Boston. They regretted that they could not speak to the crowd, but owing to the late- ness of the hour they could not take time to do it. The carriage was then driven rapidly to the station, where the party took a special car, which was attached to the 4.45 train.
JUDGE FESSENDEN'S ADDRESS
The part with which I am honored to-day is especially agreeable. To welcome guests is always grateful. To say welcome to you who have returned to us, although for the day, to you who visit the homes and institutions of your an- cestors, and to you distinguished by your achievements in arts, sciences, professional pursuits, letters and statesmanship, is indeed a great privilege.
While extending our hearty greetings to you all I recog- nize your right to inquire whether we, who count ourselves happy because we dwell here, have preserved intact, since the 100th anniversary of its birth, the institutions and traditions of beautiful and fortunate Greenfield. I shall not undertake to answer as to all matters. There is not time. I shall take a few only of the most important. If in speaking of them I may seem to exaggerate I ask you to examine here and care- fully. You will find that I do not.
Our conditions are improved. Our parks, public works and institutions you may see about you. While grateful for the past, we are mindful of the future. Our population has had a steady growth ; and our territory as well as our popula- tion has been increased by a generous gift from our mother- Deerfield. We are reasonably, but not dangerously, harmo- nious and prosperous. And, like all well-conducted munici-
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JUDGE FESSENDEN'S ADDRESS
palities, we seek to better our conditions. We still have and intend to keep, so long as we can, the town form of govern- ment. We meet together and all take part in carrying on our prudential affairs. So each of us has a personal responsibility. Although some minor changes have been made, we have not been able to improve upon the general scheme, and so long as our citizens continue to be as intelligent as now, it is doubtful whether it can be made more efficient.
In material ways we have progressed. Our facilities for communication and transportation, always the subject of deep solicitude, would astonish our predecessors. Our industries are somewhat more extensive than formerly. Our lands have increased in value, personal property is greater in amount. But above all we can say, with immense satisfaction, that they are well distributed, that wealth has not accumulated in the hands of a few, and that destitution is unknown.
And our men and women? They have not deteriorated. They are the same enterprising, industrious, steady, sturdy toilers in their occupations and professions. This is enough to say. But perhaps you will permit me to add-it may not be necessary-that some of them whose names are known to you have achieved renown at home and abroad, on land and on sea. We regret that characteristic modesty deters our distinguished fellowtownsman from saying in his gifted way what I so inadequately express. Our people have been always true to the spirit bequeathed to them. Whenever the welfare of the nation, commonwealth or town has been threatened, their action has been immediate. As in the war which estab- lished our nation, so in the struggle for its preservation, the response was quick and the sacrifice great. And greatest of all when the end came our returned soldiers laid aside their arms and resumed their quiet life amongst us, honoring us in peace as in war. Happily some of these veterans are left with us to-day. Their lives furnish us with examples of the in- estimable value of the influences created by the institutions
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JUDGE FESSENDEN'S ADDRESS
and traditions over which we linger this day. And when the war with Spain came, our young men were prompt. The roll of those who fell in action, died from wounds and disease, and of those who still suffer from wounds and exposure contains names very dear to us. The loss, far greater than our share, fell heavily. Yet it is a matter of just pride. For they showed that they too were true to the patriotic spirit trans- mitted by our ancestors. And like the veterans of the war of 1861, the survivors are faithfully discharging their duties in time of peace.
You inquire what we are doing for education. A glance at the shelves of our two libraries shows the provision made for our people to be unusually large. The records of the large numbers of books taken from these shelves and the read- ing rooms nearly always filled with young and old demonstrate the wisdom of the establishment of the libraries and make it certain that the future will see them constantly increasing in usefulness. The schools are still cherished as our most price- less possession. We realize that in the public school if any- where the lessons of useful patriotic life are to be taught. We willingly accept the responsibility of keeping up the high standard set by those from whom we have inherited this treas- ure. We are confident that our schools will bear your close examination. In the years past their fame has extended be- yond the borders of this commonwealth. May we not feel a certain degree of satisfaction when our educational system is taken as a model by other municipalities ?
That we have many shortcomings is doubtless true. I do not need to say this in giving a brief account of our steward- ship. But I do not think we can find among them any want of regard for or reverence of our traditions, or any lack of a spirit of determination for future progress.
These men and women, these institutions, these traditions welcome you. My voice feebly expresses the greeting so cordially yours.
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INVOCATION
But before proceeding further let us through one of their descendants, and following their custom, seek the unfailing guidance of the God of our fathers.
Invocation was offered by Reverend Francis B. Denio, of the Bangor Theological Seminary-a descendant of Aaron Denio, one of the early settlers of Greenfield-in the following words :
O Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling place in all genera- tions. In Thee we live and move and have our being. From thee come all our benefits, by Thee we have power to win the good things of life and to use them aright : to Thee we render praise and adoration for all the blessings which we enjoy this day.
We praise Thee that this town was founded in equity and righteousness, that the institutions of the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour were planted at the very beginning, that the founders also sought the graces and culture of civilization. We thank Thee for the many who in the history of this town have labored faithfully to carry on the work of the founders and for the success which has crowned their efforts.
We pray that the thought of what has been accomplished may give courage for new efforts, that the goals already reached may be starting points for new developments so that the period before us shall witness as great advances as during the past one hundred and fifty years.
We ask Thee that the present day may become epoch- making in the history of this town so that new life and energies shall be set free and abound and that all noble ideas may be sought in yet greater measure and attained ; that thy blessings in the past, and the good institutions already founded may kindle aspirations, and may be an inspiration so that the children of this town in this place and in other places shall ever seek that which always exalts a people and which is the only safeguard against decay, righteousness and equity.
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ADDRESS OF GOVERNOR BATES
These petitions we ask and offer in the name of Him who taught us to say :
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name ; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as in heaven ; Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil ; for Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever ; Amen.
Judge Fessenden's introduction of Gov. Bates was as fol- lows :
Our chief magistrate is given a great trust which exacts of him fidelity to our traditions, a quick conscience and discern- ing judgment. We watch closely and remember his acts in public and private life. We feel at liberty when making an examination of our institutions and conditions to ask for his presence. And when, added to these qualities, there is a pure and sweet nature and a resolute and fearless mind we deem ourselves fortunate in bidding welcome our present and well- beloved governor.
SPEECH OF GOV. BATES
Mr. Chairman, and fellow citizens : I wish to thank your presiding officer for the kind encomiums which he has pro- nounced in regard to me, and to assure him that I am the one who is fortunate in being permitted to be present upon this very interesting occasion. I have been deeply impressed with the beauty and symmetry of this celebration. I greatly enjoyed the parade of the morning, wherein I discovered no feature that was not in most excellent taste. The pictures of sturdy manhood and gracious womanhood is one that I shall long remember. I have enjoyed looking at the decorations upon your streets ; they indicate not only the pride of your citizens in the municipality, but the larger pride that they have in the nation ; they show the patriotism of this com- munity. And I have also enjoyed coming in here and look-
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ADDRESS OF GOVERNOR BATES
ing in the faces of these thoughtful, typical American men and women, gathered here to draw inspiration from hearing from the eloquent speaker who is to follow me the story of their loved town.
I came 90 miles from the capital of the old commonwealth, to extend her greeting, and I would have come many times that for the privilege which I have enjoyed. Not to extend her greeting, as has sometimes been said, as a mother to a daughter,-because I recognize that you are older, the date of the incorporation of your town antedating that of the in- dependent political existence of the commonwealth by nearly a quarter of a century. Not the greeting of a friend to a friend ; not the greeting of a neighbor to a neighbor,-but the greeting of the whole to a part-a most intimate relationship. For the commonwealth is but a union of 353 towns and cities. What interests them interests her. When they suffer distress, she suffers ; when they achieve success, she is benefited ; when they make a commendable record, then indeed does it add to her prestige.
Greenfield was the 170th town historically recognized or incorporated in this commonwealth. One hundred and sixty- nine are older. You have here 1.354th part of the popula- tion of Massachusetts. You have 1.465th part of the valua- tion of the state. According to your valuation you would rank as No. 56, and according to your population you would rank as No. 58 among our municipalities.
But Massachusetts does not reckon the value of a town that way. It is not in the number of the inhabitants nor in the wealth that they have amassed, but in the manner in which they have exhibited the characteristics which Massachusetts makes her pride and her glory. (Applause.) And in the development and the illustration of those characteristics you have been foremost, both in peace and in war. In peace, when your forefathers, the founders of this town, devoted themselves first with jealous care equally to the worship of
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ADDRESS OF GOVERNOR BATES
God and to laying the foundations for the education of youth. And thus having made certain that the community would prosper as a God-fearing and enlightened community, they devoted themselves to all the arts of peace ; and to-day we see the results as we talk with your citizens and go about your town.
We find that your manufactures and the products of your arts are sent to all the markets; that you have developed here hardware exports ; that you are making boots and shoes, machinery, iron and steel goods, and those evidences, Mr. Chairman, of great prosperity-pocketbooks ; and that solace also for the fear entertained by our president, that illustration of a flourishing community of the future-baby carriages. Your character has been illustrated in war and in struggle, when the first settlers here surrounded their homes with the palisade in order that their families might be protected against the wild child of the forest, and later again exemplified when these men left their crops ripening in the field-left them to rot while they went to Cambridge to drill under Washing- ton ; exemplified again when descendants of those men, at a time when the nation seemed to be torn apart, gave them- selves freely, and offered their lives on Southern battlefields, and exemplified again (it seems only yesterday) when your noble sons took the nation's call for Americans and humanity, and endured the supreme test on the shores of that island in the Southern seas.
You do well, citizens of Greenfield, to celebrate this anni- versary. One hundred and fifty noble years are behind you. The commonwealth salutes you, and congratulates you on the course already run, and bids you Godspeed for the future.
Following the address of the chief magistrate was the sing- ing of a selected choir of fifty voices from the public schools, under the direction of Prof. A. J. Mealand. The singers
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INTRODUCTION OF SENATOR LODGE
were grouped upon raised seats at the back of the stage, and their singing was one of the most successful and pleasing parts of the exercises of the day.
Judge Fessenden then introduced Senator Lodge saying : Massachusetts has always been fortunate in having able rep- resentatives, whether before the sovereign power abroad or in the deliberations of this nation. Their names are historic. It had been better for the king and his government had they heeded the voices of these men. Leaders in the councils of the republic, learned, eloquent and wise, they have influenced and directed its policies, domestic and foreign. Their words have been and still are spoken in our schools and colleges. And when we have one who has studied them and their times profoundly, who is their peer in purity of character, talent and unselfish patriotism, who is to-day a powerful influence in shaping the destinies of our nation and in keeping true its place among the nations of the earth, one by birth, education and training a New Englander, to whom can we better turn for the lesson to be drawn this day ?
CHAPTER LXXII
ADDRESS OF
HON. HENRY CABOT LODGE
" Seventeen hundred and fifty-five, Georgius Secundus was then alive,- Snuffy old drone from the German hive. That was the year when Lisbon town Saw the earth open and gulp her down, And Braddock's army was done so brown, Left without a scalp to its crown. It was on the terrible earth-quake day That the Deacon finished his one-hoss shay."
I T was a busy time just then at the very middle of the Eighteenth Century. And two years before this Annus Mirabilis described by Dr. Holmes, two years before the Deacon finished his master-piece, or Lisbon was ruined, or a British Army was destroyed by French and Indians because it would not heed the advice of George Washington, in 1753, on the eve of a war which was to convulse Europe, decide the fate of India and give North America finally to the English speaking people, certain loyal subjects of George II on this spot established a new town government. The homes and the people had been here from a much earlier time. But now the moment had come when the village of the Green River felt that it should be independent. The consent of Deerfield had been obtained, the State had assented and thereupon Green- field became a town and entered on her separate life. It was neither an unusual nor an extraordinary occurrence-this birth
II34
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ADDRESS OF SENATOR LODGE
of a new town achieved in the orderly, quiet way characteristic of New England. Among the great events then crowding and crushing together to settle the destiny of nations and make up the world's history, it passed quite unnoticed except by those engaged in the undertaking. Yet we meet here to-day to cele- brate the foundation of that town and it is just and right to do so for it was a deed wholly worthy of commemoration. I do not mean by this the mere act of organizing a town government, for that was simple enough. That which is and ought to be memorable to us is that men and women at this place had so far conquered the wilderness that they were able to form a town and that ever since they have been able to carry on their town government in peace, order, prosperity and honor. It is neither the place nor the time that we would celebrate, but the men and their work of which the place and time are but the symbol and expression.
"ως ουδεν ουτε πύργος ούτε ναϋς, "Έρημος ανδρών μή ξυνοικούντων έσω."
" Neither citadel nor ship is of any worth without the men dwelling in them."
What we commemorate are these men and their deeds and their founding a town was a good piece of honest work which represented much. It has abundant meaning if rightly under- stood and we may well pause to consider it. The work was begun by breaking into the wilderness and in solitude and hard- ship subduing the untouched earth to the uses of man. It was continued for half a century under the stress of savage 1
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