USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Abington > History of the town of Abington, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, from its first settlement > Part 15
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CHAPTER XXI.
Politics .- Political Parties .- Popular Elections.
[ Concluded.]
-1
THIS town has become of considerable importance in State and county elections, on account of its increased number of voters. This increase has been according to the increase of population, which was, in 1860, 8,527, and the number of voters about 1,900. The votes for Governor since 1800 will show a surprising change. The votes at each decade stood thus :- 1800, 123 ; 1810, 156 ; 1820, 214; 1830, 225; 1840, 655 ; 1850, 822; 1860, 1,361. This great increase of voters has given the town a great influence in elections, especially in the county and in the Senatorial and Congressional Districts. To illustrate this, it may be stated that a few years since it so happened that when all the votes, except from Abington, for an election of a Register of Deeds, were returned to Plymouth, it was found there were wanted nearly six hundred votes to make a choice of one of the candidates, and he despaired of an election ; but when the votes from Abington came in, he was elected by a handsome majority ! this town giving about as many votes for him as some half of the towns in the county did.
The influence of this town in elections, owing to this large vote, has been greatly extended of late years by making a large number of county officers elective by the towns, instead of being appointed by the Governor and Council, as formerly. These are the County Commissioners, Sheriff, Register of Deeds, Register of Probate, County Treasurer, aud Clerk of the Courts. The policy of this change has been much doubted, as it takes away official independence, and occasions frequent changes in office, which are often attended with much inconvenience and loss to the public interest.
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The large number of voters in town, and the increased number of officers to be elected, have given to the leading party, (and always will to a leading party,) great influence, which has been much increased by a law which re- quires only a plurality to elect to office. The good old law which required a majority to elect has lately been repealed. Under these circumstances, a party organization with much less than a majority of the voters in town, probably with less than one-third, or even one-quarter, can carry elections, and rule the town. Other opposite parties in town will not unite to oppose the leading party. Many judicious citizens will not join themselves to any party organization, to attend caucuses and to become politicians; and so absent themselves from town meetings and political elections.
There is another thing that has given to the town, or a leading party in it, great, if not undue influence : party caucuses and conventions usually precede elections, to nomi- nate candidates, and woe be to the candidates that are put up in opposition to the party delegates from this town, for their support is worth more than the delegates of a dozen other towns in the county that are small and nearly equally divided.
There is another change from what it was formerly : men in office then were continued for years by re-election ; but now there is a constant change, as will appear in the list of Repre- sentatives from this town to the General Court. There is, of late years, such a thirst for office, that an incumbent has no chance of permanence. He may hold his office for one or two years, but seldom longer. Rotation in office is the order of the day ; and from this the community suffers most. Ex- perience and influence are lost to such, and their use is limited.
The following is a list of the Representatives to the General Court from this town, since its incorporation, both under its Colonial and State Governments, as found on record. A con- siderable portion of the list has been taken from the General Court's records, as the town records are very deficient previous to the State Government. The first choice of a Representative
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on the town's books was in 1735, and then there is no record of any one being chosen until 1753 (eighteen years). Doubt- less there were others chosen during that period, but not recorded. For the names of those found on the State records I am indebted to the " Sketches of the Town of Abington," by the late Hon. Aaron Hobart, of East Bridgewater, and for others to the kindness of the Town Clerk, N. T. Hunt, Esq. The whole list is as follows, viz. :-
REPRESENTATIVES.
1735.
Samuel Pool, Esq.
1764. 1765. Deacon Samuel Pool.
1753.
Mr. Jacob Porter.
1754.
Mr. Jacob Porter.
1766. Capt. Woodbridge Brown.
1755.
1756.
Mr. Jacob Porter.
1757.
1758.
Mr. Jacob Porter.
1759.
Capt. Woodbridge Brown.
1760.
Capt. Woodbridge Brown.
1761. Capt. Woodbridge Brown.
1762.
Capt. Woodbridge Brown.
1774. Capt. Woodbridge Brown.
DELEGATES.
Delegates to the First Provincial Congress, at Salem, October 5, 1774, Capt. Woodbridge Brown and Dr. David Jones.
Delegate to the Second Provincial Congress, at Cambridge, February 1, 1775, Capt. Woodbridge Brown.
Delegate to the Third Provincial Congress, at Watertown, July 31, 1775, Dr. David Jones.
REPRESENTATIVES .- [ Continued.]
1776.
Capt. Woodbridge Brown. | 1786. Capt. William Reed.
1787. Jacob Smitlı, Esq.
1778.
Deacon Samuel Pool.
1788. Jacob Smith, Esq.
1789. Jacob Smith, Esq.
1779. 1780.
1781. Lieut. Samuel Brown.
1782. Lieut. Samuel Brown.
1783. Lieut. Samuel Brown.
1793. Col. Aaron Hobart.
1784. Lieut. Samuel Brown.
1785.
Lieut. Samuel Brown.
1795.
1794. Col. Aaron Hobart. Col. Aaron Hobart.
1767. Capt. Woodbridge Brown. 1768. Capt. Woodbridge Brown. Capt. Woodbridge Brown. Capt. Woodbridge Brown. Capt. Woodbridge Brown.
1769. 1770. 1771. 1772. Capt. Woodbridge Brown.
1773. Capt. Woodbridge Brown.
1763.
Capt. Woodbridge Brown.
Lieut. Samuel Brown.
1777.
Jacob Smith, Esq. Jacob Smith, Esq.
1790. 1791. 1792. Col. Luke Bicknell.
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1796. Col. Aaron Hobart.
1834. Micah Pool, Esq.
1797. Col. Aaron Hobart.
1834. John Cushing, Esq.
1798. Col. Aaron Hobart.
1835. James Bates, Esq.
1835. Micah Pool, Esq.
1800.
Col. Aaron Hobart.
1801. Col. Aaron Hobart.
1836.
John Cushing, Esq.
1802.
Col. Aaron Hobart.
1837. Not represented.
1803.
Col. Aaron Hobart.
1838. James Bates, Esq.
1804.
Col. Aaron Hobart.
1838. Mr. Harvey Torrey.
1839. Mr. Harvey Torrey.
1805. 1806.
Col. Aaron Hobart.
1839. Elihu Hobart, Esq.
1807.
Nathan Gurney, jr., Esq.
1839. James Ford, jr., Esq.
1808.
Rev. Samuel Niles.
1809.
Rev. Samuel Niles.
1841. Voted not to send.
1809.
Nathan Gurney, jr., Esq.
1842. Voted not to send.
1810.
Rev. Samuel Niles.
1843. Voted not to send.
1844. Voted not to send.
1811.
Rev. Samuel Niles.
1845. Goddard Reed.
1812.
Nathan Gurney, jr., Esq. James Bates, Esq.
1849. William P. Corthell.
1814.
Nathan Gurney, jr., Esq.
1850.
James W. Ward.
1815.
Nathan Gurney, jr., Esq.
1850.
Isaac Hersey.
1817. 1818. 1819.
Not represented.
1852. Elijah Shaw.
1820.
Not represented.
1853: Voted not to send.
1822.
Not represented.
1854. Alexander Alden.
1823.
Not represented.
1855. James M. Pool.
1824.
Not represented.
1855. Nathan S. Jenkins.
1826.
Not represented.
1856. Daniel U. Johnson.
1827.
Jared Whitman, Esq.
1857. William L. Reed.
1828.
Benjamin Hobart, Esq.
1857. Daniel U. Johnson.
1828.
Micah Pool, Esq.
1858. William L. Reed.
1830.
James Bates, Esq.
1859.
Meritt Nashi.
1830.
Micah Pool, Esq.
1859. Benjamin Frost.
1831.
James Bates, Esq.
1860. Otis W. Soule.
1831.
Micah Pool, Esq.
1860. Isaiah Jenkins.
1831. John Cushing, Esq.
1861. Otis W. Soule.
1832.
James Bates, Esq.
1861.
Isaiah Jenkins.
1832.
Micah Pool, Esq.
1862.
Jacob B. Harris.
1832.
John Cushing, Esq.
1862. Horace Reed.
1833. James Bates, Esq.
1863. Horace Reed.
1833. Micah Pool, Esq.
1863. Ezekiel R. Studley.
1833.
John Cushing, Esq.
1864. Henry A. Noyes.
1834.
James Bates, Esq.
1864.
Jonathan Arnold, jr .*
1810.
Nathan Gurney, jr., Esq.
1811.
Nathan Gurney, jr., Esq.
1847. Voted not to send.
1812.
1848. Zenas Jenkins, 2d.
1813.
Nathan Gurney, jr., Esq.
1851. James W. Ward.
1816.
Nathan Gurney, jr., Esq. Not represented.
1851. Isaac Hersey.
Not represented.
1852. William P. Corthell.
1821.
Nathan Gurney, Esq.
1854. Nahum Moore.
1825.
Not represented.
1856. James W. Ward.
1829.
James Bates, Esq.
1858. Daniel U. Johnson.
* The Representatives for the last four years, (1861, 1862, 1863, and 1864,) were chosen after the previous list was made out, and are not included in any remarks following.
1799. Col. Aaron Hobart.
1835. John Cushing, Esq.
Col. Aaron Hobart.
1840. Joseph Cleverly.
1846. Jenkins Lane.
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POLITICS.
DELEGATES .- [ Continued. ]
Woodbridge Brown, delegate to the Convention held at Fancuil Hall, in Boston, September 22, 1768.
Dr. David Jones, delegate to the Convention at Concord, 1779, assembled to take into consideration the depreciated state of the currency.
Dr. David Jones, delegate to the Convention at Cambridge, in September, 1779, to form a State Constitution.
Rev. Samuel Niles, delegate to the Convention at Boston, in 1788, to act on the ratification of the Federal Constitution.
Nathan Gurney and Jared Whitman, Esquires, delegates to the Convention assembled at Boston, November 15, 1820, to revise the Constitution of the Commonwealth.
James M. Pool, delegate to the State Convention in 1853, to revise the State Constitution.
SENATORS FROM THE PLYMOUTH DISTRICT, RESIDENTS OF THIS TOWN.
Jared Whitman, Esq., two years, 1838 and 1839.
Rev. James W. Ward, one year, 1854.
Levi Reed, Esq., one year, 1859, and was chosen State Auditor in 1860.
William L. Reed, chosen Senator in 1864.
By the foregoing list, it appears, as noted above, that formerly Representatives were continued in office much longer than of late years. Capt. Jacob Porter was elected to that office four years ; Capt. Woodbridge Brown fifteen years, besides being a delegate to the First Provincial Congress at Salem, October 5, 1774, and the Second Provincial Congress at Cambridge, July 31, 1775. It is now (1862) one hundred years since his fourth election to the office of Representative, in 1762. Lieut. Samuel Brown was continued in office six years ; Jacob Smith five years ; Col. Aaron Hobart (my father) fourteen years in succession ; Nathan Gurney, jr., held the office for ten years, eight of them in succession. His
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last election was in 1821, which was the only election in ten years, from 1817 to 1826. There was then a disposition for a change to shorter periods of office. The reason why there was no election but of him in those ten years, was, the Repub- licans were divided, and when he was nominated a candidate by his friends, the Federalists would vote for him, but they would always join to vote not to send. In this way, by their aid, the Republicans, opposed to him, defeated his election, by voting not to send. Rev. Samuel Niles was elected four years in succession ; James Bates nine years, seven of them in suc- cession. His first election was in 1812, sixteen years before his next election. Micah Pool, Esq., seven years, six in succession ; John Cushing six years continuously. Two were chosen for three years each, viz. : James W. Ward and Daniel U. Johnson ; five for two years each, viz. : Deacon Samuel Pool, Harvey Torrey, Isaac Hersey, William P. Corthell, William L. Reed ; sixteen for one year only, viz. : Samuel Pool, Esq., Jared Whitman, Benjamin Hobart, Elihu Hobart, James Ford, jr., Joseph Cleverly, Goddard Reed, Jenkins Lane, Zenas Jenkins, Elijah Shaw, Nahum Moore, Alexander Alden, Nathan S. Jenkins, James M. Pool, Meritt Nash, . Benjamin Frost, Otis W. Soule and Isaiah Jenkins (1860). The two last were re-elected in 1861, and are not included in our calculation. Here we see that ten of the Representatives above named were in office eighty years, averaging eight years each, up to 1838; two for three years each-six years ; five for two years each-ten years ; and sixteen for one year each -sixteen years ; in all, thirty-three members up to 1860- twenty-three of these averaging less than one and one-half years each.
The sixteen members thus chosen for one year only, are one-half, wanting a fraction, of the whole number (thirty- three) chosen, as found on record, since the incorporation of the town, one hundred and fifty years ago. Such frequent change was not the practice in former times. A Representa- tive chosen for one year has no influence but by his mere vote, and having no experience in legislation, he has got to
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acquire it, and to learn the rules and orders and the mode of legislative proceedings, and this in one season, as of late years there is but one session in a year. For one year only he cannot bring much aid to the labors of legislation.
Besides these inconveniences, a Representative, himself elected for one year ouly, must feel somewhat degraded to be superseded the next. If he was qualified to be chosen at first, why not to be continued by re-election ? Such a neglect implies a reproach on his official conduct, and may injure him as a candidate for any other office in town, county, district, or State. So, on the other hand, a re-election to the Legislature for a few years would enable him to be much more useful, and would be a recommendation to him to fill a higher office. - Such vacillation in the election of officers may be owing to
the great number of offices created of late years, to be filled by primary elections of the people, instead of being appointed by the Governor and Council, as formerly, and the great number of aspirants to fill them. So great is the rage for office, that rotation is the order of the day, and the incumbent is limited to the shortest period possible, to make room for another. Such struggles are mostly confined to party politi- cians on a small scale, whilst the better qualified, men of business and men of wealth, will not mingle in such party strife, and, in fact, are not wanted, and are generally pro- scribed from office.
As there is now a great revolution going on in the country, occasioned by the present civil war, it is believed that a second independence will be achieved, and that the relative situation of political parties will be greatly changed, if not entirely broken up, and that a better state of things will exist, iu a united support of the Union and Constitution.
CHAPTER XXII. Oration, July 4, 1805
THE following Oration is printed from a second edition, published a few years since, by request. It is allowed a place in these Reminiscences, as giving an account of the political state of the times, sixty years ago ; and perhaps no statement, made now from memory, would portray it nearly as well. When it was written, parties were greatly excited, and opponents were very bitter.
The Oration was delivered in the meeting-house where the Rev. Samuel Niles preached. The house was very full, not- withstanding there was not one of the Federal party who attended. At the close of the services at the meeting-house, a very sumptuous dinner was served up at Brown's Hall. A band of music was in attendance. A list of regular, and many volunteer toasts were given. The artillery company, commanded by Captain Noah Ford, did the escort duties of the day, paraded in front of the hall, and fired a gun or two at the announcement and reception of each toast, with music intervening. An account of the celebration was published in the Republican newspapers in Boston and elsewhere: that account is subjoined. (I can remember one or two of the Glees by the band. One was "Go to the Devil and Shake Yourself." Parties did not mince the matter then, when speaking of their opponents. Another one was, "O Dear, Dear, What can the Matter be?") I was quite abashed when the procession started to go to the meeting-house. Mr. Niles and the orator of the day were at the head of it. Mr. Niles compelled me to walk at his right hand, saying it was my place, as I was the orator of the day. Mr. Niles occupied the pulpit with me, and offered an appropriate prayer. I spoke the Oration entirely from memory : it was well received,
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ORATION.
and warmly applauded. How few of those who attended that celebration are now living !
[From the Independent Chronicle, July 11, 1805.]
AT ABINGTON-The morning of the Fourth of July was ushered in with the firing of cannon. Captain Noah Ford, with his well-disciplined and truly martial company of Artillery, and Lieutenant Brackley Cushing, with the newly- formed and completely-equipped company of Light Infantry, did the military honors of the day. The Infantry, as their captain (Calvin Shaw, jr.) refused to call them out, spiritedly came forward as volunteers, under the command of the lieutenant. Under the escort of these patriotic companies a very respectable procession moved from Mr. Brown's hall to the meeting-house. After the Throne of Grace was addressed by the Rev. Samuel Niles, and the Declaration of Indepen- dence was read, a spirited and patriotic oration was pronounced by Benjamin Hobart, A. B. It was received with those lively emotions which fully evinced a coincidence of sentiments and feelings betwixt the orator and his audience. A choir of vocal and instrumental music, consisting of ladies and gentlemen of the place, added very much to the performances of the day. Two patriotic Odes, set to music for the occasion by Mr. David Pool, of this town, excited the admiration of all present. Returning from the public exercises, and after a salute of seventeen cannon, a respectable company sat down to an excellent repast, prepared by Mr. Samuel Brown, in his newly erected and elegant hall. Mr. Nathan Gurney, jr., was chosen President for the occasion, and a committee was appointed to inquire of the orator whether he would furnish a copy of his oration for the press. After passing the day in hilarity and good order, every man returned seasonably to his own home, proud that he was an American.
The following TOASTS were given :-
1. The Day we Celebrate-A day to be held in remem- brance until liberty and the rights of man shall be banished from our country.
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ORATION.
2. The Patriots and Heroes of '76-Whose toil won and whose blood sealed our Independence.
3. The Right of Election-May its exercise ever display the omnipotency of the people and the triumph of good principles.
4. The President of the United States-The man of our choice, great in council, mild towards his enemies, but firm and unmovable as the Andes, in the defence of his country's rights.
5. The Vice-President and Republican Members of Congress.
6. The Constitution of the United States-We pledge our lives and property in its defence.
7. The Militia, Our Best Defence-May it ever supersede the necessity of a standing army.
8. Liberty of Speech and of the Press-Their abuses cor- rected by the civil law.
9. Our Navy, already Crowned with Laurels-May it teach the pirates of Tripoli, under their very walls and ramparts, that we have millions for a just defeuce, but not a cent for tribute.
10. Louisiana-The honorable price of gold, and not the dishonorable price of blood.
11. The Heads of the General Departments of Government -A bright constellation of worthies.
12. Reason and Revelation, the best Gifts of Heaven-May they influence the world in Politics and Religion.
13. JAMES SULLIVAN and WILLIAM HEATH, and the thirty- three thousand electors who supported them for the first offices in the State.
14. Massachusetts-Fast returning to first principles in opposition to hosts and juntos.
15. Education-The polar star of America.
16. Federalism, like an old Decrepid Sinner upon his Last Legs-May repentance precede its final dissolution.
17. The fair Daughters of Columbia - May they have Republican liusbands. [Addition, by a volunteer. ]-And may Federal wives ever bring forth Republican sons.
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ORATION.
VOLUNTEERS.
By Colonel Aaron Hobart-The people in whom dwells the sovereign power of our country ; may they ever maintain the principles of our revolution, in opposition to tyranny and federalism.
By Mr. James Thomas, of Bridgewater-May the elected in the couneils of America be men of information, probity and integrity ; and may the electors never conceive any magic in elections, or that they can add one cubit to the mental stature of the elected.
By Mr. Elijah Shaw-Our deservedly respected young friend and patriot, the Orator of the Day.
By Mr. Daniel Lane, jr .- President Jefferson, shielded by virtue which the shafts of calumny cannot pierce.
By Captain Noah Ford-Hard labor, short allowance, and a hasty retreat to all those who wish to subvert our Con- stitution and hate the return of this Anniversary.
By the Orator of the Day (after Captain Ford had retired) -Captain Noalı Ford,-the firm patriot and accomplished soldier. Independent in sentiment, he does not hesitate, like many of his brother officers, to honor the birthday of his country.
By the President (after Lieutenant Cushing had retired) - Lieutenant Brackley Cushing,-the persevering soldier, the upright citizen, and the undeviating patriot.
By Aaron Hobart, jr., Esq .- Union among Republicans ; the death warrant of Federalism.
An Oration pronounced July 4, 1805, at Abington, on the Anni- versary of American Independence. By BENJAMIN HOBART. " Where Liberty dwells, there is my country."
Sir,-Agreeable to a vote of a respectable meeting of citizens, as- sembled at Abington, July 4, for the celebration of American Inde- pendence, I have the honor, as President of the meeting, to present you their thanks for your spirited and patriotic oration, delivered on that occasion, and to request a copy thereof for the press.
NATHAN GURNEY, Jr.
July 10, 1805.
To Mr. BENJAMIN HOBART.
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ORATION.
Sir,-Your favor of yesterday I have received, and shall furnish you with a copy of the oration, as requested; in doing which I am regulated by the opinion of my fellow-citizens, not by my own. I am your very humble servant, BENJAMIN HOBART.
July 11, 1805. To Mr. NATHAN GURNEY, Jr.
To celebrate important national events is both the duty and safety of a republican people. The ancient Jewish Pass- over was an institution of this nature. Other examples are no less divine. The Sabbath serves to keep in remembrance the great work of creation. The bow in the clouds denotes that the world will never again be destroyed by a deluge. The pot of manna and Aaron's rod, deposited in the Temple, served to keep in constant view the dealings of God with His ancient people. Mordecai, on the deliverance of his nation from the bloody decrees of IIaman, appointed the days of Purim as a lasting memento of their escape.
These examples of Holy Writ sufficiently prove the consis- tency of commemorating the day which freed us from oppres- sion's yoke, and enrolled the American name among the independent nations of the earth. This anniversary serves to keep alive a spirit of patriotism, whilst it leads us to prize the blessings which we enjoy, and to revere the divine source from which they flow.
We have not assembled to fall prostrate before a despot, or to bow before a new-made emperor ; ours is not the servile task to pay homage to a host of lords and nobles ; nor to trumpet the praises of a president and senate for life ; but to celebrate an event which placed America in a high rank among the nations of the earth.
None, then, will question the propriety of passing a few moments in surveying thie prosperity of our country, arising from our independence, and the principles and motives which gave rise to the revolution, and led to the adoption of our ex- cellent Constitution; and in inquiring whether these principles, which all applaud, still actuate the nation, and are a rule of 16*
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conduct to our rulers. Some of the means of our safety may also claim our attention.
In portraying the happiness of our country, recurrence, to heighten the picture, is often made to the perils of our in- fancy and the horrors of our revolution. But these are events too well known to need a repetition. Who has not heard that less than two hundred years ago, this country, where now vil- lages and cities are seen, and the hum of men is heard, was a dreary, howling wilderness, where savages roamed and wild beasts sought their prey ? What American is there who has not read the wonderful, the surprising history of our country, from the landing of our forefathers on the Plymouth Rock to the present period ? The revolution is within the recollection of many ; its traces are still to be seen. The gigantie power of Great Britain was in motion to make Americans " hewers of wood and drawers of water." But they rose indignant at the very thought of oppression ; one spirit electrified the na- tion - the spirit of Liberty. Hostilities commenced ; the bat- tles of Lexington and Bunker Hill, and the conflagration of Charlestown, opened the great drama which a Washington, not till seven years after, closed by the glorious battle of York- town. During this horrid period of British rapine and devas-, tation, when our young men were sent headlong to the grave and our old men met death in their houses, - when the din of arms and the noise of battle were heard in our land, and when our cities and villages were delivered up to plunder and flames, a glorious sound was heard ; it reached from State to State ; it echoed from hill to hill : - " These United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States."
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