USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > History of the town of Plymouth, from its first settlement in 1620, to the present time : with a concise history of the aborigines of New England, and their wars with the English, &c. > Part 35
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There is another rope-walk in town, operating by water pow- er, but no statement of the extent of its operations could be procured.
There is also in town a twine and line manufactory, where eight tons of hemp are manufactured annually into twine and various kinds of line, which come to a profitable market.
Ship building was formerly carried on to a considerable ex- tent in this town; many excellent vessels have been sent from our ship yards, but the business is now diminished on account of the scarcity of timber. In 1779, a packet ship was built in this town for Congress, by Mr. John Peck, who was at that time much celebrated for his skill as a marine architect. The ship was called the Mercury, and was commanded by Captain Simeon Sampson, and employed to carry public despatches to our ministers in France. The ship-yard was on the spot which is now the garden of Captain Lothrop Turner.
News Papers. In the year 1785, Nathaniel Coverly, of Bos- ton, commenced the publication of a newspaper in town, en-
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APPENDIX.
titled the Plymouth Journal, but from its limited circulation, and our nearness to the metropolis, it was discontinued after a few months. In 1822, Mr. Allen Danforth commenced the Old Colony Memorial, which is published every Saturday. This paper is increasing in reputation and is well supported. Con- nected with the printing office is a newspaper reading room, where intelligence from various quarters is daily received, and is a pleasant resort for the reading gentlemen at their leisure hours. Under the same roof is a book-store and bindery, and a circulating library. May 17th, 1832, appeared the first num- ber of a weekly paper entitled the 'Pilgrim,' established by Rev. F. Freeman, but in about one year it was discontinued for want of support. October 27, 1832, the first number of an anti-masonic newspaper was published in this town for the county of Plymouth. The imprint is We the People, and Old Colony Press, published once a week, by C. A. Hack and H. Seaver. Discontinued in 1834.
February 16, 1833, commenced The Old Colony Democrat, a weekly paper which in May 1834, was removed to Middlebo- rough.
There are three licensed public taverns in towns, all of which are commodious, and well provided and attended; and there are two other taverns on the road to Sandwich.
Mrs. Nicholson's boarding house, in court square, has long been established, and is known to the public for its excellent accommodations.
The first regular stage commenced running from this town to Boston in 1796. We have now a stage establishment equal to any in the country, running daily in various directions, and provided with excellent horses and careful and attentive drivers. Although we can boast of no rail-road cars to facilitate con- veyance, our public roads are kept in fine order, and our fath- ers would say that our Stage Coaches are good enough for their posterity to travel the paths over which they themselves were satisfied to trudge on foot or to ride on the backs of bulls.
The first post office establishment in this town was by our Provincial Congress, May 12, 1775. They established a mail route from Cambridge, through Plymouth and Sandwich to Falmouth, once a week. The Congress appointed William Watson, Esq., postmaster in this town, and Timothy Goodwin and Joseph Howland, joint post riders. The following are the rates and duties for the postage of letters, &c., to be paid in lawful money.
From any distance not exceeding 60 miles £0-0-5}
9
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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Upwards of 60 miles and not exceeding 100 8
Upwards of 100 and not exceeding 200 10}
Upwards of 200 and not exceeding 300 1 - 1
1 - 4
Upwards of 300 and not exceeding 400 Upwards of 400 and not exceeding 500 Upwards of 500 and not exceeding 600 1 - 9
1 - 62
Upwards of 600 and not exceeding 700 2 -
Upwards of 700 and not exceeding 800 2 - 23
Upwards of 800 and not exceeding 900 2-5
Upwards of 900 and not exceeding 1000
2 -8
The rate of postage is doubled for all double letters, trebled for all treble letters, and for every ounce weight, four times as much is to be charged as for a single letter.
Plan of riding from Cambridge to Falmouth in Barnstable county:
'To set off from Cambridge every Monday noon, and leave his letters with William Watson, Esq., post-master at Plymouth Tuesday at four o'clock afternoon. To set off from Plymouth Wednesday morning 9 o'clock and leave his letters with Mr. Joseph Nye, 3d, post-master in Sandwich, Wednesday 2 o'clock afternoon; to set off from Sandwich at 4 o'clock and leave his letters with Mr. Moses Swift, post-master at Falmouth, Thursday morning 8 o'clock. To set off on his return Thursday noon and reach Sandwich at 5 o'clock, and set off from thence at 6 o'clock on Friday morning and reach Plymouth at noon; to set off from Plymouth Friday 4 o'clock afternoon and leave his let- ters with Mr. James Winthrop, post-master in Cambridge on Saturday evening.
Watertown, June 1, 1776.
We have appointed Messrs. Goodwin and Howland, joint post riders from the post office at Cambridge to the post office at Falmouth, through Sandwich and back again, which they are to perform according to the foregoing plan. Above you have the rates of postage; you will make up your mails separately for every office in the colony, inclosing a ticket sealed, and de- liver it to the riders in due season, that they may be enabled to do their duty with punctuality; you are to be accountable to us according to the tenor of your bond, for all the money you re- ceive for postage deducting your service in your office twenty per cent.
WILLIAM GREENLEAF, by order. To William Watson, Esq., Post-Master at Plymouth.'
Such has been the improvement in travelling since that period, that the mail is now transported in covered carriages from Bos-
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APPENDIX.
ton to Falmouth and returned in two days, and over the same route three times a week.
Alms House. In 1826, the town purchased a few acres of land well located, and erected a very commodious brick house and out houses, at the expense of from four to five thousand dollars, where the poor are well accommodated under the care of an overseer, and amply and comfortably provided for. The average number in the house is thirty-three, and the expense to the town for their support, overbalancing their earnings, is about one thousand dollars annually. This sum includes the expense of a few individuals partly supported out of the house.
Market. Our provision market affords an ample supply of the various substantials, the conveniences, and the luxuries of life, such as beef, pork, mutton, poultry, and sometimes veni- son. At our fish market we have cod, haddock, halibut, mack- erel, bass, tautog, lobsters, eels, alewives, and clams. Should any one complain for want of a dinner, he must be chargeable with inexcusable indolence, and probably with intemperance.
Societies. PILGRIM SOCIETY. This society was established in 1820, by the descendants of the first settlers at Plymouth, and such others as were desirous of perpetuating their princi- ples, and commemorating their virtues. The number of mem- bers of this society amounts to several hundred, and it is de- sirable that number should be increased. The terms of admis- sion are ten dollars, and those who duly appreciate the princi- ples of the institution and the characters of the puritan fathers, cannot fail to unite in this duty of filial piety, and contribute their aid to its support. An appropriate diploma, prepared by Mr. Penniman, of Boston, has been, and is designed to be dis- tributed among the members. The diploma is about 15 inches by 10, the upper part gives a view of Plymouth harbor, the beach, and island. Below is a sketch of Plymouth village, and surrounding objects, as now presented to view. The stated meetings of the society are held at Pilgrim Hall, on the 22d of December, and for the choice of officers, the last Monday in May. The officers of the present year, 1834, are, Alden Brad- ford, president; Z. Bartlett, vice-president; Benjamin M. Wat- son, recording secretary; Pelham W. Warren, corresponding secretary; Isaac L. Hedge, treasurer; James Thacher, libra- rian and cabinet keeper. There are eleven trustees, and a committee of arrangements consisting of three.
Temperance Society. The Plymouth County Temperance Society, have frequently held their meetings in this town, and Daniel Frost, Jr. Esq., being employed as agent for the county, has on several occasions during the past summer, addressed
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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
from our pulpits large and respectable assemblies on the sub- ject of temperance. His addresses were received with uni- versal approbation, and his unceasing efforts in the temperance cause, have been productive of such astonishing results, as to entitle him to the highest honor. By his influence, chiefly, more than 1000 names were inscribed here on the paper pledg- ing themselves to abstain from the use of ardent spirits, and to discourage the practice in others. A temperance society has recently been formed in this town.
The promotion of temperance has long been an object of so- licitude among most of the inhabitants of this town, and they have wisely attended to the awful desolations of intemperance, and in the great work of reformation which is now extending around us. Most decided is our opinion that this alarming evil is only to be suppressed by a general union in the means of en- tire abstinence from all ardent spirits, as a drink, or as an aux- iliary to labor. It is auspicious to our community, that it has pleased Heaven to bless us with the temperance reformation. It may be presumed that the consumption of ardent spirits is diminished not less than three fourths within the last seven years, and in the same diminished proportion is life sacrificed, health, happiness, and domestic comfort destroyed, and the character and morals of our fellow men impaired by the prac- tice of intemperance. Long may it be our happy condition that our temperance societies may meet with the co-operation of all classes of people in their efforts to improve the health of the community, to promote the industry and the means of living of individuals, to increase their self-respect and love of char- acter, and to give a new impulse to the domestic virtues in the private relations of life.
Formerly there were two rum distilleries in this town, pro- ducing large quantities of New England rum, from which the neighboring towns were supplied with the fiery element, and considerable quantities were sent to the southern states annu- ally. One of these houses was located where Mr. Gale's long house now stands, and the other occupied the lot now vacant, adjoining the lot of Mr. William Holmes. This was taken down in 1814, and we hope never to see another erected.
It is a matter of gratulation that there is so great a combina- tion against intemperance throughout our country. It is truly honorable to all who enlist in this holy warfare; and may God grant that every effort, calculated to annihilate the practice of inebriation, may be crowned with success.
The Old Colony Peace Society hold their meetings occasion- ally in this town. There is also a Debating Society in town.
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APPENDIX.
The ladies have for about fifteen years sustained a Fragment Society, much to their honor, having afforded essential benefit and relief to many poor and destitute families, bestowing char- ity to the poor, and are friends to the friendless.
Banks. The Plymouth Bank was incorporated June 23d, 1804, capital $100,000 ; first president, was Hon. William Sever of Kingston, after him Hon. William Davis, at present, Barnabas Hedge, Esq. First Cashier, William Goodwin, at present, Nathaniel Goodwin.
Plymouth Institution for Savings, president, Barnabas Hedge; treasurer, Allen Danforth, office at Plymouth Bank. Deposit day, first Tuesday of every month. Amount of deposits in 1833, $100,000.
Old Colony Bank, incorporated in February, 1832, capital $100,000; president, Jacob Covington; cashier, Ebenezer G. Parker.
The following is a list of those gentlemen who have deliver- ed discourses in the town on the anniversary of the arrival of our Forefathers. Those marked with an asterisk, (*) have not been printed.
1769, First celebration by Old Colony Club.
1770, Second celebration by Old Colony Club.
1771, Third celebration by Old Colony Club.
1772, Rev. Chandler Robbins-For Old Colony Club.
1773, Rev. Charles Turner-For Old Colony Club. By the town and by the first parish.
1774, Rev. Gad Hitchcock, Pembroke.
1775, Rev. Samuel Baldwin, Hanover,
1776, Rev. Sylvanus Conant, Middleborough,
1777, Rev. Samuel West, Dartmouth.
1778, Rev. Timothy Hilliard, Barnstable .*
1779, Rev. William Shaw, Marshfield .*
1780, Rev. Jonathan Moor, Rochester .*
From this time the public observances of the day were sus- pended, till
1794, Rev. Chandler Robbins, D. D. of Plymouth.
1795,
1796, Private Celebration.
1797,
1798, Dr. Zaccheus Bartlett, Plymouth, Oration.
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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
1799, The day came so near that appointed for the ordina- tion of Rev. Mr. Kendall, that it was not celebrated by a public discourse.
1800, John Davis, Esq., Boston, Oration .*
1801, Rev. John Allyn, D. D., Duxbury.
1802, John Q. Adams, Esq., Quincy, Oration.
1803, Rev. John T. Kirkland, D. D., Boston .*
1804, (Lord's Day) Rev. James Kendall, Plymouth .*
1805, Alden Bradford, Esq., Boston.
1806, Rev. Abiel Holmes, D. D., Cambridge.
1807, Rev. James Freeman, D. D., Boston .*
1808, Rev. Thaddeus M. Harris, Dorchester.
1809, Rev. Abiel Abbot, Beverly.
1811, Rev. John Elliot, D. D., Boston.
1815, Rev. James Flint, Bridgewater.
1817, Rev. Horace Holley, Boston .*
1818, Wendell Davis, Esq., Sandwich .*
1819, Francis C. Gray, Esq., Boston.
1820, Daniel Webster, Esq., Boston, by Pilgrim Society.
1824, Professor Edward Everett, Cambridge, by Pilgrim Society.
1831, Rev. John Brazer, Salem, by First Parish in Ply- mouth ..
The following anniversaries were commemorated by the third parish in Plymouth.
1826, Rev. Richard S. Storrs, Braintree.
1827, Rev. Lyman Beecher, D. D., Boston.
1828, Rev. Samuel Green, Boston.
1829, Rev. Daniel Huntington, Bridgewater,.
1830, Rev. Benjamin Wisner, D. D., Boston.
1831, Rev. John Codman, D. D., Dorchester.
1832, Rev. Convers Francis of Watertown for the First Parish.
Rev. Mr. Bigelow, of Rochester, for the third Parish.
1833, Rev. Mr. Barrett of Boston, for the first Parish.
1834, Rev. G. W. Blagden of Boston, for the Pilgrim Society.
HYMNS, ODES, &c. Written for the Anniversary of the Landing of the Pilgrims.
HYMN FOR THE 22D OF DECEMBER.
TUNE-' Old Hundred.'
HAIL, Pilgrim Fathers of our race ! With grateful hearts, your toils we trace ; Again this Votive Day returns, And finds us bending o'er your urns.
Jehovah's arm prepar'd the road ; The Heathen vanish'd at his nod : He gave his Vine a lasting root ; He loads his goodly boughs with fruit.
The hills are cover'd with its shade ; Its thousand shoots like cedars spread ;, Its branches to the sea expand, And reach to broad Superior's strand.
Of peace and truth the gladsome ray Smiles in our skies and cheers the day ; And a new Empire's 'splendent wheels Roll o'er the top of western hills.
Hail, Pilgrim Fathers of our race ! With grateful hearts your toils we trace ; Oft as this Votive Day returns, We 'Il pay due honors to your urns. 29 *
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HYMNS AND ODES.
ODE FOR THE 22D OF DECEMBER. BY HON. JOHN DAVIS.
Composed for the Anniversary Festival at Plymouth, in the year 1794.
SONS of renowned Sires, Join in harmonious choirs, Swell your loud songs ; Daughters of peerless dames, Come with your mild acclaims, Let their revered names Dwell on your tongues.
From frowning Albion's seat, See the fam'd band retreat, On ocean tost ; Blue tumbling billows roar,
By keel scarce plough'd before, And bear them to this shore, Fetter'd with frost.
By yon wave-beaten Rock, See the illustrious flock Collected stand ; To seek some sheltering grove, Their faithful partners move, Dear pledges of their love In either hand.
Not winter's sullen face, Not the fierce tawny race In arms array'd ; Not hunger shook their faith Not sickness' baleful breath, Nor Carver's early death, Their souls dismay'd
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HYMNS AND ODES.
Water'd by heavenly dew, The Germ of Empire grew, Freedom its root ; From the cold northern pine, Far t'ward the burning line, Spreads the luxuriant vine, Bending with fruit.
Columbia, child of Heaven, The best of blessings giv'n, Rest on thy head ; Beneath thy peaceful skies, While prosperous tides arise, Here turn thy grateful eyes, Revere the dead. '
Here trace the moss-grown stones, Where rest their mould'ring bones, Again to rise ; And let thy sons be led, To emulate the dead, While o'er their tombs they tread With moisten'd eyes.
Sons of renowned Sires, Join in harmonious choirs, Swell your loud songs ; Daughters of peerless dames, Come with your mild acclaims, Let their revered names Dwell on your tongues.
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HYMNS AND ODES.
HYMN-BY REV. DR. HOLMES.
Sung at the 186th Anniversary of the Landing of the Fathers at Plymouth, December 22d, 1806.
TUNE-' Old Hundred.'
OUR Fathers' God ! to Thee we raise, With one accord, the song of praise ; To Thee our grateful tribute pay, Oft as returns this festal day.
With tearful eyes we here will trace Thy wonders to the Pilgrim race, And while those wonders we explore, Their names extol, thy name adore.
Our Fathers' God! Thy own decree Ordain'd the Pilgrims to be free ; In foreign lands they own'd thy care, And found a safe asylum there.
When the wide main they travers'd o'er, And landed on this sea-beat shore, The Pilgrim's Rock must e'er proclaim Thy guardian care was still the same.
Our Father's God ! while here we trace Our lineage to the Pilgrim race, O may we like those Pilgrims live, And in the sons the sires revive.
Our Father's God ! to Thee we raise, With one accord, the song of praise ; To Thee our grateful tribute pay, Oft as return's this festal day.
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HYMNS AND ODES.
Two HUNDRED YEARS AGO.
The following Song, composed by REV. DR. FLINT, for the oc- casion, was sung at the Public Dinner at Plymouth, on the 22d of December, 1820.
1. COME, listen to my story,
Though often told before, Of men who pass'd to glory, Through toil and travail sore ; Of men who did for conscience sake Their native land forego, And sought a home and freedom here Two hundred years ago.
2. O, 't was no earth-born passion,
That bade the adventurers stray ; The world and all its fashion, With thein had passed away. A voice from Heaven bade them look Above the things below, When here they sought a resting-place Two hundred years ugo.
3. O, dark the scene and dreary, When here they set them down ; Of storms and billows weary, And chill'd with winter's frown. Deep moan'd the forests to the wind, Loud howl'd the savage foe, While here their evening prayer arose Two hundred years ago.
4. 'T would drown the heart in sorrow To tell of all their woes ; No respite could they borrow, But from the grave's repose. Yet nought could daunt the Pilgrim Band Or sink their courage low, Who came to plant the Gospel here Two hundred years ago.
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HYMNS AND ODES.
5. With humble prayer and fasting, In every strait and grief, They sought the Everlasting, And found a sure relief. Their cov'nant God o'ershadow'd them, Their shield from every foe, And gave them here a dwelling place Two hundred years ago.
6. Of fair New England's glory, They laid the corner-stone ; This praise, in deathless story, Their grateful sons shall own. Prophetic they foresaw in time, A mighty state should grow, From them a few, faint Pilgrims here, Two hundred years ago.
7. If greatness be in daring,
Our Pilgrim Sires were great, Whose sojourn here, unsparing, Disease and famine wait ; And oft their treach'rous foes combin'd To lay the strangers low, While founding here their commonwealth Two hundred years ago.
8. Though seeming over-zealous, In things by us deem'd light, They were but duly jealous Of power usurping right. They nobly chose to part with all Most dear to men below, To worship here their God in peace Two hundred years ago.
9. From seeds they sowed with weeping, Our richest harvests rise, We still the fruits are reaping Of Pilgrim enterprise.
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HYMNS AND ODES.
Then grateful we to them will pay The debt of fame we owe, Who planted here the tree of life Two hundred years ago.
10. As comes this period yearly, Around our cheerful fires, We'll think and tell how dearly Our comforts cost our sires. For them will wake the votive song, And bid the canvass glow, Who fix'd the home of freedom here Two hundred years ago.
-
ODE For the Celebration of the Anniversary of the Pilgrim Society of Plymouth, December 22d, 1824. BY REV. J. PIERPONT.
THE pilgrim fathers -. where are they ? The waves that brought them o'er Still roll in the bay, and throw their spray, As they break along the shore : Still roll in the bay, as they rolled that day When the Mayflower moored below, When the sea around was black with storms, And white the shore with snow.
The mists, that wrapped the pilgrim's sleep, Still brood upon the tide ; And his rocks yet keep their watch by the deep, To stay its waves of pride ; But the snow-white sail, that he gave to the gale When the heavens looked dark, is gone :- As an angel's wing, through an opening cloud, 'Is seen, aud then withdrawn.
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HYMNS AND ODES.
The pilgrim exile-sainted name ! The hill, whose icy brow Rejoiced, when he came, in the morning's flame, In the morning's flame burns now. And the moon's cold light as it lay that night On the hill-side and the sea, Still lies where he laid his houseless head ;- But the pilgrim-where is he ?
The pilgrim fathers are at rest : When Summer 's throned on high, And the world's warm breast is in verdure dressed Go, stand on the hill where they lie. The earliest ray of the golden day On that hallowed spot is cast ; And the evening sun, as he leaves the world, Looks kindly on that spot last.
The pilgrim spirit has not fled : It walks in noon's broad light; And it watches the bed of the glorious dead, With the holy stars, by night. It watches the bed of the brave who have bled, And shall guard this ice-bound shore, Till the waves of the bay, where the Mayflower lay, Shall foam and freeze no more.
ORIGINAL HYMN.
By REV. S. DEANE, for the 22d of Dec., 1831.
Lo! the rising star of Freedom Once our pilgrim fathers blest ; By her light, ordained to lead them, 'To the land of promised rest. Star of heaven! Star of heaven ! Trav'ling toward the distant west.
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HYMNS AND ODES.
While their countless toils enduring, Faith the promise kept in sight : For themselves and sons securing, IIome and country, truth and light. Star of heaven! Star of heaven ! Pointing to Jehovah's might.
Now the relics round us lying, Grateful children guard their clay ! While their spirits, never dying, Hope has borne on wings away : Star of heaven! Star of heaven ! Guiding to a brighter day.
Raise we honors to their merit, Temples sculptured with their name ? No! their virtucs to inherit, Seals their bright and conscious fame. Star of heaven ! Star of heaven ! High they shine with ceaseless flame.
See the lights around us gleaming, Still to guide the pilgrims' eyes : See the star of empire beaming, Bids their children's glory rise. Star of heaven ! Star of heaven! Glowing still in western skies.
ORIGINAL HYMN. For the Dedication of the New Church. BY REV. J. PIERPONT. 1. THE winds and waves are roaring : The Pilgrims met for prayer ; And here, their God adoring, They stood in open air. 30
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HYMNS AND ODES.
When breaking day they greeted, And when its close was calm, The leafless woods repeated . The music of their psalm.
2. Not thus, O God, to praise thee, Do we, their children throng : The temple's arch we raise thee, Gives back our choral song. Yet, on the winds that bore thee Their worship and their prayers, May ours come up before thee From hearts as true as theirs !
3. What have we, Lord, to bind us To this, the Pilgrims' shore !- Their hill of graves behind us, Their watery way before, The wintry surge, that dashes Against the rocks they trod, Their memory, and their ashes- Be thou their guard, O God !
4. We would not, Holy Father, Forsake this hallowed spot, Till on that shore we gather Where graves and griefs are not : The shore where true devotion Shall rear no pillared shrine, And see no other ocean Than that of love divine.
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HYMNS AND ODES.
HYMN. BY W. C. BRYANT.
WILD was the day ; the wintry sea Moaned sadly on New England's strand, When first, the thoughtful and the free, Our fathers, trod the desert land.
They little thought how pure a light With years, should gather round that day ; How love should keep their memories bright, How wide a realm their sons should sway.
Green are their bays ; and greener still Shall round their spreading fame be wreathed, And regions now untrod, shall thrill With reyerence, when their names are breathed.
Till where the sun, with softer fires, Looks on the vast Pacific's sleep, The children of the pilgrim sires, This hallowed day like us shall keep.
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