USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Woburn > Proceedings 1892 at the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Woburn, Massachusetts > Part 12
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The northwestern territory, far greater in extent, than most of the nations of Europe, was rescued from the blight which had been fastened upon the territory to the south of it, and was for- ever dedicated to freedom, mainly through the influence which emanated from the political and religious sentiments of New England, and which had its worthy exponent in Nathan Dane, a son of Massachusetts. And when this territory was opened up to settlement, no portion of the sea-board States was more active in populating it than New England ; and while Massachusetts sent its, colonists in great numbers, no part of it made more worthy contribution than the ancient town of Woburn. The Puritan who made this second journey in search of a new home a century ago was somewhat changed from the Plymouth Pilgrim of a century and a half anterior, modified somewhat in his reli- gious practices, but he was essentially the same God-fearing, liberty-loving, enlightened man. As your ancestors who went out
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from Charlestown, so he carried with him the church, its ordi- nances and its teachings. He established the school-house. He instituted local self-government. He inculcated morality and sobriety in the community. The essence of his political creed was hatred of slavery and opposition to its domination.
While it must be recognized that Virginia, New York, and other of the original States contributed much to the develop- ment of the Northwest, the impress of no other portion of the old Confederation was comparable to that of New England ; and the present generation of that vast region is indebted to it more than to all others combined for the influences which mould character for good citizenship. In no era of our history has the truth of this been made more manifest than in the political tur- moil and agitation which preceded, and the intense patriotism which attended, the great uprising of 1861. The Free-soil Crusade which pervaded the Northwest in the decade closing with the election of Lincoln was pre-eminently a New England movement. And when the great test of patriotism came, because of the armed rebellion to dissolve the Union, it was the spirit for- mulated in the words of Massachusetts' most eloquent son, a gen- eration before, "Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable," which found expression in a popular manifestation never before witnessed in any age or nation.
I trust I may be pardoned the personal allusion if I illustrate the point I am endeavoring to make by citing the example of Benjamin Harrison in that crisis. The date of the firing upon Fort Sumter found him, a young lawyer, struggling to maintain a wife and two little ones by close attention to his business. Hav- ing been an outspoken Free-soiler, his party at the last election had conferred upon him an office of some responsibility. When the thrill of indignant patriotism flashed throughout the North with the announcement that the flag had been fired upon, young Harrison's first impulse was to volunteer at once. But he found the war quota of Indiana more than doubly filled and there seemed no necessity for his services, in view of the responsi- bilities which rested upon him at home. The herculean task before the North was not then realized. Even so astute a states- man as Mr. Seward predicted that the rebellion would be over in ninety days. Young Harrison had inherited some of the
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characteristics of his Woburn maternal ancestry. He was a man of peace, of domestic habits and studious tastes. He was willing to let the men of martial spirit, who delighted in the " pomp and circumstance of glorious war," fill up the first regi- ments from Indiana, as there was a contest for precedence. But as the great struggle progressed and it became evident that the nation's resources were to be taxed to their utmost to maintain the Union, the young lawyer felt that the call of duty was to him also. In that crisis of his life did it occur to him that some one else could do his fighting for him? No. With a sense of per- sonal responsibility which has always marked his conduct in private and public life, he proposed to go in person and share with his fellow-citizens, in the dangers and the honor of saving his country from dismemberment and ruin. He was no longer the man of peace. It was the spirit of the hero of Tippecanoe and of the Thames which now animated him. Under a commis- sion as second lieutenant from the Governor he set to work to raise a company. With a fifer, a drummer, and a flag he paraded the streets of Indianapolis and called his neighbors to arms, and under the inspiration of such example, not only the company, but a regiment, was soon made up; and as its commander he marched to the front and there remained till the last enemy of his country had laid down his arms, and peace again smiled on a united nation.
The history of Benjamin Harrison in this respect was that of thousands, yes, of tens of thousands, of the young men of the Northwest, whose characters had been so greatly moulded by the influences which went out from Woburn and its neighboring towns and cities. And it is because these influences have so greatly permeated the States which were framed out of that vast domain of freedom, that we in Indiana call our President a typical man of his home and generation ; and we are pleased to be assured by the people of this ancient corporation that he is worthy to fill the exalted post first occupied by Washington. In his name and on my own behalf, I heartily thank you for this manifestation, and pray that the spirit of godliness, of morality, of intelligence, of liberty, and of patriotism, which for two hun- dred and fifty years has dwelt with you, may here abide and per- vade the whole Republic for generations to come.
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THE CHAIRMAN. If you examine closely the seal of the city of Woburn, a fac-simile of which is on the menu cards, you will observe that above the mural coronet, which is emblematic of the city, there is placed the uplifted arm of the Commonwealth with sword in hand. Her attitude seems to threaten our peace. There is no cause for apprehension, however. That arm is raised above not to injure, but to protect and defend us. To quote the words of Massachusetts' poet Governor,
" This hand, the tyrant smiting, ne'er will sword release Till liberty assure the quietude of peace."
We certainly owe much to our beloved Common- wealth. Under the protection of her laws and insti- tutions, wisely administered, our municipality and her citizens have prospered and been blessed. And I propose, as the second sentiment on this occa- sion, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
I invite his Excellency William E. Russell, the young, able, and eloquent Governor of the Old Bay State, to respond.
ADDRESS OF GOVERNOR RUSSELL.
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, - As this old town and city to-day joyfully, with praise and thanksgiving, celebrates the passing of another milestone in its long and honorable life, it cer- tainly is most fitting that the mother State should come with her love and greeting to join in your festivities and rejoice in your rejoicing. She recognizes that such celebrations are more than local in their significance or temporary in their influence. Your history is her history, your strength and growth are her prosperity.
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WILLIAM E. RUSSELL, Governor of Massachusetts.
October 7.]
The celebration to-day recalls the past - your past and her past. It takes us back to the days of our early beginning, to the settle- ment of our towns, and the founding of our Commonwealth. As we note the work and spirit of our early founders, their courage and perseverance, their devotion to religion, education, and free- dom, their resistance to unjust and oppressive laws, their willing- ness to suffer for conscience' sake, as we see them in the midst of a wilderness creating a commonwealth, planting churches, schools, and colleges, and founding institutions to last as long as men fear God and love liberty, we, the generation of to-day, reap- ing the fruit of their foresight and labor, from their example gather courage and inspiration sacredly to guard the Common- wealth they founded and loved, and to hand her down to our posterity, broadened and strengthened by a like devotion and patriotism. So, in the contemplation suggested by these anni- versaries, come to the State a quickening of public spirit, re- newed devotion to her institutions and consecration to her service.
When Lewis and Clark, early in the century, made their cele- brated exploration, they followed the great Father of Waters up to its fountain head and there they reverently knelt and drank of its limpid stream. To-day, standing by the broad river of our prosperity, we trace its ever widening current up to its fountain head and there we reverently kneel in grateful acknowledgment. Not unlike these explorers the historians of New England trace its progress and prosperity, its liberties and glory up to their original source, and find them in that primary unit of New Eng- land civilization and government, the town organization. That organization, if not original with us, at least found here its full development and maturity. It grew out of the church, and at first was limited by its control. But as the stream of our life ran on, ever growing and broadening as other influences flowed into it, there came greater freedom and toleration, and Massachusetts was emancipated from early restrictions and freed from early prejudices. To-day she stands before the world as broad as she is great, just as she is patriotic, with love for all her children and with no place in her motherly heart for any spirit of intolerance.
Distinguished and prosperous as has been the progress of your town and. city, it is not widely different in its history from its
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many associates which make up the aggregate life and prosperity of our Commonwealth. Here first came the church in 1642. Then followed the incorporation of the town. Then in its very infancy we find it making liberal grants for school and college. Hardly a generation old it showed its hatred of tyranny by defiance of the royal governor and afterwards by taking a hand in his capture and imprisonment. In all the early wars with the Ind- ians and French, Woburn did her full duty. But though loyal to king and governor as long as they were just to her, she was more loyal to the liberty and rights of the people. In the great agita- tion preceding our Revolution she uttered her indignant protests against unjust taxation and tyranny. When agitation ripened in- to revolution she sent her sons to fight at Lexington and on many a battlefield for liberty and independence. So, three generations later, when there came a glorious struggle again for liberty and for the preservation of the Union our fathers had welded to- gether with labor and with love, again went forth the sons of Woburn ready to suffer for Freedom's sake and to die for love of country.
So, too, in her later life is found constant evidence of the enter- prise, patriotism, and public spirit of her citizens. It is seen in the great industries which have brought fame and prosperity to the town, in its many public improvements and in the watchful care of the attractions which Nature with lavish hand has given you and which make Woburn a pleasant place in which to dwell. It is strikingly shown in your magnificent public library, which, as it educates and uplifts the people, tells of the generosity and public spirit of a son of Woburn. All these things, so creditable and honorable in your history, are also typical of the life of our- Commonwealth. As you early planted the church and school,
and organized the town meeting, so she throughout her life, has ever been devoted to religion, education, and self-govern- ment, and from these have sprung an intelligent, liberty-loving, God-fearing people. As here there have been resistance to tyranny, struggle for independence, and suffering and sacrifice for union and liberty, so, too, has Massachusetts, marshalling these forces out of all her towns, stepped forth to lead in every great agitation for the rights of a people, the maintenance of their insti- tutions, and the preservation of their country.
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With vigor and fidelity she watches over the interests of her citizens ; with a strong arm she guards their rights ; with a loving heart she relieves their suffering ; with wise and progressive legislation she seeks to lessen the toil of labor and to benefit and uplift the masses of her people. The power, prosperity, and progress of the Commonwealth rest upon her cities and towns. In them she lives and moves and has her being. May the time not come when anything is done to destroy their autonomy, infringe their rights, or impair that system which was the foun- dation of the Commonwealth, has been for two hundred and fifty years the bulwark of our liberties, and is to-day gratefully recognized as the source of our independence, prosperity, and happiness.
THE CHAIRMAN. - We are all familiar with the name Mishawum. It is not, however, as is gener- ally supposed, the Indian name for the territory embraced within the limits of Woburn. Indian names are always descriptive of the places to which they are applied. The word Mishawum means near the great neck, and is applicable only to the original territory of Charlestown, just as Shawmut, the Indian name for Boston, has reference to its nearness to the neck originally formed by the waters about Copp's Hill. But although, by a strict interpretation, Woburn may not be entitled to the designation of Mishawum, its use with us has an historical value as a link serving to keep up the connection with the old mother town of Charlestown, from whom we have been politically separated just two hundred and fifty years. Within that time, Mishawum, the Great Neck, has been embraced, as it were, and made one with Shawmut. And in these days of
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talk about the " Greater Boston," it does not require the vision of a prophet to foresee that the word Mishawum may have for Woburn a future as well as a past historic significance. Be that as it may, however, I now propose as a sentiment, "Mishawum, or the Mother Town of Charlestown."
I request the well-known Charlestown boy, Philip J. Doherty, Esq., to respond.
ADDRESS OF PHILIP J. DOHERTY, ESQ.
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, - Charlestown tenders to her daughter, Woburn, her sincere congratulations. With fond, maternal pride she looks upon Woburn's history and finds no stain on her civic honor and no faltering in her patriotic devotion to the beneficent principles of free institutions.
From the earliest days Woburn's sons and daughters have been a source of joyful pride to the mother town. Charlestown has the warmest admiration for the resolute and sturdy men who assumed the mighty burden of the establishment of Charlestown Village, as Woburn was then called, and for their earnest and faithful successors who have made Woburn the thriving city she is to-day.
The historian tells us that in 1640 this territory was " a remote land whose roads were Indian pathways. To explore it or occupy it was viewed as a 'great labor,' not to be undertaken without . prayer, not to be accomplished without danger."
Undeterred by difficulties and undaunted by dangers, the first settlers courageously determined to build their houses and estab- lish their little community upon a solid foundation of justice and equity. Their purpose was declared in a paper signed by thirty- two persons at the house of Thomas Graves in Charlestown, Dec. 18, 1640, to be " the full fruition of such liberties and privileges as humanity, civility and Christianity calls for as due to every man."
The first signer of this document was Capt. Edward Johnson,
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PHILIP J. DOHERTY, Esq.
October 7.]
the illustrious ancestor of our worthy chairman who so well exemplifies in his daily life as a magistrate and as a citizen the sterling qualities of sturdy honor and love of justice which char- acterized the early settlers of the town.
With patient industry and unremitting toil Woburn's pioneers felled the forests, built their modest homes, laid out their roads, cleared their farms and established their local industries. At first their success was so marked that dwellers in the mother town were inclined to jealousy, for we read that "many fearing the depopulation of Charlestown had a suspicious eye over the villagers."
While all jealousy at Woburn's growth has long since died away, yet as long as Charlestown uses the Mystic water she will still, "fearing a depopulation of Charlestown," have a suspicious eye on Woburn.
But seriously, Woburn's marvellous growth and prosperity, her expansion in wealth, in population, in education and refinement, and in all that contributes to the comfort and happiness of her people, are only one illustration of the progress and advancement of our country.
Two hundred and fifty years ago there were only a few col- onists scattered along the coast, subjects of a foreign power. To-day we are sixty-five millions of free people in a land stand- ing among the nations of the world first in wealth, in agriculture, manufacturing, in the general diffusion of education among the people. Town, state, and nation are all partakers in the triumph of free institution and the success of popular government.
May the citizens of Woburn ever be loyal to their city, to our state, and to our country.
May her children never forget the glorious and patriotic lesson of her history.
Boston, of which Charlestown is now a part, bids to her thriv- ing sister city God-speed and continued success and prosperity.
THE CHAIRMAN. I have already referred to the seal of the city of Woburn. Although we are all familiar with its appearance, and often express our admiration of its artistic features, we seldom stop
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to consider that on it is engraved an epitome of our history. I do not refer simply to the dates written on the outer circle. I call your attention to the sprigs of sumac on each side of the coat of arms and to the skiving knife, both of which represent the business life and history, the industria of our motto. Below is the library, emblematic of the growth and advancement of our city in education, in intelligence, and in those refining influences which mark the progress of civilzation, the virtute of the motto.
I love Woburn for what she has been and for what she is. I was educated in her public schools, I have studied her history and traditions. I am familiar with her intellectual, social, and business life. I have tramped through her valleys, climbed her hills, and wandered up and down her streams. I despise her detractors and her apologists, and it is with feelings of patriotic pride that I announce the next sentiment, The old Town and present City of Woburn. I ask his Honor Edward E. Thomp- son, Mayor of Woburn, to respond.
ADDRESS OF MAYOR EDWARD E. THOMPSON.
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, - As a representative of the town of Woburn and in behalf of our new city, I desire to emphasize what has been said by you, Mr. President, in your words of welcome on this occasion.
This is a proud day for Woburn, a day which our people have looked forward to with pleasant anticipations. There have been many pleasant things said already and much more may be said
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truthfully about our town. Our historian in his admirable address yesterday has told you of the town's early history, its trials and struggles, and its final triumph over all obstacles ; and we are to-day permitted to celebrate the results flowing out from these victories.
Our people have always been ready to respond promptly to the calls of our country to uphold and maintain the dignity and honor of the stars and stripes, to respond promptly and cheer- fully to all calls made upon us by our dear Commonwealth.
We have sent out from our borders many men who have become eminent in their various walks of life.
In the matter of education few towns, if any, excel us. Al- though the industries of our town have called together large numbers of people dependent upon their daily toil for subsis- tence, yet these people have always been found ready to aid in making ample appropriation for maintaining our public schools, the bulwark of our defence.
We also point with just pride to our magnificent library, free to all, and patronized by a large percentage of our population.
Up to 1888 we continued under the form of a town govern- ment, but the growth of population became so large it was found somewhat unwieldly to manage as a town, and consequently a municipal form of government was adopted, which, under the judicious and wise guidance of my predecessors in office, has given general satisfaction.
In 1730, the northeastern precinct of our old town was set off and incorporated as Wilmington, and sixty-nine years later the second daughter wished to leave the old home, and set up housekeeping for herself under the name of Burlington. Fifty years after, the third daughter asked the old mother for privilege of changing her name to Winchester. This last request was rather more than the mother felt she could grant, feeling (as mothers usually feel) that she wanted to keep the youngest daughter in the old home, but, as is usually the case, the mother reluctantly yielded.
Did the time allow, Mr. President, there are many good things which might be said about all these fair daughters of the old town, but they are all here at this reunion, they are of age, are ably represented, and can speak for themselves.
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THE CHAIRMAN. A letter has just been passed up to me which I will read as a further response to the last sentiment.
WOBURN, MASS., Oct. 7, 1892. Mr. EDWARD F. JOHNSON,
Chairman of the Banquet Committee,
Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary :
Dear Sir, -It is proper that we should make public announce- ment to-day of the public spirit and generosity of one of our citizens, and the banquet gives us our opportunity, through you as its presiding officer. Supplemental to our free public-school system and our free public library, provision has been made for the establishment and maintenance in Woburn of a course of annual lectures, free to the public, on historic, scientific, or other educational subjects. At the request of our justly esteemed townsman, Leonard Thompson, Esq., we have associated our- selves together on this anniversary day, with the intention of constituting a corporation in Woburn to be known as the " Bur- been Free Lecture Fund." Toward the endowment of this cor- poration, Mr. Thompson has made a gift of the sum of six thousand dollars ($6,000), of which the income is to be forever used in carrying on the purposes of this corporation, for the benefit of the inhabitants of this city.
Very respectfully yours,
(Signed) JOHN W. JOHNSON. JOHN G. MAGUIRE. S. FRANKSFORD TRULL. FRANK W. GRAVES. MARIA E. CARTER. JENNIE K. ADAMS. E. MARIA BEAN. WILLIAM R. CUTTER. EDMUND C. COTTLE.
Actions speak louder than words, and I have but one word of comment to make on this letter. From the inception of the present celebration a good deal
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has been said, mostly in a facetious vein, about the respective honors which should be paid the old names of Richardson, Thompson, Converse, Wyman, Johnson, and those of other early family names. But whichever one of these may be entitled to the most prominence in this celebration, it must be conceded by all that for the next two hundred and fiftieth anniversary, the name of Thompson has taken the lead.
One hundred and sixty-two years ago yesterday (Oct. 6, 1730), the old town of Woburn was obliged to give up her oldest daughter to a son of Reading. The young couple were married by the General Court, who bestowed upon them the name of Wil- mington. Previous to this our daughter had been called, or rather nicknamed, Goshen. Goshen was the name originally applied to that part of ancient Egypt which Pharaoh gave to the kindred of Joseph. They were a pastoral people and the land was adapted to their wants. Change of name does not effect a change of life or character. Wilmington is still a Goshen, her people are farmers, and her chief attraction to the outside world is the annual agri- cultural fair.
But if her material prosperity has not kept pace with that of her mother, Wilmington is none the less welcome at this festival gathering. The cordiality of our greeting is not measured by dollars and cents. She left us for no mercenary motive, but
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that she might have the privilege of attending wor- ship without travelling full five miles to the meet- ing-house. She organized a church near the homes of her people, and in proposing the health of Our Daughter, the Town of Wilmington, I invite the pas- tor of that church, the Rev. Elijah Harmon, to respond.
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