USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Rehoboth > Rehoboth in the past. An historical oration delivered on the Fourth of July, 1860 > Part 8
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The battle of Bunker Hill, as is well known, was a significant preface to the Declaration of Independence. It was a contest indicative of what was to be hazarded by those then espousing the cause of freedom.
When the representatives of the United States of America, in Gen- eral Congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of their intentions, did, in the name and by the author- ity of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, FREE AND INDE- PENDENT STATES-and, for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, mutually pledged to each other their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor-it was a day of trial, clearly confessed. Their deliberations for weeks in the State House in Philadelphia bore witness to the heroism with which they met the perils of their position. Their words thus had meaning which we do well to remember ; for their lives, and property, and repu- tation, were at stake in giving their signature to that solemn covenant. And our patriot sires throughout the land so understood it, when they ratified at once the bold announcement. With what heartiness did they rush to the support of those principles, cost what it might! The pre- sumption was that many of them would be called to expend both their treasure and their blood in the fearful conflict. Whether even that would avail for the maintenance of freedom, was no trivial question.
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THE CELEBRATION.
Yet " sink or swim, live or die, survive or perish," they were resolved on standing for the right, while they should stand at all. No sooner, therefore, had the liberty bell rung out the tidings from the tower of the old State House, that the Declaration of Independence had passed, than a multitude, anxiously awaiting the decision of that grave question, shouted their approval in one prolonged acclaim. How admirable the coincidence, that the very motto on that bell was the inspired sentence, "Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." Who could fail of hearing a summons to that effect, as ap- pealing to the patriotism of an oppressed people ! What excitement must have reigned throughout the city as the report of cannons, the blazing of bonfires, and an illumination at night, combined in signalizing the event. And as the news spread all over the country, what terror, as well as courage, must have been inspired. Think of the appalling hardships to be encountered, the perplexity and distress inevitably to be experienced, and the painful sacrifices to be endured by many, before the peaceful fruits of independence would be secured. Ah, it was to be no mere semblance of strife with the mother country-no luxurious state of things in court, or camp, or home experience, for the people of these colonies at the time. Should they succeed in absolving themselves from all allegiance to the British Crown, and in establishing their free- dom as a nation, it would be an expensive achievement at the best. How much blood must flow-how much treasure must be expended- how many homes must become houses of mourning! Taking the most hopeful view of the case which reason afforded, heroic souls were they who could look through the gloom to the glory beyond !
But we bless Heaven that there were men, whom we fondly call our fathers, who were fit for the accomplishment of this providential purpose. Whatever we, their natural offspring, may be ready to do or to decline in the cause of freedom, they dared to do right, yca, to speak, and to act, to live and to die for popular liberty. Honored be their memories till the end of the.
What an inheritance is this which has descended to us from our Revo- lutionary ancestors-what a country-what a constitution of government -what physical, and intellectual, and commercial resources ! Where on the face of the globe is there a combination of such advantages for the masses of the people, comparable with these ? Who can conceive of a fairer field for greatness in all the essential elements of national . success ? How has our population increased in eighty-four years, from
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THE CELEBRATION.
less than four millions to more than thirty millions ! True, sadly true, reproachfully and most criminally true, four millions of these are slaves ! And were that fact without a hope of reversal, the doom of America would be deeper than that of Sodom. But there is a spirit of revival abroad in the land in relation to the inalienable rights of men, as pro- fessed by our fathers in their ever memorable Declaration ; nor will it cease till the General Government is brought into consistency with those fundamental principles that are in harmony with the law of God, and are, in fact, immortal ! No treason is it to be true to humanity in all its forms, recognizing everywhere the brotherhood of the race. Nor may secessionists expect the majority of the freemen of these United States to resign their rights of free speech, and free press, and election to public office of such men as will administer the affairs of government in accordance with the principles of its illustrious founders.
Let no fanatical sentiments of insurrection be encouraged, and no in- vasion upon the constitutional prerogatives of individual States, but let freemen speak and act, as now they may, throughout our widely ex- tended country, in favor of what is due to all classes, and right for all, as approved of Heaven, and this year will be signalized a century to come, with some of the thankfulness which is cherished towards 1776.
The twelfth sentiment was-
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The thirteenth sentiment was-
Our Common Country.
Owing to the lateness of the hour, these two regular toasts were not responded to, but instead thereof, the President read the following letter from Ex-Gov. CLIFFORD :
NEW BEDFORD, June 29, 1860.
REV. AND DEAR SIR,-On my return last evening, after an absence of several weeks, I found the invitation with which the Committee of Ar- rangements have honored me, to be present at the proposed celebration in Seekonk, on the 4th of July next.
I need not assure You, sir, who know so well my affection for the spot where my loved and honored mother was born and died, that there is no occasion of this nature which I should participate in with more sat- isfaction, if it were practicable for me to do so. But my professional
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THE CELEBRATION.
engagements require my presence at Nantucket next week, to attend the Supreme Court, and I am most reluctantly compelled to forego the pleas- ure to which the Committee have so kindly invited me.
With my thanks to them for their remembrance of me on an occasion of so much interest, and with my best wishes for a most successful celebration, I am, dear sir,
Your friend and obedient servant,
To Rev. JAMES O. BARNEY.
JOHN H. CLIFFORD.
JOSEPH BROWN, Esq., of Seekonk, then gave an interesting history of some curiosities which were to be seen in the tent. These articles were :
Five chairs which were occupied by General Washington and his staff, when they stopped in Coventry, Rhode Island, on their march from Boston to New York ; also a stand and a table which were in the room where Washington lodged on that occasion.
The identical chair in which King Philip sat, near by, when the town was burnt by the Indians, in 1676. This chair origi- nally belonged to Preserved Abel, an early settler ; and before any difficulties had arisen with the Indians, whenever King Philip visited the " ring of the town," he always called on Mr. Abel, and was offered the compliment of sitting in this " big arm chair."
There was also exhibited the original iron kettle or stew pot once owned by King Philip, and in which he had cooked many a muskrat in his wigwam at Mount Hope. It has been pre- served one hundred and eighty-four years.
The sword worn by Sir William Pepperell at the capture of Louisburg, in 1745.
Six silver service cups, presented to the original church as follows :
One by Capt. Thomas Willet, in 1674;
One by Rev. Noah Newman, in 1678;
One by Mr. Samuel Newman, in 1747 ;
One by Mrs. Mary Walker, in 1748 ;
One by Mr. Edwin Glover, in 1751 ;
One by Mr. David Perrin, in 1754.
14
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THE CELEBRATION.
These and other articles descending from " days of yore " were explained in an able and intelligent manner by Mr. BROWN, the Chairman of the Committee, and was listened to with pro- found attention and visibly deep interest.
After this exhibition of antique articles, the whole congrega- tion united in singing the following Ode, originally written by William J. Pabodie of Providence for another purpose, but al- tered to meet this occasion. It was sung in the tune called " Old Hundred," in which more than a thousand voices united ; and under the sympathetic influence of surrounding circumstances, producing a most thrilling effect-many old patriotic saints giv- ing vent to their emotions by calling it a "heaven upon earth."
From dwellings by the stormy deep, From city's mart and forest side, From shadowy vales that softly sleep By Narragansett's storied tide -
Home to this church, great God ! we come, Blest with Thy rich and bounteous store : Beneath yon broad, majestic dome, Thy praise to sing, Thy grace adore ! .
And yet a nobler boon is ours ; Our fathers sought in sore distress, From lands where stern oppression lowers, A refuge in a wilderness.
They came, they suffered, and they died ; Yet planted here a DEATHLESS TREE, Beneath whose branches far and wide, Resound the anthems of the FREE !
For lo ! where once the savage trod, And fiercely wild the war whoop rung,- Where darkly o'er th' unfurrowed sod, A wilderness its shadows flung -
THEIRS was the stern but glorious task, To raise its branches high in air ; Yet Europe's millions vainly ask Its fruit to taste-its shade to share :-
Ten thousand peaceful homesteads rise O'er all this broad and peaceful land ; And, pointing to th' eternal skies, Thy pillar'd fanes serenely stand.
Be OURS the mission, God of love, To cause its fragrant boughs to spread, Till towering every land above, On every heart its dews be shed.
GREAT GOD ! we humbly own THY NAME, Through the two hundred years now flown ; And may our children own the same, Through the two hundred years to come.
When the melody of this piety and patriotism had ascended to its congenial regions, the Rev. and venerable Dr. BENEDICT, the oldest clergyman present, asked of God, and conferred on all, a PARTING BLESSING.
Thus concluded these interesting festivities, and the assembly dispersed,-each individual appearing to feel, as from the depths of the heart, that the Historical Celebration of July 4, 1560, on Seekonk Plain, was an occasion to be remembered for the re- mainder of life.
ANTI-ERRATUM.
AS A MERITED COMPLIMENT TO THE SKILL AND ACCURACY OF THE PRINTER, THE AUTHOR TAKES PLEASURE IN INSERTING THIS ARTICLE INSTEAD OF A MUCH LESS AGREEABLE ONE, CALLED "ERRATA."
1
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GENERAL INDEX.
IT may provoke a smile to meet with an index to an affair like this; but the author has a reason for it. He has often been so impatient at the loss of time in seeking for a mere date, name, or isolated fact, in larger books without indexes, that he has more than once been tempted to take a left-handed oath over some Comic Almanac that he would never have anything to do with the production of any book, however small, without giving it an index. Feeling, therefore, some- thing of the full weight of such inconvenience, and also the responsibility of an oath strongly hinted at but never really taken, the author trusts that there will not be much disposition to find fault with a labor which costs the reader nothing, and may add to his convenience. And it may also serve to help extend the prac- tice by others.
A.
Age-ages, past, present and future, 9, 10, 19, 47. Antiquity, 33, 105.
Angier, Rev. Samuel, 34.
Attleborough, 37, 84, 89, 93. Amidown, Ebenezer, 38. America, 12, 13, 14, 22, 23, 42, 57.
Apostrophized speech from the depart- ed, 30, 31.
Athenæ et Fasti Oxonienses, quoted from, 49.
Athenæum, at Boston, 55.
Avery, Mr., of Norton, 56.
Arnold, Hon. Samuel G .. quoted, 56. Authorities referred to, 57.
Allen Zachariah, 58. Autograph of Rev. Samuel Newman, 62. Allen, Dr., 91. Abel, Preserved, 105. Anvils, 97.
B.
Babylon, alluded to, 10. Baalbec, alluded to, 10. Banbury, Eng., 11, 62. Bells, drum used instead of, 17, 32. Brown, John, 18, 39. Bowen, Richard, 19, 29, 36. Boston, 25, 27, 40, 42, 44, 55.
Benedict, Rev. Dr. David, 26, 74, 78 ; his speech, 82, 106. Burkley, Rev. Mr., 33. Baptist, 25, 26, 35, 74. Barney, Rev. James O., 36, 73, 74, 77, 79. Barrington, 37, 101.
Blackstone, Rev. William, 37, 56. Boscobel, 43. Bacon, Sir Francis, 45.
Ballot-box, 46. Band-box, 47.
Ballot and Bullet, 46.
Braintree, town of, 54.
Bullock, Hon. Nathaniel, 56.
Bliss Leonard, historian, 58.
Bradford, William, Gov., 58, 77.
Blodgett, Rev. Dr. Constantine, 74, 77; his speech, 87. Brown, Joseph, 75, 105, 106.
Bishop, James M., 79. Benediction, 78. Bowen, Dr. Thomas, 90.
Bridgham, Dr. Joseph, 90. Bucklin, Drs., 91. Bullock, Drs., 92. Blackington, Dr., 92. Blanding, Drs., 92. Billings, Dr., 92. Bliss, Dr. James, 92. Bolton, Dr. George A., 92. Bowen Simeon, his speech, 93. Bunker Hill, 102.
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GENERAL INDEX.
C.
Coffins and Shrouds, Il. Cane, an ancient one, 13.
Concordance, 14, 21, 22, 29, 31, 33, 49, 52, 53, 54, 55. Colony, Plymouth, 16, 25, 27, 28, 53, 83, 84.
Colony, Massachusetts, 16, 18, 25, 28, 33. Connecticut, 13, 18, 28, 34, 96.
Customs and Habits of the first settlers of the town, 19, 20, 21. Cooper, Dea. Thomas, 29, 32, 55. Carpenter, Dea. William, 29, 89.
Communication, imaginary one from the first settlers, 30, 31.
Cemetery of ancient Rehoboth, 11, 29, 87. Carnes, Rev. John, 34. Cumberland, 37. Congress, 40, 96.
Coin, first in America, &c., 42, 43, 44, 45, 46.
Cromwell, Oliver, 43. Charles II., 43.
Cartridge-box, 46. Compact, or first law of the town, 50. Cruden, Alexander, 53, 57.
Cygnea Cantio, a book, 54.
Cape Cod, 59.
Concluding note, personal, 60.
Creed of the author, 61. Celebration, history of, 71. Committee of Arrangements, 75, 79.
Carpenter, Dr. Benoni, his speech, 89, 100. Carpenter, Drs., 92. Childs, Rev. A. C., his speech, 99. Clifford, John H., Ex-Gov., 104.
D.
Dorchester, alluded to, 13, 14, 27, 28, 55, Drum, 17, 32. Dedham, 18, 27. Diary, extract from Newman's, 23. Death of the founder of Rehoboth, 32. Declaration of Independence, 42, 44, 45, 74, 77, 93, 94, 102.
Daggett, Hon. John, extract from his his- torical paper before the Old Colony Society, 52, 55 ; his speech, 84.
Dimond, Hon. Byron, 56. Dinner, the, 78, 79. Dean, Rev. James, 79.
Davenport, Dr., 92. Dean, Rev. Sidney, his speech, 96.
E.
Elliot, Rev. Dr. John, 32. Ellis, Rev. John, 34, 35. Education, 40. Europe, 22, 106. Ezekiel, the prophet, 42, 43. .
Empire, Western, 41, 84. Eagle, prophetic, 44, 45. Edmond, Sir Thomas, 54. Ellis, William, 75. Egypt, 101.
F.
Featly, Rev. Dr. Daniel, 12, 49, 53, 54. Freedom, 45, 97, 99.
Frozen North, 45.
Flint, Rev. Henry, 54, 62.
Freedom, human, enigma of, 45.
Fitts, Joseph B., 75.
Fitts, Dea. D. B., 78.
Fowler, Dr. Isaac, 92.
France, 54, 98.
G.
Gouge, Rev. William, 12, 49, 53, 54.
Goldsmith, Oliver, 27. German University, 33.
Greek Classics, 33.
Grave, 33, 38, 39, 84.
Greenwood, Rev. Thomas, 34.
Greenwood, Rev. John, 34.
Genesis, quoted from, 15.
Gorton, Samuel, of Rhode Island, 56.
Government, the first adopted at Ply- mouth, 41, 58.
Genealogical tables of one family from each of seven generations, 62. Gardner, Hon. Johnson, 74, 77. Gardiner, E. R., reporter, 75.
Garibaldi, Gen., 98.
H.
Hull, Rev. Joseph, 14. Hingham, 14.
Houses, how built, 19.
Hour-glass, to preach by, 17.
Holmes, Obadiah, 25, 26, 27.
Hermon, dews of, 28.
Hyde, Rev. Ephraim, 34, 56. Hill, Rev. John, 35.
Historical Society, R. I., 58.
Historical Magazine, 60. Hollis, Thomas, memoirs, 60. Hoyt, Isaiah, 75. Hutchings, Dr. Theophilus, 91.
Hartshorn, Dr. Isaac, 92.
Historical Society, Ct., 96. Historical Society, Mass., 49, 57.
Horton, Rev. Francis, his speech, 101. Habeas corpus, 98.
Homer, 28.
I.
Independence, Declaration of, 42, 44, 45, 74, 77, 93, 94, 102. Indians, 18, 23, 56, 86, 105. Italy, 98. .
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INDEX.
GENERAL
J.
Jenner, Rev. Thomas, 14. Joshua, 15. Job, last sermon of Newman preached from, 31. Johnson, Dr. Artemas, 92.
K.
Karnak, alluded to, 10.
King James of England, 54, 58, 59.
King's College, 54. King William II1., 55. King John of England, 98. King George III., 101.
L.
Land, Archbishop, 13.
Lenthal, Rev. Robert, 14. Latin epitaph, 33, 56. Leyden, 41, 58.
Liberty, riddle of, 43.
Lightning, political, 46.
Lebanon, cedar of, 44. Lempriere's Biog. Dict., 49, 54. Lord's Prayer, 54, 61.
M.
Mather, Rev. Dr. Cotton, 11, 12, 32, 56, 59. Magnalia, 11, 56, 57, 59.
Midhope Chapel, Eng., 13.
Mather, Rev. Richard, 13, 14, 27, 28.
Massasoit, the Indian Chief, 15, 51, 78.
Meetings and Meeting-houses, 16, 17, 19, 82,97. Mr. and Mrs., what called, 19.
Miles, Rev. John, 33. Mayflower, 36, 41, 58, 85, 93, 96. Manhattan, 38.
Mount Vernon, 47.
Millenium, political, 46.
Mather, Rev. Dr. Increase, 49.
Mass. Hist. Coll., 49.
Money, Indian, 51.
Mason, Rev. Perez, 79: his speech, 80.
Maxcy, Rev. Dr. Jonathan, 86.
Miller, Drs. 91. Manchester, Dr., 92. Magna Charta, 98. Mamelukes, 101. Mount Moriah, 101.
Martin, Dr. Calvin, 100. Mount Hope, 105.
N.
Nature, 9, 10, 37, 39, 68. Newman, Rev. Samuel, son of Richard, 11, 13, 14, 15, 21, 28, 31, 32, 49, 50, 52, 53, 55, 56, 57, 61.
New England, customs of, &c., 17, 33, 38, 43,49.
Newman, Rev. Noah, 23, 33, 55, 105. Nestor, 28.
Norton, Rev. John, 28. Neander, Michael, 33.
Narragansett, 38, 106.
New York, 38, 58.
Norton, town of, 56.
Newman, Rev. Antipas, 54, 62.
Newman, Dea. Samuel. 54, 62.
Newman, Richard, 11, 62.
Napoleon, 101.
0.
Oxford, Eng., 11, 12, 53, 54.
Otis, James, 40. Oak, Royal, 43.
Office, robes of. 46; potage of. 47.
Old Burying Ground at Seekonk, 55.
Ode and Old Hundred, 106.
P.
l'ayne, Stephen, 18, 19, 29, 53.
Premonition, 33.
Philip, King, 37, 85, 105.
Payne, Nathaniel, 38.
Plymouth, 41, 58, 93, 96.
Pilgrims, 41, 84, 86, 93, 96.
Palfrey John G., Hist. N. E., 51.
Peters, Hugh, his mistake, 53.
Progress of the American people, 45.
Pawtucket, 74, 78, 79, 95.
Pearse, Robert M., 75.
Perrin, Daniel, 78.
Papers, Reporters, &c., 75, note.
Pierce, Capt. Mitchell, his fight, 85.
Pyramids, 101.
Pepperell, Sir William, 105.
Pabodie, William J., 106.
Q.
Quadrennial spasms, 46. Quincy, town of, 54.
R.
Rubens, the painter, 10. Raphael, the painter, 10. Rehoboth, 15, 25, 26, 27, 49, 51, 52, 53, 56, 57, 61, 86, 94, 97. Read, John, 29. Ring of the town, 15, 21, 86, 105. Revolution, contributions from Reho- both, 39, 40, 41. Republic, American, 41, 45, 46, 47. Robinson, Rev. John, 41, 58. Riddle, on a coin, 42.
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GENERAL INDEX.
Royal Oak at Boscobel, 43. Rights, hnman, 45, 101.
Ridley, Dr., anecdote of pig corn, 91. Rodliff, Dr. John F., [born in Germany,] 92. Robertson, Dr., 92. Rhodes, Rev. Andrew H., his speech, 100. Russia, 98.
S.
Science, 9, 10, 93, 97.
Skeletons and Bones, 11.
Seekonk, 15, 37, 55, 71, 95, 107.
Sam, an Indian, naturalized, 18, 19. Stone, Rev. Samnel, 28.
· Stiles, Rev. President, 28, 56. Spiritualism, 29. Symes, Rev. Zachariah, 33. Swansea, 37, 92.
Starkweather, Ephraim, 39, 83.
Starkweather, Hon. Samuel, 83.
Starkweather, James O., 83.
" Soul Liberty," 25. Shilling, the cedar or pine tree, 42, 60. Spasms, political, 46.
Southern States, dark clouds, but harm- less thunder, 45, 46.
Signers to the first government of the town, 50; at Plymouth, 59. Stockholders. what were they ? 51.
Sears's Olden Time, 51.
Shove, Rev. George, 54, 62.
Stowell, Rev. A. H., 74, 77.
Smith, Dr. Nathan, 86, 90. Stanley, Dr., 92. Slaves in U. S., 99, 104. Stew-pot, King Philip's, 105.
T.
Time, 9, 10. Thebes, 10. Titian, the painter, 10. Townsmen, instead of Selectmen, 16. Toleration, 25. Temple, Sir Thomas, 43.
Taunton, Indian name of, 52; third min- ister of, 54.
Thayer, Rev. William M., 77. Turner, Dr. David, 90. Thurber, Dr. Daniel, 90. Thayer, Dr., 92. Taunton and Tauntonians, 52, 96.
U.
University, Harvard, 34, 49.
University, Brown, 36, 39, 61, 86. University, Oxford, Eng., 11. 12, 49, 53. University, Ilfeldt, in Germany, 33. University, Cambridge, Eng., 52. Union, American, 41, 46.
V.
Vox Dei, or voice of God, 44. Vox populi, or voice of the people, 44. Vernon, Mount, 47. Vista of ages, 47.
Virginia, early name of New England, 58.
Virgil, quotation from, 61.
W.
Warham, Rev. John, 13. Weymonth, 14, 21, 51, 55.
Williams, Rev. Roger, 25, 37, 51, 56, 57, 78. Wheaton, Robert, 29. Warren, 37.
Willet, Thomas, 38, 58, 105.
West, Benjamin, 38, 86.
Worcester, battle of, 43.
Washington, 47, 105.
Woman, 47.
World, Eastern, 45.
World, entire, 26, 37, 97.
Wood, Anthony, 49.
Wampum, Indian money, 51.
Will, Rev. Samuel Newman's, 54, 55.
Wight, Rev. Dr. Henry, 55.
Wenham, Mass., 54, 62.
Winthrop, Gov., 62.
Willard, George O., 79.
Wheaton, Dr. Levi, 91.
Winslow, Drs., 92.
Wheelock, Dr., 92.
Wilkinson, Judge Ezra, 95.
Warren, Gen. Joseph, 102.
Y.
Young's Chronicles, 57. Yale College, 83.
THE END.
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