USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Springfield > Springfield, 1636-1886 : history of town and city, including an account of the quarter-millennial celebration at Springfield, Mass., May 25 and 26, 1886 > Part 46
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history of the land. A local paper sent out these questions to the ninety-six Congregational ministers of the four western Massachu- setts counties : -
1. Do you teach that endless conscious suffering awaits the im- penitent ? 2. Would you have voted to install Rev. Mr. Merriam ? The answers were: Question No. 1 - Yes, 41. No, 4. Question No. 2-Yes, 7. No, 27. No questions were sent to the Spring- field ministers. They stood, however, five to two against instal- lation. Many ministers, it will be seen, chose not to reply, and some who did, made it a condition that their names should not be published.
CHAPTER XXII.
MAY 25, 1886.
Preparing to Celebrate the Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the Founding of the Town. - The Citizens' Committee. - Service of Praise at the First Church. - The Loan Exhibition. - Tuesday's Ceremonies. - Band Concert. - Judge Henry Morris's Address. - Judge William S. Shurtleff's Ode. - The Banquet at the Massa- soit Hotel. - Interesting After-dinner Speeches. - Letters of Regret. - A Brilliant and Remarkable Occasion.
THERE are few memorial occasions which Springfield can look back upon with deeper feelings of pride and felicitation than the quarter- millennial celebration, May 25 and 26, 1886. All classes of citizens responded cordially to the call. The city government made a gener- ous appropriation ; and during the two days, when the city was over- whelmed with honored guests, interested spectators, and patriotic and curious crowds, there was not a single incident, except an accident to a boy, which interrupted the current of general rejoicing.
Mayor Phillips, in 1885, had placed the matter of a celebration in the hands of an advisory committee, of which the late William L. Smith was chairman. As the appropriations would have to be made by the succeeding city government, nothing definite was done thus early beyond drawing up a petition to the Legislature for permis- sion to appropriate $10,000 for the celebration. Upon the election of Edwin D. Metcalf as mayor plans took definite shape. The mayor appointed a committee of fifty citizens to take entire charge of the memorial services, and to expend, at their discretion, $9,500. The committee of fifty organized with Wm. L. Smith as chairman, and to his executive abilities and good sense was due much of the success of the anniversary. It was the last service Mr. Smith ren-
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dered the city which had often trusted and honored him. He kept a careful eye upon the general proceedings ; and the committee supple- mented this by faithful service in elaborating the details of the pro- gramme. The full committee of fifty was as follows : -
William L. Smith, chairman ; C. C. Spellman, secretary ; W. H. Haile, treas urer ; W. S. Shurtleff, H. S. Hyde, H. M. Phillips, L. J. Powers, E. Morgan, Jas. A. Rumrill, A. B. Wallace, R. F. Hawkins. H. E. Dueker, C. E. Brown, E. H. Lathrop, S. C. Warriner, Daniel J. Marsh, J. D. Gill, E. P. Chapin, J. B. Carroll, Theodore Geisel, Milton Bradley, C. J. Goodwin, C. W. Mutell, E. II. Phelps, R. O. Morris, L. C. Ilyde, George II. Bleloch, T. O. Bemis, S. B. Spooner, F. W. Dickinson, Edward Pynchon, F. II. Stebbins, Dr. C. D. Brewer, Willmore B. Stone, P. S. Bailey. E. C. Rogers, H. S. Lee. Geo. II. Queen, E. C. Washburn, J. D. Safford, Geo. A. Morton, E. A. Newell, Frank D. Foot, J. J. Toomey, C. C. Merritt, A. II. Goetting, Nathan D. Bill, F. A. Judd, Jas. Mc- Kechnie, Henry W. Blake.
This committee apportioned the work among themselves as fol- lows : -
Executive Committeee. - Wm. L. Smith, chairman ; W. H. Haile, H. S. Hyde, L J. Powers, Jas. A. Rumrill, H. M. Phillips, Elisha Morgan, Nathan D. Bill, F. W. Dickinson, D. J. Marsh, W. S. Shurtleff. C. W. Mutell, R. O. Morris, R. F. Hawkins, Geo. H. Bleloch, Milton Bradley, L. C. Hyde.
Committee on Parade. - D. J. Marsh, chairman; S. B. Spooner. C. W. Mutell, R. O. Morris, R. F. Hawkins, Elisha Morgan. Geo. H. Bleloch, II. S. Hyde, Milton Bradley.
Committees on the Various Periods Represented in the Parade. - 1600. R. O. Morris, chairman; F. W. Diekinson, C. J. Goodwin, E. H. Phelps, W. H. Haile.
1635-1735. R. F. Hawkins, chairman; C. C. Spellman, S. C. Warriner, J. D. Gill, E. P. Chapin, F. H. Stebbins, E. C. Rogers, Geo. H. Queen.
1735-1835. E. Morgan, chairman ; S. B. Spooner, C. W. Mutell, L. C. Hyde, P. S. Bailey, E. A. Newell, F. A. Judd, H. S. Lee, Geo. A. Morton.
1835-1860. G. H. Bleloch, chairman ; H. M. Phillips, A. B. Wallace, E. H. Lathrop, T. O. Bemis, Dr. C. D. Brewer, Edward Pynchon, A. II. Goetting, Frank D. Foot.
1860-1886. H. S. Hyde, chairman ; L. J. Powers, II. E. Dneker, C. E. Brown, Theodore Geisel, J. J. Toomey, E. C. Washburn, N. D. Bill.
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1935. Milton Bradley, chairman ; W. S. Shurtleff, J. B. Carroll, Wm. L. Smith, C. C. Merritt, W. B. Stone, H. W. Blake, Jas. McKechnie.
Finance. - W. H. Haile, chairman ; H. S. Hyde, L. J. Powers.
Banquet. - L. J. Powers, chairman ; J. D. Safford, P. S. Bailey, Jas. Mc- Kechnie, Henry W. Blake.
Invitations. - Jas. A. Rumrill, chairman ; C. C. Merritt, Willmore B. Stone, J. J. Toomey, E. A. Newell.
Reception. - H. M. Phillips, chairman ; E. H. Lathrop, H. S. Lee, S. C. War- riner, F. A. Judd.
Printing. - Nathan D. Bill, chairman; E. C. Rogers, C. E. Brown, F. H. Stebbins, G. H. Queen.
Ball. - E. Morgan, chairman ; F. D. Foot, G. A. Morton, Edward Pynchon, E. C. Washburn.
Decoration. - L. C. Hyde, chairman ; J. D. Gill, H. S. Ilyde, C. E. Brown, A. H. Goetting.
Music. - C. W. Mutell, chairman ; L. C. Hyde, F. D. Foot.
Press. - Henry W. Blake, chairman ; E. A. Newell, H. S. Lee.
Literary. - F. W. Dickinson, chairman : E. II. Phelps, Milton Bradley, A. B. Wallace, L. C. Hyde.
A large honorary committee was chosen, as well as the following committee from the outlying towns : -
Agawam. - J. Henry Churchill, Reuben De Witt, Rev. Ralph Perry, C. C. Wright.
Chicopee. - George M. Stearns, L. E. Hitchcock, J. B. Wood, Matthew Ryan, T. W. Carter, Rev. R. K. Bellamy, Harrison Munger, F. HI. Morton.
Hampden. - Decius Beebe, Simeon Smith, A. C. Burleigh, Dr. George T. Ballard.
Holyoke. - W. A. Chase, W. B. C. Pearsons, William Whiting, W. S. Loomis, J. J. O'Connor, Timothy Merrick, James H. Newton, R. B. Johnson.
Longmeadow. - Oliver Wolcott, T. F. Cordis, James Bliss, A. H. Calkins.
Ludlow. - B. F. Burr, L. H. Brigham, C. F. Grosvenor, Rev. M. P. Dickey.
Southwick. - Joseph W. Bicknell, John Boyle, Charles D. Abell, George W. Hamilton.
Westfield. - E. B. Gillette, L. N. Clark, L. F. Thayer, M. B. Whitney, L. B. Walkeey, J. R. Dunbar, Henry Fuller, H. W. Ely.
West Springfield. - R. N. Bagg, E. C. Brooks, B. F. Trask, George L. Wright.
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Wilbraham. - J. W. Bliss. F. E. Clark, M. F. Breck, Ira G. Potter. Enfield. - J. L. Houston, Samuel Hathaway, Joseph Allen, Thompson Grant. Somers. - W. B. Woods, S. M. Billings, HI. R. Kibbe, D. B. Pomeroy. Suffield. - J. Luther Sherman, W. L. Loomis. A. C. Allen. H. K. Wright.
The ceremonies really began on Sunday, the 23d, when all the churches took occasion to recall the past by appropriate exercises. It had been the intention of the historian to give extracts from the various anniversary sermons, both here and in the surrounding towns. After collecting over thirty abstracts of sermons, however, the plan was abandoned on account of the lack of space. The Sun- day exercises that attracted the greatest interest took place in the evening at the First Congregational Church. The age of that organ- ization is practically that of the town. Here is the programme. It may be added, that the tunes were taken from " The Springfield Col- lection," by Solomon Warriner, published in 1810, or the " Musica Sacra ; or, Springfield and Utica Collections United," by Thomas Hast- ings and Solomon Warriner, published in numerous editions from 1816 to 1829. The dates mentioned with the tunes are believed to be approximately correct :
INVOCATION.
CONGREGATIONAL TUNES, -
JUDGMENT HYMN (Hymn 1247, " Songs for the Sanctuary," two verses). " Great God, What do I See and Hear?" Martin Luther, 1530 EVENING HYMN (Hymn 154, two verses). "Glory To Thee, My God, This Night." Tallis, 1556
SCRIPTURE.
ANTHEM, - " Glory Be To God On High."
Bird, 1565
PRAYER.
CHOIR TUNES, -
CANTERBURY, - " O Thon, From Whom All Goodness Flows,"
Ravenscroft, 1633
1
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PALMYRA, - " That Onee Loved Form, Now Cold and Dead,"
Buononcini, 1685
BURFORD, - " O Sun of Righteousness, Arise," Purcell, 1695 DUNBAR, - " When Overwhelmed With Grief," Corelli, 1700
LETTER from Rev. THOMAS R. PYNCHON, D.D.
CONGREGATIONAL TUNES, -
ST. ANN's (Hymn 230, first and last verses). "The Lord, Our God, Is Full of Might," Dr. Croft, 1720
SIRLAND (Hymn 881, two verses). "Our Heavenly Father Calls,"
Stanley, 1734 CHRISTMAS (Hymn 281, two verses). " Awake, Awake the Sacred Song," Handel, 1740
CHOIR TUNES. -
TRURO, - " With All My Powers of Heart and Tongue," Dr. Burney, 1750 PROTECTION, - " Up to the Hills I Lift Mine Eyes," Haydn, 1760
WESTMINSTER, - " Blest are the Sons of Peace," Dr. Boyce, 1760 PASTORAL HYMN, - " The Lord My Pasture Shall Prepare," Dr. Arne, 1762 TUNBRIDGE, - " There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood," Dr. Hayes, 1765
HISTORICAL PAPER, - " Solomon Warriner, and the Music of His Day," Edward Morris
CONGREGATIONAL TUNE, -
ST. MARTIN'S (Hymn 110, omit second verse). "Lift Up to God the Voice of Praise," Tansur, 1766
CHOIR TUNES, -
BLENDON, - " Jesus, My All, to Heaven is Gone," Giardini, 1770
HINTON, - " With All the Powers of Heart and Tongue,"
Richard Taylor, 1779
REVIEW, - " Methods of Church Support," E. C. Rogers
ANTHEM, - "Lord of All Power and Might." William Mason, 1782
CONGREGATIONAL TUNE, -
BRATTLE STREET, - (Hymn 225), " When All Thy Mercies, O My God !" Pleyel, 1785
CHOIR TUNES, -
CLAPTON, - " Thy Name, Almighty Lord," Rer. W. Jones, 1786 WAREHAM, - " Soon As I Heard My Father Say," ST. Piu, - " Join All the Glorious Names," Dr. Arnold, 1788 Levesque, 1790
ADDRESS, - " Springfield Memories," J. L. Johnson CHANT, - " Gloria Patri," Battishill, 1790
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SPRINGFIELD, 1636-1SS6.
CHOIR TUNES, -
FLORENCE, -" Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing." ITotti, 1795 FUNERAL HYMN, - " The Righteous Souls that Take their Flight." Dr. Edward Miller, 1795
CAMBRIDGE, - " Come Sound Ilis Praise Abroad," Robert Harrison, 1795
. REMARKS BY THE PASTOR.
HYMN-ANTHEM, -
DENMARK, - " Before Jehovah's Awful Throne," M. Madan, 1799
PRAYER AND BENEDICTION.
The choir performers were : Director and organist, Edward H. Phelps ; soprano, Miss Fannie B. Chamberlain ; alto, Mrs. J. C. In- gersoll ; bass, George R. Bond ; tenor, J. C. Ingersoll.
Monday was the busy day of the week. Decorators were at work upon all the principal buildings of the city. Two hundred and fifty electric lights were placed among the branches of the elms on Court square, and the carpenters were at work upon the arch that spanned Main street, opposite the square, as well as upon the various floats and exhibits for the great procession. Springfield never presented such a brilliant appearance. The chapel of the First Congregational Church was being meantime turned into an antiquarian museum of great interest, citizens generally contributing of their ancient bric-à- brac and heirlooms. The loan exhibition committee was divided up into the following sub-committees :
Executive committee. - Charles Marsh, chairman ; Edward Ingersoll, V. N. Taylor, advisory ; E. P. Chapin. E. C. Rogers. E. C. Pierce, J. D. Gill, Charles H. Southworth, Mrs. R. F. Hawkins, Mrs. W. L. Smith, Mrs. P. P. Kellogg, Mrs. N. W. Fisk, Mrs. L. J. Powers, Mrs. W. S. Shurtleff, Mrs. G. W. Tapley, Mrs. H. J. Beebe, Mrs. Heman Smith, Mrs. N. C. Newell. Mrs. Ellen A. Cha- pin, Miss Elizabeth Ames, Miss Mary L. Jacobs.
Historical paintings and pictures. - James D. Gill, O. B. Ireland, W. W. Colburn, E. C. Pierce. J. W. Cumnock, Mrs. P. P. Kellogg, Mrs. A. J. Smith, Mrs. William Whiting, of Holyoke; Mrs. N. C. Newell. Mrs. W. H. Wesson,
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SPRINGFIELD, 1636-1886.
Mrs. E. W. Bond, Mrs. J. A. Rumrill, Miss N. Homans, Miss S. Manning, Miss M. Benton, Miss M. Bradford, Mrs. H. Kibbe, of Somers; Mrs. A. F. Gaylord, of Chicopee; Mrs. R. H. Seymour, of Holyoke ; Mrs. L. H. Brigham, of Ludlow; Mrs. D. L. Gillett, of Westfield; Mrs. J. W. Cumnock, of Chicopee.
Textile fabrics, including costumes, laces, table and bed covers, needle-work, etc. - Mrs. W. L. Smith, Mrs. L. J. Powers, Mrs. A. A. Packard, Mrs. E. P. Chapin, Mrs. J. H. Carmichael. Mrs. H. S. Hyde, Mrs. T. F. Breck, Mrs. G. C. McLean, Mrs. A. B. Harris, Mrs. J. S. Hurlbut, Miss Sarah P. Birnie; Miss M. K. Ely, of West Springfield: Mrs. T. B. Wattles, of Chicopee Falls; Mrs. L. Whitman, of Agawam; Mrs. James Bly, of Chicopee Falls ; Miss Kate Woods, of Somers; Miss Lonise Dunbar.
China, glass, pottery, etc. - Mrs. W. S. Shurtleff, Mrs. W. B. C. Pearsons, of Holyoke; Mrs. Homer Foot, Jr., Miss Ida Southworth, Miss Mary Bradford, Miss Maria Foot, Miss Grace Dwight. Mrs. J. E. Russell, Mrs. E. C. Pierec, Mrs. D. E. Taylor, Mrs. W. C. Simons, Mrs. F. W. Chapin, Mrs. Ellen H. Cha- pin, Mrs. G. W. Tapley, Mrs. T. O. Bemis, Mrs. W. M. Collins: Mrs. R. Bagg, Jr., of West Springfield ; Mrs. C. S. Miller, of Southwick; Mrs. O. K. Merrill ; Mrs. A. Bush, of Westfield; Mrs. Myron Bliss, of Wilbraham.
Furniture, cabinets, musical instruments, clocks, etc. - J. P. IIarding, George D. Pratt, Mrs. A. T. Folsom; Mrs. C. W. Ranlet. of Holyoke; Mrs. H. J. Beebe, Miss M. L. Jacobs, Mrs. E. C. Rogers, Mrs. T. B. Walker; Mrs. A. Aitcheson. of Wilbraham: Mrs. F. L. Gunn, Mrs. A. J. Pease; Miss Hannah Bliss, of Longmeadow ; Mrs. L. E. Hitchcock, of Chicopee; Mrs. E. Sproul, of Southwick ; Mrs. G. O. Kingsbury ; Mrs. A. F. Gaylord, of Chicopee; Mrs. W. Austin, of Agawam ; Mrs. J. L. Houston, of Enfield.
Books, manuscripts, papers, deeds, maps, and autographs. - Mrs. Heman Smith, Mrs. Mary Calhoun, Mrs. R. O. Morris, Miss E. Mills, Miss Stella War- ren, Miss M. R. Leonard ; Miss A. Noble, of Longmeadow ; Mrs. Dr. Foskit, of Wilbraham ; Mrs. Dr. Ballard, of Hampden; Mrs. T. J. Pease, of Enfield; Mrs. George R. Dickinson; Mrs. Charles Grosvenor, of Ludlow ; Mrs. J. R. Dunbar, of Westfield; Mrs. J. V. Wolcott, of Agawam; Mrs. A. F. Webb, of Southwick; Miss I. T. Jones, of Ludlow.
Curios, bric-à-brac, jewellery, plaques, coins, etc. - E. S. Brewer, C. P. Nich- ols, C. D. Brewer, Mrs. R. F. Hawkins, Mrs. O. B. Ireland, Mrs. F. R. Hayes ; Mrs. E. B. Hooker. of Longmeadow ; Mrs. R. H. Seymour, of Holyoke; Mrs. N. W. Fisk, Mrs. C. P. Nichols, Miss Elizabeth Ames, Miss Mary Bill, Mrs. J. J. S. Bagg; Miss Alice Pendleton, of Willimansett; Mrs. F. Carleton, of South- wick : Mrs. F. Gallup, of Ludlow ; Mrs. H. A. Gibbs, Miss Annie T. Covell.
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SPRINGFIELD, 1636-1886.
Mrs. J. W. Kirkham ; Mrs. A. B. West, of Chicopee Falls; Mrs. L. R. Norton. of Westfield ; Miss Ambia Harris, Miss Belle Newell, Mrs. R. D. Whitney.
Armory exhibit and Civil War. - Captain Starin, Captain Heath. Lieutenant Clark, Capt. E. C. Pierce. Maj. H. G. Gilmore, E. C. Rogers.
Catalogue. - Fred L. Gillett. G. D. Dutton, G. D. Pratt, F. B. Marsh, J. W. Kirkham, H. G. Chapin.
Show cases. - C. P. Nichols. J. D. Gill, V. N. Taylor, C. H. Southworth. Transportation. - A. B. Harris. N. D. Bill, C. E. Brown, T. O. Bemis. Police. - E. P. Chapin, H. G. Gilmore. E. C. Rogers.
The formal programme of the quarter-millennial was begun at noon on Tuesday, when Captain Starring ordered a salute of fourteen guns, at the armory in honor of the fourteen towns situated within the original limits of Springfield, and this was followed by the national salute and the ringing of all the church bells of the city.
It is not permitted us to give in detail the numerous scenes of graphic interest upon these two days in street and hall, but it would not do to pass by the gathering in the City Hall upon the afternoon of Tuesday. It was not the brilliant decorations that charmed, for that hall had been brilliantly decorated before ; nor the music, and one might ahnost say, nor the ceremonies either. The unique feature of the occasion was the audience itself. This generation never witnessed a gathering like it. Such a number of rare old faces, so many Yankee eyes, dimmed in brilliancy by time, but Yankee eyes all the same, such odd characters peering about the audience as if making comparisons between the high life of the present and the homely glories of the past. In fine, to one who took the trouble to make the circuit of that audience and to study it from every side, it seemed for all the world as though the garrets had been swept for precious remnants of humanity to be sprinkled through a congregation of fashion. Patricularly did the address of Governor Robinson warm the blood of the true and tried lovers of old Springfield, the city of homes. That remarkable crowd of distinguished and obscure men. - the busy and leisurely men, those who had had borne burdens and those who had taken their places, were in touch with the gov-
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ernor, and were frequent and hearty in their response and ap- plause.
The literary exercises in the hall, upon this remarkable Tuesday, were preceded by a concert by Gartland's Tenth Regiment Band of Albany, N.Y.
The president of the day and the vice-presidents were as follows :-
President of the day, Dr. Joseph C. Pynchon. Vice-presidents, Springfield, William L. Smith, Judge M. P. Knowlton, Judge Gideon Wells, E. B. Maynard, Eliphalet Trask, Homer Foot, Maj. Edward Ingersoll, Henry Fuller, Jr., Harvey Sanderson, Bishop P. T. O'Reilly. Agawam, E. K. Bodurtha. Chicopee, George S. Taylor. Hampden, W. R. Sessions. Holyoke, Oscar Ely. Long- meadow, Stephen T. Colton. Ludlow, Marvin King. Southwick, Joseph N. Forward. Westfield, Samuel Fowler. West Springfield, Aaron Bagg. Wil- braham, John M. Merrick. Enfield, Charles Brisco. Somers, Amos Pease. Suffield, H. S. Sheldon.
At 2.15 ex-Mayor WILLIAM L. SMITH, the chairman of the Citizens' Committee, arose and said : -
Ladies and Gentlemen, - The Committee of Arrangements for the celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of Springfield had selected to preside at these exercises a lineal descendant of the man who stood foremost among the original settlers of the plantation of Agawam, and who, by his prudent and able administration of the affairs of that little colony, transformed it into a permanent and prosperous community. We recognize the distinguished services of the fathers of the city by honoring their worthy representatives. By the inability of Dr. Joseph Pynchon to be present here to-day by reason of infirmity of health, a matter, of course, of regret to all of us, the Committee of Arrangements have invited Marcus P. Knowlton, who has consented to act as presiding officer ; and I accordingly have the honor now to introduce to you Judge Knowlton, the acting president of the day.
JUDGE KNOWLTON. - Ladies and Gentlemen, - It is not expected that I shall detain you with an address to-day. It is more fitting. in view of the feast to which you have been invited, that I should not delay you, but begin at once the exercises which you have come to hear. We shall commence our exercises with prayer, which will be offered by the Rev. Dr. Buckingham.
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SPRINGFIELD, 1636-1886.
After Dr. Buckingham's prayer came music, the male chorus of the Orpheus Club singing the "Chorus of Pilgrims," from Tannhauser.
JUDGE KNOWLTON. - The town of Springfield, adopting the fashions of modern times, has become a city, and she boasts a mayor, a board of aldermen, and a common council, which administer her government wisely and honestly. She will now speak words of welcome by the lips of her mayor, Edwm D. Metcalf.
MAYOR METCALF. - Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen. - Two hundred and fifty years ago, after braving the dangers of the unbroken wilderness that separated the Massachusetts bay and the rich valley of the Connecticut. a colony, small in numbers, but strong in hope and courage, began the settlement of Springfield. Surrounded by inhospitable forests and hostile savage tribes, amid want, danger, hardships. and sore privations, these early colonists founded here a community that has changed the aspect of nature, filled this valley, and covered these hills with a numerous and happy people, rich in all those possessions and blessings which flow from industry, good government, universal education, deep and abiding principles. All that we enjoy is fruit from the seed they planted. It is to their courage, their industry, their love of freedom, their faith in and reverence for God and his word, that we in a large measure owe our abundant prosperity.
In grateful recognition of our many obligations to them, to give publie ex- pression of our respect for their virtnes and achievements, to show our devotion to the principles they illustrated, to quicken our zeal for future endeavors, and refresh the recollections of the history of the past, our citizens have assembled for the second time in this century to celebrate the anniversary of its settlement, and welcome home all its sons and daughters.
It is not Springfield's anniversary alone. Many other towns are entitled to share with us in all these hallowed memories. For more than a century Spring- field exercised jurisdiction over all the territory originally assigned to her first settlers ; but in process of time, as new centres of population were formed and new interests developed, new towns were organized, so that Springfield now covers but a small portion of its original territory. All these towns, though independent of ns, are yet closely bound to ns by the ties of a common origin, a common history, and common interests. They have gone forth. as the grown-up daughters of a house, to establish new homes and new centres of growth, and their progress has been watched by us with such care and interest as only a mother can have for her children, and now it is with great pleasure that we
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SPRINGFIELD, 1636-1886.
welcome them all, to partake with us in the memories and festivities of this occasion, as to a family festival - Enfield, Suffield, and Somers, carly wooed and won by a neighboring State; Longmeadow, the gem and type of all that is loveliest and best of New England villages; Agawam, West Springfield, Wil- ·braham, Ludlow, Hampden, and Southwick, farming communities, strong in those industries and virtues, inherited from a common ancestry, which have made rural New England the source from which has ever flowed the best and most healthful influences in American civilization; Westfield, Chicopee, and Holyoke, busy manufacturing towns, whose enterprising and ingenions citizens have taken possession of the streams and rivers, where once the Indians fished, dammed up their swift-flowing waters, and led them into various channels of use- fulness, and made their latent powers mighty factors in our development, filling all these valleys with the cheerful music of busy and prosperous industries. It is with special pride that we have witnessed the increased population and wealth, and the development of all the resources at their command. All are indeed welcome. Though geographical lines divide us, our interests are one, and together we will review the ways in which Providence has led us through the difficulties which we have passed, thereby strengthening our mutual dependence and helpfulness.
We extend a cordial welcome to those, and the descendants of those, who in the years that are past, animated by the spirit and imbued with the principles of the first settlers of Springfield, have gone forth from this valley to aid in building up new States and founding new towns, and implanting in them that love of order, industry, and respect for the rights of others, which characterize every community in which New England influences prevail. To these, and all the sons and daughters of Springfield, who have returned to unite with us in celebrating the event which we here commemorate, we give a hearty and generous welcome.
To Your Excellency, as the representative of the Commonwealth, as united to us by many ties of interest, of kindly association and honorable service in our behalf, and to all who by their presence on this occasion have contributed so meh in making it memorable in the annals of the city, we extend a sincere welcome.
On rare occasions, it is the custom in European cities for the mayor, with elaborate and imposing ceremonies, to give the freedom of the city, as an especial honor, to the city's most distinguished guests, and now, in the name of this munic- ipality, I would bestow the freedom of this, our city, upon all who are our guests, not with the pomp and ceremony of those older cities, but in plain New England fashion, as becomes the descendants of the Puritans, by bidding you all a most hearty and cordial welcome.
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SPRINGFIELD, 1636-1886.
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