USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Haverhill > The story of a New England town; a record of the commemoration, July second and third, 1890 on the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the settlement of Haverhill, Massachusetts > Part 15
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26
Should discord fling ber darts around us Or foes invad .,
May He that off with victory croweal us, Guide us and aid !
Love for our dear country we cherish
A love that with life can but end ; Let the coward, craven soul perish,
That would not home and heath defend !
When the call's to honor and glory,
Oh ! 1 i cach heart throb with deligla Fly then to meet the foo before je, Be true and brave and win the fight !
' Neath one banner, svors all alaity, And battle to death, gallant comrade , in arms !
One of the most pleasing features of this occasion was the presence of Rev. Samuel F. Smith, D. D., author of " America," who was now introduced by Mayor Burnham : -
A fare treat awaits this audience .--- We are honored this morn- ing by the presence of the venerable author of our national hymn, and shall have a privilege that many of you have never had before, wed we may never have again, of heating repeated by his own lips the two verses of that stirring anthem that we are about to sing.
It gives me great pleasure to present to you Rev. Samuel F. Smith, author of " America."
De. Smith then recited two verses of his hymn, which were afterwards sung with great enthusiasm by the whole andience, Ind by the Male Singing Societies and accompanied by the Haverhill City Band.
209
EXERCISES AT ACADEMY OF MUSIC.
My country, Mis of the, Sweet land of Liberty, Of thee I sing; Land where my fathers chi d. Land of the l'algum piel , From every mountain bike Let freedom ring.
Our fathers' God, to Plu ., Author of Liberty, To Thee we sing ; Long may our lan The bright With Freedom's holy light ; Protect us by thy wright, Great Gol, out King
210
HAVERHILL, MASSACHUSETTS
ifter the singing of " America " the exercises were closed by a benediction pronounced by the Res. Joesph Crocker Snow, D. D. :
The grace of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, be with you I evermore. Amen.
Mr. Allison W. Stuart, the well-known Haverhill pianist and composer, presided at the piano on this occasion. The City Band, with its leader, Mr. Ellery Quialy, was present. The names of the members of the Male Singing Societies --- The Philharmonie Male Singing Society and F. Orpheon Canadien - are given below : -
PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY : B. W. Hayes. Conductor ; First Ahora, - William E. Hartwell. Frank Barrows Charles Morri- sun, Thomas Carroll, Fred I'illing ; Sound Tours. Clinton
211
EXERCISES AT ACADEMY OF MUSIC
Clarke. Newton Osgood, Roy Alien, John Wilde, Charles Cronin; First Bass, - Arthur T. Jacobs, Frank Austin, ikanah C. Miller, Arthur Johnson, M. J. Beal ; Second Buss, -- J. B. Hayes, George E. Pearson, George W. Noyes, Charles 1 .. White, J. G. Seates
L'ORPHEON CANADIEN : Lucien Pratte, Conductor; First Timore, - Raphael Pelletier, Eugene Poirier. Joseph Prince, Napoleon Chabot ; Second Tenors, - Achien Descoteau, Willie Goulet, William Ouillette, Henri Chabot ; First Bass, - Alfred Painchaud, Joseph Laplante, George Brosseur, Il vier Lebeau ; Secondi Buss. - Charles Bourgue. Elmond Savoir, Samuel Cyr, F. G. Legault.
SERVICES IN THE CHURCHES.
Solomm High Mass was celebrated at St. Joseph's, the French Catholic Church on Grand Street, at nine o'clock in the morning. Rev. Father Alphonse Casgidin, formerly pastor of this congregation, officiated. Deacon, Rev. Father L. Rouleau ; Subdeacon. Rev. Father D. C. Riordan ; Master of Ceremonies, Father A. Delphos of East Douglas, Mass. The mormon was preached by Father M. Pothier of Warwick, Canada. The Société de Jean Baptiste assisted in a body, and the church was handsomely decorated. The morning service was under the superimendence of the pastor, Rev. Father Oliver Boncher, All the arrangements for the celebration were made by a com- mittee of twelve men from the parish, Fatiar Boucher, president.
While the exercises at the Academy of Music were taking place, High Mass was being celebrated in St. James' Catholic Church. To conduct this, Father James O'Doherty, pastor of the society, had invited Rev. Fathers Graham, Dolphin, and others, all graduates of our public schools and natives of Haver- hill, who are now ordained priests. It was most appropriate, as an observance of the character of the anniversary of Haverhill's birthday, that these young men, all her sons, should be the ones chosen to conduct the ceremonies.
Father Richard Neagle, the Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Boston, sang the Mass, assisted by Rev. James McEvoy of South Boston deacon, and Rey. Dennis Lee ol Everett, subdea-
214
HAVERHILL, MASSAALH. BEI
con, while Father Graham of Haverhill wa- master of cere- monies. The sermon was preached by the R.a. J. F. Dolphin, Post Chaplain, U. S. A., of Fon Sn ling, Minnesota. It was as follows :
SERMON BY REV. J. F. DOLPHIN, POST CHAPLAIN, U. S. ARMY.
Delivered in St James' Church, Haverhill, Ma - Forthe creation of the two Fondre s and mtieth Anniversary. ]
As the hearts of loving children are made gla l when they be- hola deir parents enjoying ripe and honorable old age . and as these chluan thal i've happiness in reuniting real t . hearthstone of their childlow, to celebrate the birthday of their parents, - so do Hat riall' sais and daughters rejoice and feel ex ealing happy on thisd ....
Two hundred and fifty years ago, there was here to be seen Hugh but the Indian's wigwam and 1; it looked great. Bliver-
ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH (ROMAN CATHOLIC),
215
SERVICES IN THE CHEIS IL. .
hall did not yet exist. Today we look around upon a stately city, elad in gayest holiday attive. and smiling loving welcome to eight generations' children, who unite with pride in celebrating the two hundred and fitureth anniversary of their mother's birth.
This is, for all, a day of extraordinary happiness. And the notes of joy which on every side resound find fullest echo in our souls! Yielding to none in our love for this fair city, and for the glorious institutions under which she thrive. we wish to give sub- Time and unmistakable expression to this joy. Therefore have we come into the temple of our Greator and Pu erver, to bow, in adoration, to that God in whose hands are all the ends of earth, and Gian whom all blessings flow, and to offer up to him a solemn Mass, thanking him foi his most si20 ! lavor- in the post, and begging him to protect and bear coming years.
This should be the prayer of our hearts. Far, even more than others, we have reason to observe this day. I speak to you, not only as citizens, but as Catholics ; and I find it difficult to believe that there is before me now, within this church, a man whose heart is not Chobbing with emotion
If I say that, m common with our fellow-citizens, our souls are drilled with patriotic pride on this occasion, I d. and exaggerate che tittle of the truth. "And there is reason for this cathmusiasm. It is not bee iuse of her great age, alone, that we rejoice on Haverhill's anniversary. There are cities almost as old as the granite of the hills yet they arouse no more enthusiasm in our breasts than does the fossil leal of some primeval lorest. But, as we unclasp the signed arecord of our mother-city's history, and give upon its pages blazoned o'er with glory, we read het buth in poverty and low- lines, - her growth and progress in the face of threatening savages Fond beasts. We read of wars, of battles, and of victories ; we read of her bom stockade, from frosty Innow. and from battle trench, rais- ing d'er aloft, in Freedom's cause, her voies moral lending willing laat and hand. We read of Ler grown old. I & proudly holding up to view the Inoken chains of formy bondage, with arm still ready, and with heart still willing, to defend nato the last that liberty of comary for which she bled, but which is now her glory und her crown. We read all this, and our inmost soud is stirred un- to its very depths ; and with reverence deep. and emotion strong, we invoke God's blessing on that noble mother who gives to us, her children, this inheritance.
Bet there is an oppression heavier than cyrants yoke, and more gylling than the iron chains of slavery. And the oppresion, we.
216
HAVERHILL, MASSACHUSETTS.
as Catholies, have been made to feel. Ay, there are sitting here before me now, men who can remember when to be a Catholic was to be a mark for a thousand taunts and jeers ; who can remember when our convents were burned down, our priests tarred and feath- ered, and the peaceful offerings of a Pope rejected and destroyed. Indeed, there was a time when the penalty of death hung o'er the head of any priest who would be rash enough to set his foot within the limits of this Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
But God has protected his Church, and history has again told the tale of her wondrous growth, in the face of almost nosuperable obstacles. Like the mustard seed in the gospel, she has increased in wondrous ratio, till she now assumes the strength and figure of a grant oak. Even one hundred years ago, there were, within the tenitory of our United States, only forty thousand Catholics, with thirty priests and thirty churches. But today, the Catholic Church in the United States has ten million living children, who worship God in seven thousand five hundred churches, and hear the gospel from the lips of eight thousand ordained priests; while the thon- sands of asyhumus, hospitals, academies and schools, which dot the land me every quarter, give blood and pronese that the tree is bear- ing Fruit, and fruit that has within itself the seed of perpetual prop- agation.
Tle: good sense of the people, too, has at length awakened, and is beginning to prevail. One by one, the greater number of the States hast blotted from their statutes clauses discriminating against Cath- vlies. One by one, the barriers which have closed to Catholics the avenues of social and political success are being now removed. Gradually, and with increasing warmth, the tardly hand of fellowship and confidence is being extended towards us. And even now, thank God, the day is close at hand, wherein no cloud of religious prejudice or bigotry shall longer mar the sun of liberty and justice which illumines this free land.
Therefore do I say that we, as citizens and Catholics, have a two- fuld reason to observe this holiday ; and who shall say that it is not eminently fit and proper ?
Let history tell what Catholies have done for this country and for this republic. Do we to-day possess the fairest land on earth? It was the Catholic genius, Christopher Columbus, who, with courage b mu of Catholic faith, first braved the unknown dangers of an un- known sea, and revealed this treasure-house to modern man. Do we hoast of the religious freedom afforded by our constitution ? It was the Catholic Calvert, who, in Catholic Maryla . 1, that lung to the
217
SERVICES IN THE CHURCHES
Freeze of this western world the prophetic hanter of religious toler- tion. Do we glory in the independence of our nation .? It was the Cathohe Charles Carroll who made greatest rish., and, next to the illustrious Hancock, brought weightiest influence to bear, in signing the innmortal Declaration ; and when the supreme moment had arrived, -- when the time to act had come, - when the intant nation took up anus to battle against giant tyranny, - the Catholics were there. Ay, almost a third part of the gallant officers, and a half of the heroic band, that for six long years fought, starved, and bled in Freedom's cause, from Massachusetts to Virginia, were children of the Catholic Church. It was a bishop of the Catholic Church who, with Franklin, went abroad, and was chiefly instrumental in securing the friendship and the help of foreign powers, when the fate of our young republic was trembling in the balance. And it was the Cath- olie nations. Frmec and Spain, that gave, in money. men, and arms, that timely help, without which our war for independence must have beon a failure. And also, in that last and mighty struggle, when the South rose against the North, - - when the bonds of liberty and union, which bound our States, were threatened with disruption,- in the : byens , when the governments of Former and Spain were templet to take issue with the South, the nation, with full confide, ce, placed its hopes in the has is of three bishops of the Gather church, and sent them forth to ask forbearance ; and that confidence was not in vain. Their mission was a full success.
Nor is this all. Turn to your maps, and rea I, on city, mountain, lai. mural river, names held sacred in the Chinch, atel you have en- dning proof that, in opening up to discovery, commerce, and civil- ization this country's trackless wilds, Catholics have ever been the pioneers. And when the clarion of war has sounded, Catholics have mut ver turned deaf ear. Shoulder to shoulder with the bravest, they have fought in every battle upon sea and land. Foremost in the breach, and fast in the retreat, their history, from the days of Barry down to those of Sheridan, has been resplendent with heroic deeds; and the myriads of flags, which wave in Catholic . emeteries on Memu- mal Day, proclaim how generously their lifeblood was poured out. And. in these sweet days of peace, behold the fidelity and success with which thousands of high and responsible offices ne administered by Catholics! Then, tell me, am I not right in asserting, that it is most fit and proper for us, as citizens and as Catholics, to celebrate this anniversary ? And still, men will be found who look on Catholics with suspicion and distrust !
Bat this is not a day for recrimination. It is a day for thanks-
218
HAVERHILL, MASSACHUSETTS.
giving, and for new and higher resolves. It is an hour when we should turn, forever, from the contemplation of unhappy days, and, with the light of past experience for a guide, push bravely onward. Lay, if you will, at other doors, the woes and disappointments of the past ; but now you stand upon the threshold of a future which is yours, to make or mar as you elcet, and coming generations will bless or curse you, as you are faithful or untrue. You say you love the Church? Then know that in your hands her future welfare Tests. Men judge by actions, not by word. ; and as you will hence- forth conduet your lives, so shall be the honor of the Church. Would you honor your religion? Then make it your endeavor to understand it lully ; for ignorant Catholie ; undo and eripple the best work of your priests. Would you have men believe its heavenly power ? Then practise it to, t conscientiously : for careless Catholics put ile Church in a false light, to the scandal of the stranger. Let duty to your God and country be the watchword of your lives. Do this, and the future will open wide, on golden hinges, to your Church and to your children.
This done, I give a word of counsel. It is this: Be true Analisar , Raphit and in the d ; Be in Full touch with every patii- otie sentiment, and trach it to your children. And more! I would see my Catholic to now-citizens aspiring to the highest walks in life. Why ret content to remain, forever, heweis of wood and drawers of water ? God has given you intelligence and opportunity, and there need be no limit to your lawful aims. Be ambitious, then; and it must follow, as the day the night, that, being true to God and coun- try, success will crown your efforts.
To pur non-Catholic fellow-citizens I will say, only: Give us fair play, and you will find us worthy of your trust. Let that un- manly, that unfounded, and unchristian prejudice, which has, all too long, been fostered in family and pulpit, be forever cast aside. It is unworthy of you. Think not that the allegiance which we owe and give to our religion can ever clash with the allegiance which our beloved country rightfully demands. During the century of our nation's life, have not Catholics marched hand in hand with you through every crisis and ordeal ; and in four great wars have not they, with you, enriched every field of battle with their blood? And who can show the time when Catholicity was ceer recreant to the Lottriot call ?
( shame upon the men, who, from there pulpits, preach to others that the half of God's most holy law is that we love our neighbor ; and yet who, Sunday after Sunday, slamder us to foully, and keep
ST. JAMES' CHURCH (ROMAN CATHOLIC).
219
SERVICES IN THE CHURCHES.
open the unsightly breach, which all good men would fain see closed ! No! Believe me, -and I speak as one who ought to know, -- the thure strictly a Catholic conforms to his religion, the better citizen and patriot he will be. Examine for yourselves, and you will be convinced that the Church, who, in every eireminstance, fearlessly as- seris the authority of God ; who offers a mother's love to every race and easte ; who guards, with jealous care, the integrity and virtues of the family, and who has ever been the uncompromising champion of right, must therefore be the noblest, stanchest, and most hopeful in- titution in the land.
For three hundred years the Church has shown, to her opponents of these Jatter times, a standing challenge that they prove wherem her doctrines are unjust or false. But for three hundred years her wirdlenge has been answered, not by arguments, but only by sneers and gibes. And never can be, for she is the Church of Christ. " Going, there fore," said the Saviour to the Apostles of his Church, " preach the Grospel to all nations; and behold I am with you all days, to the con- simonation of the world."
Thus did Christ projeet adown the ages an apostolic chain, every link of which encucles a pontificat . Peter's was the list; Len's is the latest. And, riveted at the throne of the Eternal Trach. that cham has not a broken link; but, strong and unalloyed, som the days of old, it still continues to vibrate with electricity divme. And O that all mea would give ear to the messages it brings! Then will the: hoorn that, even as this beauteous temj le stands upon the chs' how, a eynosure to travellers threading every highway leading Lilie. s, Clist has placed the Catholic Church upon the mountain top. to guide aright the feet of every man who entereth this workl.
And you, my Catholic brethren, before returning to your homes, well et and ponder on the words I speak upon this anniversary. Only a few years ago I was a child amongst you, known by and knowing all. Now I return, to find all new and changed : and a feeling, sad and lonely, fills my heart, as I turn to look for faces of my boy hood's i ans and connades, but in vain ; for they have passed away for- e ri, never to be seen again till we meet before the throne of God. Soon we, too, shall leave this life, to join that silent city of the dead, on yunder hill, whose only anniversary is the solemn requiem : and edl that men shall know of us will be a simple legend on a slab of stone. But God's recording angel makes strictest note of all our lives, and by that record must our fate for all eternity be judged.
Catholies, these are solemn, precious moments. Arouse ye, then, and act. Renew, to-day, your strength and carige ; for the
220
HAVERIHILL, MASSACHUSETTS.
times are ripe. Great things have been accomplished in the past : far greater yet are possible. As for me, i canmot but believe that, if you are faithful to the responsibilities that rest upon you now, your honest, faith-inspired conduct will become so contagious that it will spread abroad its influence through all the land, and that, inhaling it with the air they breathe, your fellow-citizens will be with it so imbued that, ere many generations shall have passed, the motto on the nation's shield, " E Pluribus Umum," will then be true, not only of their civil government, but of their religion.
Go then, and, from this day forth, in conscience live for God and country, till the Ruler calls Like the perfume of sweet sacrifice. the oder of your virtuous lives will ascend before the Almighty's throne ; and, like the, dews of heaven, that sweetly stoop to kiss, and scothe, and heal the thed math, God's enriching blessings will de- scend on you and yours.
OUT-DOOR ENTERTAINMENTS.
While the literary entenamment wa- in progress at the Academy of Music, there were attractions elsewhere provided for those who could not be present to hear the addresses. For, quite carly in The preparations that were being made for the celebration, it became manifest to the General Committee that onbloor attractions must be furnished to amuse the throng of people that could not be accommodated at the literary exercises and other indoor events. From an early hour in the morning there had been band concerts in different parts of the city by fone bands. The tennis tournament at the courts of the Haver- hill Lawn Tennis Club on the Highlands was not one of the least of these attractions. The players from out of town were Tallant of Harvard, Hovey of Brown University, Hill and Ful- ler of the All-for-Lawn Tennis Club of Jamaica Plain, and Wildes of Newton C'entre.
The Tennis Club met those from out of town at the depot about nine o'clock on a tally-ho, and, after being driven to the grounds on Windsor Street, the Lafayette Band entertamed them, and the spectators to the number of about two hundred, with a
HAVERHILL, MASSACHUSETTS.
fine concert. The lots were then drawn and the first matches were as follows : Tallant vs. Taylor of Haverhill. Carter of Brad- ford vs. Hovey of Brown University, -and, as Carter had the championship of Haverhill and Bradford and also of Williams College, the match was an exciting one, but llovey came olf victorious. In the game between Tallant and Taylor, Tallant was victorions, though Taylor made some very line plays which were much applauded. In the match between Fuller and Hill of Jamaica Plain, Hill finally beat, though Fuller had the second set. Three sets were played by Jennings and Wildes, in which Jemings won the first and third. After these games the out-of- town men were driven to Recreation Pack and enjoyed the hos- pitality of the Haverhill Club at the Celebration Banquet.
The tournament was finished on the second day by matches between Jennings and Hovey in the forenoon ; and then between Hovey, who won, and Ballant. Hovey won three out of five sets and was awarded the first prize. In the afternoon, the see- und prize was played for by Tatlan, Jennings, and Carter.
The regatta on the Merrimack was also largely attended. The committee had concluded, owing to the excellent water advantages afforded by the Merrimack River, to arrange as the leading feat- ures of their department an amateur rowing regatta for July 3rd. The course selected was from the Essex Engine House, down the river one mile to a point about midway the island, and return.
Negotiations were at once opened with Walter Stimpson, Esq., of Cambridge, Mass., President of the New England Amateur Rowing Association, and he readily. on viewing the cours . and its advantages, entered into the spirit of the allair, and contributed, by his tireless energy and activity, very largely to its success. The leading professional oarsmen of New Eng- land were also communicated with.
The amount appropriated for both the amateur and profes- stand regattas was @1800, $ 1000 of which was expended for elegant silver trophies for the winning amateur oatsmen, together
REGATTA COURSE.
223
OUT-DOOR ENTERTAINMENTS.
with silken banners of beautiful design and workmanship appro- priately inscribed. A purse of $225 in cash was offered for the professional single-senll race as the championship of New Eng- İand.
At both regattas, the banks of the river were filled at every available spot by men, women, and children, eager to see the contests. The river itself was filled with steam yachts, sail boats and row boats, and an hour previous to the races presented a lively appearance. The steam launch from Amesbury, the " Idalette," Captain Webster, was used as the referee's and press boat. and the " Carlotta" of Ipswich was used by the committee and invited guests. The contestants in the amateur regatta were the pride of New England, and every race was exciting and strongly contested.
The events of the first day's regatta were nine in number : consisting of a cano . race with double paddle ; three single-scull shell saves for juniors, intermediates. and seniors; four-oured working boit, for a niors ; four-oared shells, for juniors and seniors ; four-oare I working boat for juniors ; and an eight-oared shell race. President Walter Stimpson acted as referee, James R. Doyle a starter, George F. Freeman and J. E. Simpson as timers, and R. F. Brazier and R. P. Webb y as judges at the finish.
Libby of the Arlington Boat Club won the canor race ; Mitchell of the Shawmut Club won the singk-seul shell race for juniors ; Kirby of the Pawtucket Club, the single-scull race for intermediates ; William Caffrey of the Lawrence Canoe Club, the single-seull race for seniors, --- time thirteen minutes and thirty-four seconds. Pilkington and Neagle of the Metropolitan Boat Club of New York won the double-scull race The Bradford Boat Club won the four-eared working boat race. The eight-eared shell race was contested by the Bradfords and Crescents, the Former winning. The Crescents pushed the Bradfords hard all the way, and the race should have been theirs. Fox, their corkswain, took them in to the Bradford shore a little too far, in seeking to get clear water, but in so doing gained advantage enough to recompense them for their loss. Cook of their crew
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.