USA > Maine > Kennebec County > Wayne > Centennial celebration of the town of Wayne, Kennebec County, Maine, August 18, 1898 > Part 2
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the wilderness that they might better their condition, establish large and prosperous families, and thus become important factors in the de- velopment of the country and in the establishment of civil and relig- ious liberty. That they were eminently successful, this day bears many and unmistakable proofs.
Memory in its backward flight of two hundred and seventy-eight years puts us in touch with our Pilgrim Fathers ; we see them land .on Plymouth Rock ; we enter into their sufferings and admire their fortitude and religious zeal ; we see them establish a nation greater than that of ancient Greece or Rome. Their descendants and the descendants of others who crossed the ocean later became our own im- mediate ancestors. What hardships and discouragements they en- dured ! How heroic and patient ! We are proud of the record of their industry, courage, and piety, and thank God that we are their posterity.
From your most interesting town history prepared by some of your leading citizens, we learn that Capt. Job Fuller was the first white settler in Wayne; that Jonathan Handy Besse was the first white male child born here ; that Jonathan Howe was really the father of Wayne Village since he built here a dam and a mill. There is not time to speak in detail of your various industries, grist mills, saw mills, carding and fulling mills, shovel-handle factory, and that es- tablishment which turned out North Wayne scythes known the world over.
Your merchants have been men of enterprise and worth. Some of the early ones we venture to name from memory : George Smith, Wellington Hunton, B. W. Varnum, the Moultons, and C. C. Whit- ney. Your leading citizens have always compared favorably with those of other towns. We can mention only a few from the many : the Besses, Burgesses, Berrys, Dexters, Fosses, Frosts, Fairbankses. Jenningses, Johnsons, Lampsons, Leadbetters, Manters, Maxims, Moultons, Norrises, Pettingills, Reads, Ridleys, Swifts, Stinchfields. Trues, Wings, and the Waltons. All honor to these and to all other men who have given this town character and dignity. But the peo- ple of this town have been especially distinguished for their agricul- tural pursuits. Let unbounded praise be given to the farmers. Although they may have many hardships and discouragements, let them remember that they and their farms are the source of the strength of the nation. All countries, and emphatically our own, illustrate this truth. As country life is far healthier than that of the
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city, the place to raise men is on the farm. The history of the human race shows that men and races have lapsed into weakness in the cities. The larger cities have been able to maintain a good degree of vitality only by a constant introduction of country blood. In Paris after three generations no family has survived without alliances from the country. We know that the "old families" in England have raised their children in the country. There both children and adults were grown into a hardy race. It has been truthfully said that in this coun- try the "farms have supplied most of the statesmen, the leaders in thought and the business men of the larger cities." Think of the comfort and independence of rural life ! Xenophon, that noble old Grecian, says, "The science of husbandry is extremely profitable to those who under- stand it." And Cicero properly expresses himself thus : "I come now to the pleasures of husbandry, in which I vastly delight. They are not interrupted by old age, and they seem to me to be pursuits in which a wise man's life should be spent." All honor then to the farmers of Wayne !
Happy homes and christian character are the possessions of these industrious people in these villages and upon these farms. And we must not forget to mention now that there have been born in Wayne many educators, talented clergymen, fine scholars, able lawyers, learned judges, clever politicians, succesful business men and a most distinguished songstress, Mrs. Annie Louise Cary Raymond.
It is noticeable that the settlements of our fathers in New England were settlements of towns. In fact our nation is a nation of towns, each in a certain sense, a sovereignty in itself. Such is the town of Wayne. DeTocqueville, the acute observer of our American institu- tions, said of New England townships, "It was the nucleus, round which the local interests, rights, and duties so collected and clung, that it gave scope to the activities of a thoroughly democratic and republi- can life. Its local assemblies of freemen-the town-meetings-were to liberty what primary schools are to science ; they brought it within the people's reach ; they taught men how to use it and enjoy it, and even while the American colonies still recognize the supremacy of the mother country, the republic was already established in every township."
Our forefathers, when they established this beloved town, recog- nized the fact that no town can long exist without men and women of character, and that a well-rounded character is the product of three great agencies, the home, the school, and the church. These, indeed,
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are the nurseries of a noble town, a strong state, and a mighty nation. The homes of Wayne may have lacked much of comfort and elegance, but they were shrines where were taught those noble virtues: obe- dience, industry, fidelity, truthfulness, reverence, and the love of God.
Our fathers built and maintained the churches of Wayne at great cost and sacrifice, but they have been a good investment. They have been the leaven which has leavened the mass. Blot out from the towns our churches and schools, and property would have neither pro- tection nor value, personal liberty would be gone, and the nation would soon lapse into barbarism and ruin. Let philosophers quarrel and cynics snarl, but be it ever remembered that Christianity is the most powerful factor of civilization. God bless, then, the noble men and women who have stood by the churches of Wayne ! "Camp-meet- ing" Allen, and elders Randall, Starr, Boothby, and Parker are of sainted memory.
I do not think I exaggerate when I say that the schools of this town have been regarded as among the best in the commonwealth of Maine. Our forefathers set a high value on piety and learning. They worshipped as we have said, at three altars, the home, the school, and the church. In the "little red school house" were learned lessons of promptness, obedience, fidelity, and accuracy, principles so important in the progress of an individual, of a town, or of a nation. How many pleasant memories cluster about the schools of our child- hood-the failures, the successes, the friendships, the companionships, the faithful teachers ! God bless their memory ! Whatever of success we achieve in life is due in a large degree to our thoughtful and patient teachers. And I must be pardoned if in this public manner, out of the depths of my heart, I offer grateful thanks to three of my highly prized teachers, who are present to-day : Mrs. Mary Lampson, Dexter, Mr. William Granville Besse, and Mr. George Washington Walton. May Heaven's choicest blessings be theirs ! But whatever may have been the merit of the schools of Wayne in the past, they must seek a higher standard of excellence in the future, for new prob- lems will have to be solved. We must learn what the Prussians have long since discovered and reduced to a State Maxim : "What- ever you would have appear in the life of a nation you must put into your schools." Look to it then, fellow citizens, that they receive your constant attention, for they are the bulwark of the American people.
In the midst of our joy and exultation to-day, we should remember with pride that Wayne is a part of this great nation, and that this
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celebration should be somewhat national in its character, and worthy of the grand inheritance we have received from our Revolutionary fathers. What did our forefathers do that immortalized them for all time? They adopted and successfully carried out the principles of what has been well said to be "the grandest, the bravest, and the profoundest political document ever signed by man," the Declaration of Independence. The thirteen colonies were weak and unorganized. England, powerful with its great navy and trained soldiers, had pos- session of many of our American cities. Yet our forefathers declared themselves free and independent of Great Britain. After seven long years of devastating war, the Angel of Peace kissed our heroes, and there was born the grandest nation upon which Heaven smiles to-day. Was not that bravery ? Was not that immortality ?
Our great-grandfathers fought and helped win this victory. And we, the sons and daughters of Wayne, rejoice that the blood of the Revolutionary heroes courses in our veins to-day. Right glad are we on this Centennial day to call to mind some of the names of those old Revolutionary soldiers, who were prominent in the early military and civil history of Wayne,-Wing, Jennings, Besse, Fairbanks, were among the foremost. All honor, then, to the memory of our fore- fathers who were actors in the great drama which commenced at Lexington and Concord and ended at Yorktown.
To the gallantry of the soldiers and the wisdom of the statesmen, all nations owe their birth and their preservation. Our soldiers and our statesmen were not lacking in ability nor remiss in fidelity, but after more than three quarters of a century of unsurpassed prosperity, this nation was torn asunder and plunged into civil war. Slavery, the child of compromise, had done its foul work. Never was anxiety more intense than when the Nation seemed suddenly split asunder. Valiant and wise men turned pale and were speechless. No man dared read the future. We had a glorious history in the past, but were we to be blotted out from among the nations of the earth ? "We shall exist." "This Union shall not be dissolved," were the answers of the soldiers, by the hundreds of thousands, and of the statesmen, the ablest in the land. Parties ceased. There were no Democrats, no Republicans, only patriots. And from the time of the bombard- ment of Fort Sumter till the surrender at Appomattox, this nation did not waver. All through the war-at those terrible battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, and the Wilderness, our men, the pride and flower of America, the bravest and most intelligent
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soldiers in the world, declared that this nation shall exist and shall be forever free. And they kept their word. There was joy in heaven at the proclamation of freedom by our immortal Lincoln. And under Lincoln, and Sherman, and Sheridan, and Grant, the greatest general of any age, there were inscribed upon our flag, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, Christianity, four the "grandest words in the language of men." And did not Wayne have a glorious part in the salvation of our country ?
One hundred and thirty-three sons of this town, as brave soldiers as any in the land, fought for the Union, under the stars and stripes. They were, fellow citizens, your fathers, your husbands, your brothers, your sons, your lovers. God bless their memory ! I had the honor of personally knowing some of these brave soldiers of Wayne,-the Burgesses, Berrys, Clarks, Dexters, Fairbanks, Frosts, Norrises and Wings. Well does your historian say, "Our town is well worthy to wear the name of that gallant general, the hero of Stony Point, who in 'the time that tried men's souls,' by his reckless valor, earned the title of 'Mad Anthony Wayne.'"
The State of Maine sent 73,000 gallant soldiers to the war. We cannot name all the heroes, but it is pleasant to remember Gen. Hiram G. Berry of Rockland, Gen. Joshua L. Chamberlain of Bow- doin College, and Gen. Oliver O. Howard of Leeds.
Thus we see, fellow citizens, that Wayne's history is inseparably connected with that of New England and the Nation. We love to think of New England, some one has aptly said, "as she was first founded, as she has since been established and built up, as she now is, -mother of men, source of great ideas, nurse of great principles, battle-ground of great conflicts."
We believe that whatever has reflected honor upon the town of Wayne should find expression-whatever has created a noble spirit of fraternity and patriotism throughout this beloved town and Nation should be especially emphasized on this joyous occasion.
Maine, the fair daughter of Massachusetts, has produced men. Wayne is proud of the memory of George Evans, James W. Brad- bury, the Washburns, Hannibal Hamlin, Lot M. Morrill, William Pitt Fessenden, Henry W. Longfellow, and James G. Blaine. John A. Andrews, Massachusetts' great "war governor," was born in Wind- ham, Maine. John D. Long, Massachusetts' governor, orator, and congressman, and President McKinley's secretary of the navy, was a son of Maine, being born in Buckfield. Melville W. Fuller, the
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present Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, is another son of Maine, being born at Augusta. Your Senators and Congress- men stand high in the councils of the Nation. Senator Eugene Hale is chairman of Naval Affairs ; Senator William P. Frye is chairman ot Commerce ; Congressman Charles A. Bowtelle is chairman of Naval Affairs ; Congressman Nelson Dingley, Jr., is chairman of Ways and Means ; and the Speaker of the House of Representatives is the "Czar," Thomas B. Reed of Portland.
We do not fully realize, ladies and gentlemen, what mighty progress has been made since Wayne became an organized town. 1798, 1898 ! One hundred years of unprecedented growth and prosperity ! When this town was born, the population of this country was 5,000,000, now it is estimated to be 77,000,000. Formerly the public schools were not well sustained in all parts of the country. Now we have 14,000- 000 pupils in the public schools at an annual expense of $225,000,000, and it is well, for the schools are the most democratic representation in America. Once a journey from Boston to Philadelphia by stage required a week, now our palace cars take us clear across the conti- nent in five days. Formerly the time between England and America was six weeks or two months, now our palatial steamers make the dis- tance in six days. Fifty-five years ago there was not a telegraph line in the United States, now the oceans are spanned and the whole earth is girdled. With the telegraph and the telephone we have nearly annihilated time and space. Our forefathers' latest news from London might have been sixty days old, now we, their descendants, can sit down in our homes in Wayne at night and read the day's news of the world.
Our opportunities and privileges are greater than those of our fathers. American genius has harnessed the elements to wonderful machinery, and it does our work. We have more leisure, more books, finer pictures, more abundant means, and our families are better cared for. All this brings greater responsibilities. May we be worthy and equal to every emergency.
It is eminently fitting that mention should be made in this address of the Nation's new departure. We are making mighty strides in history. Citizenship and patriotism mean more than they did in our fathers' times. In spite of Washington's Farewell Address and the Monroe Doctrine, we have been compelled to face new problems. The barbarities and atrocities practiced upon a down-trodden people at our very borders touched the American heart. Atter long forbearance
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Uncle Sam said those things must stop. The thunder of Dewer's cannon at Manila, the prowess of Sampson, of Schley, of Hobson, and of the soldiers at Santiago, have convinced Spain that the United States government means business.
This war is one of justice, liberty, humanity, and fraternity. A war especially for territorial aggrandizement would be a colossal blunder and crime, and the people are against it. This Union is ce- mented as never before. The flags of the pine and the palmetto are united. The son of Grant and the son of Lee have been fighting under the same starry banner. May nothing happen to tarnish the lustre of the stars and stripes now floating over the army and the navy. The solution of the weightiest problems will require the ripest and profoundest statesmanship. We believe this Nation is being led by the hand of Providence. We rejoice that the prospect is that peace, permanent and honorable will soon crown the successes of our arms. By the proclamation of President Mckinley hostilities have already ceased.
Let us remember also that this war has not only united us as a people, but has given us a great friend,-a nation the most powerful on earth and most closely allied to us by history, literature, and kin- dred,-a nation, which has carried Christianity and civilization wher- ever she has carried her flag-Old England, God bless her ! If she did not stand like a rock to-day, Europe would even now be at our throat.
There should be an alliance of the Anglo-Saxon race. The Eng- lish language is now spoken by more than 125,000,000 people. At this rate, at the end of another century of Wayne's history, the English language will be spoken by more than 800,000,000 people, and it will be the language in which the business of the world will be trans- acted. All honor, then, to our mother country ! She has not always understood us, she has not always loved us, but to-day we are rich in her friendship.
At this centennial celebration we come together as friends and patriots. No section nor class is recognized on this occasion. We can feel that we are all citizens of this town, of this commonwealth. of this whole country,-all belonging to one common party, all Repub- licans, all Democrats. We have need of political parties only so far as they are valuable in forming men, noble, high-minded men. Let not then corruption nor political chicanery fasten themselves upon us. If Wayne shall continue to be the home of freedom, virtue, and pros-
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perity ; if our government shall be preserved, we must maintain the old landmarks.
"Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, Where wealth accumulates, and men decay."
Let us, sons and daughters of Wayne, rejoice that we behold this Centennial day. Let us be worthy of our noble ancestors and trans- mit unsullied this fair heritage to our children's children. May the fires on the altars of patriotism be kept burning, so that wherever and whenever we behold that star-spangled banner, the emblem of freedom and progress, we may gaze upon it with feelings of joy and pride, and thank the Ruler of the Universe that we are citizens of this great American Republic.
A selection was given by the AEolian Quartet.
Then followed a poem written by Mrs. Georgie A. Taylor of Wayne, read by her son Josiah W. Taylor.
THE STORY OF POCASSET.
Dear uative town of Wayne, Thy century's roll of fame Is called to-day. From near and distant homes, Thy sons and daughters come, Drawn by thy love alone, And homage pay.
Unchanged thro' flight of years, Thy loveliness appears As long ago. Thy rock-bound hills uprise, Fair lakes reflect the skies, Streams through the valleys glide And onward flow.
To-day. for loving eyes, Put on thy fairest guise, Dear Mother-town, And wear with queenly grace Above thy smiling face Thy diadem of peace, The century's crown. This is thy day of pride When, folded to thy side Like children dear, They who have wandered o'er The land from shore to shore, Find home and youth once more And welcome here.
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And greater, yet unseen (This veil of flesh between) A host are here. Once in these homes they moved, Lived, labored, grieved and loved, Called to their rest above, They linger near.
Here we commemorate, With joy we celebrate Thy hundred years. Fair has their record been Of noble deeds and men- God keep their memory green With grateful tears! Love's gifts to-day we bring, Our heart's own offering Not gems or gold, But filial love and pride. Tender and true and tried, Loyal whate'er betide Ever to hold. God of the rolling years. Our trust against all fears, Our sure defence ! Protect Thou still our Town, Be shield and bulwark round Our homes and people found A century hence !
THE PIONEERS.
A hundred years have onward sped their way Since, from their homes by Massachusetts Bay, Our fathers came, a sturdy, stalwart band, To build new firesides in this distant land.
But first, like Israelites of old, they sent To view the land on which their minds were bent, Some hardy pioneers whose judgment wise Should safely guide and future plans devise.
Tradition tells us of that journey long From Sandwich-by-the-sea fair towns among, Until the mother state they leave behind And in New Hampshire's forests seek to find
A path their feet may follow ; but no trace Save beast and bird that fled before their face Meets their keen eyes, yet skilled in wood-craft lore, Each sign in earth and sky its witness bore.
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And mindful ever on what errand sent, With their sharp axes blaze the way they went That they who after sought this forest road Might walk securely where their feet had trod.
At last, when wearied limbs were fain to rest, Had they not been by dauntless faith possessed, To their g'ad eyes appears a lovely shore That tells their toilsome journey almost o'er.
It is the Kennebec! its sparkling tide In morning sunlight shone as glorified. Its rocky banks majestic forests crowned And Nature's solemn stillness reigns around.
And dear and welcome to their homesick eyes, Beyond the woods the rugged cliffs arise That break its waters swift and hem them in Just at their entrance to the sea-Seguin.
How sweet to hear again the ocean's roar, Its voice familiar in their ears once more ! And, as an omen of a mission blest. Take to their hearts its benison of rest.
They know the story of this river grand, Its dusky sons, the Abanaki's band, Whose light barks sped along its flashing tide And wigwam's smoke curled on the banks beside.
For Sandwich skippers early heard the tale That Plymouth captains brought of this fair vale, And of these Indians with their wealth scarce told In costly furs, exchanged for white men's gold.
And how, far up the river valley stood Log houses in a clearing of the wood, The trading post of men of Plymouth tell, The Indian Bom-ba-hook, now Hallowell.
And though their feet would gladly linger here Where the sea lured them with its voice so dear, Up the fair river valley take their way And welcome find and homes wherein to stay.
Gladly they tarry here rejoiced to know Short is the distance that their feet must go To reach the chosen spot whereon to found, If to their liking, a new Sandwich town.
The friendly settlers give them words of cheer And to their questioning lend a willing ear And aid with counsel wise and kindly word To help these pilgrims on their further road.
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With kind farewells again they journey on .Over a trail where niany feet have gone; For Pond-town settlers hither came to trade And thus a highway through the forest made.
Between its lovely lakes above, below, The little hamlet Pond-town well they know, For here dwell some who neighbors were and friends In the old home beside the ocean's sands.
Their greeting warm they heartily return But short their stay, with glad surprise they learn How, tarrying with them for a little while, A settler onward passed with wife and child,
Who sought, like them, the same fair tract of land "Toward which were bent the footsteps of this band, And that, e'en now his house of rough logs made Stood by the stream within the forest's shade.
As travelers on the desert's burning waste See the green oasis and onward haste, These weary men with hope and courage new, Rejoice to see their journey's end in view.
The ringing strokes of woodman's axe they hear And see the clearing in the forest near. The rude log cabin 'neath the pine trees old, And now the settler's family behold.
The father, strong in early manhood's prime, Stalwart in frame, in manner cordial, kind, His comely wife, gentle in mien and word, Give hearty welcome to their home and board.
And e'en the babe, a little winsome child, With prattle sweet their weariness beguiled And gave a vision bright of future days When each a home within this vale should raise.
Now soft and deep the evening shadows fall Over the silent woods; the night-hawk's call Pierces the air, with sudden rush of wings And, far and sweet, the thrush its vesper sings.
In the soft breeze the pine trees whisper low, Their cadence mingling with the streamlet's flow, The chirp of crickets, and the drowsy rune Of insect life beneath the harvest moon.
With deep content they seek the night's rep .se, Assured that when the morning sun arose, Their journey's aim, in hope and faith begun, Would find fulfillment ere the day was done.
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