USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Milford > Celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of Milford, New Hampshire, June 26, 1894 : including the proceedings of the committee, addresses, poem, and other exercises of the occasion > Part 3
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This community has been one of the foremost in the state in the cause of temperance. When the town was first established it was then thought proper for all, from the minister down, to drink, and that all important events, like trainings or raisings, could not be successfully car- ried on, except under the inspiration to be derived from frequent pota- tions of New England rum. But since the temperance question was recognized in this country as one of the great moral questions, Milford was not only quick to recognize the incalculable evils of intemperance to
GOV. JOHN B. SMITH.
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the individual and the community, but was equally prompt to do all in her power to remedy this evil.
Milford has been, and is, one of the most progressive towns in the state, and her influence has been, and is felt in the state for good. Her business interests have prospered. No need to look for abandoned farms in this fertile valley where the agricultural interests are so well looked after by progressive farmers. Our growing manufacturing inter- ests, and our splendid granite quarries develop and add to the growth of the town. Our enterprising merchants minister so well to the wants of this and surrounding communities, that they add to the wealth and im- portance of the town.
Our large and fine public buildings, our water works, sewers and electric lights, are evidences of the general prosperity.
But after all the best product of the town is the many noble men and women it has given to the world, whose lives of usefulness and honor within the town, or wherever they may have wandered, have directly and indirectly made the town what it has been and is, and have added lustre to the pages of its history.
It was for the founders of this town, and those who succeeded them in the first century of her existence thus to build, so that we to-day con- templating their work are proud of it, and have a right to be. It is ours to carry on and maintain this work thus splendidly begun, to keep the noble heritage they have bequeathed us free from crime, irreligion, intem- perance or any taint, and those tendencies to socialism and anarchy which threaten us to-day.
And I close with this thought; may we, and those who come after us in this second century of the existence of the town of Milford, so well perform their duty in this respect, that when the circling years shall have finally brought the second centennial of this town, our descendants shall then gratefully commemorate the deeds of the second century of the town as well as of the first.
GOVERNOR JOHN B. SMITH.
President Wallace :- To-day is the birthday of the Town of Milford, and many of the distinguished men of the State have come to pay their respects to her and do her honor. Among them is one whom the loyal people of the town will especially delight to welcome, His Excellency, John B. Smith, Governor of the State, who will present the compli- ments of the State of New Hampshire to the Town of Milford on this occasion.
MR. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, CITIZENS OF MILFORD :
I esteem it a great pleasure as well as privilege to be present on this interesting occasion, and join with you in the observance of the one hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of your town. I shall not enter into the history of the town in detail. I shall leave that to others, to those who have made special study of the different features of its
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settlement and its history. I shall content myself with only a brief generalization and some words of congratulation. You are to be con- gratulated, certainly, in having such unanimity of purpose from the beginning of this worthy enterprise ; such competent and painstaking committees whose work of preparation in every detail has been so enthusiastically undertaken and so well done. All your people seem to have entered earnestly into the work, and in such a manner as to make the occasion what it is, - a perfect success, reflecting credit upon a town always noted for its intelligence and spirit of enterprise, -for its push and energy.
The glory of New England is not its great cities, although they are important factors in its social and natural development. But its glory is its rural towns and villages, for in them is developed the best and truest type of our boasted civilization. Great cities are often politically and socially corrupt. The country towns are the conservators of what is best in our institutions. They represent the purest Americanism, and best preserve the character and traditions, the faith and principles of the fathers and founders of the Republic. Their healthy conservatism, intelligence and moral worth, must ever constitute our chief safe guard, and are the sheet anchor of our free institutions. We annually receive hundreds of thousands of emigrants from other lands. The thrifty and honest, from whatever land they come, of whatever race or creed, we welcome; but whether we welcome them or not, they will come (unless some wholesome immigration legislation shall interpose, and may it not be long delayed), and they come with ideas and principles and customs as foreign as themselves. Much of this infusion tends to vitiate our political blood and to corrupt our morals, and overturn our social condi- tions and customs. It is too much the habit of our immigrants to tarry in the great cities, adding to the sum of corruption and ignorance, and aggravating the already too prevalent political disease.
The continual healthy flow of rural blood into these cities will prove the only antidote and counteracting influence. To the country then we must look for the solution of our social and political problems. The in- fluences that reach out from our country towns with their simple virtues and sevant morals, are really the basis of our hopes; but for these we might well despair. Such a typical model New England and New Hampshire town is Milford. I have already paid tribute to the moral worth, intelligence and enterprise of its people. Here, religious, educa. tional, and charitable institutions are, and have ever been liberally sus- tained. Sobriety and virtue have been characteristic of your people. Here business enterprises have flourished and successful industrial estab- lishments have furnished remunerative employment; and where none need be, few have been disposed to be idle. Labor here has always been honorable and respected, because it is self-respecting and unusually intel- ligent. As a consequence very little autagonism between labor and capi- tal is found here and strikes are unknown. The intelligent working man appreciates the advantage of well managed and well directed capi-
DEA. E. D. BOYLSTON.
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tal, and the humane and liberal employer respects and honors his em- ployees as helpers and co-workers.
This town has been noted for its loyalty and patriotism as we might well expect of such a people. A hundred years measures the age of your town as a public corporation, but it does not measure the history of this community. The territory now known as Milford town- ship was taken from older corporate towns, and was settled for half a century previous to the beginning of your own distinctive town life. From this settlement undoubtedly went forth some of its young men to the French and Indian wars-and later went forth sturdy bands of patriots to the war of the American revolution. To the call for volun- teers in the war of the rebellion, Milford made prompt and continual response. Her sons distinguished themselves in that great struggle, and among the many brave soldiers who are remembered today with the gratitude of their countrymen, none was braver than Col. Lull of your own town. Other names of your brave sons might be added, who counted not their lives dear that they might lay them on the altar of their country. The cause of human liberty and the equal rights of all men, whether black or white, was early espoused in Milford, and who shall say the sweet songs of the Hutchinson's were [any less potent in the great anti-slavery crusade than the eloquence of Phillips, or the pen of Garrison. Total abstinence from the use of intoxicating liquors found early champions here who practiced what they preached, and the character of your town is still unchanged on these great questions, and it stands to-day amongst New Hampshire communities in the fore front of progress and true reform. Your town is well located in the heart of the most prosperous section of the State. It has enjoyed good railroad facilities, which are soon to be considerably enlarged. You have much to be thankful for, much to be proud of, and great reason to be hopeful of the future. You are destined to increase in numbers and mutual wealth, and a consequent extension and widening of that influence for moulding the destiny of our state and of the country, which has ever been, and we trust always will be, wholesome and helpful.
DEA. EDWARD D. BOYLSTON.
President Wallace :- Once Milford was a part of the Town of Amherst, is the child of Amherst. The parent town after carefully rear- ing and training her, when she reached her majority one hundred years ago, allowed her to set up for herself, with the blessing of the parent town. We have with us to-day, Dea. E. D. Boylston of Amherst, who will now give us the congratulations of that town on the credit Milford has done to her training in her first century.
MR. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN : -
By the appointment and request of the authorities of the mother town, and approval of her special delegation, it affords me profound pleasure to extend the cordial and most hearty greetings of old Amherst,
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to the thrifty, well-to-do and honored second daughter, on this the one hundredth anniversary of the occasion of this relation.
In doing so I am reminded of an incident in our early local history of the couplet of a lad (who after became an Amherst lawyer), that with antipodal play upon its formative word, may be aptly here . re- produced : -
"You'd scarce expect one of my AGE To speak in public on the stage."
But these congratulations may not be the less acceptable, coming, as they do, from one who knows, by personal contact, of what he speaks. For fourscore years I have been, as it were, among you, and for three- score journalized for a large proportion of your families - known your every clergy and professional man, advertised your almost every mer- chant and mechanic, and social and business change; and when I speak congratulatory of your progress and weal, "speak what I know, and tes- tify of what I have seen."
Few towns have been more highly favored in all these relations than Milford, until to-day the daughter stands "head and ears" above the mother, on high vantage ground, and observes her first centennial in a glow of ascendancy, pride of circumstance, and richness of perspective, that makes it a delightful duty to bring to you these maternal congratu- lations.
One hundred years ago Amherst knew, as you to-day, the pride of position and ascendency-the third or fourth town in the State, commer- cially, and the first in the County, with all its courts and public offices, and even a session of the State Legislature, which only four other towns have known ; while Milford, in swaddling clothes, took on a name indi- cating that she had no bridge whereon to pass her waters.
Tempora mutantur, nos et mutimur, in illis.
" The times are changed, and we are changed with them."
Our 1,600 inhabitants have become 1,000, your 1,000 more than 3,000. Our courts and courtiers have all left us ; our trade turns to your doors, and passes your elegant bridge ; and our pleasure seekers seek their pleasure in your park and of your band. But for a score of years, in musical reciprocity we have not been wholly lacking I know, it hav- ing cost my personal team more than 2,000 trips, and 10,000 miles travel.
"God is judge; he setteth up one, and putteth down another." With the Divine allotments it becometh all to acquiesce, and we cheer- fully do so to-day, bidding you God-speed in your progressive, upward career.
Most prominent in our congratulations truth and duty compel us to place your noble progenitors. If you have aught that calls for profound congratulation it is beneath your soil, and deserving of its richest granite ! the noble fathers and mothers sleeping in your tombs - at the very men- tion of whom every bosom must swell with a grateful, holy pride. Hun- dreds of these as my patrons and warm friends are before me to-day with a warm recall, whom to name would be to praise - the privilege of others. They constitute your noblost inheritance, as underlying and
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enduring, and thousand-fold more worthy and ennobling than the granite you so cherish, of them so beautifully emblematic.
We congratulate you upon your forth-coming beautiful Town His- tory, and that you have such proud history to record, and such worthy and indefatigable men to record it. They deserve your warmest regard.
We heartily congratulate you upon the high political standing that gives you to-day two candidates for our State Governorship, and both so popular that all wish that both might be elected, and all expectant that one or the other will be; and one returns to you to-day around whom the honors of the old Bay State splash and beat as its waves about its breakers ; - while
Each, with pride of a Briton, turns To-day, to welcome your WALLACE and BURNS.
We congratulate you upon your progressive architecture, public and private; your elegant Town House; your Monumental Library ; your fine school buildings and their products, and the coming "Endicott"; your Lull Monument of to day ; your well appointed and filled Churches, your highest hope; your live, well-advertised commercial men; your thriving and varied industries, so widely known; your water-works, a monument to your prudence and hygienic care ; your military spirit, past aud present ; your excellent fire appointments and musical bestowments ; your venerable Press, which fourscore years so well served us - may its shadow never be less; your underlying granite foundation, and increas- ing facilities for its working; and last, though far from least, the cheer- ful lighting of your homes and ways. May the day not be distant when the mother shall literally and rejoicingly walk in the daughter's light.
Amherst-decadence would form an afternoon's topic, - but avaunt except its maternal lesson : Hold fast, dear daughter, to your every live and sterling business man. Fifty of the bright, wealthy, enterprising men who have made Nashua what it is, were the gift of Amherst; and her new, proudest church stands one-half upon an Amherst financial basis! Blessed they who have to give !
Amherst glories in her past, and that she is yet able to do something for her neighbors and the world.
What here shall be, who, who can tell, As dawns your next Centennial ? The bursting acorn of to-day, Shall be the oak in sad decay. Not one, not one of all this throng Shall to its celebrants belong. Perhaps here city, proud and great,
Exceeding all within the State ; With Courts, Cathedrals, and renown ;
Reaching out afar o'er Amherst town,
And sweeping north, and claiming e'en The "Prospect " where " The Grand " is seen ;
All again one, and proudly one, As ere the past century was begun ; With cars borne on electric wings ! And thousand other stranger things ; While Hub conductors " all aboard " cry
" FOR MONT-AMHERST-FORD, whither we fly !"
The vision's great !- but inay it not wait, And former union reinstate.
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HON. CHARLES H. BURNS.
President Wallace :- The Town of Milford is fortunate in having a favorite and distinguished son, descended from two of its oldest and most noted families, who needs no introduction to the people of this town, New Hampshire's most gifted orator, Hon. Charles H. Burns, who will now deliver our centennial oration.
MR. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN :
The subject uppermost in our minds to-day is Milford, the spot of earth where we were born. This multitude, gathered from all parts of our common country, attest the loyalty of |her sons and daughters. Hither we have come to witness the opening of her century plant, which buds and blossoms only once in a hundred years. Hither we have brought our children, and children's children, that they may see this land, from whose soil their ancestors sprung, and hear the story of that stalwart race, which helped overthrow dynasties, and lay the foundation of a prosperous town, a glorious state, and a mighty nation. With con- scious pride we point to the character of the men and women who first planted the standards of civilization in this fair and fertile valley. With unrestrained emotion we recount the achievements of their descendants, our fathers and mothers, in establishing beautiful homes, in the forma- tion of strong and rugged character, and in the promotion of great causes, that have done so much for the human race. With veneration and reverence, with the warmth of earnest hearts of loving children, we salute our venerable mother, and her spotless and noble record.
In the history of an enterprising town like Milford, which is a cen" tury old, the story of much of our national life can be learned. In its growth is typified the advance of the nation. In its mirror of life the struggles, the varying fortunes, the triumphs and trials of the people are reflected. A distinguished historian has observed that the best way to learn English history is "to set a man in the streets of a simple English town, and to bid him to work out the history of the men who have lived and died there. The mill by the stream, the tolls in the market-places, the brasses of its burghers in the church, the names of its streets, the lingering memory of its guilds, the mace of its mayor, tell us more of the past of England than the spire of Sarem or the martyrdom of Can- terbury."
If we would learn the story of liberty, and of the progress of human- ity in the new world we must enter, as in the old, the streets and lanes, the highways and byways, the parishes, even the old school districts of the old townships ; we must study the history of the men who cut down the forests, subdued the primitive soil, braved the savage, and beat their way up in the teeth of the tempest, for in their hands was the embryo of our country. "The Avon to the Severn runs, the Severn to the sea." And as the old English town lifted the country at large to its own level
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Charles H. Burns
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of freedom and law, so the American towns have worked out the great problems of free government in the United States. They have been the birthplaces, the nurseries, the schools and disciplinarians of the states- men, orators, heroes and philanthropists, who have shaped the principles and established the strength of the government. Every distinctive achievement of the people from the Revolution to the civil war; from the recognition to the abolition of human slavery ; from the union to the disunion of church and state, has originated in, if it has not been, em- phatically determined by the American town. Here the great impulses which have formed the basis of national progress have been inspired and developed. Neither the political nor social history of the American peo- ple can be ascertained or appreciated without knowing the tragic strug- gles and local triumphs of town and municipal life. The town has been the teacher. It is still the steady regulator of the affairs of men.
This is especially true of the New England townships. They were, as a rule, founded, and have been developed by the leaders of American force and thought. Their management, being independent, is typical of that of the nation. Every department of government is shown in the town, and it constitutes a miniature republic.
The selectmen are the executive. Within the limits of their prerog- atives they are a co-ordinate branch of the town government and su- preme.
In the town meeting is assembled the municipal lawmaking power. It is presided over by a moderator chosen by ballot. In the same man- ner the majority elect its rulers, clerk, treasurer, selectmen, and repre- sentatives to the general court. It enacts all the necessary rules and or- dinances for local self-government. The inestimable right of debate no- where prevails with more absolute freedom. Questions great and small are canvassed by oral discussion in open meeting. No credentials except citizenship, and no qualification except the ballot, are necessary to entitle a person to the floor upon any subject which is before the meeting. Some of the most notable discussions of the Revolution were those in the town meetings of Boston and New England. Milford's town meet_ ings have been noted for intelligent debate upon all the topics of the day, and the voice of the town has been felt abroad in the land.
The wide range of subjects treated and disposed of by the town gov- ernment, schools, paupers, highways, libraries, taxation, finance, moral and religious institutions, health, drainage, water supply, protection from fire, transportation, are such as concern the interests, comfort and safety of all the people, and embrace almost every possible phase of the gen- eral government. Their consideration demands thought, deliberation, debate, action, and individual judgment and responsibility. The princi- ples involved, like the magic tent in the fairy tale, may shelter a family, or cover a continent. Nowhere else is the old Greek sentiment that "the shame of the city is the fault of the individual" so clearly apparent. Nowhere else does the American citizen acquire such practical training and equipment for participation in legislative affairs as in meetings of
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this sort. They have been called with truth " the elementary cells and schools of public life." It is also here that the imperial power of the ballot, the rule of the majority, all the rights, privileges and appurten- ances of a pure democratic law-making assembly are exercised, and with the greatest freedom and most marked success.
Is it strange that the intellectual local combats and individual res- ponsibilities have given scores of men a splendid fit for wider fields ? Such experiences and mental training have borne excellent fruit, and con- stitute strength and power in the nation.
The well regulated town has a judicial department with all the ma- chinery necessary to run it. The Justice of the Peace presides over pet- ty trials and is solemnly called "Your Honor." His court is kept in or. der by a deputy sheriff. He is addressed by lawyers generally of local production and logic. They are not unfrequently called to the bench, or become leaders of the bar of the state, or important factors in the Congress of the nation.
Thus in an enterprising and intelligent town is exemplified the whole fabric of our government, and the history of its people for a hundred years is the history of the temper and the struggle of the people of the nation. Each township is a training camp for public servants. Much of the safe- ty of the American Republic lies in this fact. The local government teaches how to manage the general government. Men will neither ap- preciate nor fight for a country they do not know how to govern.
The first settlers of the territory and town of Milford were good men. They were of the English and Scotch-Irish races. In their veins ran the best blood of the Saxon, the Scot and the Celt, the Puritans of Salem, and the Pilgrims of Plymouth. For years they were augmented from time to time with similar races, and they constituted a strong, sen- sible, industrious, virtuous people, such as compose and control the suc- cessful commonwealth. They were farmers and mechanics. They be- lieved in labor, law, and learning. Fortunate indeed was this soil in being early owned and tilled by such hands. Its dedication to the do- minion of free labor, free men and free schools, to honest and persistent toil, exposed it to christian civilization and improvement, and brought it into harmony with a new and glorious era.
The territory was selected and settled as a town on the New Eng- land plan. Its geographical limits were fixed to suit the inhabitants. It was granted from Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The repre- sentatives of its soil, before it became a township, as after, defended it against both the native Indian and the foreign white invader. They fought at Bunker Hill and Bennington, and helped throw overboard the tea in Boston harbor. In the meantime they were laying the founda- tions of a great republic ; rearing families, building homes, churches and schools, and helping along the noble work of establishing a government by the people. In such experiences the nation was born.
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