USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Orford > Centennial celebration of the town of Orford, N.H. : containing the oration, poems and speeches delivered on Thursday, September 7, 1865 : with some additional matters relating to the history of the place > Part 5
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This is a sort of family meeting, and the separated sons and daughters come back and gather around the old hearth-stone to revel for a brief time in the brighter mem- ories of the past, compare that past with the present, and perhaps glance at the future. So this is eminently a social day, and in a social way let its golden hours and opportu- nities be improved and enjoyed.
The sentiment, Mr. President, to which you ask me to respond, speaks of this as our dear old Home. It is dear, dear to all who remember this as their birth place, even though long ago they went forth "in other lands to dwell ;" dear, as the place of our nativity ; dear, because of the associations of youth ; dear, as the home of our fathers, and where many of our kindred dwell; dear, because here sleeps kindred dust, and here are the graves of the beloved who have finished their course on earth. A thousand ties bind us to this goodly town, and will con- tinue to draw us hither while life, and thought, and being shall last. We tread these old familiar places with a thrill of delight. Our hearts grow lighter, and our step more elastic, as we approach these scenes of our youth. The romance of early days comes back again at the sight of what our eyes first beheld of this beautiful world. The power and the charm still remain. We can still sing, with the spirit and the understanding also,-
" How dear to our hearts are the scenes of our childhood ! Each streamlet, each hillock, each mountain and dell; The plain and the meadow, the pasture and wildwood,
And e'en the rude bucket that hangs in the well."
Yes, sir, dear, inexpressibly dear, is the consecrated place. We are almost persuaded to "put off our shoes from our feet," and call this " holy ground " whereon we tread !
" Here we learned to lisp a mother's name, The first beloved in life, the last forgot, And here we spent our frolic youth."
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Indeed is this our dear old home; dear in our earlier years, dear, and forever dear to us all.
The sentiment alludes, also, to the changes that have occurred in all else save the hills and mountains that sur- round us. The truth of this allusion casts the only shadow that rests upon us to-day. The voices of the past preach to us the solemn lessons of change-" that earthly things are mist -- that our joys are but dreams, and our hopes are like shadows in the Summer cloud." Phantoms of the past rise up and move before us here, like a shifting panorama, and then vanish away, leaving only sad memo- ries behind them. We, who left our homes years ago, have, from time to time, been summoned back again to join the funeral march of some loved one to the grave ! We visit those once happy homes, now-alas! how changed ! Vacant places speak with a silent eloquence the heart cannot resist, and dark shadows gather that can be dispersed only by the Christian's faith in Immortality ! The fire-side groups-the home circle-the bright band of youthful associates that often met to chase the golden hours that sped on viewless wings away,-alas ! alas ! how changed ! In some instances they are scattered and alto- gether gone, and to-day they seem to us like " the baseless fabric of a vision, leaving not a wreck behind."
But we turn from these visions of the past, and look upon our native hills and mountains, and these all remain the same. Nature, unchanged, speaks in familiar lan- guage. With a "voice of gladness, and a smile and eloquence of beauty," she welcomes us all home again on this Centennial day. She greets us as she greeted our fathers one hundred years ago. The same hills and moun- tains, meadows, lakes and rivers are ours now, that were theirs a century ago.
I always admired nature's scenery in this grand old town. It was highly commendable to the taste and judge-
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ment of our fathers that they pitched their tents in this beautiful spot in nature. No lovelier place could they have found, no scenery more inviting. What can tran- scend, in beauty, this broad interval, stretching along the western boundary of the town, with the rising back-ground terraced with more than the skill of art, reaching to the foot of the hills and mountains that lift themselves grandly in the distance on the East ; and Fairlee mountain, rugged and rocky on the West, with the most beautiful of all run- ning rivers rolling gracefully between ! A Paradise in Nature !
There stands Mt. Cube, in the easterly portion of the town, a huge Granite pile, just as our fathers saw it a hun- dred years ago. Every thing around its base is changed. Forests have melted away before the woodman's axe, the ploughman's whistle is heard in the cultivated fields, and the song of the harvest home ; but the old bald mountain stands unchanged. I used to climb that mountain once a year, and drink in ineffable delight from the surrounding scenery. When the rough winds blew, on that highest mountain peak " I've laid me flat along," and as "gust followed gust more furiously, threatening to sweep me o'er the brink," lost in wonder and admiration, have felt the truth of the words of the familiar couplet :
" The land torrent and the whirlwind's roar, But bound me to my native mountain more."
And there stands, nearer the central part of the town, Sunday mountain, of traditionary interest to me, because of an old legend that was told me in childhood. My mother told me the story when she wished to convince me of the importance of going to meeting every Sunday.
The legend was something like the following : A man, on Sunday, instead of attending church, as all good people were expected to do, wandered away in the woods, and finally lost himself upon the mountain, where the bears
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caught him, and tore him in pieces,-a solemn warning against all Sunday roving, and in favor of church going on the Lord's day ! From that circumstance the moun- tain received its name, and was ever after called Sunday Mountain.
I have been thinking, Mr. President, that if, in these latter days, all who do not attend church on Sunday should be caught by the bears, the great query might be, where in the wide world could bears enough be found to catch all the delinquent people !
In the northerly portion of the town another mountain looks down upon us as of old. We called it " Grave-stone Mountain." This name was applied to it because of the large quantities of stone from which grave-stones were made, which was taken from its side. I remember well, when, as the evening shadows fell upon that mountain, and gathered around the dark cavern in its side, I imag- ined that was the abode of the " Evil One," and that his majesty sometimes sallied forth to take a survey of his surroundings, and especially to note the localities of the many grave-stones that were taken from under his ever watchful eye. It was a perplexing question with me, upon how many of those tomb-stones that marked the resting places of the dead, could he write-" This one belongs to me ?" But those youthful fancies long since passed away. Other and maturer thoughts and views have taken their places.
Then there is Fairlee mountain on the west, as bold and abrupt as when nature gave it birth, not a hundred years, but countless centuries ago. I remember when I thought that mountain was the most rugged and bold and lofty of any in the world, and that Connecticut river was the largest river in the world. They seemed so to my young and inexperienced vision. That river, if not the largest, is certainly as beautiful as any that flows on to the sea.
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But time will not allow me to say more of what nature has done for this place of our birth ; this chosen spot of our fathers' a century ago, and where they lived and died. How much the sublime and grand scenery of our town had to do in forming the character of her children, we will not pretend to say. But we all know that mountain scenery tends to develop and strengthen the manly virtues of the people. Manly strength and nerve, unyielding integrity and the stern virtues are usually found and nourished amid nature's sublime and rugged forms.
We have an illustration of this truth here to-day ; here is one who has displayed the virtues of patriotism and courage in an eminent degree ; one whom bullets could not kill, else he would have been killed several times during the late war ; one who has faced danger and looked death in the face, unmoved, at his country's call. I allude to Gen. Marston, the President of the Day. He was born and reared under the shadows of Mt. Cube, and how much of the granite in his character was derived from that old mountain he himself cannot tell.
What this splendid scenery has done in giving form and comeliness to the sons and daughters, especially the daugh- ters, of this town I will not attempt to say. But it is proverbial that beauty is communicative. Nature stamps her beauty on all around.
Perhaps I can indicate my meaning. Coming up in the cars yesterday, a stranger from the West accosted me with the remark of inquiry-" What is going on at Orford, for I find that nearly all the passengers aboard are thither bound ?" I replied-" To-morrow is the Centennial day and the people are going home to celebrate the anniver- sary." He continued-" Orford-Orford, what sort of a place is Orford ?" "One of the most beautiful towns upon which the sun ever shone in any land," was my reply. "I might have inferred that," said he, "judging
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from the looks of the ladies !" I commended both his discrimination and judgment. " But what of the men ? " said I, pointing to the Hon. Mr. Wheeler, now of New York, remarking that he was a fair specimen of our side of the house. "Then I can say no less of them than I said of the ladies," he added. I was altogether satisfied, and not a little gratified with this stranger and his remarks.
Mr. President-a most beautiful picture was painted, and framed, and hung up in one of the chambers of mem- ory when I was a boy, that I have carried with me in all, my wanderings since, and have nowhere found its equal. That picture embodies the mountains and hills, the mead- ows, lakes, and rivers ; in short, the entire natural scenery that gives such surpassing beauty to this home of our birth, making it one of the most attractive spots on earth. I have sometimes thought, that, if our first parents could have been placed here, instead of in the old " Garden of Eden," no temptation could have led them into transgres- sion on pain and penalty of ejection from such a Paradise.
The words of the poet, with a little variation, come, with such aptness and force, to my mind, that I must repeat them. Born in this goodly town,-
" Breathes there a man with soul so dead, Who never to himself hath said, This is my own, my native town ! Whose heart hath ne'er within him burned, As home his footsteps he hath turned
From wandering on some distant strand ?"
"If such there be, go mark him well "-but do not write his eulogy, for he deserves no eulogy. Let his very name be forgotten forever from among the sons and daugh- ters of Orford.
I expect to see no hills and mountains so charmingly beautiful as these until I behold the ever lasting hills rising
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from the ever green plains, trod by the shining feet angels, beyond the River.
I expect to see no river like that along which I so ofte strayed in childhood, and bathed in its limpid waters, unt I behold the " River of Life," with its banks of unfadin flowers, glistening amid immortal fields.
I have ever cherished the pleasing anticipation, and hav not relinquished it yet, that when the battle of life sha have been fought and its work done, and the evening retirement shall have come-the evening of reflection an repose ; I shall return here at last, that the same scen( may fade upon my dying eyes, that so delighted me, an enkindled the enthusiasm of my youth.
I close with the following sentiment :
Our native town-Beautiful for situation-our joy an our pride this day ;- let her children multiply, and ma prosperity attend them wherever they may go.
The next sentiment announced was :
" Our Fathers. He who regards not the memory an character of his ancesters, deserves to be forgotten posterity."
John T. Dame, Esq., of Clinton, Mass., was called upd and responded as follows :
MR. CHAIRMAN, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN : The noble se timent to which your kindness has invited me to respon requires no illustration at my hands. The duty of fili respect and reverence is universally acknowledged, it co-existant with humanity, it was enjoined in that ear code promulgated amid the thunder and lightning's Sinai, by the Creator himself, and length of days was tl promised reward of a due observance of its precept The lapse of centuries and the progress of the race civilization and refinement, have not impaired the oblig tions of this Statute ; it still remains unrepealed, in all
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riginal force and power, and we who enjoy the full heridian of the latter part of the nineteeth century, owe ur tribute of respect and reverence to the memory of our athers, as such, not less than those early inhabitants living the dawn of the Mosaic dispensation. If this duty was ) imperatively enjoined and so rigidly enforced in the ase of that stiff-necked and rebellious people, the old ews, how great are our obligations in this respect, who ave such a noble ancestry, and possess as our patrimony, heir free gift, the noblest country, the freest institutions, nd the best government to be found upon the broad arth.
Our fathers were a noble race of men; in them were nited all the substantial virtues requisite to the establish- an ma ient of a powerful, prosperous and enlightened nation. 'hey laid their foundations broad, deep, and firm; their materials were solid, substantial and enduring; and their orkmanship was thorough, finished, and complete. an [ence the corroding hand of time finds no blemish in the oble edifice erected by them ; it still survives, firm and eadfast, amid the fiercest storms and tempests the world potas ever known. The private life of our fathers was a no ss speaking illustration of their many excellencies and rtues. While they practised that industry and economy dispensable to the condition of all pioneer settlers in a ew country, they added a wise forecast and persevering etermination which almost invariably ensured a generous mpetency. They tempered stern Puritanism with a berality, tolerant of the opinions of others, and a life of nowledge and generous culture which placed the school- puse, college and church side by side. With such an icestry, who by such labors and sacrifices have left us so ch a legacy, it is specially incumbent upon us, their ascendants, to honor their memories.
It is for this purpose, I presume, that our mother Orford
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has summoned home all her absent children, to unite with those remaining upon the old Homestead, in celebrating this, her first centennial anniversary. The primary object of this large gathering of the sons and daughters of Orford, I suppose to be, to pass in review some of the more prominent events in her history which have tran- spired during the cycle which has passed, and thus to increase and deepen our feelings of respect and reverence for the memories of our ancestors, the actors in those scenes.
The historical address has given so full and elaborate an account of the earliest settlers, and of the more prominent events in the history of the town, that I shall confine my- self during the short time allotted to me to matters and reminiscences which relate more particularly to my own immediate ancestors. The first of my ancestors who made Orford their home, were about five years subsequent to Mr. Mann. A few settlers had preceded them ; a very slight impression only had been made upon the howling wilder- ness, and their journey up was directed by marked trees, the females on horseback and the males on foot. Their capital stock consisted of strong bodies, a resolute will, sound principles, good common sense and a readiness to adapt themselves to any employment or circumstances which the occasion demanded.
In their case, as in that of all others where such capital has been relied on, failure was impossible, and a respect- able position in society and a pecuniary competency was secured. They were ardent patriots in the times of the revolution, and embarked heartily in the service of their beloved country. The call of that country found my grandfather at church on the Sabbath, whither he had gone with his wife and child, on horseback. He at once responded to the call and set out on his long and toilsome march to join the expedition under Montgomery against
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Quebec, leaving wife, child and horse to get home as they could, and that home to take care of itself. He also par- ticipated in most of the military operations at the north during the war. He was the mason, brick-maker, and shoe-maker for his portion of the town, as well as an extensive farmer, for a great number of years, and was equally successful in all avocations.
My father was a practicing physician here for nearly twenty years, and it was his lot to be in practice during the prevalence of that fatal epidemic, the spotted fever, mentioned in the historical address. As was there stated, in the early stages of this epidemic, every case attended by him as well as by other physicians, terminated fatally, and a general feeling of alarm every where prevailed. At length my grandmother was struck down with the terrible malady, the prescribed course of treatment was adopted and with the same effect. The most eminent counsel was called, but he was no wiser than his less noted professional brother ; his skill was equally at fault, when my father says, " the patient is my mother and she must die under the present course of treatment. I shall therefore take the responsibility of resorting to such remedies as my judgement tells me may be beneficial in the case, although I have no medical authority for such practice." The experiment was made and with complete success. My grandmother recovered, as well as the deacons spoken of by Mr. Mann, also patients of his, and every other person to whom he was called during the prevalence of the dis- ease. Whether the remedies which my father was led to adopt on this occasion had any connection with the observ- ance of the day of fasting and prayer, I shall not pretend to determine, but they were nearly concurrent in point of time. It is a little remarkable that the address, after giving an account of this terrible epidemic and its won- derful suspension immediately after the observance of the
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day of fasting and prayer, should fail to make any mem- tion of the successful efforts of my father in the treatment of the disease. I claim for him the honor of the discovery and successful application of the remedy by which the ravages of this frightful malady were stayed, and many valuable lives saved to themselves and the community.
Many other incidents and reminiscences of my own ancestors, as well as other early settlers not referred to in the address, and equally worthy of remembrance on this occasion, might be related, but I forbear, and will close with the following sentiment :
The early settlers of Orford. While we venerate their memories, let us emulate their virtues.
The next sentiment in order was :
" The town of Orford ; patriotic and steadfast, so may it ever continue."
Eloquently responded to by Rev. Charles B. Dana, of Port Gibson, Mississippi.
" The Common Schools of Orford; may they ever be such as to encircle her name with a halo of Glory."
Very appropriately responded to by Mr. A. B. Palmer, of Orford.
"Our Sabbath Schools; moulding the plastic minds of our youth, so that by divine aid they may become vassels of honor in the christian church."
Responded to by Rev. M. T. Runnells.
" New England in her relations to other parts of this country, and Foreign countries."
It was expected that Rev. D. C. Blood, of Masselon, Ohio, would respond to this sentiment, but he was pre- vented by unforseen circumstances from being present.
" The Common School system as exemplified in our excellent schools. The watch-tower of our liberties ; let that be flourishing and our country is safe."
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Responded to by E. P. Wheeler, Esq., of New York, as follows :
It was no small honor, Mr. President, that was shown to many of us, who are neither natives nor residents of Orford, when we were invited to be present on this joyous occasion. For my own part, I can assign no good reason for my having received such an invitation, except that like so many I see around me, I received part of my education in your Academy. I amnot going to indulge in remin- iscences of that goodly building-now, I am sorry to say, untenanted. The younger of you remember too well to need any reminder, its first principal, Mr. Stevens, and the warm hearted and enthusiastic Hitchcock, who taught better with stammering lips, than most men can with unimpeded tongue. And even the older have not, I am sure, forgotten the Academy boys. I trust it is not only our mischief that they remember.
We are not in a critical mood to-day. And yet I can- not help adverting to the expression we have heard from so many-" Old Orford." Your toasts speak of " Old Orford ; " your speakers unite to call this beautiful village " old." In the cathedrals of England, the sexton, who with glib tongue shows you through the long drawn aisles, and amid the monuments and altar-tombs of the departed ; and who waits at the door for the inevitable shilling when you have completed your visit, would say in one part of the building-" This is old ; this was built in the time of King John or King Edward." And in another part, for those massive structures have grown century after century, like the pines of your own forest,-" This is quite new ; this was built but two hundred or three hundred years ago." And so I say on this first centennial anniversary- . Young Orford. "That which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away." But a better fate is, I trust, in store for you. You are yet in the vigor of youth. No
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man respects the past more than I; it is the chief useful- ness of such celebrations as this, that they bind the past and the present together, and temper our. haste and ardor with the stability of history. But am I rash in saying that the young men, to whom, under God, the welfare of our country for the next thirty years is entrusted, are as active, as vigorous, as trusty, as their sires who cut down the for- ests of this valley and built these fair cottages, these schools, these spires pointing heavenward ? And sure I am that no one who looks about him will assert that the women of to-day are not as lovely, as faithful and as true as their grandmothers of a century ago. Therefore I say it again, it is Young Orford that I love and cherish-young still, though some of her sons have grown old, and some departed to the country of eternal youth.
You have well spoken of Common Schools as the light- house which is to illumine our track over the ocean of the future. In most other countries authority has been grasped by the few. They have feared the people and striven sedulously to keep power from them. Our fathers thought more wisely. They felt that not only property but persons should be protected ; that every man, however humble, had an interest in the welfare of the state, and should have a share in its guidance ; and they established a popular government. But they saw as clearly, that this must be based on intelligence and virtue among the people ; that ignorance would lead to vice, and would plunge itself and the commonwealth headlong into destruc- tion, and they established a new system. Other countries have educated the rich, the powerful, the talented. Uni- versities have been founded elsewhere, and within their walls eminent scholars and great statesmen have been reared. But the founders of our government deserve the immortal honor of having first provided for the education of all. Common schools-free schools-where the poor-
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est may learn, are the characteristic features of American institutions.
And more than this, better than this, those great men- for with and in their simplicity they were truly great- knew well, what we are in danger of forgetting, that man doth not live by bread alone ; that he needs more than a merely intellectual culture. They appreciated human weakness too truly to build the fabric of free government on a merely human foundation. They saw that all that is lasting here, must be firmly bound to the unseen and eter- nal. And they provided for the moral and religious education of the young in their schools, in their colleges and in their churches. Honor, eternal honor, to their memories.
If true to them and to the principles they loved, we stop not where they stopped, but in their own manly and vigorous way develop and complete the work they begun ; we shall rear on the broad and solid foundations they laid for us, a glorious structure, whose pinnacles shall reach to heaven, whose beauty shall be the admiration of the world,-a refuge for the oppressed of every clime,-the home of religion, of law, of constitutional liberty.
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