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 6
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Mr. Wheeler closed by reading the following poem, written by Miss Fanny W. Hall, of Louisville, Kentucky :
A hundred years ago, and where we stand, Gazing to-day on scene so passing fair, Primeval forests rose on either hand- The Indians' haunt, or deadly panthers' lair.
The bright blue river calmly swept along, In silent beauty to the sounding sea; And birds poured forth their morn and evening song, With none to listen to their melody.
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What potent spell hath wrought this wondrous change ? Where the rude wigwam of the Indian stood, 'Mid scenery savage, desolate and strange,
Now rise fair temples, consecrate to God.
Their tapering spires point upward to the sky, Guiding the thoughts of those who worship there To him, the Holy One, who dwells on high, Yet makes our lowly earth his constant care.
Those quiet rural homes ! how fair they stand In clustering beauty round the "village green"; Vain were the search, on distant foreign strand, To find a lovelier, more enchanting scene.
Fond memory brings me back to other days- I see the forms of friends, beloved and true ; While in their earnest, tender eyes I gaze, How vividly the past comes up to view !
I see an ancient, venerable man, The shepherd of his flock; with loving care He led them where the "living waters" ran, And bore them on his heart in faith and prayer.
Just out of sight, hap'ly not far away, His spirit joins us at this festal hour, Mingling his sympathies with ours to-day, Breathing unseen, an influence of power.
Another form appears, erect and tall, Genial and kindly ; round his social hearth Oft gathered, as at joyous festival, Kindred and friends who meet no more on earth.
Where are they now, that happy youthful band? Some still survive and joy to meet us here ; Others are dwellers in the "better land," Far, far above our dim terrestrial sphere.
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That gentle matron, who with such sweet grace Moved noiselessly along her path of love; Methinks I see her now, with beaming face, . Looking from out her glad bright home above.
Oh, blessed memories ! how ye recall
The time when life was young ; nor grief, nor care, Had thrown its shadows o'er us like a pall, But the whole earth was beautiful and fair.
Another generation treads the stage, The worthy sons of sires whose race is run; Long may they live to benefit their age, And dying leave their life-work nobly done.
The fierce convulsion that hath shook our land From centre to circumference, did ye pale Before its terrors ? or with strong right hand Go forth to battle, from your quiet vale ?
"Within these peaceful shades no cannon's roar "Awake the echoes of the hills; the strife "Of battle hath not stirred our quiet shore, "Yet have we given many a precious life,
"In that stern struggle for the truth and right ; "We too have had our martyrs." Oh ! ye brave And noble, who have fallen in the fight For freedom, is not yours an honored grave ?
Around it shall your children gather as a shrine ; Sweet flowers shall bloom in fragrant beauty there; Mothers teach lessons fraught with truth divine, And consecrated with the words of prayer.
And when another century hath passed, Sweet village! may thy course still onward be; And nought thy bright prosperity' o'ercast, Till time is lost in vast eternity.
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Hon. D. E. Wheeler, of New York, presented the fol- lowing resolutions, which were passed unanimously :
MR. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN : I have been requested by a number of the guests who were invited to attend this Centennial, and who are here in honor of that occasion, to present the resolutions I hold in my hand, and by your permission, sir, I will read them, and hope they will be passed unanimously by this large and intelligent audience :
We, the former residents of Orford, received with grati- fication the invitation to attend the Centennial Celebration of the town, evincing as it did, respect for its founders, a kind recollection of us, and the true and just sentiment of those who still reside in this beautiful town :
Therefore, resolved, that we, in behalf of ourselves and those who are unable to be present, extend our heartfelt thanks to the people of Orford for their invitation, and for the hospitality and generous reception they have given us.
Resolved, that the committee who have had the manage- ment of this Centennial, have richly earned for themselves the praises of us all, for the admirable manner in which they have performed their various and arduous duties.
Resolved, that the ladies of Orford have done their full share, as they always do, in making this occasion a joyous one, by their presence and by the elegant and sumptuous feast they have provided, unconsciously showing them- selves worthy of being the daughters of their bold and intrepid Fathers and Mothers.
Resolved, that the thanks of this large audience be ten- dered to Rev. Joel Mann, for his eloquent and beautiful historic Oration, and that he be requested to furnish a copy for publication.
These resolutions speak the sentiments of those, whose agent I am in presenting them, and I believe they express the sentiments of every person who has honored himself
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by being here as your guest, and all others present must be sensible of their truth, their appropriateness. I cer- tainly feel that the sentiments here expressed are justly due, and should the interesting features of this day close without their unanimous adoption, those present would not do themselves justice, or those to whom we are all so much indebted.
We have returned to this beautiful town at this time, as your guests, and the greeting we have received is worthy of all praise from us, and worthy of the committees ; of the ladies of Orford.
Sir, when we accepted the invitation of your committee to unite with you in closing the first century of Orford's history, and ushering in the morn of its second century, no one of us, I am sure, expected to see, to hear, to know what we have all seen, heard and known. We knew we should be made welcome, that we should meet fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters, but we did not know, and could not know, that the scenes of to-day would be so full of all that is good. Most of us left Orford in early life, and each with an individual purpose, and during that absence we have severally passed the incidents of life as they have been meted out to us by the Ruler of us all. We have returned, at a common call, to take part in this day's celebration. In our various wanderings we have found no place like this. Its foundation, its early history, have been given us by the reverend gentlemen who deliv- ered the centennial. Well may we all be proud of this foundation, this history. Its founder was a Mann of edu- cation, of integrity, of indomitable energy, and his perse- verence knew no wavering. His personal history com- pletes the life of a good and brave man, and that of his wife, that she was a crown to her husband; that of Morey, Simpson, Pratt, Britton, Wilcox, Storey, Sawyer, Marston, Wheeler, Howard, Strong, Tillotson and others that were
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worthy followers of him who sought out this spot, where no culture had opened its bosom to the warmth of the sun; no ax laid to the root of the tree for the path of civilza- tion, and no dwellings for shelter in the storm, and no cat- tle upon its hills for the comfort and joy of its proprietors. Then desolation only was the companion of nature, and its winds and its storms whistled and edied around the wild mountain, across the river, and nestled among the lofty pines upon its banks, and the dense forests of oak, elm and maple upon the hills. The labor of these men and their comrades, laid bare the plains, and cut the trees from the hills, and opened them to the sun, to man, to civ- ilization.
I well remember in one of my visits here, I met Wash- ington Irving, and who, when looking across the Connec- ticut upon the bold mountains on the West, the soft undu- lating surface of the North, the high, swelling hills of the East, and the quiet, distant South, along the valley of the river, said, "in all my travels in this country and in Eu- rope, I have seen no village more beautiful than this. It is a charming place-nature has done her utmost here." Never, to my mind, were these simple words of Irving so The eloquent as now. It is indeed a beautiful place. roads have been moulded into streets-the paths into wide, generous walks-the trees of these men's planting have attained a magnificent growth, and they are now full of au- tumnal beauty, and yet they were so skilfully planted as not to shade too much by their large, massive, leafy bur- dens, the streets they were intended to ornament and shade.
More than this : more dear to us than all this, is the spot where the grave yard was made. This has been enlarged, ornamented, cared for and changed from the quiet neglect- ed spot, into a beautiful unpretending cemetery. Here rest the earthly remains of youthful friends, brothers, sis- ters, fathers and mothers. They have all been tenderly
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cared for, while we have been absent. Hallowed place ! God bless the living who have made this spot a sweet cheer- ful place for the rest of those who have here ceased from their labors, having done their work well.
Hearts, living hearts, that have nurtured the thoughts, which led the hands to make and perpetuate all these things, have called us here and greeted us with kindness, and invited us to this beautiful, this inimitable feast. They have spread these tables upon the play ground of our child- hood, under this vast canopy of man's make, sufficient to protect thousands from the rays of the sun or the storms of the heavens, and seat all of us within its white and am- ple folds-with food and luxuries surpassing in variety, in goodness, anything that a city could furnish-unless some Delmonico, or Maison Doree, were called upon to provide. The tables were set and dinner all provided by the Ladies of Orford, they severally bringing to this common board the good things of their several housholds. To them, for such a feast, the thanks of us all are due and tendered. We have come home, some of us after a long wandering, and have personally seen, known much beyond the incidents of this beautiful village. Our efforts and energies have been tasked, and the rewards of these labors have been as vari- ous as have been our personal experience ; but I think we can all say, that had we remained here, cultivated the best of our natures, and performed all the duties which would have been imposed upon us, that life would have been more happy, and our lot more full of blessings. We have seen more, tasted of more ; but it is very doubtful whether we have not lost more than we have gained. It is by no means certain, that the additional fruits we have eaten, have not added to the seriousness, the sadness of life. There are charms of home, innocence of the fireside, which were more or less lost as we left the smoke of the chimnies of our father's house.
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For one, I would advise the young men to exert them- selves to their utmost for happiness, for improvement, for great culture, at home. Remain here, and gather all the sweets this beautiful field yields to your minds, to your hearts. Life is short, and it is all we can have here. Take its best, and leave out the sorrows, the sadness, Yes, young men of Orford, if you ask me the result of my wan- derings-and I have known life's varieties - I would say, stay at home, in the midst of these beauties, these luxu- ries, in this charming spot. And to the young ladies-if I do not trespass upon forbidden ground, I would say-kin- dle in your own hearts, and in those of the young gentle- men around you, a love of home, a passion for these fields, these hills, these mountains, and these rivers and cooling streams. None are more healthful, none more pure, none more delightful, for the lovers of man-the lovers of God. Be satisfied with your present surroundings. You may be told of distant advantages, distant cities, distant homes ; but be satisfied.
Let me call your attention to the resolutions I have read, and, Mr. President, allow me again to read them. We, who have come here to-day, feel that they should be passed-passed unanimously. They are a faint utterance of our hearts. We ask you all to again hear them, to approve them, and join us in passing them, and if you will allow me, Mr. President, I will read them, and put the question on their adoption myself.
The resolutions were then read by Mr Wheeler, and the question was put on their adoption, and they were unan- imously adopted in the midst of roars of approbation.
Henry H. Howard, Chairman of Committee of Arrange- ments, responded as follows :
MR. PRESIDENT : As Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements, perhaps I should say something in response to one of the resolutions just passed. I hardly know
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whether to thank those who voted for it, or my good friend who so adroitly shoved it through by attaching it to one in favor of the ladies, which no one who has not a gizzard in- stead of a soul, would vote against. It looks very much as though he thought the thing a failure, and has taken this course to save the feelings of an old friend. I can but thank him for coming to the rescue. Perhaps he may be excused, as we were boyhood friends, and " there are no friends like old friends." He went out from among us many years since to seek fame and fortune for himself, and I though, as his colossal form stood before us, that if his intellectual had kept pace with his physical formation, he must have a very capacious mind, which none will doubt who have listened to his eloquent and appropriate remarks. And you will agree with me that he is one of the big men of the Empire City.
Excuse me if I speak of another boyhood friend by my side, Rev. Charles P. Dana, of Mississippi, who has been a resident of the South for many years. We are glad to greet him to-day, and to know that he has not seceded from his birth place, and is loyal to old Orford. He is a fac similie of his father, good parson Dana of blessed mem- ory. Methinks I see him with his commanding presence and his rich, bass voice, standing in that high pulpit, with the big sounding board over head ; the audience seated below in those box pews with seats hung with hinges, and when the amen was said, came down with a clatter which reminded one of a nail factory. And the old horse-block, at the door outside, was as much a fixture as the pulpit, riding being done mostly on horse-back, the lady on the billion behind, with her arm around the gentleman. Such proceeding these days would make a bachelor's heart pal- itate. Boys then had some bumps of reverence, and took ff their hats to the minister, and honored their parents ccasionally. I am sorry to say there are but few boys in
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these days. Before they have hardly arrived at the pin-feath- er age, they are Young America, and call their fathers the " old man." By a singular coincidence, there are four of us here, side by side, who were boys together, within a stone's throw of this spot, considerably more than a half century since. Here in life's bright morning, we joined in the sports and pastimes of youth; climbed these grand old hills; swam the beautitul Connecticut; hunted the squirrels and partridges, and trapped the woodchuck .- I want to ask the boys if they recollect "Uncle Abel," that genial old gentleman who used to tend the Falls gate at the bridge ? how we used to trot across it in the evening, and make the old gentlemen open the big gate, thinking a team was coming, and ought to have had our ears pulled for our impudence ? how he used to pay us ninepence a day to turn his wheel to twist ropes? bought our wood- chuck skins at ninepence for black ones, and fourpence half-penny for grey ones ?
This boy, Charles, said to me one day, "Harry, there is a woodchuck's hole under a stump at the corner of the bur- rying yard-I saw the woodchuck go in." I went to the place, and set my trap-putting a tall weed in the chain, so I could tell whether it had sprung without going to it. Passing up the road the next day, I saw the weed was down, and scrambling up the hill, found the trap drawn in, began pulling it out. Something black appeared .- Said I, there is a black woodchuck, and a ninepence .- Another pull, and something white came to view, and a perfume which put Lubin's extract and balm of a thousand flowers, entirely in the shade. I left, but the perfume fol- lowed.
Some may think I compromise my manhood by these boyish reminiscences. We are all young to-day, and have come up here to live over in imagination, the loves, hopes and fears of childhood and youth; to call to mind dear old
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home scenes, when gathered around the family hearth- stone, we shared the affection of dear brothers and sisters, the care and blessing of a father, and the outgushing, un- faltering love of a mother, who found excuses for us when we could find none for ourselves. We may be pardoned if we are a little jubilant to-day. I must say that I feel good all over, and if my arms were as long as my fraternal feel- ings are ardent, I would embrace this whole family-ladies and all, provided they did not object, and these husbands and brothers were willing. How glorious this interview ! The sunny South, the mighty West-the East and the North, are represented here, by returning sons and daughters,- Gladly do we welcome them, and here to-day, on this fra- ternal altar, we lose all sectional, political and personal differences. How sweet the incense ! May this re-union make our charity more diffusive, and bind us firmer in fra- ternal bonds.
The shadows are lengthening, and our long to be re- membered Centennial day will soon close, and we shall part, never all to meet again on earth, as one by one we cross the dark river, as our fathers have done before us .- May we leave as glorious and untarnished a record as have those whose memory we have met this day to commemo- rate.
Begging you will excuse these rambling remarks, I wish to say a word about the resolutions. I believe the vote was a true expression of the feelings of those present. I can only say, that if the efforts of the committee meet the approbation of our fellow-townsmen, and has given pleas- ure to our numerous friends present, our highest ambition is gratified. But it is not by what we have done that suc- cess has been attained ; but by the efforts and encourage- ment of the liberal, enterprising and energetic citizens of Orford. I would not neglect to say in this connection, that the committee are under great obligations to Rev. M. P.
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Runnels, for valuable suggestions and untiring assistance from the conception of this enterprise to its culmination in this centennial gathering. But above all, and more than all, are we under obligation to the ladies ; but I need not speak for them-they speak for themselves in these artistic and beautifully arranged tables, so gratifying to the eye, and so sumptuously furnished.
They have done honor to themselves, and to the town. God bless them, for they are always first and foremost in every good word and work, and when we have their ap- probation and co-operation, we are always sure the enter- prise in hand will be successfully accomplished.
Now, Mr. President, I propose three cheers for the ladies -- none of your little clapping of hands concern, but those which come from the very bottom of the heart, and none will be excused but those who have never had a sister or a mother.
The President then called for three cheers for the ladies, which were given with a will.
Three cheers were then proposed for Mr. Howard, which were given, the ladies joining heartily.
It was here announced that Mr. Howard declined serv- ing on the committee at the next Centennial celebration. It was also suggested that the probable reason of his decli- nation was, that he expected to get married before that time, and might be busily engaged in the cares and duties of a young and growing family.
VOLUNTEER SENTIMENTS.
BY REV. B. M. TILLOTSON-" To the Children at Home .- Wanderers from our father's house, we come back to-day to extend to you our heartiest greetings, and while we ask not rings for our fingers, nor shoes for our feet, we are exceedingly happy to partake of the fatted calf which we are quite sure has been killed for this occasion."
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" The early settlers of Orford .- May the fabric of their ambition and valor ever be preserved sacred in the mem- ory of their sons and daughters."
"The American Flag .- A century ago not thought of ; four-fifths of a century ago disputed and derided as a piece of striped bunting ; four years ago trailed in the dust by the traitor's hand ; now waving triumphantly and gloriously over thirty-six free states at home, and invoked as a barrier against oppression and tyranny abroad."
" Our brave citizen Soldiers .- We welcome you home from the fields of victory to the blessings of peace."
" Woman .- Forming the mind and character of youth, smoothing the asperity of manhood and soothing the infirmity of age ; her intellectual and moral culture is the best guarantee for the welfare and happiness of ourselves and those who come after us."
BY REV. B. M. TILLOTSON-"Fathers, Mothers, Sisters, Brothers, of the Past and the Present ;- while we hold in fond affection the memory of the dead, let our hearty good wishes and most fervent prayers ascend for the welfare of the living."
The President now called A. S. Wheeler, Esq., of Bos- ton, to the Chair, who made brief and appropriate remarks.
TOAST-" The Old Gentleman in specs."
RESPONSE. 1
What thrilling memories of the past That once familiar name evokes !
Of friends whose love through life shall last,
Their greetings warm, their hearty jokes!
2 I hear the music of the "Band,"
Which charmed the listening throng around ;
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Or, packed in horse cart, four-in-hand, I see them on excursion bound ;
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O'er the wheels swaying, to and fro, Piled on the top in careless heaps, While recklessly our driver Joe Plunged on the gallop down the steeps.
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Arises to the fancy's sight Our leader's form, august and fat, While towers to a loftier height, Our tall but modest "first B flat."
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Return the Bass Horn's ready jest ; The corn-field hunt for shy raccoon ; The suppers rare, enjoyed with zest, Where Charlie bade us "pitch the tune."
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Still further back my memory strives, Where earlier, younger scenes arise ; The school-house, where our boyish knives Carved, in our desks, the traps for flies ;
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Where clustering curls, and beaming eyes, Still drew our truant thoughts to those Who since assume the matron's guise, Or 'neath the turf in peace repose;
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The old store door, and butternut tree, From which we crossed the old "wolf's" den, And all the boys combined in glee To catch "Blind Stag" or bigger "Ben";
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The church, where o'er the preacher's head The threatening "sounding-board" on high Warned him, like Damocles, to dread Swift vengence, should he dare to lie ;
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The spell-match, where some winter's day, Joe Hancock, and one near his age, Would spell down all the school's array, And long these two contest the stage.
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Ah! now, though forest, lake and hill Forbid his hand in mine to clasp, 'Twould wake the old, the joyous thrill To meet his once familiar grasp.
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There, in the village store, a youth, Where customers were few or far, Would slily feed his dainty tooth With sweeties from the candy jar.
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The full molasses hogshead, whose Slow running more than once betrayed The clerk to leave it, over shoes Upon the floor a deluge made.
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Old Mount Moriah's rocky crest We oftimes would panting climb, And view the lovely scene at rest, The peaceful stream, the hills sublime.
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The memory fondly lingers still
Where thoughtless boyhood roved and played ;
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While sunshine bathed each wood and hill, And sweetly wooed the forest shade.
16 Old scenes ! old friends ! at your recall My heart is full, my eyes run o'er ! May happiness rest with you all,
As in the past, till time's no more !
LETTERS.
Then were numerous letters read, which had been received by the committee from those unable to be pres- ent.
BOSTON, July 26, 1865.
Henry H. Howard, Esq .- Dear Sir :- I received your kind invitation to be present at the approaching Centen- nial Festival in my native town, and should enjoy the oc- casion very much ; but, unfortunately, I find myself una- ble to be present at the time. I have, however, prepared a versified response to a Toast, supposed to be offered in my remembrance ; and I ask of you the personal favor to read it yourself on the occasion. What little merit it may have, will be dependent, mainly, upon its being read well. I do not know of any one who will do it justice, except yourself. Some of the reminiscences may awake a smile, and some of them are saddening, even to tears. Of the ludicrous recollections, the one which dwells most strong- ly in my memory, is that of the spilt molasses. That re- ally sticks.
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