USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Concord > History of Concord, New Hampshire, from the original grant in seventeen hundred and twenty-five to the opening of the twentieth century, Volume II > Part 47
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1125
POLITICAL AND PUBLIC EVENTS AT THE CAPITAL.
Although Concord was doing its utmost to support the war, and while taxation was pressing upon the people as never before, the question of contributing money with which to remodel the capitol was favorably received, but when Concord realized that the question was by no means the simple one of making repairs, but meant the moving of the capitol itself, public feeling was deeply stirred. Long before the meeting of the legislature of 1864, every one throughout the state had discussed the project, and it had become clear that in any event the state treasury was to be spared any depletion owing to the rivalries between two cities, both desirous to be the capital.
The city government voted on May 23d to appropriate the sum of one hundred thousand dollars to carry out the purpose expressed in the legislative act of 1863, this sum to be raised by the seven wards then comprising the city, and to be expended as the legislature should direct. It was also voted to lay out a new street south of the state house. The citizens held numerous meetings to discuss the ways and means. A committee comprising twenty prominent men was chosen, and in their hands was left the entire management of the matter. Richard Bradley, long a town leader, but now an old man, moved his hearers at one of the citizens' meetings by narrating the story of the town's growth since his boyhood, which was con- temporaneous with the ereetion of the state house in 1816; how he had watched the sparsely settled village street become a compact place of stores and shops, how he had seen the small population in- crease to many thousands, and how he had lived to sec his native town become distinguished and flourishing, and he attributed much of all this prosperity, he said, to the state house and its associa- tions. Mr. Bradley infused courage and spirit into the question and its bearings, and urged his fellow-citizens to leave undone nothing that could possibly avert the threatened loss. In the meantime, Manchester came forward with a vote of her city council, offering the sum of five hundred thousand dollars provided the capitol should be removed thither.
At length the legislature assembled. Joseph A. Gilmore was gov- ernor and William E. Chandler speaker, both citizens of Concord. It now began to be discovered that the merits of the case were to play a minor part, and that the question of location, centralness, railroad accessibility, and sound business reasons was to be subordinated to the sordid competition of money. It was no longer a request on the part of New Hampshire calling on Concord to remodel and enlarge the state house, for Concord had already met that request by vot- ing a hundred thousand dollars for that purpose, but the question had become, through the enticement of Manchester, a very different one.
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HISTORY OF CONCORD.
Unfortunately, the whole matter was fast assuming the conditions of an auction. Unpleasant and uncalled for as such a situation was, Concord had to meet it and, if possible, to overcome it.
An energetic and influential committee, comprising Onslow Stearns, Nathaniel White, Asa Fowler, John Kimball, Richard Bradley, Joseph B. Walker, Nathaniel G. Upham, Moses T. Willard, Shadrach Seavey, George Hutchins, Jolin L. Tallant, and others, had the interests of Concord in charge and they performed well their difficult work. The counsel for Concord were Ira Perley and John H. George, who be- tween them embodied the knowledge and the practice of the law in a perfection unsurpassed among their contemporaries. In due time the counsel submitted to the legislature the carefully prepared agree- ments and specifications on the part of Concord.
Judge Perley and Colonel George never for a moment lost sight of the merits of the question, but reiterated constantly the advan- tages of Concord respecting location, population, social and business conditions, and the absence of large controlling corporations; and they dwelt particularly upon the contributions of early Concord to secure the capitol, and upon the greater contributions of later Con- cord for railroad facilities whereby Concord should be made accessible from all parts of the state. Attention was also directed to the pub- lic institutions assembled at the capital, and especial emphasis was laid on the fact that no section of the state had ever found fault with Concord, or had suffered any inconveniences because of its pos- session of the state house, and the counsel closed with a protest against turning a grave state question into a contemptible matter of bargain and sale. The specifications further pointed out that Man- chester was alone in asking for the removal, that Manchester was built by Massachusetts money and was likely to be controlled by it, that it contained one predominant industry representing many million dollars, and that that industry was likely to demand special legisla- tion; that its future growth combined with the removal of the state house, would destroy all balance of political power; that the bid of five hundred thousand dollars was a dangerous fact as bearing on special and local legislation which might be asked for by way of reimbursement; that the bid did not mean that the entire sum should be used in erecting a new capitol, but only such part of it as a joint committee of Manchester and the legislature might determine; and finally that the geographical situation of Manchester was nineteen miles from the state line on the south, sixty-five miles on the west, and one hundred and fifty miles from Coos.
The specifications were comprehensive and clear. No member eould misunderstand their meaning. The sentiment among the rep-
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POLITICAL AND PUBLIC EVENTS AT THE CAPITAL.
resentatives was undoubtedly favorable to keeping the capitol where it was; not one in three of the members felt that it ought to be moved. Had the question been merely a choice between Concord and Manchester, the former city would have won handsomely, but no such bare question presented itself. The truth was that the question resolved itself into an attempt to see how much Concord would give in order to retain its ancient honors. The architect to whom the prep- aration of plans had been given was Gridley J. F. Bryant of Boston, who exhibited three plans differing materially in design, construction, and cost. After careful consideration the plan known as number two was adopted. But to carry out the details of the plan involved far more than the one hundred thousand dollars voted by Concord, -in fact, one hundred and fifty thousand was the estimate. Where- upon a citizens' meeting was immediately held, which voted to raise the additional amount and charge it on the property situated within the so-called gas precinct, which in 1864 embraced Wards four, five, and six, and a part of Ward seven. Although this action was wholly a personal one, the exigencies of the case demanded promptness and decision, in order that the legislature might be assured of Concord's willingness to accept plan number two. In case the city government did not ratify this action, a bond was signed by a hundred leading citizens, each pledging himself to pay such additional sum over and above his taxes as might be necessary to raise the fifty thousand dol- lars, each to pay in proportion to the taxes assessed upon him in the year 1864.
Those who recall the surroundings of the old state house at that time will remember the condition of the yard on the south line, where only a stout stone wall separated it from private property which was for the most part unsightly and undesirable. At the corner near Main street were the ruins of Sanborn's block,-de- stroyed by fire a few months before,-while westerly to State street were stables, sheds, work-shops, and back yards, with one or two respectable dwelling-houses. The effect of a street cut through this property, giving to the capitol a wide street boundary on every side, was recognized, and official action had already been taken to carry out the improvement. This act was a popular one, considered in con- nection with the greater question of the capitol, and the city coun- cils had promptly responded to the sentiment of the people by voting to lay out the thoroughfare now known as Capitol street. The novelty of the state house contest attracted as much attention among the public as the grave questions arising out of the Rebellion, and sev- eral weeks were spent in private and public discussions and in bring- ing to bear every possible influence calculated to have weight with the legislature.
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HISTORY OF CONCORD.
At last, on June 29th, the two houses met in committee of the whole to listen to the speeches of counsel. For Manchester appeared Lewis W. Clark of that city and William H. Burns of Lancaster, a distinguished lawyer and a prominent Democrat, while for Con- cord were Ira Perley and John H. George. The arguments occupied several hours, and were listened to with the deepest interest. The committee then rose. From this time on the "state house question " was frequently before the house, and many were the speeches made by the advocates of the rival cities. Conspicuous among those speaking in favor of Concord were William E. Chandler, Asa P. Cate of Northfield, Samuel M. Wheeler of Dover; Samuel H. Quincy of Rumney ; Frank J. Eastman of Littleton; Levi W. Bar- ton of Newport; Malachi F. Dodge of Londonderry ; Josiah A. Hurd of Plaistow ; Henry P. Rolfe of Concord; and David T. Parker of Farmington ; while favoring Manchester were James O. Adams, Stephen G. Clark, and William Little, all of that city. One of the most telling speeches was that made by Mr. Quincy. "The whole question," said he, "has been covered with matters of detail, when the real question is, Where shall the state capitol be? Settle that point and the matter of cupola, committee rooms, and halls will be adjusted. If the public good demands no change, then the Manchester proposition ought not to be accepted though she should crect a building of such wondrous beauty that Americans from the two oceans should make yearly pilgrimages to gaze upon it. Let us not degenerate the high office of legislators by receiving the ministra- tions of selfishness and cupidity. Certainly we should not change without the most cogent and convincing reasons."
Concord was fortunate in having in the speaker's chair so able and clear-headed a son as William E. Chandler, whose specch before the committee was strong and unanswerable. Comparing Concord's offer with that of Manchester, he said : "Has this latter city offered more than this? If she should offer to build precisely the same building as Concord, and pay one hundred thousand dollars into the treasury for public purposes, you would not listen to the proposal. The moment you require more than is sufficient, you are putting your capitol up at auction and setting an example of extravagance." The speeches were of remarkable excellence, and nothing was ยท uttered calculated to wound or prejudice. In the arguments of Judge Perley and Colonel George the friends of Concord found exceeding pleasure and satisfaction, and to their efforts much of the subsequent victory was attributable. As the session wore on the weight of public opinion steadily settled on Concord, for outside of Manchester, there were but few towns that considered a change as
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POLITICAL AND PUBLIC EVENTS AT THE CAPITAL.
needed or advisable, and had the question been free from the glitter- ing and illusive indueement of half a million dollars offered by that eity, the final vote would have been overwhelmingly one way. As it was, the aet to continue the capitol at Coneord passed to its third reading in the house by 179 to 98, while in the senate the vote was nearly unanimous.
The aet contained several elauses respecting the plan, the making up of committees and other details, and ended as follows: "That on or before August fifteenth, 1864, the new highway [Capitol street] fifty-two feet wide, on the southerly side of the State House yard shall be opened for public travel, and provided also that on or before the said fifteenth day of August the city of Concord shall furnish satisfactory security to the committee that said eity will, before the first day of June, 1865, construet and complete in all respects, ready for use, and without expense to the state, a State Capitol upon the plan provided for, constructed and finished for use upon the site of the present State House. Said eity of Concord shall furnish said building completed without expense to the state of New Hampshire, upon the understanding and condition that said eity shall not at any time hereafter apply to said state to refund the money expended therefor or any part thereof."
The committee on the part of Coneord consisted at first of Asa Fowler, Onslow Stearns, Joseph B. Walker, John Kimball, and John L. Tallant, but business reasons rendering it inconvenient for those citizens to serve, another committee was substituted. This com- mittee comprised Nathaniel G. Upham, Moses T. Willard, Shadrach Seavey, George Hutchins, and John L. Tallant.
The expenses put upon Coneord were as heavy as they were in- equitable, and added to the outlay incurred on account of the Rebel- lion imposed a burden upon the citizens grossly out of proportion to the taxable wealth of the eity, which in 1864 was not five million dollars. However, no one held back; all cheerfully pressed forward to keep Coneord as the capital of the state.
The first condition entailed by the recent aet was the opening of the new street at the specified time in August, and there were not wanting enemies of Concord who fervently hoped that the street obstacle could not be overcome. But everybody went to work: lands and buildings were bought or condemned, teams of horses and oxen, and workmen with derricks, spades, and piekaxes, fell with vigor upon the site. Prominent citizens lent their help; the work went on by torchlight ; even the Sabbath was made secular by shouts and noises never heard before in Concord on that day. At the extreme westerly end of the new thoroughfare stood a dwelling whose owner was loth
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HISTORY OF CONCORD.
to sell, and threatened injunction ; the situation was dangerous, inas- much as the law might defeat the whole capitol question by retard- ing the opening of the street, but Mayor Benjamin T. Gale and his stout advisers, recognizing what was at stake, moved the obstructing house on Sunday when no court was sitting. The buildings were soon out of the way, and nothing remained but filling in and grading. All that Sabbath day and night relays of workmen plied their tools. Not a moment was given to rest, the excitement was intense, crowds watched the progress of the work. The highway must be open on or before August 15th, said the aet, and with the ringing of church bells, the blowing of factory and railroad whistles, and the roaring of cannon, the street was formally opened to the public at 9 o'clock in the morning of Monday, the fateful 15th. The other conditions were performed according to the direction of the commissioners, and in due season the new state house was enlarged, finished, and fur- nished by the people of Concord. The outlay had been large, for, including the street, the cost was nearly two hundred thousand dollars, every dollar of which bore interest at six per centum; so that when the last state house bond was paid in 1896, the total cost to Concord was a hundred and fifty thousand dollars more than the first estimates, or not far from three hundred and fifty thousand dol- lars. The repairs on the eapitol were not completed in time for the annual session of 1865, so the mayor prepared the city hall building for state purposes. The city hall itself was transformed into a repre- sentatives' hall, the speaker, clerks, and reporters having seats at the east side of the room, while at the west a raised platform covered with settees did service for a public gallery. The body of the hall was the floor of the house. The senate held its sessions in the county court-room above, the secretary of state and the adjutant-gen- eral had quarters in the rooms of the eity government, while the governor and his council occupied the old public library on the upper floor.
In accordance with the prevailing custom, Concord followed the example of other eities throughout the land with ceremonics appropri- atc to the death of Abraham Lincoln. The commemorative cxcreises were inaugurated and carried out in unison by state and city, and attracted a large attendance from all parts of New Hampshire. Never . before had the people of Concord beheld so great a display of dra- peries and habiliments of mourning as the streets presented during the week of that touching service. Nearly every house had its black streamers, and public edifices, business blocks, shops, factories, and schoolhouses, were draped during that solemn period. Thursday, June 1st, 1865, was the day appointed for the memorial observances,
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POLITICAL AND PUBLIC EVENTS AT THE CAPITAL.
and a fairer and sweeter day never came from the skies. Adjutant- General Natt Head was chief marshal. No procession ever moved through Concord streets composed so variedly as this one. The Governor's Horse Guards, Henry O. Kent commanding, led the way. Then followed soldiers lately returned from war, bearing their scorched and tattered battle-flags, then came the heavy artillery with rumbling guns and caissons, escorting the somber catafalque. Heavily draped with festoons and great rosettes, with fold upon fold of crape droop- ing from the canopy to the sides, the catafalque, strewn with wreaths and flowers, presented a spectacle as impressive as it was affecting. Drawn by six white horses, the funeral car symbolized the veritable bier of the martyred dead, and at its approach men uncovered in profoundest reverence.
Following the funeral car marched battalions of veterans, and after them came the Strafford Guards of Dover, the Granite State Guards of Nashua, the Amoskeag Veterans, Governor Gilmore and staff, the orator of the day, United States Senator James W. Patterson, car- riages with public officials, the judges, the Free Masons, the Odd Fellows, the city government, St. Patrick's society, a company of Dartmouth students, boys of St. Paul's School, students of the Com- mercial college, the Concord Lancers and the Lincoln Cadets, school children, and a long line composed of every trade and calling. To the strains of the dead march, played in turn by many bands, the great procession wound slowly through the principal streets, the march consuming two hours. In the state house park a spacious platform canopied with flags held the governor and invited guests, while on rows of raised seats sat the school children wearing the emblem of mourning on their arms.
Silently the vast audience pressed closely round the platform, remaining until the close. The governor presided, assisted by a vice- president from each county. The exercises opened with a dirge by Hall's band; then a chant by the school children, led by Benja- min B. Davis and John II. Morey. President Smith of Dartmouth offered prayer ; then followed a requiem by the band. The oration was delivered by Senator Patterson, and the services closed with the sing- ing of America and a benediction by Dr. Burroughs of Portsmouth.
In August, 1869, Concord was honored by a visit from President Grant. The coming of this distinguished man was of an informal nature, for few knew of it; consequently no preparation had been made to welcome him. The president, his wife, daughter and son, Jesse, with Governor Boutwell and Mr. Hoar, members of his cab- inet, and General Horace Porter, private secretary, comprised the party. The president was on his way to the White Mountains and
.
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HISTORY OF CONCORD.
had no intention of breaking the journey at Concord, but yielding to the persuasion of his friend, Governor Stearns, he consented to remain over night in the capital eity. A few hours' notiee, however, gave time to assemble a large crowd in Railroad square, which cheered heartily on the arrival of the train soon after noon. Escort was per- formed by the Mt. Horeb commandery, attended by the old Brigade band, the president riding in a barouehe drawn by four horses, and accompanied by Governor Stearns, ex-Governor Harriman, and Col- onel Mason W. Tappan, of the governor's staff.
The procession went directly to the state house, the president on the arm of the governor, passing through the open ranks of the Templars, and proceeded to a platform that had been built over the steps. The grounds were soon filled with spectators, who gazed with almost reverence at the hero of the Rebellion, then so fresh in the public mind. Governor Stearns welcomed General Grant and intro- dueed state and city officials. Mayor Lyman D. Stevens addressed the guest as follows :
MR. PRESIDENT :- I am charged with the agreeable duty of asking in behalf of the government and people of this city your acceptance of its hospitalities, and extending to you a most eordial welcome to the capital of the state. Our rural city may not possess features of strik- ing interest, but it is not without its attractions, and it will be found the abode of an intelligent, industrious, and thrifty population.
In the one hundred and forty-four years since its history began Coneord has always made prompt responses to calls of patriotism, and she never failed or faltered in giving its full measure of devotion to the principles of free government and the maintenance of the Union. We should, therefore, be untrue to ourselves if we do not hail with highest gratification the presence of the chief magistrate of the nation, endeared to us in war and peace as the foremost defender of the home and our inalienable rights.
Permit me, sir, to repeat the assurance of the most hearty weleome, and to express the hope that your brief visit may not be without pleasure to yourself.
One of the marked characteristies of General Grant was his ex- treme reticence about public speaking. Simple acknowledgment was generally the extent of his utterances on occasions like this, so the surprise was great when the general indulged in a long speech, as he measured speeches, and replied to the mayor's weleome :
MR. MAYOR :- I am heartily glad to visit the Granite state and its eapital. This is the first time I have ever been able to come within your borders. I regret that I cannot make a longer stay and view your beautiful scenery. I thank you for your kind words of welcome.
For an hour or more the people filed past the president and shook his hand, after which the party repaired to the residence of the gov-
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POLITICAL AND PUBLIC EVENTS AT THE CAPITAL.
ernor, where later in the day a few officials and citizens dined with the distinguished visitors.
During the evening people gathered before the Stearns man- sion, where the Brigade band gave a serenade, and in response to calls the president came upon the balcony and bowed repeatedly. Before the president left Concord he was treated to an extensive drive about the city by Nathaniel White, whose love for horses was equal to that of his companion. In the morning the presidential party departed for the White Mountains on a special train.
Ex-President Pierce, after a long illness, passed away at his home on South Main street Friday, October 8th, 1869. Fitting honors were paid to his memory by the authorities at Washington, and in other places throughout the country. In Concord feeling allusions were made in the churches, for the community was saddened by his decease. The obsequies occurred on Monday. Business was sus- pended, the public schools closed, and the state house and other buildings were black with crape. The morning trains brought friends from all parts of New England and beyond. At 11 o'clock, after prayers at Mr. Pierce's late residence, the cortege moved to the state house amidst the tolling of bells and the solemn chimes ringing out the affecting Dead March in Saul. At the main gateway the body was met by the Rev. Drs. Eames of St. Paul's, Edson of Lowell, and Lambert of Charlestown, who preceded it into Doric hall, which had been converted into a deeply draped chamber of mourning. The body rested on a sable- covered bier, placed in the center of the hall and surround- ed by a profusion of wreaths and beautiful flowers. For two hours the streams of mourning citizens never ceased; every class paid its tribute of silent respect to all that was mortal of the fourteenth president of the United States. As the hour for the church service drew near, the capitol was cleared of spectators, the doors were closed for a mo- ment, then the bearers again took up their burden and the procession passed down the steps and along the walk to St. Paul's. Not a vacant place was seen in the church; the nave and aisles were occupied, and many remained standing throughout the services. The officiating clergymen were Drs. Eames, Lambert, Ed- son, Henry A. Coit, and Joseph H. Coit. Dr. Henry A. Coit read the one hundred and eighty-fourth hymn, which had always been a fav- orite with the ex-president, prayers were recited by Dr. Eames, and the benediction pronounced.
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