USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Peterborough > History of the town of Peterborough, Hillsborough county, New Hampshire > Part 27
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Yes, fellow-citizens, on you in a great measure depends the usefulness of every stranger who may permanently settle among you. It is true you cannot give youth to the aged, neither can you make the stupid active, nor yet entirely wean the sluggard from his slothful ways; but
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you have, time and again, by your open-heartedness, not only encour- aged all who were disposed to help themselves, but have effectually rebuked, both by precept and example, the vicious and evil-inclined. Many a youth, who from previous associations had acquired a thought- less, if not a ruinous, habit of extravagance, has been by the example of your industry reclaimed, and made to bless the day that led him to choose this as his abiding-place.
Mr. President, the allusions of the orator of the day to the old meet- ing-house on yonder hill brought forward in bold relief the remembrance of one of Peterborough's brightest, noblest sons; one whose influence has contributed much towards giving a distinct character to the town. A friend whose departed spirit, if permitted to leave the realms of bliss where it long since has taken its abode, is now within these walls. The noble, manly, generous spirit that animated him while here must now look down on this crowded assembly, while, with a tear on his manly cheek, ready to drop and wash away all that his purer soul finds to con- demn, his cheerful eye eagerly scans this animated collection of human beings, and returns thanks to the Author of all good for the prosperity of his native town.
Mr. President, I hardly need add that I allude to your departed brother, John Smith, Esq. If Peterborough can boast of a better, more useful, brighter, purer-hearted son than was John Smith, I know him not. That she can point to many whose exterior, both in dress and address, comes much nearer to what is generally termed a finished gentleman, no one will doubt. But where now is the man who never lets a human being pass him unheeded; whose ever active mind and ready talent can draw forth alike the budding powers of childhood, or those of ripened age ; who is ever ready to aid, council, or direct, with wisdom, purse, or hand, his fellow-man ? Such a man was John Smith. With an address which to a stranger appeared as rough and rugged as the mountains which surround his native town, he possessed a heart as tender and pure as ever ani- mated the breast of man. To him I owe more than I can express. He was not only a friend, but a father. He taught me to believe that there is nothing impossible; nothing that a willing mind and active hand cannot accomplish. I yet seem to hear his voice reproving me for saying, I cannot do it ! He would say, "Steele, Steele, you booby, why don't you try, and not stand there looking as if you were in a trance?" Shade of my departed friend, permit me to say that your reproofs, councils, and aid have not, I hope, been entirely lost.
But, Mr. President, I detain you, and keep back others who are much abler, from giving to you and this assembled multitude matter more pleas- ing and better suited to the present occasion. Yet I must beg your patience for a few minutes longer. I cannot sit down, sir, without saying one word to the ladies. In attempting so to do I am not compelled, but willingly throw myself on their well-known generous kindness. It has so often been said that it is believed, at least by every gay Lothario, that the way to win the good-will of the ladies is to flatter them. Is this so, ladies ? If it is, I had better stop where I am. Should I at this time of life attempt to turn flatterer, it would, it must, prove a failure. No, I shall not attempt it. My fate has been cast in a sterner mould; nor do I believe one word of this slander. Such a libel on your good, sound sense and well-known discriminating powers must have been penned or uttered by one of those nondescript beings frequently seen hovering around the fair daughters of the land, like a gay, gaudy butterfly around the beautiful half-blown rose, and like that transient insect chased away by the ap- proach of the first active, useful, busy bee. Would you know them, mark
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well their confident air, their tight-bound waist and gay clothing, the closely cramped toes, the never-forgotten silk or embroidered kid gloves, the rattan or other useless switch. Useless, did I say? Not so; its re- peated raps on their well-polished boots or full-cushioned legs will at least give you warning that a flatterer is approaching ; and if age has furnished him with a beard, you will be almost sure to see the face half covered with a carefully curled pair of whiskers. Although they are called, as I suppose by way of derision, "ladies' men," avoid them as you would a viper. They are mere peacocks. Their hats may be of the latest fash- ion, but there is nothing in their heads. With the lighter, vainer portion of young and thoughtless females, who, like themselves, think gay cloth- ing must make their charms irresistible, they may pass for men. To such, if any such there are among the many bright faces around us, I have nothing to say. They must be left to smoother tongues than mine.
It is to the more staid and useful I would say, Go on as you have done ; encourage your husbands, sons, and brothers in everything that is manly and generous.
To you are or will be committed the destinies of our town. The re- sults of the past are before us ; the changes and improvements are great. Will the coming century produce as great? No one here can answer. No one here will in all probability live to see. One hundred years hence, when your descendants assemble, as we this day assemble, to commemo- rate the second centennial anniversary of their native or adopted town, will they be able, as I believe you now are, to say that all the good our mothers taught us we have kept and practised. To your mothers, as well as to yourselves, do we mainly, if not entirely, owe that public spirit, that love of order, that open, generous, manly bearing, which always did, and still does, distinguish your husbands, sons, and brothers.
To your influence are we, the adopted citizens of Peterborough, in- debted for our privileges. Your influence enables us to say that this is truly the home of the stranger.
Guard well the rising generation. To you, to your guidance, it must be committed. Must ? No! I take back that word, and say, To none other should so important a trust be committed. Without your fostering care, without the anxious care and instruction of a mother, what would man be? Deprive man of his natural and best companion, woman, he would then be, or soon become, a fit companion for the tiger. Degrade and debase woman from her proper sphere, and man at once sinks to the level of a savage. Give her full and free scope, and man rises to a higher destiny as fast or faster than generations pass away.
Mr. President, permit me to offer as a sentiment : Peterborough ; may she ever continue to be, as she has heretofore been, the stranger's home.
Rev. Elijah Dunbar rose and said : - -
MR. PRESIDENT, - An adopted son of Peterborough, following the ex- ample of our respected friend who has just spoken, would also briefly respond to the kind notice which has been offered. My adoption, which was confirmed forty years ago yesterday, you well remember. The ven- erable council of the ordaining clergy, with a very few exceptions, are gathered to their fathers ; and it is with a great, though a mournful, satis- faction that we welcome the last survivor in this immediate vicinity, the Rev. Mr. Ainsworth, to our celebration. It reminds us of his venerable
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colleagues whom we shall see no more till we meet on the shores of eternity.
My long residence here; my long-continued and intimate connection with generations past and present ; the continued kindness and support I have experienced; and the identity of national descent, from Scotch origin, almost persuade me that I am a native.
The enterprise, the benevolence, and the liberality of the natives of Peterborough form a distinguished and highly honorable characteristic.
Among the evidences this day exibited, permit me to notice the hand- some military display. It may remind us of those who fell and those who triumphed in the war of 1755; of the enterprise, perseverance, and in- trepidity of our Revolutionary heroes ; and of the more recent glory of the battle-field of Bridgewater.
I would offer this sentiment: The citizen-soldiery of Peterborough ; may they continue to cultivate the martial spirit; may they be ever prompt at their country's call; and he that hath no sword, let him sell his coat and buy one.
Mr. Thomas Payson rose and said : -
MR. PRESIDENT, - The toast to which my valued friend, an adopted son of Peterborough, has so justly and happily, although, considering the time is so far spent, rather too lengthily, responded, I had intended to notice in a more extended manner than, from the lateness of day, is now in my power. That friend has handsomely anticipated something which I contemplated to say on this occasion, as one of the fortunate, though lately adopted, citizens of this memorable town.
I will, however, with your good leave, state, in a few plain words, what my impressions of the inhabitants were before I knew them.
In early life it was my chance to make acquaintance with one of the natives of Peterborough, and to have no very favorable report of some others. He possessed not a few of the reputed characteristics of his fellow-townsmen, which the distinguished orator of the day has so justly and impartially portrayed.
This personal knowledge of one and historical reputation of others predisposed me to entertain no very favorable opinion of the place and people. Nor was this opinion lessened by the story of the outrageous application of Lynch law to an unhappy clerical subject, who had by that same people for many years been retained in the sacred office, to his own and his people's disgrace.
With these things fresh in my recollection, it so happened that a few years since I was called on to consider the proposal of making this same Peterborough my place of rustication.
Can any one of this respectable auditory who hears me indulge in won- der that, under such circumstances, I should feel a strong repugnance at making my future residence and closing my life among a people so fa- mous? I assure you, sir, that repugnance was great, and that this was among the last places in New England, of which I had any knowledge, that I should voluntarily have made my home.
Circumstances, however, overruled my volition and repugnance. Twelve years since I removed to this town. How great was my suprise and dis- appointment, after a short residence here, in the appearance of the place and in the character of the people, I hardly need now repeat. I had
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looked at them through a foggy medium. I had judged of the whole by a part only. Instead of being stared at as a stranger, and treated as the son of a stranger, I found myself among a friendly set of men, was taken cordially by the hand, kindly and even respectfully received, and treated as a native son or brother. The people with as few exceptions as can be found in any other place, were open-hearted, hospitable, inde- pendent, intelligent, and more than usually well read, with good feelings and good manners. Modern degeneracy had not yet reached them. Had I come earlier in life among them, and possessed a reasonable talent for improvement, I might have profited more by their society and ex- ample. As it is, I owe them much. May the legitimate fruits of such social qualities constantly crown their future honest enterprise and labor.
In conclusion, allow me to offer the following toast: The pioneers of Peterborough in the eighteenth century, their posterity of the present day, and the generation yet to come; may their progressive advancement in knowledge, morals, the arts of life, and religion, prove commensurate with their years and their privileges.
MUSIC-" Home, Sweet Home." By the Band.
Ioth - The Agriculturists, Mechanics and Merchants of Peterborough, the three great founts of our industry and prosperity; may they ever encourage and sup- port each other.
William Scott, Esq., rose and said : -
MR. PRESIDENT, - I will make a few remarks in answer to that part of the sentiment just given, touching the class of citizens to which I am proud to belong, and to which belonged those bold pioneers, the first set- tlers and fathers of the town. The cultivation of the earth is the primi- tive and the most honorable employment in which men can engage. Every individual should feel an interest in agriculture. Considered as an art it is the foundation of all others. The wealth and unparalleled prosperity of this country may be attributed to the industry of the tiller of the soil. From this source all real wealth is derived. The employment is health- ful and invigorating to body and mind, and operates powerfully and beneficially upon the morals and constitutions of those engaged in it, giving a right and permanent tone to our national character. I believe that open-hearted generosity and hospitality are more generally found to animate the rough, home-spun farmer than the more polite citizens of cities and villages; and if they take temperance and virtue for their guide, the tillers of the soil enjoy more of ease, more of the real luxu- ries of life, and undisturbed sleep than the debilitated inmates of count- ing-houses and city work-shops. They may justly be said to be the hap- piest class of people on earth. The torch of liberty has ever burned with a purer light on the hills and mountains, among the farmers, than in cities and villages. This was the case in Switzerland in the days of Will- iam Tell, and thus it was in this country in the struggle for independ- ence. The agriculturists compose, in a great measure, the present de- fence of the Union. Standing upon the soil which they own and culti- vate, they are every ready to catch their muskets and march to defend the liberties of the country. They can be relied upon with more cer- tainty, in case of sudden invasion, than those engaged in commerce and
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trade, not being so likely to suffer loss by sudden fluctuations; for from these sources the farmer derives only a part of his luxuries, the necessa- ries of life being produced by the labor of his own hands. Notwithstand- ing these high claims in favor of the persuit of agriculture, it has been considered in years gone by as a low, unpopular, if not vulgar, employ- ment. This undoubtedly arose from the sudden accession of wealth amassed by merchants and commercial men, and the high price paid for labor in and about our manufacturing establishments. These causes led many of our young men to forsake the occupation of their fathers in hopes of finding a more speedy road to wealth, preferring the meanest drudgery in the shop or counting-house to the hoe and rake. To such an extent has this unbounded desire of wealth been carried, that our counting-houses in particular have become full to overflowing. The slightest revulsion in trade turns loose upon society numbers of no pro- fession, no occupation. Being so long habituated to a city or village life, to return to the occupation of their fathers, they become dead weights upon the community, - mere idle loafers, a name unknown in the days of our fathers.
But, Mr. President, I believe the days in which agricultural pursuits have been considered degrading are numbered. Many of our most re- spectable mechanics, as well as professional men, have, within a few years, turned their attention to the tilling of the soil, occupying the hours they can spare from the calls of their customers or books in the healthful as well as profitable pursuit of agriculture. This has caused a rise of lands, particularly in the vicinity of this village, almost beyond belief. This course, continued throughout the country, will create a taste for agricult- ure, and will prove instrumental in causing more of our youth to embark in this laudable pursuit. The time is not far distant, I hope, when our schools and colleges will be more anxious to instruct our youth in agri- culture than in the dead and almost useless languages.
A few words to my brother farmers, and I will close. While we are pursuing that best and most independent of all arts, agriculture, let us not forget the duties which we owe to our fellow-citizens. Let us aid with a liberal hand and cheerful heart the various useful institutions of our country, encourage and support our mechanics and merchants. As to the lawyers and doctors, may we be so fortunate as to need but little of their assistance.
I conclude by offering as a sentiment: The laboring portion of our citi- zens; may their numbers be increased by accessions from the ranks of - those of no profession, until all become usefully employed.
Mr. A. C. Blodgett rose and said :-
MR. PRESIDENT,-after so distinguished a display of talent and elo- quence as that which has preceded me, I must acknowledge I feel some- what diffident in attempting to make any response to the sentiment which has just been offered. But, sir, we have some thoughts which we won't conceal, some feelings which we can't disguise. Perhaps, sir, no one feels more than I do how much we owe to each other, not only in regard to our . welfare and prosperity in business, but in the kindnesses and courtesies of civil and social life. It is but a few years since, when I was as it were but a youth and just entering the drama of the world, that I left my native home and came a stranger among you; "but a welcome smile and a friend- ly face " seemed to whisper in fancy's ear that, though a stranger, I should not long be among strangers. You have been pleased to take me by the hand and adopt me as a citizen, and now I feel that I am one among my townsmen who have come together within this temple, this day, to com-
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memorate that epoch in our history which lies buried beneath the dust and darkness of a by-gone century. One hundred years have now rolled away since our forefathers first broke the gloom of that wilderness, which for thousands of years before had hung brooding over the land upon which. we now live, move, breathe, and tread; and, standing as we now do on the line which divides one century from another, looking backward through the vista of years, let us for a moment contemplate Peterborough as she then was, a howling and hostile wilderness. The same old Contoocook, whose waters now whirl by us, passing on through flowery vales and banks of green, moving and aiding in her course almost every mechanical invention and enterprise, was then overshadowed by sylvan bowers, and her shores trod by the feet of savages. In the midst of this wild and ro- mantic scene the echo of the white man's axe is heard by day, and his lowly hut receives his wearied frame by night; but he receives not there the feast to which as a reward for his daily labor he is entitled. "His needy couch and frugal fare " are all the luxuries of his home and fireside. Day after day the echo answers back again, until here and there is to be seen a little cleared spot, a log-house, and a field of grain springing up in the wilderness. They have now, to be sure, a home in the forest; but they have not the comforts nor conveniences of civilized life. Afar off in the world lay those blessings in store. For more than thirty years did they seek abroad, in other towns, all their merchandise.
Their numbers at length invited hither the merchant ; and how willing and ready the farmers and mechanics were to sustain him, you, Mr. Presi- dent and fellow-citizens, can judge for yourselves by the specimen of calico which the orator has exhibited to you this day, and for which one hundred pounds of butter was paid. And for the same compensation at this day I would cheerfully part with twenty such dress-patterns of the same quality. But, sir, I do not wish to be understood by this that farm- ers and mechanics are not as ready and willing to sustain the merchants as they were at that day. I say it to you, sir, and to all this assembled multitude, in the language of sincerity and truth, that I have ever found them ready to pay a fair and honorable consideration for all necessary articles of merchandise. It is not they, nor the want of encouragement and support from them, which retards the prosperity of the merchant ; but it is the spirit of jealousy, envy, rivalry, and competition which exists among the merchants themselves that is so detrimental to their pros- perity. If the merchants here do not prosper as well, and heap up golden treasures as fast as they wish, let them blame and censure each other, and not the farmers and mechanics who have patronized them with a generous hand and liberal heart. But while I as a merchant feel grateful for the liberal patronage so generously bestowed upon me, I cannot think the reciprocity is all, or should be all, on one side. If I buy one hundred pounds of butter or cheese, or bushels of corn or grain, of the farmer, and pay him a fair market price, and he buys a corresponding amount of goods of me, and pays a fair price, I am at a loss to know whose business it is, or should be, to say, " Thank ye." I owe to him, and feel under the same obligations, which man should ever feel due and bound to perform towards his fellow-man,-that of philanthropy and good-will. The great object of us all is to be free, independent, and happy ; but there is a mutual de- pendence which we have upon each other, and a mutual advantage arising from it, which has a tendency to refine and perfect those blessings, not only as relative to business, but in all the relations of life. Trade in this place has had its ups and downs, its lights and shades. Its whole history is checkered o'er with the smiles and frowns of fortune ; for here fortunes have been lost and won. Stores have multiplied from one to seven ; the
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amount of goods has increased from two thousand to thirty thousand dol- lars. Circumstances have invited merchants from abroad, and fortune wafted them away to crowded cities and climes that echo farther West. Here people have commenced trade in early life, and continued until it was in the "sear and yellow leaf," and their children have risen up and become merchants abroad in the world, and ere another century shall roll away, who can dream of the changes which time may bring about? All of us, who are now on the stage, will have passed through the dark wilds of life. Our stores, with all of our existence that is mortal, will alike have crumbled into dust beneath the ravages of time. As the old Persian monarch, when he sat upon the brow of the mountain "which looks o'er sea-born Salamis," and surveyed the vast multitude of human beings which composed his army, wept that, ere a hundred years should pass away, not one among them all would be numbered among the living, even so might we at this time and on this occasion weep that, of all who are here assem- bled, not one will come forth a living monument at the next Centennial Jubilee to rehearse to posterity the scenes of this day. It will be for their children and their children's children, who may rise up in genera- tions to come, to read from history and tell from tradition.
My worthy friend who has preceded (Esquire Scott) has portrayed to you in glowing colors, "in thoughts that breathe and words that burn," the merits of his own profession, and how much the community and coun- try are indebted to them for their strength and prosperity. They give a complexion to the age ; they are the stamina of the land, the palladium of civil liberty, and the bulwark of public safety. Now, Mr. President, I acknowledge the truth and force of the gentleman's remarks. Every year that rolls round furnishes us with satisfactory proofs, as we behold the fruits of their industry and enterprise springing forth in flowers of beauty ; and like that virtue which lives when beauty dies, ripening into the fruits of promise, while their sons and daughters are rising up to call the nation blest. But may I not, sir, with equal justice and pride, claim the same . honors and merits not only for my own profession, but also for the me- chanics, who, though silent and voiceless on this occasion, are by the works of their hands daily showing forth to the world in characters of living light, too bold and indelible to escape observation and admiration, how much this town and the whole country are indebted to them for their present flourishing and prosperous conditions ? Under their auspices and emulation, as a community and nation, we are constantly rising in the scales of laudable improvements, and marching on from strength to strength in the fulness of prosperity. "All are but parts of one stupen- dous whole," a mutual cooperation and combination of men. Business and professions have their benign and salutary influence in heightening the charms of society, imparting a zest to life, and a weal to the land. For- tune, and the fate of things, has allotted to us different parts to perform on this transitory stage of action; and all are alike honorable in them- selves, and essential props and pillars to each other. The professors alone elevate or depress the professions. Every noble feeling should then animate us to "act well our parts "; so that in all the various callings of genius and fortune we may look back upon the past without remorse, and forward to the future. without fear, setting an example to the genera- tions who may succeed us, which they shall be emulous to imitate, by making some laudable pursuit the object of each passing moment, with constant endeavors to grow wiser and better to the end of time. I will trespass no longer, Mr. President, upon the patience of the audience. I will only, in conclusion, offer as a sentiment : Mental endowment; may its bright and chastening influence be breathed into all ranks of society, and equalize all business and professions.
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