USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Dublin > The history of Dublin, N.H., Volume 1852 > Part 8
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And now, sir, allow me to say, that, while the " common- schools " have been " under the guidance " of the " one " to whom the sentiment refers, the light of science has been copiously diffused, the " way " brilliantly illuminated, school- terms lengthened, commodious school-houses built, and suit- able books, including the Scriptures, used therein, - all obstacles, perhaps, removed ; and " they have risen " to their present eminent " condition."
His thorough knowledge of "the way; " his excellent character, that won the confidence, esteem, and respect of those under "his guidance ; " his costly, gratuitous library ; his oral and printed "Lectures on the Present Condition and Wants of Common Schools," and on other topics connected with them ; approved school-books, of which he is the author ; his exertions, as a member of the Board of Super- intending School Committee, from year to year ; and the aid of " the Giver of every good and perfect gift," - are some of his means applied in the accomplishment of his noble purpose.
Superintending and prudential committees ; successful in- structors of the "schools ; " parents and guardians who subject their children and wards to judicious family govern- ment, who discountenance the reading of such books and prints as are mentally and morally detrimental ; the munifi- cent bequest of the late Rev. E. Sprague for the annual
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benefit of the common-schools of this town ; they who exem- plify their detestation of all intoxicating drinks as a beverage, and their abhorrence of the habitual use of other banes which enervate the mind, and partially or totally unfit it for the reception of useful knowledge ; those whose influence is against the " sum of all villany," and in favor of the " higher law ;" and all who have " stayed up his hands " whilst he has " pointed onward," or who have otherwise effectually contributed to the progression, - these are such as (" under his guidance ") have aided, either directly or indirectly, the " one who has ever pointed onward, and ' led the way ' from ' the District School as it was' to a condition of which we have no cause to be ashamed."
We are not, however, to infer that the schools ever incurred " shame " whilst moving " onward," or that they will avoid it when not doing so.
If some, ascending the " hill of science," should imagine themselves near its summit, and desire unnecessary repose, the "one who" still leads "the way " would kindly and immediately dispel the illusion ; or, should others be satisfied with their present condition, and therefore wish to attain no higher one, he would remind them of the certainty of their retrogression, and consequent " shame," unless they keep constantly moving " onward."
But they will doubtless continue to follow their leader, Rev. L. W. Leonard, D.D., till called to receive, as his reward, " a crown of glory that fadeth not away."
Remarks of Rev. GEORGE F. CLARK, of Norton, Mass. : -
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen, - I feel impressed to add a few words to what has already been said in relation to your Common Schools. Too much cannot be said in their praise ; for no man can estimate - yea, no man can conceive - the influence they have exerted upon the young of your town, and are destined to exert upon future gene- rations.
Grand and picturesque as are your hills ; surpassingly beautiful and enchanting as is yonder lake; noble and majestic as is Monadnoc, that " old mountain-king," rearing aloft his bold head to the clouds, -yet far surpassing all these, and interesting above them all, to the patriot and the philanthropist, stand your common-schools, - those beacon lights that bestud, like glittering emeralds, your rocky hills,
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and cast their mild radiance over your sequestered valleys, - the noblest, the grandest feature of this rough, this rugged place. Yes, Mr. President, it is not your hills and valleys, your mountains and lakes, but your public schools, that have given you a name in the world, - that have immor- talized your town. But, sir, how happens it, that this secluded mountain-town, shut out, in a great measure, from the world at large, and possessing few of the educational advantages of more favored districts, should possess schools so excellent as to become models for the surrounding towns, if not for the whole State? There is - there must be -a cause for this. Do you suppose, sir, that you or I would ever have heard of Ban de la Roche, if Oberlin had not dwelt there? And how many, think you, would have heard of Dublin schools, if our OBERLIN had not come among us ? Yes, the " sentiment," to which I respond, tells the truth, -gives the secret of the whole matter, -when it says, "Under the guidance of" him, "they have arisen " to the high position they now occupy. Truly, as I can testify from my own experience, having been both a pupil and a teacher in your schools, he " has ever pointed onward, and led the way." For thirty years, a faithful Palinurus, he has stood at the helm. When he came here a stranger, he saw in vision what is now a reality. Many were the obstacles that stood in the way of his success. But, Columbus-like, he has surmounted them all, and anchored, at last, at the St. Salvador of his hopes. Through his untiring perseve- rance, "The District School as it was " has given place to those "of which you have no cause to be ashamed," of which you may justly be proud.
It may perhaps be said, that "the noble bequest of a former minister is the cause of the present prosperity of your schools." That, no doubt, has had its influence. But money alone could never have produced the results now living before our eyes. Others, no doubt, have been worthy coadjutors. But to the efforts of him who for thirty years has been Chairman of your Superintending Committee, your schools mainly owe their elevated character. Frequent visits to the schools, addresses to the children, private con- versation with the people, public lectures in the community on the subject of education, are among the means he used to accomplish the end designed. Again, the school-books he has published, practically showing his own interest in the
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cause, have done much to awaken an interest in both parents and children .* Silently, and without ostentation, he has done his work. You owe to him a debt of gratitude you can never repay. And, if you are deeply sensible you owe it, from my knowledge of the man, I am sure he will ask no other recompense.
My earliest recollections go back only to about the time when our revered friend, to whom I have alluded, came here, and gave a new impetus to the cause of general intelligence.
On the extreme borders of the town, near where there is now a flourishing village, in an old dilapidated dwelling- house, with rough slabs taken from my grandfather's saw- mill for seats, and these upheld by sticks driven into large auger-holes, with nothing to support the feeble backs of the feeble-minded boys and girls that sat thereon, I first made my " bow " to the " school-marm," and placed my feet upon the lowest round of "the ladder of learning." On one side of the room, thus strangely metamorphosed into a "Temple of Science," were ranged the long " dressers ;" where the good dame of the house, with exquisite taste, had been accustomed to display her pewter platters and wooden plates, her brown earthern mugs and iron spoons ; while underneath were the noble cupboards, where time and again she had stored the bean porridge and hasty pudding, -those choice viands of a former generation. And well I remember, that some luckless youngsters, for childish pranks deemed hostile to the peace and dignity of the place, would be elevated to those rather high seats for " little shavers," or shut up in the dark abodes beneath ; no doubt to typify the elevated positions they were destined to attain in the world, or the low and dark condition that awaited them, according to the
* He first gave us "The Literary and Scientific Class-book," - a work that never was duly appreciated by the public generally, but which did much to create, in the young of this town, a thirst for useful and instructive books. I well remem- ber with what eagerness I devoured its pages, even before I was deemed old enough to enter the "classes " for which it was " designed." Soon afterwards came " The Sequel to the Easy Lessons," which is even now outliving, because intrinsically more valuable than, most books of more modern date. A few years later, the young gladly received "The North American Spelling-book." This, in its plan and adaptation to the end designed, is far superior to any book, of like character, with which I am acquainted. I know of no other book, whose reading and spelling lessons are so admirably graded to the footsteps of the youthful mind. Still later, we have an " Analysis of the Elementary Sounds of the English Language," with an accompanying " Chart,"-a work long needed, and earnestly called for, in our schools, and, like every thing else, emanating from the same source, "perfect and entire, wanting nothing."
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thickness of the case that enclosed their "mental apparatus." Split sticks were sometimes placed upon our tongues and ears, probably (for I could never fully understand their sig- nificance) to teach us, poor urchins, that we must neither tell, nor listen to, idle tales in school.
The school-books of that day were " few and far between." And apparatus, for illustrating any of the studies pursued, would have been deemed as great an innovation as, a short time before, was the introduction of choirs into our meeting- houses. In fact, almost the only apparatus I remember to have seen in the schools, during my connection with them as a pupil, was the ferule and the birch, with the occasional addition of " green-hide." With these, the pedagogues of both sexes were accustomed to stimulate the latent energies of the scholars, give not a very gentle jog to their memories, and quicken their tardy steps up the difficult heights they essayed to climb. And I think I have some indistinct recol- lection, that I was occasionally honored with the privilege of letting others see how admirably this apparatus was adapted to the end designed ! Still, my native modesty - my rather deficient self-esteem - does not for a moment allow me to suppose it was owing to my superior endowments for such a purpose, that I was so frequently selected as the person upon whom this interesting experiment was to be tried. Perhaps, from some cause I was not then able to understand, -which, even now, I do not fully comprehend, - I might have been a particular favorite with the teacher. I certainly think they were rather partial to me in that respect.
But those scenes are now past and gone. They live only in the memory of those who were the actors or beholders of them. The rod and the ferule -those relics of a semi-bar- barous age - are fast losing their hold upon the affections of this advancing and enlightened era. Already are they looked upon with disgust, with horror. True, now and then, we meet with them ; but they only serve to remind us of " the District School as it was." Under a more benign, a more Christian influence, are your schools now governed ; and in no one respect, probably, have they made greater progress than in this. Yet in almost all respects they may be taken as models. In the discipline ; in the manner of imparting instruction ; in the qualification of teachers; in the means of elucidating the studies ; in the interest awakened in the young ; in their regular and punctual attendance ; in the ef-
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forts of their parents to second the endeavors of the teacher ; in the new and commodious school-houses, - in all these, are unmistakable evidences that the condition of your schools is such that the blush of shame will not mantle your cheeks when they are mentioned in your presence.
What is it that causes the young men of Dublin to be so respected abroad, and the young maidens to be sought for from afar ? What is it that makes the genus " loafer," especially among the young, such a curiosity here ? What is it that gives such thrift and enterprise to the inhabitants generally ? The superior advantages you have afforded the young for acquiring a generous culture, afford a true answer to these queries.
But, my friends, there are others yet to be heard, and I must hasten on. I have spoken of the past ; the present you know ; and now a word, in closing, in regard to the future. Excellent as your schools now are, do not harbor the thought that they have attained the zenith of their use- fulness, their efficiency. Be not satisfied with the present. Bear in mind that the world is advancing. What is excellent now, will be only mediocrity in the future. To meet the demands of the generations now struggling into life, your schools must go higher than they now are. A hundred years hence, may we not expect that Dublin schools will be as much in advance of what they now are, as they now tower above the first apologies for schools the early settlers, in their poverty, were able to set up ? Who can calculate how high a rank a century will give your common-schools ? Who can set bounds to the means they will afford for the development of the human mind ? All that now appertains to the school and school-room will, a century hence, be considered as mere baubles and child's play, alongside of what will then be enjoyed. These noble school-houses you have lately erected, which have added no little to your fame, will then be among the things that were. Far nobler and more splen- did houses will have been erected in their stead, which, without any figure of speech, may, in truth, be called " temples of science."
Go on, therefore, ye of the present day. Do your part towards the accomplishment of such a result. Cherish these noble institutions as the "apple of your eye ; " for they are the main pillars and supports of our republican institutions. By affording a good and generous culture to the young, they alone will " save " and perpetuate the " Union."
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Seek, then, to give your children the enduring riches of a true and living education, -- an education fit for the age that is approaching, in which they are to act ; fit for American freemen to possess ; and, above all, fit for those destined for an immortal existence in a higher and holier sphere.
In conclusion, Mr. President, permit me to give as a sentiment, -
" DUBLIN. - May her Common Schools ever be such as to encircle her name with a halo of true glory."
From Samuel Appleton, Esq.
BOSTON, June 15, 1852.
Gentlemen, - I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th ult., requesting, in behalf of the Committee of Arrangements, my personal attendance at the celebration of the hundredth anniversary of the settlement of the town of Dublin, on the 17th inst. For this polite invitation, gentlemen, I return you my sincere thanks. It would afford me much pleasure to join in the celebration proposed by the people of Dublin ; and I regret that my age and bodily infirmities will compel me to be absent on that occasion.
I have always taken an interest in the town of Dublin. In or about the year 1786, I resided there for four months, and was engaged, during that time, in teaching two different schools, say of two months each, at eight dollars per month. One of the districts was in the Street, as it was then called ; the other was in the easterly part of the town, near Peter- borough. In this latter district, it was arranged for the schoolmaster to live with the family that would board and lodge him the cheapest. Having been informed where I was to board, I set out for my new home on foot, carrying the greater part of my wardrobe on my back, and the remainder tied up in a bandanna handkerchief. On arriving at the place of my destination, I found my host and hostess, Mr. and Mrs. Fairbanks, ready, and apparently glad to see me. They were to receive, for my board, lodging, and washing, sixty- seven cents per week. Their house was made of logs, with only one room in it, which served for parlor, kitchen, and bedroom. I slept on a trundle-bed, which, during the day, was wheeled under the large bed, where the master and mistress of the house reposed during the night. Every
G. P. A. Healy
S. A.Schoff
and applelow
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morning and evening, there were family-prayers, and readings from the Bible, in which I sometimes took an active part. . . . After spending two weeks at Mr. Fairbanks's, I removed to Mr. Perry's. He was a good farmer, his wife an excellent housekeeper ; and I finished my school-term very pleasantly to myself, and, I believe, very satisfactorily to my employers.
Since that time, great improvements have been made in the public schools of Dublin. I am informed that it contains as good schools, and turns out as competent teachers, as any town in New Hampshire. In consideration of the " good and healthful condition " of its public schools, and of the " spirit of improvement " which appears to animate those who are engaged in them, I am induced to send to the town of Dublin my check for the sum of one thousand dollars, to be appropriated to educational purposes in such manner as the Superintending School Committee shall deem expedient.
With best wishes for the welfare and progress of the public schools of Dublin, for the happiness of its citizens, and the success of the approaching celebration, I remain, gentlemen, very respectfully,
Your friend and obedient servant,
SAMUEL APPLETON.
JONA. K. SMITH, ASA H. FISK, RANSOM N. PORTER, Sub-committee.
Toast from Samuel Appleton : -
" THE COMMON SCHOOLS OF DUBLIN. - Uncommon in excellence."
From Hon. James Batcheller, of Marlborough, one of the Counsellors of the State of New Hampshire.
CONCORD, June 8, 1852.
Gentlemen, - Your communication, inviting me to attend the centennial anniversary of the settlement of Dublin, has just been received. I regret that my present situation will deprive me of the pleasure of being present. The compari- son of the condition of the town of Dublin for the first fifty years with its present condition must be highly grati- fying to the present inhabitants. In some respects, no border-town can boast of so great improvement. For the want of water-privileges, manufacturing establishments are confined to the extreme border of the town, thus preventing a rapid increase of your central village. But, in agriculture, Dublin has kept pace with the most favored town in the
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vicinity. But the proud, I may almost say the enviable, condition of Dublin consists in the improvement of your common schools, and, as a sure consequence, the general diffusion of knowledge and science among all the citizens. The generous bequest of the late Rev. Mr. Sprague contri- buted essentially to this happy result. But living individuals (whom it would be fulsome flattery to name) have done every thing in their power to bring about the present happy state of things. Their names ought to be inscribed on marble, and handed down to the latest posterity. I can say, without fear of contradiction, that no town in New Hamp- shire can boast of a population of gentlemen, farmers, and mechanics, equal in intelligence, academic and common- school education, with those of Dublin. Healthful industry, without slavish drudgery ; frugal economy, without penuri- ousness ; hearty generosity, without wasteful extravagance ; sympathy for the poor, the downtrodden, and oppressed, with practical efforts for their relief, - these traits of cha- racter belong to most of the people of Dublin. These results, I again repeat, are the fruits of your unceasing and successful efforts to elevate the standard of your common schools. - Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES BATCHELLER.
Col. J. K. SMITH, A. H. FISK, Esq., R. N. PORTER, M.D.,
Committee of Invitation.
From Hon. William Parker, of Francestown. FRANCESTOWN, June 10, 1852.
My dear Sirs, - Your kind note, inviting myself and family to partake in the celebration on the 17th of June, was duly received and highly appreciated.
There is more than the invitation which is pleasing to me. Your object is to celebrate the one hundredth year from the first settlement of the town of Dublin. What will be more interesting to them than to carry your people back in idea, as well as you can, to the first tree that was fallen, and by whom, or to the first cabin that was built of logs, the first church that was erected, and the first minister who was invited to settle with the few scattered inhabitants ? No subject would be more pleasing to me ; and, gentlemen, it makes a history not only valuable and interesting to the present, but to all coming generations.
The day you have chosen for your celebration - the
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anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill - is one of many others full of interest to the people of this country. Mark the difference between that day and the present. Then all was doubt and fearful anxiety : at the present time, this is a great nation, with a government of the people, enjoying more of the divine blessings than any other nation on earth.
The few but pleasant years which it was my good fortune, in my youthful days, to spend in good old Dublin, sitting under the teachings of good old Parson Sprague, at the base of old Monadnock, on the shore of the pond, which poured forth its pure waters, and the kind and Christian-like treat- ment which I received from all the inhabitants, make it one of the most interesting places to me on earth. I assure you, gentlemen, that it would give me great pleasure to be pre- sent on the day of your celebration ; but my engagements are of such a character as will deprive me of partaking the festivities of the day.
You will please to accept for yourselves and all your people my best wishes and kind regards.
Yours most respectfully, WILLIAM PARKER.
Messrs. JONA. K. SMITH, ASA H. FISK, RANSOM N. PORTER, Sub-committee, Dublin, New Hampshire.
P. S. Permit me to offer you a sentiment : -
" YOUR DISTRICT SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL-HOUSES. - In these, no town in the State is before you. Great credit, therefore, is due to Parson Sprague, and his successor, Rev. Dr. Leonard."
From John H. Foster, M.D., of Chicago, Ill.
CHICAGO, June 10, 1852.
Gentlemen, - The reception of your very civil invitation to visit Dublin, and aid in celebrating the hundredth anniver- sary, afforded me much pleasure and gratification, inasmuch as it is some evidence that I am not altogether forgotten by my Dublin friends and acquaintance.
I should like much to attend this (that is to be) celebrated celebration, and learn something of the early struggles and privations, and ultimate success and prosperity, of the first inhabitants of Dublin, and especially to see, and take by the hand, my old associates and friends ; but the cares of the world are likely to choke the good seed that your invitation has implanted in my breast, and prevent its bearing fruit at this time.
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I know not, if, on such occasions, it is customary to be sentimental, and drink cold-water toasts ; but, in case it is, I ask leave to give the following : -
"THE UNCOMMON SCHOOLS OF DUBLIN - are features as prominent in her moral, as are the hills and mountains in her physical geography."
Respectfully yours, JOHN H. FOSTER.
To JONA. K. SMITH, ASA H. FISK, and RANSOM N. PORTER.
From Reo Adams, late of Dublin.
KEENE, OHIO, June 10, 1852.
Gentlemen, - Your circular, inviting myself and lady to participate in the celebration of the hundredth anniversary of the settlement of Dublin, is just received.
In reply, I would say, that I should be very happy to be present on that interesting occasion, as I have no doubt it will be. But, owing to the delay of the mail, the notice is too short ; and my avocations are such as to deprive me of the pleasure of an interview with my Dublin friends at that time. Please accept my thanks for this communication, and my good wishes for the success of your celebration. I take an honest pride in the standing of my native town, particu- larly in regard to education. I see by the reports of school- committees, and other ways, that she stands highest among the high in this respect ; and this regard for her past history is highly honorable to the intelligence of her citizens. I send the following sentiment for your consideration : -
" THE COMMON-SCHOOL SYSTEM, AS EXEMPLIFIED IN YOUR EXCELLENT SCHOOLS, - The watch-tower of our liberties. Let that be flourishing, and the country is safe."
Go on, gentlemen, with your celebration ; do it up hand- somely, as I have no doubt you will ; and my best wishes are with you.
REO ADAMS.
To J. K. SMITH and others.
13. Twelfth sentiment : -
" THE LATE AMOS TWITCHELL, M. D., OF KEENE, - Pre-eminent in his profes- sion; - a man whom this or any other town might be proud to own as a son. His example admonishes all who would excel, to 'aim high.'"
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