USA > New York > Cortland County > Virgil > Festal gathering of the early settlers! and present inhabitants of the town of Virgil, Cortland County, N.Y., 1853 > Part 15
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The music furnished by the bands was excellent and gave general satisfaction.
The last exercise was a song by Joseph Bouton, which he sang in response to vociferous demands for the same, on the part of the audience. It was a song of fifty years ago, composed to celebrate a mild piece, of jollity, in which the orator of the day and other of the boys and girls of the time had taken part, and was productive of any amount of merriment. Colonel Frank was not the only one of the participants who was present to hear the song, and both he and the others seemed to enjoy it heartily, though it was at their expense. Looking at their whitened hair and the wrinkles in their faces, it hardly seemed possible that these men and women could have been the heroes and heroines of the event described in the song.
Just after the exercises were concluded rain began to fall, and continued at intervals and with all degrees of violence during the day. The crowd which was variously estimated, at from four to six thousand persons, sought shelter wherever it could be found. A large table which had been spread in the open air, near the hotel, was hurriedly abandoned, and the small dining-room was filled in less time than it takes to tell it, by a hungry and determined crowd.
It had been the purpose of those who managed the affair to have the officers of the day, and those who were to respond to the toasts, entertained at the first table, and after the refreshments had been partaken of, to then have the toasts offered and responses made. Through some one's blundering or lack of determination, however, those of the crowd who had bought dinner tickets were allowed to force their way into the dining-room and sweep the tables regardless of officers and dignitaries, both home and foreign.
Meanwhile the fusileers, fantasticals, antiques and horribles, to a large number and in hideous raiment, with horns and other instru- ments of racket, on foot, on horseback, and in ancient and wonder- ful vehicles, paraded the streets and created an earthly pandemonium
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to the delight and edification of the sight seers; and as Captain Byram said, the best display of a fusileer company that he ever saw.
After dinner was over, it was concluded to proceed to the plat- form in front of the church once more, and there have the toasts and responses, which had been so unceremoniously crowded out.
The following programme of toasts, with names of those who were to respond, was called by the Chairman of the Committee on Toasts, Mr. James S. Squires, of Cortland, who introduced them with the following remarks :
"I am happy in the honor that I was born in the old town of Virgil, and that I can meet so many warm hearts assembled here to-day on this festive occasion. There is no place on this earth like the spot where our eyes first beheld the light of day-no place to which the memory will so often return as to the many scenes and thrilling incidents that have taken place in the old school-house and in the forest homes of these, our native hills and lovely valleys. There is no place so sweet to our hearts as the home of our childhood. But I will not take up your time. I am thankful for the honor you have conferred upon me and those asssociated with me, of calling upon some of the happy faces here to-day to respond to the several toasts we have prepared for this occasion."
"The President of the United States"-Rev. S. G. Jones. Rev. Mr. Jones being called on responded nearly as follows:
" MR. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: I thank you for the lionor conferred upon me, in the call to respond to the name of Gen. U. S. Grant, a name that will live on the page of history through future ages, as the greatest captain of modern times. He who led the armies of the free North, composed of the boys in blue, bearing the stars and stripes against the black flag of revolt and treason, until it trailed in the dust, and the iron-hearted Lee was compelled to surrender and lay down his arms at the feet of U. S. Grant. That name which, by the choice of a free people, sways the scepter as Chief Magistrate over this free nation. And when the time shall come for him to leave the chair of State, may his mantle fall upon the shoulders of Governor Hayes, who is to be our next President. Fellow citizens, let us for a moment turn our eyes to that Government under which we live in this most favored of all
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lands, in this wide and capacious and still extending empire. Tired and jaded with the conflicts of Papal Rome, grieved and incensed at the infractions of the rights of conscience and the rights of men, 1 with all the tyrannies of. conflicting institutions, our ancestors sought a city of refuge, a hiding place from the storm, in the newly discov- ered section of the patrimony of Japheth. God, more than four thousand years ago, promised to Japheth an enlargement of his ter- ritory, when He gave him the broken and indented patrimony of Europe. Here he found it, and our fathers, taught in the school of Papal proscription, went as far as mortals, stung with the fiery Dragon, could go, to devise a government for themselves. They succeeded not only in declaring but in sustaining their independence of all the sons of pride; and in building for themselves and their children political institutions which have hitherto secured (except to the down-trodden African) and will continue, we hope, to secure the greatest portion of political and temporal happiness enjoyed by any people. This government proposes only to guard the temporal and worldly rights of men. It says this day to all the nations of the earth, that it has no partialities for the Jew, the Christian, the Turk or the African. Such is its creed.
" One hundred years ago this day, July the Fourth, 1776, was a memorable day, a day to be remembered as was the Jewish Pass- over-a day . to be regarded with grateful acknowledgements by every American citizen, by every philanthropist in all the nations of the world. The light which shines from our political institu- tions this day will penetrate even the dungeons of European des- pots, for the genius of our government is the genius of universal emancipation. The example which our government gives is neces- sarily terrible to the crowned heads of Europe, and exhilarating to all who look for the redemption of man from political degradation. The American Revolution was a great and triumphant revolution. Many thanksgivings and praises have reached unto heaven because of this great deliverance. The incense of gratitude perfumed with the praises of saints, has long risen from myriads of hearts, and will continue to rise until the cloud shall cover the whole earth, and the glory of the Lord be reflected upon all the nations of the earth. The name of a Washington, a Franklin, a Jefferson, a Lincoln, and a Grant will long resound through the hills and valleys of this spa-
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cious country, and will, in proportion as men are prepared to taste the blessing of our free institutions, continually increase. Poster- ity will only regret that, like Moses, all their political leaders save one died short of the promised land, that while they guided the tribes almost to Canaan, they fell in the wilderness without tasting the sweetness of the good inheritance. One hundred years ago our fathers were oppressed by the mother country. Here let. me say, fellow citizens: Virgil, I love thee; my country, I love thee. It was this love element that begat the emotion that prompted our fa- thers one hundred years ago this day to pledge their fortunes, their lives and their sacred honor, to cast off the yoke of British oppres- sion. It was this love element which prompted them to say, "Give us liberty or give us death." It was this love of country that has carried us through three bloody wars, in each of which and in all we have seen our enemies, and the enemies of our country, chained to the chariot wheels of Liberty and borne away, we trust, to return no more. It is this immortal law which controls the destiny of this favored nation this day. Under the influence of this immutable law empires have fallen, scepters have been lost. Let us then, fel- low citizens, fight it out on this line of Liberty and make this broad land indeed and in truth a happy home for the stranger and an asy- lum for the oppressed of all nations. When Julian took from the early Christians their earthly possessions he told them a great truth, that 'their privations would make them more fit for heaven.' May these bloody wars, especially the last, make us hate oppression more and love liberty better. But while we consider that every battle of the warrior is with confused noise and garments rolled in blood, let us not forget the victories of Him who did not lift up his voice in the streets, who did not use so much as a broken reed, nor consume a single torch until he made his laws victorious. In that spirit of mildness, meekness, and unostentatious heroism, let us fight the good fight of faith, and as good soldiers of Jesus Christ let us all be found faithful at our posts (Virgil). Help to the weak and home to the stranger, freedom to all she hath held on her way."
"The Governor of the Empire State"-Dr. F. Hyde.
"MR. PRESIDENT: A fitting response to the toast just read would involve a reference to a portion of the history of the State of New York, connected with its most essential interests. It is a pleasant
,
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thought that a review of that part of the history of our State in con- nection with its Governors affords so much to commend, and so lit- tle to deplore. While the office of Governor is the highest sover- eign gift of the people, no other official station holds so close rela- tion to every citizen. The Governor of all officials in the State is most strictly the servant of every grade of its people. The million- aire has no stronger claim upon his executive clemency than the ad- judged criminal clad in rags and stained with crime. Both our colonial and State history furnishes an array of names serving the people in the capacity of their chief Executives, for more than a cen- tury of prosperity. It should never be forgotten that New York's colonial Governors were men of ability and patriotism, sufficient to subserve officially the interests of the people; and they have left a history well worthy of study by the good citizen of to-day. Merg- ing from her colonial to the full life of a State, under her first Gov- ernor, George Clinton, in 1777, with his long executive service, we come upon the names of Jay, Lewis, Tompkins, DeWitt Clinton, Yates, Van Buren, Throop, Marcy, Seward, Bank, Wright, Young, Fish, and a succession of executives down to the present incumbent, presenting a group whose history all delight to study; who hon- ored the office, themselves, and their State.
: "We have said that the governorship of the Empire State was near to all its people. This is well illustrated in the history follow- ing the election of the chief magistrate; for however fiercely waged the partisan conflict may be during the political canvass of opposing candidates, when the election is declared all hostility ceases, and with the official inauguration he becomes the Governor of every man, woman and child in the State. They rejoice to take him by the hand, and believe that he is their strong protector, the especial conservator of their choicest interests as citizens of a sovereign State. It is a source of commendable pride that the Governors of New York, by their fitness for their executive duties, have been known to the general Government as statesmen, and have been largely identified with its prosperity. It may well be said that the good name and solidity of the Federal Government cannot be sep- arated from the statesmanship of the Governors of the Empire State. It needs but a glance at the history of the educational in- stitutions, the great charities, which so thickly cover the State, and
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the civilization that reaches after the masses of our people, to make all good citizens delight to join in according all honor to the Gov- ernors of New York. May it be true in all the future history of our beloved State that her Governors shall be worthy watchmen adorning the towering walls of her greatness."
"The men who have held judicial position from the old Town of Virgil"-Col. M. Frank.
Col. Frank remarked that he ceased to be a resident of Virgil forty years ago. Having no time given him to refresh his memory, he could not pretend to accuracy of statement. Among his earliest recollections was Mr. James Glenny, who was probably the first man that held the office of Justice of the Peace in this Town. He was a native of Ireland, and about fifty years of age when he set- tled in Virgil. He was an educated man, and given to literary pursuits. Col. F. recollected him as wearing shoeand knee buck- les; his hair, nearly white, was worn long and tied in a cue behind with a red cord. In other respects his dress was patterned after the professional classes in Ireland, in the style of over a hundred years ago. As a Justice of the Peace, Mr. Glenny presided with dignity, having due regard to old-time customs and ceremonies. He died over sixty-five years ago.
Col. F. briefly noticed other Justices who held offices in the Town over fifty years ago: Wait Ball, Moses Rice, Simeon West, Josiah Hart, Joseph Reynolds, George Frank, etc. Wait Ball and Joseph Reynolds were Judges of the County Court, also Rufus Edwards at a later date. The judicial officers of a later period he would not refer to, because not familiar with their history. Col. F. spoke of the great progress that had been made in law reform the past fifty years, in doing away with useless forms and legal fictions ; he indi- cated still further reforms in law proceedings, which it was desira- ble to see accomplished.
"The speaker, reader and officers of the day"-Dr. J. B. Benton.
"I would be happy to respond in a fitting manner to the toast just offered; but I fear that the time and the occasion, as well as the brief, space allotted me, will hardly admit of such a response. Standing here as we do on the glittering threshold of a new century, with all the thousand memories of the past rising up before us, to
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engross our thoughts, it would seem hardly possible to direct atten- tion to individual character, and secure for it a proper appreciation, even though the delineation might be drawn by a master hand.
"In the contemplation of the characters presented by this toast I feel my own weakness as I stand before you to discuss even briefly the merits of the distinguished persons named: Dea. Nathan Bou- ton, Hon. Michael Frank, and Prof. Frederick Hyde, M. D., con- stitute a strange trinity of individuals in their moral worth and in- tellectuality ; and yet they widely differ in many traits of character.
"If we look at Dea. Bouton and study his life and character, we are struck with his undeviating consistency, great simplicity and wonderful circumspection of life that has rounded out and complet- ed a symmetrical christian character, that but few have been able to attain to. By hard study he made himself a good scholar, and wielded in his town a wide influence for good. His moral courage, always equal to any emergency, has never allowed him to wait for others to lead the way to reform; but in his own Town, and I might say in his county, he has always led the van in everything that promised the good and elevation of the race. I am proud to own that he was once my teacher, my schoolmaster, and it is not possi- ble for me to estimate the extent of his influence in moulding my own character, and encouraging me to a high and noble manhood. If I have made a failure it is not the fault of his example or his teaching. Our honored president, who has presided over the Virgil Centennial Celebration with such becoming dignity and urbanity, is no less than the same individual who presided over a former similar meeting, now separated from this by a broad chasm of fifty years! And though his long and useful life may not have won for him fame or great distinction, or even reputation as the world calls it, yet he has won that which is even better-he has won a character. A man may win distinction and be a villain. He may win reputation and be a knave; but he cannot win character and be either. It was for- tunate for Virgil that Dea. Bouton was reared here, and was so per- manently fixed that he could not run away. Like the sun in yonder heaven, with its daily visitations sheds its golden beams over your extended fields of living green to give them warmth and generous productiveness, nor spurns the meanest thing, touching all the myr-
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iad flowers that bloom in the by-ways and on the hill-sides with a new beauty and a fresh perfume, so our friend has not withheld the radiance of his moral power, to point you to a higher life and a no- bler purpose.
"I hope my old friend, Michael Frank, will not feel slighted or aggrieved because I have not sooner paid my compliments to his honor. I have felt extreme delicacy in approaching the character of our distinguished orator for more reasons than one. In the first place, he occupies an intellectual plane so far above me that I can- not hope to grasp him for analysis. Besides, his more active life has been spent far away from me, and the fruits of his genius and intellectual labors I am mostly ignorant of. His character, how- ever, was well formed here among you, in the Town that gave him birth. I well remember that, even in his youth, he was a kind of literary deity with me, whom I felt it no sin to worship. With a brilliant intellect and an indomitable thirst for knowledge, he gave himself up to study. He remained with you long enough to distin- guish himself for ability and many excellencies. He migrated to the West in quite an early day, with his accomplished wife, and took an active part in politics. Receiving promotion, he soon dis- tinguished himself as a ready and fluent orator, and wielded an in- fluence in the organic structure of one of her now populous States bordering on the Mississippi. We cannot speak of him further with any degree of definiteness. Early in life he reared a high moral standard beside such men as Nathan Bouton; and the presumption is that he has never lowered it a hair, though he may have changed his politics. His high integrity and stainless purity of character to- day furnishes in one of the Departments at Washington one indi- vidual, at least, whose acts are not amenable to an investigation from a Congressional Committee. Though the age be depraved, this in- stance proves that the depravity is not total. With all the wealth of his intellect there was one thing our honored friend could never do; and that was, he never could drive a horse without a liability to upset the vehicle and spill out the load, or demolish a portion of the highway fence. He seemed to possess a greater love for sublime mental abstraction than he did affection for a horse, or a passion for graceful driving. In this I always had a deep sympathy for my old companion and friend. While it will be vain in a few remarks to
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do justice to the exalted abilities and sterling virtues of our eloquent. friend, it may be just as vain and as difficult to trace with exact- ness all his mental eccentricities, which help to embellish and com- plete his true character.
"It now remains for me, in this response, to speak of my learned friend, Doctor Hyde; and as his life and character loom up before me I am truly bewildered, and find the same embarrassment I felt on approaching the subject commented on, rather increased than di- minished. I have known him long and well; and had the honor once to have been his pupil. Possessed of a large cerebral develop- ment, along with a fine physical organization, and a most favorable blending of the temperaments, Doctor Hyde could not have well been anything else than a philosopher and a logician. With his in- domitable perseverance, lofty ambition and strong will power, it is not surprising that he to-day holds a high position in his profes- sion. He has gained his eminence not by a stroke of genius, but by constant, persevering toil and effort. Order and system are the law of his being. If you know him once, you know him forever. Fixed in his principles and firm in his integrity, you always know where to find him. This, as much as his skill, has given him a rep- utation and rounded out his character. He has spared no pains to qualify himself to discharge any and every trust that might be laid on him, as a physician and surgeon, by the profession; and while the faculty has honored him, he in turn has never failed to honor the profession. The old Town of Virgil may well be proud of him, proud to own him for one of her sons. I wish she could boast of more like him. The high position he holds in one of the reputable schools of our land, for the cultivation of medical science, is a high- er compliment to his merit than any I should be able to pay, even if I held all language at my command. With a private life as pure and as stainless as the Parian marble, I would leave my distinguish- ed brother safe in the embrace of the affection and gratitude of a people who know how to appreciate merit and reward virtue."
"The ladies of our native Town, unsurpassed in beauty, intelli- gence and virtue"-Dr. R. Walker.
The ladies of our native town, responded to by Dr. Ransom Walker, of Owego. We have not his remarks, but he responded
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very eloquently and paid a merited tribute to the ladies of the Town, which was received with acceptance and gratification.
"Nathan Bouton, who suggested this Semi-Centennial"-E. P. Slafter, Esq.
"It it a pleasure for me to respond to this sentiment. The sub- ject upon which I wish to speak is the character of this good man. A long and useful life has been granted to him. He lives to-day as he did fifty years ago-a christian man, a warm friend, an hon- ored member of society, a good neighbor, respected and loved by all. He has been identified with all the reforms of the past half century. He has been foremost in bringing about the desires of the heart of every good man. His prayers and alms were for the op- pressed. His example and teachings were on the side of temper- ance and education. He has lived to see slavery blotted out, tem- perance to become popular, and education greatly advanced. Fifty years ago to-day, upon this very spot where we are now, he invoked Divine blessings to rest upon those that were assembled to celebrate the birth of a nation; and to-day we hear the same voice, although feebled with age, still strong in faith, imploring the same blessing to rest on us. And I think I now hear him say, as did Simeon of old: 'Lord, lettest now Thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation.'"
"To the absent sons and daughters of Virgil"-N. Bouton.
Mr. Bouton rose and said :
" MR. PRESIDENT AND FELLOW CITIZENS: The sentiment to which I am called upon to respond implies much of human sympathy, and of the kind and loving affections which are supposed to exist be- tween the intimate relations in life. Individuals speaking of the confidence and mutual love existing between persons are very apt to say: 'They love each other like brothers.' This feeling is real- ized by persons sustaining the family relations to those who have removed to a great distance, and whom, especially, they do not ex- pect to meet again this side the grave. Now, my friends, it is need- ful that we yield to this sundering of affection in order that our country may be settled, and her hidden resources may be developed. We like our sons and daughters to cultivate and improve the native soil. It is for the general good of the country in a temporal view,
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and also for the promotion of morals and religion. May all who leave the domestic hearth subserve these great interests. And if we and others, their parents and friends, should appear like the aged oak, with barren limbs reaching out from the decayed trunk, while life lasts let us not fail to keep the home cheerful by the addition of such improvements as shall make all pleasant and cheerful on return which any of them shall make in after years."
When the last of the regular toasts had been responded to, the President read the following volunteer toasts and called upon the persons named after each to respond:
" Virgil, the home of our nativity"-H. L. Bronson, Esq. Mr. Bronson rose and said:
"MR. CHAIRMAN, GENTLEMEN AND LADIES: There are two words in the sentiment just proposed which to all men are so pregnant with meaning, so fraught with recollections of the past and associa- tions of the present, that they must ever find a warm response in every breast. They are the words, home and nativity. [Turning to the President]. Why, Mr. Chairman, you may write them to the shuddering tenant of the frigid zone, he proudly claims that happiest spot his own; and the naked native, panting on the line, boasts of his golden sands and palmy wines. Yes, friends, I believe it is an innate principle, common to all men of whatever race or condition, that the first and best land above all others is the land of their nativity. It is the land of their birth; and wherever they are, it must always be to them the dearest spot on earth. In much the same way and prompted by the same impulses, the word "home " strikes a sympathetic chord in the hearts of inen. Thus, Payne's sweet song, "Home, Sweet Home," finds the same welcome now that it did when some of you here present to-day sang it at your first re-union, fifty years ago. But when we take the two words to- gether and say, the home of our nativity, we have them combined in one scene-the sunlight of early days, the golden spring-time of life, the scene of all life's joys. Backward, to these hallowed asso- ciations, man is ever reverting. Backward to these scenes would he ever be returning. And thus, O Virgil, have we, thy sons and daughters, old and young, from far and near, assembled here to-day in re-union to celebrate the choicest blessing that can be conferred
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upon a people-the blessings that flow from freedom and indepen- dence. Some of you have journeyed far and long. You have left the old Town in the vigor of youth or the bright flush of manhood. You return-with silver locks upon your brow, and you wear the marks of time. Most of those who bade you " welcome home " at your former re-union have passed away, and live only in grateful memory. But a new generation has risen up the while, proud of their ancestry and their native home. And thus, be it ever in this, our natal town. Let the altar fires of liberty be ever brightly burn- ing. Let the spirit of freedom and independence never die or grow dim, but let it be enduring, ever as the grand old hills that rise on either side. And let all the sons and daughters of this, our natal Town, be always filled with love and remembrance of Virgil, the home of our nativity, the land of our birth."
"The physical features of our native Town, emblematical of her people "-Lewis Bouton.
"The physical features of a country are reproduced in the char- acter of her sons. From that land whose bold outlines are traced against the heavens we look for resolute and courageous men. The free, health-giving atmosphere of our hills and mountains forms one of the strongest bulwarks of our civil and religious liberty. The Alps look down on a people brave as they were in the days of Ges- ler. The hills and glens of Scotland are peopled by men worthy to be called the descendants of Bruce and Wallace. The mountains of eastern Tennessee are peopled by men loyal as our own. The heights of our native Town are among the most elevated in the State. From her lofty hill-tops you may see the horizon hundreds of miles in the distance. And her sons stand correspondingly high among their fellows in all that ennobles manhood. Oh! I love old Virgil's rocks and hills, her glens and rills, her sunshine and her storms. These have aided in furnishing the brain, the muscle, and in giving the vim, so essential to the proper development of our re- sources and the establishment of our liberties."
"What old Virgil may be proud of"-James S. Squires.
" Of her majestic hills and her lovely valleys, of her crystal streams and her picturesque scenery. She may well be proud of the name she bears of the distinguished Roman poet, who was the son of a
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farmer like yourselves. It is because we have seen the forest con- verted into so many lovely homes, and so many recollections cluster around our hearts of the memory of other days, that our tongues are too feeble to express one-half the joy we feel on this occasion. When I think of the fathers and mothers of our old Town of Vir- gil, and the memories they have left behind them of industry, in- tegrity and virtue, and of how the sons and daughters were con- stantly trained to the practice of those principles which always ex- alt a nation; when I remember that almost everywhere a Virgil man has been located, in whatever pursuit in life he has been en- gaged, he has been the leading spirit of his place, whether as a pro- fessional man, or as a farmer, mechanic or merchant, proving to the world that industry, integrity and virtue will exalt a man as well as a nation. For the men of old Virgil stand forth in all communities like the majestic oaks of the forest, meeting all the storms through the battle of life with honor to themselves and the Town that gave them birth. And here it is, in the principles and deeds of her sons and daughters that make the chief glory of the Town we are so proud to-day to hail as our birth-place. May her influence and hon- or, her glory and joy in the sons and daughters she sends forth into the world never grow less!"
It has been thought best to insert in this place the following let- ter, which came to the post-office during the speaking, but was not taken out until after the meeting closed :
PAINESVILLE, O., July 1, 1876.
Deacon Bouton,
DEAR SIR: I regret very much that I cannot accept your kind invitation to be present at your Centennial Celebration in old Vir- gil, where I spent more than thirty years of my early life. In early life I sometimes felt ashamed to say that I lived in Virgil, such a poor, ont-of-the-way town. But such feelings have long since passed away. There are so many noble-hearted men and women still laboring for the public good; and so many sons and daughters gone forth from the old Town to bless the world, that I am now proud of the name of Virgil. I offer the following sentiment: The pioneers that hewed down the forests, and the pioneers in moral re- form, are entitled to the lasting gratitude of the present and future generations.
Yours truly, J. STORRS.
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With the response of Mr. Squires the speaking closed for the day. The brief interval of clear weather which had been enjoyed was almost immediately followed by a heavy rain, in the midst of which many who had come in from neighboring towns were obliged to start for their homes; yet we will warrant that not one of them begrudged the time or trouble it had cost to participate in Virgil's Semi-Centennial Celebration.
Besides the Cortland delegations there were large numbers pres- ent from Marathon, Dryden, Harford and other places near at hand, and some even from far distant States.
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