USA > New York > Onondaga County > Pompey > Re-union of the sons and daughters of the old town of Pompey > Part 2
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33
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THE POMPEY BE-UNION.
dren. I am not left in wonder that in your hearts welled up a yearning desire to visit once more the magie spot that has given to the world so rich a legacy. There is a philosophy closely connecting a people with the land of their birth. God, nature, divine revelation, and humanity in its normal condition, are all in harmony. Hence the transcendently lovely scenery, beautiful landscape views, healthful, invig- orating breezes, enlarged and comprehensive views of nature in her sublimest moods, witnessed and enjoyed by your mothers and yourselves during your early existence, have left an impress upon your minds and assisted to form char- acters that will continue to exert a salutory influence which will reach ever onward and upward throughout the bound- less cycles of eternity. This glorious old town of Pompey, of classic name, overlooking the lakes Onondaga and Oneida in yonder fertile valleys-with landscape views extending into seven counties of the State, itself but a succession of lotty, luxurient hills and fertile valleys, with its beautiful rivulets and cascades, separating the waters upon this inhab- ited summit of the Empire State, to find their meandering way to replenish the exhausted streams under the burning suns of a Southern clime, as well as to mollify the freezing current of our Northern lakes, is one of the spots upon this green and rolling earth where the true lover of nature would like to be born Therefore, in conclusion, I repeat, wel- come to these sylvan shades and cool retreats: welcome to these academic halls, where, under the tuition of a Stebbins, who now sleeps 'neath the clods of Chenango's beautiful valley. a fit resting place for the ark of a spirit so noble and so good. we together learned to climb the hill of science ; welcome to the holy places where sisep your buried dead ; welcome to our mountain homes; welcome! thrice welcome to our hearts! and should we never meet again on earth, be assured it is ours to know that this re-union we to-day are permitted to witness and enjoy, is typical of that never end- ing re-union, that God, the Father of our spirits has reserved for all his children.
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The band then played "Home, Sweet Home."
IIon. Horatio Seymour was next introduced, and respond- ed to the address of welcome, as follows:
GOVERNOR SEYMOUR'S ADDRESS.
There is a living cord which binds men and animals to the spots where they first feel life. A wonderful instinct guides the fish of the sea through the dark floods of the ocean to the streams where their existence begins; that di- rects the bird through the vast expanse of the air back to the hidden spot where it was born, and enables the beast of the forest to track its way through dense shades to its native lair. A secret vague yearning for our first home draws to- day to this retired village men from all parts of our broad country. They have left the exacting busy pursuits of their several stations at the bidding of this instinctive demand of nature at no small cost of time, of effort, and of means. They are here from the shores of the Atlantic and the Pa- cific; from the great valley of the Mississippi ; from North- ern and from Southern States. Whatever their stations in life may be, and although they may have become old men, the spirit of childhood comes over them when they stand again in the places where everything recalls the feelings and the associations of early youth. But beyond an instinctive desire to revisit our native homes, there are moral and in- tellectual reasons which have moved us to accept the invi- tations of the citizens of this town to meet here on this oc- casion. We sometimes think of the sorrows and joys of childhood as trivial things, and we smile at the deep feel- ings they once excited. As we grow older we look upon them in a different light. We find they had much to do in forming our characters and shaping our fortunes. Their memories have gone with us through life. They are golden threads woven into the warp and woof of our existence. They grow brighter as the rest of the fabric fades and de- cays. No man comes back alone to this spot thus hallowed. Each is surrounded with a crowd of those whom he has in
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imagination called back from their graves. On this day and in this place he sees with vivid clearness their forms and as- pects, and he holds with them a closer communion. If each of us could see the cloud of such visions, which fills the minds of this assemblage, we should then feel that we are in the awful presence of the multitude of the spirits of those who once lived and acted here, and whose memories we cherish among the sacred things of our hearts.
Beyond those instinctive thoughts which crowd upon our mind, there are many matters of historic interest connected with this town and this vicinity. They would make ample topics for a more full address than would be in place at this time. This is not an occasion for any one man's speech, but for an exhibition of the feelings of each and all who meet here to indulge their memories with the past and to do honors to their forefathers. I will therefore say but a few words, and I will then give way to others.
Those of us who have reached the age of three score years will remember this spot as one of the frontier stations of civilization. The land was covered as with a pall by great and gloomy forests. The first settlers placed their homes upon the hill tops, where they could most readily get air and light and an outlook over the land then covered as if by a great ocean with the green and waving foliage of lofty tree tops. The deeper and darker valleys were shunned. Their luxuriant but excessive vegetation was fraught with disease and death. We used to look off upon the lower lands, where the city of Syracuse now stands with its popu- lation of fifty thousand, as a pestilential place to be avoided. It was then an unsightly swamp, in whose miasamtic air inany sickened and died. At that day the toil and energy of the country were given to cutting down the overshadow- ing forests. The trees were felled in the winter months. In the spring their huge trunks were piled up and burned, tilling the country with smoke of the log heaps : in the sum- mer the crop was cultivated with painful toil amid the stumps and roots that covered the ground with a net work
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of decaying wood; in autumn they gathered the slender harvests, which gave them their simple food and scanty clothing. For these blessings they thanked God and were content. It took a lifetime of hard and patient work to make a cleared farm in this hill region. I do not think the men of this generation are equal to the work done by their fathers. I will not recount the events and changes which have taken place since their days. They are constantly forced upon our attention when we turn our mind towards the past. It is enough to say that we who saw the forest cut down in this region, who watched the retreating steps of savage tribes, and who witnessed the destruction of the wild beasts of the woods, have lived through social changes and a material progress equal to that of ten centuries of English history. We have seen changes in the condition of our peo- ple as marked as those which have occurred in Britain from the reign of Alfred the Great to that of Queen Victoria. We have witnessed the first steps, and the highest achieve- ment of civilization.
Let me say a few words about the social condition of this town at the beginning of this century. The people were poor; their condition was one of constant toil and hard struggles to gain food and clothing; but these evils were relieved by the kindly sympathies which sprung from com- mon wants. All intercourse was upon a level. Where all were poor there was no glare of wealth to shame poverty or to cause repining. In this respect this community was then like all others in Central New York. But there was one fact which every native of this town loves to speak of, which sent so many of its sons forth into the world to become pros- perous men, which brings so many of them back to-day with feelings of gratitude to their fathers. Amidst all their pov- erty, toil and privation, their first thought was to get schools for their children, and to found an academy which should give instruction in the higher branches of education. To do this, great efforts were made, and in some instances men put mortgages upon their lands to enable them to do their
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share towards building up this institution. For a long time it was the only academy in a large section of this State, and many pupils were sent to it from adjoining counties. The people of Onondaga have always given the founders of this town great credit for their wisdom and foresight. Among the first in-comers were persons of culture and ability. who did much to form the characters and shape the policy of their townsmen. At one time all the four members in the Legislature of the State from this county, and at or about the same time the representatives in Congress. were natives of the town of Pompey.
It can be claimed for its academy that it was of National consequence. In the Senate of the United States, in the House of Representatives, in the Judiciary of the Nation and of New York, in the Legislatures of the States, in the armies of the Union, in the pulpits of our churches, in the learned professions, and in all useful pursuits, those born and educated in this town have held positions of honor and responsibility. One of the earliest recollections of my child- hood is that of looking upon a meeting of the friends of that academy, on a winter's evening, in a room which was lighted, as well as warmed, by a huge wood fire, which roared and flashed in the cavernous fire place. All the means and efforts of its founders could only put up an hun- ble building for academical uses. If seen now, we might smile at its rude workmanship and its meagre endowment of books and apparatus, but if we could see it in the light of the benefits it has done, we should bow reverentially to the memories of those who founded it, amid all the wants .. trials and poverty of frontier life.
The social condition of this country has changed in the last half century. At the outset it was rude, but it was free and void of shams and hypocrisy. They had a kind of teaching too, which, in some ways was better than that gained by modern improvements in books and schools. At an early day, in poor communities only those who were able to put up comfortable houses could entertain travelers.
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Hence fifty years ago Inn-keepers were among our leading men. The village bar-room was not only made attractive by its ample space, and made cheerful by its great fires of logs and sticks, which would be called logs in those days, but it was also the place of common resort for all classes. Here the lawyer, the doctor, clergyman, and men of busi- ness and of labor, met to talk over the affairs of the town, the State and nation. These, discussions were open to all of the wide circle which filled the room.
Men then heard both sides of the questions of the day. They learned to temper their prejudices, and to correct their opinions. Nor was the gain to the uneducated only. The members of the learned professions were taught much that was valuable to them in their pursuits. Clergymen and lawyers knew more of human nature then than now. Opin- ions were not formed in studies alone, or from association with one class of minds. Hence they were not put forth in those terms of bitterness, and with those feelings of bigotry which are apt to mark those who see but one side of ques- tions. The village bar-room had its evils and its tempta- tions. If these could be done away with, and its cheerful rooms and bright fires could be restored, and above all, if the old kindly and free intercourse among all classes could be renewed, we should not only have better order and morals throughout our social system, but we should all have wiser and better men at the bar, in the pulpit, and in the halls of State and National legislation.
The amusements of those old days were more robust than at this time. Physical strength and activity were admired. Each town had ambitions of having the swiftest runner and the most skillful wrestler. The battle with the forest could only be fought and won by hands hardened to toil and en- durance. These were the qualities most admired, for they were most needed. Our deacons would not now think of calling out the country to aid in lifting up the frames of their churches by a promise that some adventurous man would stand upon his head on the highest ball on the
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steeple's top, and twine his feet in the tines of the lightning rod. Yet, if my memory serves me right, the church which stands in its fair proportions on this village green was helped up by some such inducements. I am sure the deacons would not try to stimulate the sale of pews by putting a pail of punch on the pulpit stairs to warm up the liberal spirits of the church members. I know that was the case when the pews were sold in the church just by.
It has been said that those were the "days of pure liquor, sound Democracy and vital piety." We can dispense with the liquor, pure or impure. Of Democracy in a partisan sense, I have nothing to say, but as it is held by all classes and all parties as a part of our political system, I think it is true that in all social intercourse, in publie morality, in official virtue, it was better practiced then than now. So far as piety is concerned, I can only say I believe that then, as now, devoted men preached the truths of religion, and toiled with faithfulness in their Maker's cause. Many of those who rest in yonder grave-yard went down to their resting place soothed and comforted by an assurance of fu- ture joys, and I trust all of those who stand before me are animated by the same hopes, and will, in their last hours, be sustained by the same consolation.
The President, with some appropriate remarks, presented Governor Seymour with an exquisite bouquet, the gift of Mrs. P. P. Miller, of De Witt, whereupon Governor Seymour responded as follows :- " I am very much gratified . for this beautiful bouquet. I have said already how I reverenced the memories of the fathers of Pompey, and how I admired their sons. I can now only say how much I love their daughters." [Applause and laughter. ]
Governor Seymour, in a few moments, rose and said :- " My friends, pardon me for lifting up my voice one more. [Applause. ] I spoke of the early men in my county. I tried in very feeble and inadequate terms to tell you what their claims were upon our respect. I can do more now.
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I want to give you an example of one more of them in pre- senting to you Judge Strong, a gentleman ninety years of age, who has spent his whole life honorably and well, trying to serve his fellow-men, to honor his God, and to uphokl the institutions of our country. I now present you Judge Oliver R. Strong, of Syracuse, one of the carly settlers of the town of Onondaga."
The aged patriarch stood uncovered before the immense assemblage, his clear eye indicating a vigorous intellect in his green old age, and in eloquent silence he gracefully bowed his acknowledgements to the hearty welcome of ap- plause he received.
After Judge Strong had resumed his seat, the entire as- semblage arose and joined in singing the following beautiful anthem, the effect of which will ever be remembered by all present on the occasion. It seemed as though one soul ani- mated the vast concourse and one sympathetic cord united all the people. At the close of the singing a solemn still- ness pervaded the place, and a happy expression beamed forth from thousands of tearful eyes.
AULD LANG SYNE.
Should anld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And days of auld lang syne ? For auld lang syne we meet to-day, For anld lang syne ; To tread the paths our fathers trod In days of auld lang syne.
We've passed through many varied seenes, Since Youth's unclouded day ; And friends, and hopes, and happy dreams, Times hand hath swept away.
And voices that once joined with ours, In days of auld lang syne, Are silent now, and blend no more, In songs of auld lang syne.
Yet ever has the light of hope Illumed our darkest hours,
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And cheered us on life's toilsome way, And gemmed our paths with flowers: The sacred prayers our mothers said In days of auld lang syne, Have ever kept us in the right, Since days of auld lang syne.
Here we have met, here we may part, To meet on earth no more,
And soine may never see again The cherished homes of yore ; The sportive plays and pleasant days Of childhood's auld lang syne-
We ne'er shall meet to know again Those joys of auld lang syne.
But when we've crossed the sea of life And reached the heav'nly shore, We'll sing the songs our fathers sing, Transcending those of yore ; We there shall sing diviner strains Than those of auld lang syne- Immortal songs of praise, unknown In days of auld lang syne.
The President stated that he was compelled to make an announcement that would undoubtedly be painful to all: Grace Greenwood can not be present. IIe then read the following telegram :- "It is impossible for me to be with you to-day, my aged mother is not well enough."-Grace Greenwood.
The President then announced that Mrs. Dr. H. V. Mil- ler, of Syracuse, would read a paper of " Reminiscences of Pompey," in place of the poem by Grace Greenwood.
Mrs. Miller then read as follows :-
It is related by that famous traveler, Bayard Taylor, that far up among the fastnesses of the Pyrenees he found a race of sturdy mountaineers, who for centuries have preserved intact a Republican form of government, despite the threat- of the two Despotisms of France and Spain, that crouch on either hand. Strong only in their patriotism and their nat- ural defences, they have defied intrigue, diplomacy and
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brute force, and still maintained the letter and spirit of a pure Republic. The same traveler tells us of a similar in- stance among the Alps, where he found in the " little Land of Appenzell," a hardy nation, of limited numbers, but strong in the patriotic principle, and the love of freedom, who refuse even to join the confederacy which unites the Cantons around them; whose rulers are chosen directly by the people, and who have preserved, along with their free institutions, a simplicity of life and manners almost pat- riarchal.
When the shores of what is now Great Britain were in- vaded by foreign hordes, first of Saxons and afterwards of Normans, the Cymry, the ancient people of Wales, retreat- ed to their mountain fastnesses, and long after the plains had become the prey of the invaders, they retained their independence, and only yielded when war and hardship had reduced the race nearly to extinction.
From these, and other similar facts, we cannot resist the conclusion that the continuous toil of a mountaineer's life, the contest with the elements that rage unobstructed around the high lands, the daily habit of climbing and overcoming obstacles, and above all, the pure and invigorating air of the hills, tend to develope strength of character, indepen- dence of thought and action, sturdiness of purpose, and physical force, as well.
It is said that during the Crimean war, the regiments of Scotch Highlanders were so affected by home sickness, that the regimental bands were forbidden to play the national airs, "Bonnie Doon" and "Annie Laurie," so greatly were the spirits and health of the men affected by the remem- brance of their native land. I believe it is an acknowledged fact that love of home prevails most powerfully with those born and reared among the hills. This numerous assem- blage of the sons and daughters of the hills, who have gathered from all points of the compass to this common center, like pilgrims to a holy city, is proof that we are true
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to our instincts; that though some of us have felt in former times, and while under the spur of youthful ambition, that "Pompey was rather slow," that "we wanted to get away from this knoll," still the home of our childhood has power to win us for a time from the pursuit of fame, or wealth, or pleasure.
And the noticeable fact, that of all this crowd so large a pro- portion have won for themselves a competence of this world's goods; so many have become men of mark in our country's annals; so many have helped to raise the general average of morality and prosperity in the community at large, goes far to prove the correctness of the conclusion that a youth passed among the hills is a good preparation for the arena of life.
In the case of many here present, years have passed since they parted from the home of their youth, while others have by frequent visits, kept fresh and bright the links of mem- ory's chain. With all of us it is love and loyalty to old Pompey that brings us here. I remember, some years since -when House's Printing Telegraph was first invented -- be- ing taken by a friend to the office in Syracuse, to inspect its operations. My friend introduced me to the operator as from Pompey, whereupon the latter telegraphed my name and address to the office in Rochester; in a few minutes the answer was unrolled before me, it ran thus :- "God bless old Pompey! Are the old wind mills standing yet?" It seemed as if I could see that man swing his hat as he gave that telegraphic cheer for his old home, and though I have forgotton his name I cherish for him a kindly feeling still. Many such pleasant surprises I have enjoyed, when by a word and a grap of the hand old associations have been called up, and long buried memories revived. I have stood in a crowd of strangers, and felt all the dreariness ineident to such a position entirely dispelled, when some familiar voice has said "I used to know you in Pompey !" or, "I was in the same class with you in school !"
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We are proud of our native town, and it is an honest, well grounded pride that we cherish. The annals both of our State and nation, bear honorable witness of the part her sons have borne in the history of both. We are proud of her far-reaching landscapes, of her broad emerald slopes. now bathed in sunshine, and now swept by the trailing skirts of a passing cloud; of her atmosphere of such erystaline purity that objects which are miles away "as the crow flies," seem at the distance of only a few minutes walk. Down vonder among the "low landers," we boast even of her superior snow drifts, though we are not anxious to face them, and until lately we have been ready to venture our last dol- lar that Pompey winds cannot be beaten. But this summer a son-in-law of Pompey has found a place near the summit of the Rocky Mountains, where a head wind absolutely stopped the train. Now we are forced to acknowledge that 10 Pompey breeze was ever known to brow beat a train so as to force it to a stand still ; possibly, because no railroad ever ventured to climb her heights. So that, for the pre- sent, Pompey meekly yields the pre-eminence in this respect to her Rocky sisters across the continent.
I have heard the following anecdote, which illustrates this feeling of pride and attachment to Pompey: In the town of Lysander, lived some years ago, a blacksmith known as " Dutch Jake;" around him had settled several farmers who had emigrated from Pompey, and who were accustomed frequently to apply to him for work in his line. They were not satisfied with his work, however, and did not hesitate to declare it inferior to similar work done in Pompey. On one occasion "Dutch Jake" lost patience at a remark of this kind, and exclaimed with emphasis, "Its all Pompey ! Pompey ! I believe you folks dat come from Pomper, you tinks you go to Pompey cen you die !"
In the early history of this region, this town held a con- spicuous position. The reputation of the place for wealth, intelligence and refinement, and the energy and talent of its principal men. called hither a great amount of business,
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and made it a sort of commercial emporium for the country around. Tremember to have heard from the lips of the late Squire M. Brown, of Elbridge, accounts of his fre quent journeys hither when a young man, with loads of grain from the farms of his father and his uncles, the Munroes of Elbridge and Camillus, this place being their most accessi- ble market. Here they sold their grain to Henry Seymour and carried back groceries, 'dry goods, &c., purchased of him. The old wind mills near the academy were erected by Mr. Seymour for grinding purposes, and supplied the needs of the inhabitants for a long time.
The following facts (obtained from Samuel Baker, Esq .. ) concerning the first church organized here, will show that the early settlers here were men of good moral and religious principles and energy and perseverance to carry out the plans. The First Congregational church of Pompey was formed October 19th, 1796, by Rev. Ammi R. Robinson, pastor of the church in Norfolk, Conn., and comprised twenty-two members. Its first deacons were Levi Jerome and Daniel Dunham. It first settled minister was the Rev. Joseph Gil- bert, whose remains lie interred in the village cemetery. In 1803 the Rev. Hugh Wallis was installed as pastor, and in the year 1810 the church became a member of the Onon- daga Presbytery. About this time the Rev. Artemas Bishop, a native of this place and a pupil of the academy, was sent by the American Board as a missionary to the Sandwiel Islands and is now living there. In the year 1836 Mrs. Crane (Julia Ostrander) went with her husband as a mission- ary to India. As fruits of the religions training of this church and the academy, we offer the following list of faith- ful ministers of the Gospel who have gone out from our midst :- Rev. Jared Ostrander, Rev. Charles Jerome, Rev. II. C. Hayden, Rev. Carlos Swift, and Rev. Delos E. Wells.
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