USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > Official report of the centennial celebration of the founding of the city of Cleveland and the settlement of the Western Reserve > Part 14
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groups of men and women engaged in con- versation, and in the bal- cony others occupied chairs reserved for those who did not care to dance. FLOAT -" CLEVELAND, 1896. "- HISTORICAL PAGEANT. The arrangements for the ball were complete, nothing being left undone for the pleasure of the guests. Mrs. William Edwards, the Chairman of the Executive Com- mittee, assisted by a worthy corps of entertainers, was in charge of the programme.
Among the noted guests of the evening were Governor and Mrs. Coffin, Governor and Mrs. Bushnell, Adjutant General and Mrs. Axline, General and Mrs. Charles P. Graham, Colonel L. Rogers, private sec- retary of Governor Bushnell; Colonel and Mrs. D. L. Cockley, and other staff officers and public officials of Connecticut and Ohio. The time for opening the ball was ro o'clock, but it was an hour later when the orchestra, under the leadership of John Faust, played the overture and followed with a two-step. After three numbers had been concluded a march was played and the young men in costume who had been on the floats unexpectedly entered the hall, headed by George W. Kinney. and marched around the room. There were twenty-four numbers on the list of dances. The back of the cards contained a reproduction of
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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.
an article published in 1839 in reference to a ball given at the American House, the concluding paragraph being as follows:
" About two hundred couples of gentlemen and ladies, the talent and beauty of the city and county, were present. The best of music cheered them on; and the light foot in the dance, the sweet smiles and bright eyes of the ladies, the gallantry of the gentlemen, the soul-stir- ring music, all combined, rendered it a scene long to be remembered and never to be surpassed." "It was the common verdict of the dancers who read the account that the writer of those lines, although he may have taxed his imagination, did not sufficiently tax it to foresee the Centen- nial Ball of 1896.
Dancing lasted until early morning, leaving Founder's Day a pleasant memory in the annals of the century.
CHAPTER VIII.
NEW ENGLAND DAY.
JULY 23, 1896.
While Moses Cleaveland, of Con- necticut, laid the foundation of the prim- itive village, all New England had a hand in building the superstructure and con- tributing to its embellishment. It was ap- propriate that the second day of the new century should be devoted to the consid- eration of this element in the city's ad- vancement. The day was designated as New England Day, and was observed in a simple, but very happy manner. A New England dinner was given on the campus of Adelbert College, under the auspices of the New England Society, an organization comprising many prominent citizens of Cleveland who felt a common pride in their Puritan descent. Tables were spread at noon under a large tent on the east side of the campus. The day was bright, and nothing was lacking to make the reunion a great success. Between six and seven hundred persons were present. A distinguished party occupied seats at the speakers' table, comprising Major Mckinley, Gov- ernor Bushnell, Senator Sherman, Senator Hawley and other promi- nent men, together with a number of well-known ladies. A large delegation of Ohio editors, members of the Buckeye Editorial As- sociation and the Associated Ohio Dailies, were entertained at the tent, being guests of the Centennial Commission for the day. Music was furnished by an orchestra during the progress of the dinner. The bill of fare was copied from the old-time New England dinner, and was as follows:
Bean Porridge, Hot. Vermont Turkey, Cranberry Sauce. Corned Beef, with Cabbage. Chicken, Currant Jelly. Pork and Beans. Beef Tongue. Boiled Ham. Tomatoes. Sliced Cucumbers. Lettuce, Radishes, Mixed Pickles. Wheat Bread, Biscuit and Butter. Boston Brown Bread, Gingerbread.
Doughnuts, Custard Pie, Berry Pie, Apple Pie. Cheese. Ice Cream. Apples. Peaches. Plums, Nuts, Figs, Raisins.
Tea, Coffee, Milk, Lemonade.
An hour of rare enjoyment was spent by the New Englanders in dining and exchanging reminiscences. President Sherwin then arose
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and rapping for order introduced a programme of after-dinner speeches. Senator Hawley was the first to respond. In the course of a felicitous address he said :
The New England Puritan, from whom you are descended, was not the sour, stern, narrow bigot he has been painted. He was the necessary outgrowth of civilization and Christianity. There are always people, when rulers get lazy and tyrannical, who arise and rebel against the existing order of things. Mahommet was a Puritan, for that matter; and so was Martin Luther; and so was the founder of the Jesuit order. I don't believe the Puritan was such a sour old fellow. For my part, I think he was a great deal happier than a great many people nowadays who don't know what they do believe, and say they don't understand God. It seems to me that a god who could be understood by poor finite creatures like ourselves wouldn't amount to a great deal. I cannot think that the men of the present day who have no beliefs are happy. The Puritans believed in a system of reward and punishment, and the non-believers in any- thing, who have so much to say in the present day and generation, must be short- sighted indeed if they cannot see that by natural law and in common justice the man who does wrong will be sorry for it either here or hereafter. I had rather be mistaken and believe something worth while and worth speaking for, and if need be, worth fighting for. (Applause.)
The Puritan knew about. guarding church and government. He had an idea he was here for some purpose, and he went around looking for what it was. You in Ohio, descendants of Puritans, also have an idea that you are in the world to accomplish something. (Applause. ) When the Puritans came to Hartford they brought with them not only their wives and their children and their household goods, but also their preacher and their church. By and by they took their march westward, and wherever they went communities grew. Sometimes when modern affairs make me feel weary and disgusted I wish that the Puritan were back with all his disagreeable character- istics, if he had any. He would at all events have principle and stability. They say the wives of the Puritans had more to endure than the Puritans themselves, because they had to endure not only the privations of their circumstances but the Puritans also. (Laughter. ) Now I am doubtful if the Puritans were so hard to endure.
Senator Sherman was the next speaker. He said :
I am exceedingly glad that I witnessed the celebration in Cleveland yesterday. It was a magnificent scene. I have seen many gatherings in cities throughout the coun- try on similar occasions, but I only voice the opinion of all who were with me yester- day when I say that an occasion of the kind where such good, feeling and good order prevailed is unparalleled. There are usually some naughty boys who want to make trouble. Some usually partake of whisky or some other liquids to fortify themselves and add to their joy. Nothing of this occurred in the vast crowds that filled your streets, avenues and buildings. Fifty years ago I resided for a short time in the city of Cleveland and intended making it my home, and have always had a good opinion of the city. This morning I determined to see all that I could in a short time, and I was driven around through the principal parts of Cleveland. I was both surprised and gratified at the progress and growth of this great city. What I said yesterday I repeat to-day with still greater emphasis, that Cleveland is destined to spread all along these shores. Cleveland's pre-eminence is assured by several things she possesses: The high order of the character of her people, her fine schools, and her favorable location. The time has gone by when the towns of pre-eminent growth are to be the river towns. Fifty years ago it was different. In the early history of the city, Cleveland's growth was not rapid; Cincinnati far outstripped her. The rivers were then the great chan- nels of trade; now the lakes carry the commerce. Navigable rivers gradually run out, but the lakes never run out. This lake will endure long after all the generations of Cleveland have passed away.
One more thought I have to present and I am ready to conclude. We have some neighbors across the way who own half of all these great lakes, except Lake Michigan. They are our kin. Canada is the Scotland of America. Whatever she does is of in- terest to us. I do not favor annexation, nor do I look for it; but I would vote to ar- range with her the warmest reciprocal relations. The time is not far distant when she will sever her relations with the European government which now controls her and will stand alone. This is an age and this a continent of republics. She would have done it long ago if England had treated her as harshly and unfairly as she did us prior to 1776. In a not far distant day Canada will set up housekeeping for herself.
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HON. JOHN SHERMAN.
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NEW ENGLAND DAY.
God bless her. We have nothing but republics on this continent save what lies north of us, and speed the day when we will rule and occupy this continent, the United States, Canada and Mexico. (Applause.) You in this company to-day may see the time when all over North America there will be governments for and by the people to the glory of God and the spread of Christianity.
The Arion Quartette sang, "This is the Lord's Own Day," after which Governor Bushnell spoke words of greeting to the Ohio editors and to the guests from Connecticut. He said :
This visit to Cleveland is not only one of surprises to me, Senator Hawley, but one of mingled pleasure and regret. Every event is a pleasure, and the regret is that the days are not longer, and that we have not more endurance. You have tried in Cleveland, not only to make it pleasant during all the hours of the day, but during nearly all the hours of the night as well. I don't know what you expect of our friends from Connecticut, but yesterday you expected me to ride a horse all yesterday after- noon and then dance all night. (Laughter.) I was able to do that formerly, but now
ASSEMBLING FOR THE NEW ENGLAND DINNER.
it is different. What constitutes the difference I won't say, because I won't insinuate that any of you are old enough to understand the reason.
Gentlemen of Connecticut, I welcome not only you, with all the cordiality in the world, but the people of Cleveland as well, to this tent. It is fitting that we enjoy this New England dinner under the shadows of these great and creditable institutions of learning. When we look out we ponder upon their greatness and the greatness of the city they honor. I take extreme pleasure in welcoming the editors of Ohio to this spot. It was my pleasure and privilege a few months ago to visit the mother State and invite Governor Coffin and his staff to be present at this time. We are glad that that invitation has been accepted. We are glad to show you hospitality, gentlemen, and only wish that there were more of you. To all a most hearty welcome. I never was an editor, but I was once in the newspaper business and I think I know something about it. To the energy and enterprise of newspaper men we are greatly indebted. The city of Cleveland could not have made so good a report nor been so good a city had it not been for the newspapers. Much is due to the editors, formulators of public opinion. Be of good cheer, gentlemen. The race is not always to the swift nor the battle to the strong. The people may be wrong, and you may not be able all at once to teach them the truth; but keep at it. In good time they will be right. I have every confidence in them. I have a great respect for you, gentlemen of the press. I had better have. (Laughter.) I was told a great while ago that the pen was mightier than the sword, and I have found it so.
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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.
We are delighted to see you all. This is one of the finest cities in Ohio, and as I am a great way from Cincinnati I am willing to say the largest. The city is a magnifi- cent one, and growing rapidly; any one can see that. I see it from one time that I visit Cleveland to another, and my visits are not far apart. I shall make them even more frequent in the future, and the city of Cleveland and myself will, I hope and trust, come closer and closer together. I wish continued prosperity for the city, State and nation, and I prophesy peace and plenty.
President Sherwin next said:
We have with us to-day a friend and neighbor, a Western Reserve man, whom we all delight to honor. We shall be most delighted to hear from him at this time. It gives me great pleasure to present to you at this time ex-Governor William Mckinley.
Major Mckinley was hailed with applause. He spoke as follows:
It gives me sincere pleasure to meet and address for a moment the New England Society of the city of Cleveland and Western Reserve of Ohio. Those of us who are not descendants of the Pilgrims of New England join cheerfully with those who are to pay high tribute to the men who did so much for civilization and for the establish- ment of free government on this continent. There has been every variety of characterization of the New England pilgrim and pioneer-some of it of a friendly nature, but far too much of it captious, harsh and unjust. At this moment the picture of the Puritan painted by that gifted son of New England, the late George William Curtis, whose memory we revere and will ever cherish, rises before me. He said that the Puritan was "narrow, bigoted, sour, hard and intolerant, but he was the man whom God had sifted three kingdoms to find as the seed-grain wherewith to plant a free Republic," and that he had "done more for liberty than any man in human history." It is said that the blood of New England courses through the veins of a quarter of the population of the United States. I know not how this may be, but I do know that the ideas, principles and the conscience of New England course through every vein and artery of the American Republic. (Cheers and applause. ) Well may you be proud to be descended from New England people, for never was anything more happily said of them than these words by Whittier:
" No lack was in thy primal stock, No weakling founders builded here ; They were the men of Plymouth Rock The Huguenot and the Cavalier."
The Puritan has fought-aye, and died-on every battle-field of the Republic, from Concord and Bunker Hill to Gettysburg and Appomattox. (Great applause. ) And the torch of liberty he lighted still illumines the whole world. I bid you, again in the language of our beloved Whittier,-
" Hold fast to your Puritan heritage ;- But let the free light of the age, Its life, its hope, its sweetness add To the sterner faith your fathers had."
There was another period of hand-clapping as Major Mckinley resumed his seat.
Alderman J. Kennedy. Childs, of Hartford, was then called upon and spoke briefly. He said :
When we of Connecticut received your cordial greeting last winter we felt that it was more than a mere formal courtesy. The warm heart-beating of relationship and kinship seemed in it. We feel that we are not strangers to you; we are your own kith and kin. You have founded and built up a vast municipality, into which you have in- jected the sterner principles of our forefathers, modified and softened by more gentle and beautiful influences. The city of Hartford is a mother proud of her child. But the mother, now that you have grown so large, feels more like an older sister than a mother. We don't want you to feel that we are so far in the background as to be out of the reckoning. We who are here feel less hke the parent than like the elder brother, though some of our young men, I suspect, feel an interest in your ladies that they would characterize as other than brotherly. From the large quantity of flowers that emanate from the Hartford headquarters, and the vast flower bills that are accumulat.
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NEW ENGLAND DAV.
ing there, I prophesy that Hartford and Cleveland will one day be united by ties other than those of blood.
In one hundred years, you have established a great city, and earned a creditable history. National events now constitute your Western Reserve, the focal point of national affairs. We have respect for your decision in politics, and there are not a few of us of opposite political faith who admire beyond description the pure character, the famous record, and the admirable domestic life of our choice for the Presidency. As long as time endures, Hartford will be proud of her younger sister. As long as the Republic lasts it will be given to us to be of you and with you.
Judge U. L. Marvin, of Akron, a member of the bench of the Cir- cuit Court, spoke in part as follows:
I see by the printed programme that this is the New England Society of Cleveland and the Western Reserve. I had supposed it to be the New England Society of the Western Reserve, but it is fitting that the word Cleveland should be incorporated in the name, for though it is painful for us who live in Akron to admit it, there is really no substantial doubt that, with her rapid growth since she became directly connected with us by an electric road, Cleveland is the metropolis of the Reserve. I have of late spent so much of my time in Cleveland in connection with my official duties that I am prepared to admit that she is the Metropolis of Ohio, though I have some friends in Cincinnati who express doubts about it.
I suppose there is no descendant of Connecticut ancestors who is not proud of that fact, and my friend on my left (Mr. W. O. Beebe, of Wooster, Ohio, ) and myself were remarking a few minutes ago, that if our several parents had remained a little longer in Middletown we would both have been natives of Connecticut. The man, however, whose birthplace is the Western Reserve, has no cause to regret the place of his na- tivity, his geography is all right-it is a good place to be born in and a good place to live in.
I am sure that it is a matter of the highest gratification to every member of the society under whose auspices this dinner is given, and to every citizen of Cleveland, and of every other portion of the Reserve present, that there are here as guests to-day so many distinguished citizens of Connecticut. And by way of conclusion I will add that if we may judge by the quantity, and the rapidity with which they have eaten it, our Connecticut friends have been equally gratified.
Mr. John T. Mack, of Sandusky, president of the Ohio Associated Dailies, was invited to speak on behalf of the editors. He said : Gentlemen and Fellow Yankees :
During the day I have talked with several of our members concerning their na- tionalties. I had supposed we had some men of German extraction among us, but I find that everybody was born in New England and claims to be a resident of Cleve- land. We share in the felicity of this occasion. Your happiness is ours. We sup- posed that we knew something about you. We could tell you your politics, for example. But in our short trip to-day we have discovered more about you and about your city than we ever knew before. What has made Cleveland great is not alone the spirit of the forefathers and the qualities for which New Englanders are famous, but the labor of your toiling masses. Capital and labor have a common share in all the glories of your magnificent city. Make Cleveland to grow in the future as you have in the past, and when your centennial rolls around agam you will have a million popu lation. May we all be there to see.
This concluded the exercises, and after lingering awhile in conver- sation the New Englanders departed from the campus.
The officers of the New England Society were N. B. Sherwin, presi- dent; L. F. Mellen, secretary ; S. C. Smith, treasurer; the following vice- presidents: Rev. Livingston L. Taylor, chaplain ; L. E. Holden, Maine ; E. R. Perkins, New Hampshire; F. C. Keith, Vermont; M. M. Hobart, Vermont; F. C. Diekman, Rhode Island; William Bingham, Connecti- cut; and the following trustees: L. E. Holden, A. G. Colwell, R. C. Parsons, William Edwards, L. F. Mellen, S. C. Smith, M. M. Hobart, W. P. Horton, II. R. Hatch, James Barnett, F. A. Kendall, N. B. Sher-
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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.
win, I. P. Lamson, H. Q. Sargent, Thomas H. White, J. H. Breck, Mrs. W. A. Ingham, Mrs. C. F. Olney, Mrs. P. H. Babcock, Mrs. Elroy M. Avery, Mrs. E. D. Burton.
The visit of Ohio editors on New England Day was made in re- sponse to an invitation from the Centennial Commission. About one hundred and fifty newspaper men, accompanied for the most part by ladies, arrived early in the morning. They were cordially received by a committee and at 10 o'clock were taken in special cars to the docks of the Cleveland & Buffalo Transit Company, where they boarded the steamer City of Buffalo for a lake ride. During the trip speeches were made by Mayor MeKisson, Major W. J. Gleason, L. E. Holden, John T. Mack, of Sandusky; Editor Herbert, of the National Journalist; Hon. William Cap- peller, of Mansfield; Major W. W. Armstrong; Thomas C. Raynolds, of Wooster; A. II. Baxter, of Hartford, Conn. ; J. H. Sandford, of Bridge- port, Conn., and Miss Birdelle Switzer and T. F. Newman, of Cleve- land. Upon their return the editors were invited to a trolley ride, arriving at the campus for dinner. In the afternoon a trip through the parks was made in tally-hos and carriages, and in the evening the visitors were entertained at the various places of amusement and at the rooms of the Artemus Ward Club, the Cleveland newspaper men's organization.
The first performance of the Centennial Opera. "From Moses to McKisson," was given at the Euclid Avenue Opera House, on the even- ing of New England Day. The opera, as its name implied, was histori- cal in character, but this feature was intermingled with others. By one writer the plot was thus described :
The scene of the first act is laid in Hartford in 1796. The curtain rises on a group of Hartford citizens who sing a rollicking chorus and are informed by the tithing man that their song disturbs the directors of the Connecticut Land Company and the Gov- ernor's Council, who are in session. The company receives a charter, and Moses Cleaveland turns westward, after being interviewed by an energetic reporter.
The second scene is the site of Cleveland. The pioneer party lands in a boat and takes possession of the land, the Indians slinking away among the trees. The savages soon return, and in return for a few cheap presents vacate their claim to the property from Lakewood Hamlet to Doan's Corners, and proceed to get drunk.
Cleveland's Public Square and a part of Ontario street splendidly represented form the third scene. Moses Cleaveland stands upon a pedestal, Yellowband, an Indian, adorns the front of a cigar store, and Living Pictures, the daughter of Yellow- band, poses as the statue that surmounts the soldiers' monument. Seth Pease, who has survived all of the pioneers, enters the Square and arouses the statues. They leave their positions and marvel at the progress of the city which they founded a cen- tury ago.
That is the story of the opera briefly told. Parties of blushing maidens and roughly-dressed youth enliven the action of the piece by frequent choruses.
The characters were taken by young men, many of whom were dressed in feminine costume. The cast was given on the programme in the following manner :
General Moses Cleaveland, Will G. Meade; John Milton Holley, a fiery youth, who blazes his way to fame and fortune, F. M. Nicholas; Augustus Porter, a clever young surveyor, who only asks a modest share of all he surveys, C. A. Maher; Seth Pease, a dealer in futures, F. W. Bragging; Steel Penn, a man of note, whom history forgets to endorse, R. C. Enright; Chief Yellowband, one red man, who is not the lowest of the " Lo," W. R. Gill: Easy Ryder, a Yankee pedaler; John Jacob Astor, a wander- ing furriner ; Sergeant ()'Pake, a club man, George Pettengill; Holdfast Shackles, the tithing man, W. R. Gill; Cream Puffs, the first pure food commissioner, F. A. Mckey-
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NEW ENGLAND DAY.
nolds; Mistress Abigail, a prim and primitive preceptress, F. B. Meade; Dorothy and Mildred, "of the class of '96," A. R. Davis and William D. Post; Living Pictures, a model Indian maiden, Richard Bacon, Jr. ; Mrs. Mercy Cleveland, L. J. Burgess; Oliver Phelps, C. L. C. Chikpina, the weasel, Charles Hotchkiss; Henry Champion, C. L. C., Wirula, the red fox, George Frasch; Samuel Johnson, C. L. C., Hitchinra, the wild cat, Al Bailey; Ephraim Kirby, C. L. C., Metsi, the coyote, Robert Gage; Samuel Mather, C. L. C., Chichepa, the chicken hawk, Fred Benes; Roger Newburry, C. L. C., Matsklila, the turkey buzzard, Will Biggar.
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