USA > Vermont > Windsor County > Windsor > The centennial at Windsor, Vermont, July 4, 1876 : being a record of the proceedings at the celebration; and containing the address and poem then delivered; also a view of Windsor as it now is > Part 1
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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01100 6241
THE
CENTENNIAL
AT
WINDSOR, VERMONT,
JULY 4. 1876.
BEING A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS AT THE CELEBRATION ; AND CONTAINING THE ADDRESS AND POEM THEN DELIVERED ; ALSO A VIEW OF WINDSOR AS IT NOW IS.
WINDSOR: PUBLISHED BY THE JOURNAL, COMPANY 1876.
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F 843941.97
170145
ENTERED ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS, IN THE YEAR, 1876, BY The Journal Company, IN THE OFFICE OF THE LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS AT WASHINGTON.
سق
1776-1876.
GENTE NNIAL
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URTH
1764 --- WINDSOR, VERMONT --- 1864.
Thro' storm and calm the years have led Our Nation on from stage to stage, A century's space, until we tread The threshold of another age. - BRYANT.
T a meeting of the citizens of Windsor, held at Rol- lin Amsden's Hall, Saturday evening, May 27, 1876, to provide for an appropriate celebration of the centennial anniversary of the nation's birth, and also of the first permanent settlement of the Town, the Hon. Hiram Harlow was chosen chairman, and J. B. Farnsworth, Esq., secretary. The following general committee of arrangements was appointed : - Hiram Harlow, J. B. Farnsworth, Frauklin But- ' ler, Horace Weston, J. A. Pollard, Rev. T. J. Taylor, M. K. Paine, R. L. Jones, C. J. Jones, J. F. Bailey, T. B. Winn, A. G. Amsden, S. L. Lawrence, H. Poor, D. Tuxbury, Alfred Hall, Rollin Amsden, D. Morrison, S. R. Stocker, M. C. Hub- bard, L. C. Fay, HI. L. Marcy, AAllen Dudley, C. II. Dudley, II. D. Stone, W. H. II. Walker, G. W. Thurston, C. W. Whitaker, C. B. Evarts, Dr. R. Clark, Dr. F. E. Morse, Dr. Henry Furness. Subsequently the following officers of the day were elected :- COL. E. E PHELPS, M. D., President ; REV. R. T. SEARLE, Chap- lain ; REv. T. J. TAYLOR, Reader of Declaration of Independence ; REV. S. S. CUTTING, D. D., of Brooklyn, N. Y., Orator ; SOLON
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MORRISON, EsQ., of Montreal, P. Q., Poet ; J. B. FARNSWORTH, EsQ., Toast-Master ; COL. HIRAM HARLOW, Marshal ; CAPT. J. N. EDMINSTER, 1st Assistant ; CHARLES B. EVARTS, 2nd Assistant ; H. L. MARCY, 3d Assistant.
Special committees were subsequently appointed as follows :-
ON FINANCE - Dwight Tuxbury, Horace Weston, A. J. Hun- ter, Chas. J. Jones, Allen Dudley, Chas. B. Evarts, W. H. H. Walker, H. L. Story, Luther W. Stocker.
ON PROGRAMME - Hiram Harlow, S. R. Stocker, Franklin Butler, James A. Pollard, Rev. Thos. J. Taylor, Dr. Ripley Clark.
ON MILITARY - Henry Poor, Malcolm II. Pollard, George W. Thurston, A. F. Putnam, Richard D. Wynn.
ON POWDER AND FIREWORKS - Milton K. Paine, Henry Poor, Dr. Henry Furness, Chas. B. Evarts.
ON ANTIQUITIES - Mrs. M. K. Paine, Rowena Pollard, Mrs. F. Whitaker, Horace P. McClary, Sarah Bishop, Ella Renfrew, An- gie Lawrence.
ON DECORATION - Dr. Frederick L. Morse, Marsh O. Perkins, Charles N. Adams, Dr. Henry Furness.
To PROCURE PERSONATION OF THE STATES - Mrs. Henry D. Stone, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Tupper, Mrs. Henry Poor, Mrs. Hen- ry B. Thompson, Chas. W. Whitaker.
ON GROUNDS - Rollin Amsden, Orlando L. Patrick, James N. Gilman.
ON TABLES - Albert Weston, Samuel U. King, Alonzo A. Ab- bott, Levi C. Fay, James A. Pollard.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE - Hiram Harlow, Franklin Butler, Thales B. Winn, Chas. W. Whitaker.
In pursuance of the plans adopted by the Citizens' Committee, Monday evening, July 3d, was devoted to illuminations and dec- orations of the various places of business, private dwellings, churches, etc .; and such a brilliant display, so general among all classes of citizens, was never before seen in Windsor. The Uni- ted States flag floated grandly on the U. S. Court House, Capt. J. H. Simonds' Hotel, the JOURNAL Buikling, the State Prison, and many private dwellings. There was scarcely a resi- dence that did not make some effort at decoration with flags, bar- ners, etc. Among those particularly noticeable were the residen- ces of Dwight Tuxbury, Jas. N. Edminster, C. C. Beaman, Wm.
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.
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M. Evarts, D. T. Martin, Mrs. Susan Adams, the U. S. Court House, Jones' Barber Shop, Ascutney National Bank, Amsden's Billiard Hall, E. S. Stevens, C. D. Cross, Dr. N. G. Hale, Mr. A. Spaulding, Mrs. Zebina Hawley, Mrs. H. B. Stevens, the Asent- ney House, Russell Jones, Asa Jones, Rollin Amsden, Geo. F. Savage, Miss Anna Green, William Sabine, Tenney's Furniture Building, H. L. & Geo. E. Williams' Drug Store, M. K. Paine's Drug Store, T. B. Winn, JOURNAL Building, M. L. Perham, Mrs. Susan Ensworth, Hiram Harlow, Jas. A. Pollard, H. W. Adams, C. T. Fay, Dr. E. E. Phelps, M. K. Paine, Henry Poor, Henry Thompson, Mrs. Harriet Pierce, S. R. Stocker, Dr. R. Clark, H. Wardner, Rev. T. J. Taylor, Samuel N. Stone, E. D. Sabine, Dea. Parry C. Skinner, R. D. Wynn. Dea. C. D. Hazen's yard was il- luminated by lanterns one hundred years old.
During the display, the soldiers formed in line at the Town Hall, under the command of Capt. Henry Poor, and marched to his residence on State street, where they were invited in and treat- ed to refreshments. After coming out he was greeted with three hearty cheers, when Dr. E. E. Phelps was called upon, and ad- dressed the company in most fitting words, telling them of the great obligations the nation was under to them for the sacrifice they had made for the perpetuity of our blessed Union ; the duty of the citizen to the soldier ; the duty of the soldier respecting his independence at the ballot box ; not to be influenced by any unprincipled clique of politicians, but to vote honestly and fear- lessly for the right ; ever defending the principles on which our government was founded -" Union and Liberty now and forever," and that " eternal vigilance is the price of Liberty."
"Young America " did not care to sleep, for, until midnight came, melodious strains of national music floated on the evening air; old and young were alike inspired with enthusiastic prospects of a glorious Fourth ; the mind for a moment turned back the leaves of time to read the burning words of the eloquent Henry, or to dwell with admiration upon the sterling integrity of the no- ble patriots of 1776.
The old town clock struck twelve, and the impetuous "boys," always ready to anticipate the observance of such an event, pulled the bell ropes of the four churches, school-house, and State Pris- on, and the clanging of bells, discordantly intermingled with inu-
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merable discharges of small guns, with the booming of heavy pieces in the direction of Lebanon and Cornish, N. H., and Wood- stock and Springfield, Vt., gave notice that the old century had passed and the new was dawning. At sunrise, in accordance with the programme, the artillery, commanded by Lieut. M. H. Pol- lard, fired a salute of thirteen guns, accompanied by the ringing of all the bells in town.
The place selected for holding the exercises was the Common, on the east side of which the speakers' stand, capable of seating some two hundred persons, was erected, artistically trimmed with evergreen and profusely decorated with flags. At an carly hour the people began to arrive - the Common and around Antiquarian Hall soon presenting a lively appearance.
At half-past eight o'clock, Edward E. Phelps, late Surgeon U. S. Volunteers, Brevet Lieut. Colonel, presented the Ladies of the Soldiers' Aid Society with a banner bearing the inscription, "Woman : always and everywhere the Soldier's Friend." With much feeling he addressed them as follows :
ADDRESS OF SURGEON PHELPS.
TO THE LADIES OF THE SOLDIERS' AID SOCIETY :- In behalf of the soldiers now before you, a part of that army of volunteers by whose bravery the slave-holders' rebellion has been subdued, I present you this banner, in testimony of their appreciation of the noble zeal and readiness with which you became co-workers with them in the great contest for the liberty of man. We come, on this our national jubilee, to express our exultant gratitude that an overruling Providence has kindly guided our Re- public through a complete century of progress, from a small beginning to a rank equal with the great nations of the world; and, while to-day from the Atlantic to the Pacific shores, one burst of joy arises, filling each heart with patriotic impulses, let us solemnly resolve that we will hand down to our posterity the hard-earned liberty that has descended to us from our ances- tors. But, however pleasant and appropriate it would be, to-day, to discourse upon liberty and the means and sacrifices by which it was obtained, I must forbear ; a different mission calls me into your presence. I come to tell the ladies of the society they rep- resent, yea, and through them all those noble workers throughout
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the land, who gave their labors of love to the soldier, that they can never fully realize how effective for good their labors proved. In camp, on the march, in bivouac, in hospital and even on the battle field, these messengers of love and mercy - the ever active agents of the Sanitary Commission, in their rapid moving vehicles freighted with your contributions, were continually hovering around us. Rest assured that such attentions filled our hearts with additional courage, as they brought to mind how far, far away in our mountain homes loved ones were ever reaching to the sick and wounded comforts of which they otherwise would have been deprived. Who, who can tell how strong it nerved our arms when we were continually reminded that kind-hearted, sympathiz- ing woman was always and everywhere the soldier's friend - that whatever hardships and dangers we were called to endure, she, of all others, most fully appreciated the sacrifices the soldiers made to preserve for her a happy home with all the blessings of liberty. Now, ladies, as we join this procession, and take part in the cere- monies so appropriate to this joyous day, let us, with united hearts, feel that both you and ourselves have thus far done our whole duty to our country ; and may this soul-enlivening recollection help us to bear with fortitude the dark hours of life that await us all, and as we approach the confines of the grave, may the sweet consciousness that we have faithfully served our country be blend- ed with our last thoughts of earth.
A banner, entitled the " Roll of Honor," containing the names of soldiers who went to the war from Windsor and lost their lives, was then presented to the company by Capt. Henry Poor, in a brief address both solemn and appropriate. He paid a high trib- ute to the brave men who laid down their lives on the altar of their country that we might enjoy the blessings of " life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." It is regretted that Capt. Poor's address cannot be given in full. Following are the names of those dead : Messrs. Tracy, Rich, Porter, Ensworth, Houghton, Stone, Hop. kins, Phelps, Newman, Williams, Morey, Lull, Clayton, Donoghue, Dinsmore, Clement, Smith, Ware, Kenyon, Howe, Hadley, and Parmenter. On the reverse side of the banner was this : " Wind- sor, Vermont. Honor and Everlasting Fame to the names of those men who died for their Country." The company then voted to present the banner to Surgeon Edw. E. Phelps. Led by the fife
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and drum, the soldiers then marched to the old training ground, near the South Church, where, in accordance with the programme, the procession formed at 9.30, although on account of its numbers and the difficulty of its arrangement, it did not move until about 10 A. M.
ORDER OF PROCESSION.
FIRST ASSISTANT MARSHAL, James N. Edminster.
DRUM CORPS, - Messrs. Bartlett, Wait, Britton, Biathrow, and Johnson.
SOLDIERS OF THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. Infantry: Henry. Poor, Captain ; Henry B. Thompson, 1st Lieut .; Chas. Cady, 1st Sergt .; Stephen Hammond, 2d Sergt .; Charles Stone, 3d Sergt,; Wm. Bagley, 4th Sergt .; Urias E. Damon, 1st Corporal ; George Dinsmore, 2d Corporal ; A. Hammond, 3d Corporal ; John Sav- age, 4th Corporal ; M. L. Perham, Color Bearer ; J. W. Cady, Standard Bearer ; Clarence M. Bixby, J. R. Smith, Isaac Williams, Geo. Colpoy, Octave Laburr, Wm. Clucus, Joseph Lapine, Capt. C. L. Savage, Chas. Spaulding, Oscar Pierce, Geo. Spear, David Micot, Norman Perkins, Geo. Sleeper, M. Bannister, Frank R. Burbank, Marshall Dimmick, Stillman Walker, Mark Bryant, Chas. Thompson, Adolphus Laundry, and Frank Newman, followed by the artillery: Malcolm Pollard, Lieut., Wm. H. H. Perkins, A. F. Putnam, Chas. Mower, Jas. Coats, Samuel Merrill ; riders, John Brady, Geo. Sanborn, with the twelve-pound field-piece.
Surgeon E. E. Phelps, with the disabled soldiers, James Car- lin and George Fitch.
LADIES OF THE SOLDIERS' AID SOCIETY, - Mrs. Rollin Amsden, Miss Mary Phelps, Mrs. A. Spaulding, Mrs. J. T. Freeman, Mrs. P. K. Whitney.
SECOND ASSISTANT MARSHAL, Charles B. Evarts.
BAND,-George W. Cressy, George Kenyon, Charles B. Evarts, Adolphus Laundry, Henry W. Stocker, Rollin Buckman, George K. Stocker, Henry Harris, Roswell Boyd, Edson Austin, David Houghtling, Luther W. Stocker, William S. Pollard, Richard Nix- on, Artemas Wood, D. P. Floyd, Will H. Stocker, James E. Pol- lard.
SOLDIERS OF 1812,- Capt. James Stone, Parry C. Skinner, Josiah Lombard.
LADIES REPRESENTING THE THIRTEEN ORIGINAL STATES, - Ab-
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bie E. Tuxbury, Bell Gilbert, Etta M. Jones, Frankie Jones, Em- ma F. Ingalls, Mary Whitney, Ella Renfrew, Etta Tupper, Mary Henry, Emma F. Spanlding, Idla Brown, Abbie White, Hattie Harlow; with George E. Chase as " Brother Jonathan."
Miss Lucy Ellen Pettes, representing Vermont, the first inde- pendent State.
CHIEF MARSHAL, - Hon. Hiram Harlow.
President of the day, Franklin Butler ; orator, Sewall S. Cut- ting of Brooklyn, N. Y .; poet, Solon Morrison, Esq., of Montreal, P. Q .; reader of the Declaration of Independence, Rev. T. J. Taylor.
Invited guests and clergy.
Citizens' Committee.
LADIES REPRESENTING THE THIRTY-EIGHT STATES OF THE UNION, - Etta Thompson, Laura Dudley, Minnie Dudley, Jennie Perkins, Eva Barnard, Maria Silver, Hattie Mann, 'Lettie Howe, Minnie Stocker, Carrie Thompson, Katie Stone, Sarah Tewksbury, Clara Twitchell, Nellie Hubbard, Jennie Paine, Hattie Smith, Jennie Silver, Lillian Pollard, Lillian Fay, Emma Walker, Sallie Winn. Inez Bartholomew, Clara McIndoe, Lou Merrifield, Kate Comings, Abbie Buckman, Emma Pierce, Susie Farnsworth, Jennie Mars- ton, Lilla Knowlton, Allie Harlow, Nettie Harlow, Emma York, Abbie Sprague, Fannie Rich, Nancy Whitton ; with Samuel F. Stocker as " Uncle Sam."
NIAGARA ENGINE Co. No. 1,- Foreman, R. D. Wynn ; 1st As- sistant, G. W. Cressy ; 2d Assistant, C. M. Atwood ; Clerk, C. S. Amsden ; Bellman, J. B. Munn ; leading hosemen, F. W. Ams- den, W. S. Pollard, H. C. Jones, A. E. Johnson, L. M. Davis, G. K. Stocker ; suction hosemen, D. P. Floyd, F. F. Hatch, James Cook, Wm. Lacy ; privates, Wm. F. Britton, James Conlin, Geo. Cady, James G. Coates, Jolm Conlin, Geo, HI. Corliss, James Dudley, Geo. A. Duncan, Horace Emerson, Geo. Houghtling, J. S. Hastings, John Lacy, James Lacy, William McCarty, Michael McCarty, Chas. E. Mower, Richard Nixon, Dudley Perkins, Wm. H. Perkins, F. L. Quinn, Edwin L. Ranlett, Thomas Sears, Wm. Vensey, Joseph White, John Galligher, Elroy J. Shattuck, Clar- ence Spragne, Edward B. Sears ; volunteers or those under 21 years of age, Edson G. Austin, Edgar Austin, Fred I. Mann, Frank White, Eli Mosley, John Brown, Morris Pollard.
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OX-CART representing a family of 1776, containing Dea. C. D: Hazen, Mrs. Hazen, Mrs. Emma Harrington and son Frank, Theda S. Hazen, Fred and Harry Whitaker, Charlie Lawrence, Lottie Comings, Minnie Comings, and Anna Weston. Also, sad- dle horse, representing the same year, bearing George Thompson and Ida Pollard.
Gentlemen and Ladies representing a family of 1876, consist- 'Ing of Maj. L. C. Fay and ladies. Citizens in general, and 3rd Asst. Marshal, H. L. Marcy, completed the line.
First Assistant Marshal, J. N. Edminster, riding to the front of the procession, in a ringing, military voice, said: " Attention column ! forward, march !" and the procession moved down Main street to Union street, west to Ascutney street, north to State street, down to Main street, north to new road, thence through Court street to Common. Here the members of the procession proceeded to the speakers' stand which was surrounded by a large concourse of people from many of the neighboring towns. Upon the platform were many whose locks have been silvered by age. Among these were Hon. Jason Steele, Dr. E. E. Phelps, John T. Freeman, Simeon Ide, now of Claremont, N. H., David Hunter, S. R. Stocker, Danforth Brown, Dr. D. R. Story, Mrs. Adam Pond -the oldest lady in town, being in her ninety-second year. Near the speakers sat George Fitch and James Carlin, of the 6th . and 3rd Vermont volunteers respectively,- reminders of " An- tietam " and the " Wilderness ;" the veterans of 1812, Capt. Jas. Stone, Parry C. Skinner, and Josiah Lombard. Then there were Dr. Ripley Clark, Henry Wardner, Dwight Tuxbury, M. K. Paine, Franklin Butler, J. B. Farnsworth, S. L. Lawrence, O. L. Patrick, Col. Hiram Harlow, J. A. Pollard, and many others now actively engaged in business pursuits ; Capt. Henry Poor, with his " Boys in Blue," and the Revs. R. T. Searle, T. J. Taylor, and A. M. Folger.
The speakers, "Dr. Cutting and Solon Morrison, Esq., were taken by the hand by old acquaintances, and a few moments were spent in recalling reminiscences of familiar topies of olden time.
The assembly was called to order by Chief Marshal, Hiram Harlow, at 11.05 A. M., and the following letter from Col. Phelps
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was read by the Secretary of the Committee, J. B. Farnsworth:
WINDSOR, VT., July 4, 1876.
To REV. F. BUTLER,
Dear Sir :- Although fully appreciating the honor conferred upon me in selecting me as President of the Day, in the celebra- tion of this our great national festival, I feel that I must decline to serve in that capacity. So many of those with whom I was as- sociated in the late war assemble on this day to take part in its ceremonies that I find it impossible to deny myself the gratifica- tion of co-operating with them on so joyous an occasion. Those only who have borne together the great vicissitudes of the soldier's life can fully understand the magical sympathy that inspires the soldier for those who, like himself, have been familiar with the terrific scenes and almost hellish turmoil of battle, or the varied but thrilling experiences of active, military service. Pardon me, then, if, now as I near the close of the great battle of life, the reminiscences of its military episode come before me with a feel- ing akin to enchantment. May I ask you, my dear sir, to take the place designed for me in the exercises and festivities of this glo- rious day for humanity, and which we, as the representatives of human liberty, now propose to celebrate ? By so doing you will give others, as well as myself, the pleasure of seeing you occupy a place so justly due to one who has been so judiciously active in exciting so great and wholesome an interest in our community to do honor, in a proper way, to the birth-day of a nation that, in a single century, has, by the force of its practical principles of hu- man liberty, acquired a name and influence equal to any, either modern or historic.
With sentiments of the greatest esteem and respect, I am, dear sir, Truly yours,
EDW. E. PHELPS. Late Surg. U. S. Vol., Brev. Lt. Col.
Mr. Butler, stepping to the front of the platform, gave the fol- lowing address of welcome:
ADDRESS OF MR. BUTLER.
MR. SECRETARY AND GENTLEMEN OF THE COMMITTEE :- I par- take, as deeply as any one, of the regret which possesses all pres- ent at the announcement, just made, that our distinguished fellow citizen whose pro-eminence, as well in peace as in war, and as well abroad as at home, justly awards to him the highest honors, de- clines to preside over this assembly; but, as I belong to a profes- sion and am trained to it - that stands where it is put, I shall ac- cept his request and do the best I can:
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FELLOW CITIZENS of this great American Republic - of these green hills and valleys -- of Vermont, the first independent. State - of New Hampshire and the oll thirteen --- mother of Vermont (if she has any mother), in the name of the Citizens' Committee by whose arrangements we are here gathered, I bid you welcome to the festivities and the gravities of this one hundredth anniversary of the Republic and of the town in which we dwell ! Welcome to the sight of these banners and flags and guns - emblems of our princi- ples and of our ability and purpose to maintain them! Welcome to the view of these venerable veterans of former days, and of the gallant braves who stood between us -our homes, our wives and children - and destruction ! Welcome to the vision of these rep- resentatives of woman in her noble mission of humanity "al- ways and everywhere," not to the soldier only, but to man in all his struggles for the good and the right ! Welcome to the greet- ings and the reminiscences and the inspiring words of the day and the occasion that brings us together on this auspicious morning !
And now, with devout thanksgiving to Almighty God, and the firm purpose of maintaining our liberties and the Union for- ever, at all hazards, let us enter upon the services of the hour.
The band then played " Hail Columbia," after which the Rev. R. T. Searle offered a fervent prayer for the continuance of the Divine favor upon our Republic. "The National Hymn " was sung by members of the band, assisted by Dr. F. L. Morse, Dr. Henry Furness, C. J. Weston, Charles Dudley, Ed. Kenyon, Geo. Cady, C. H. Gilchrist, and others, under the direction of Henry W. Stocker. Following the music, came the reading of the Declar- ation of Independence, by Rev. T. J. Taylor, Rector of St. Paul's Church.
The President -" I have now the honor of introducing to you as orator of the day, a distinguished son of Windsor, the Rev. Dr. Sewall S. Cutting of Brooklyn, N. Y." Dr. Cutting's address oc- cupied about an hour and forty minutes in its delivery; and a more scholarly, pertinent, and philosophical production has been rare even in the history of Windsor. It is given in full in another place.
The President then introduced Solon Morrison, Esq., of Mon- treal, P. Q., as the well-known writer of the " Canada Post Card."
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The poem of Mr. Morrison was historic and local, reciting many incidents of the older inhabitants, with such striking aptness as to retain the carnest attention of the assembly to the end. It will be found on another page.
At the dinner-table prepared by Messrs. C. O. Durkee and S. L. Lawrence, at the Baptist vestry, toasts were offered by the Toast-master, J. B. Farnsworth, Esq., as follows:
"The day we celebrate- the Centennial Fourth. May we so cultivate the virtues, the courage and the self-denial that secured and transmitted to us our independence and free government, that the day, as in the past, may continue to be honored a century hence."
"Our Antiquites - not useless rubbish - the landmarks of our growth, the insignia of our glory, the monuments of our liberty. Let them be preserved in sacred remembrance of ' the times that tried men's souls.'"
This was responded to by I. Raymond Clark, Esq., of Boston, who spoke carnestly in favor of the preservation of these relics of our history. Boston, he said, had contained the old Hancock House, the old State House, and many other reminders of the Revolutionary period, but these houses have already been removed and magnificent structures erected in their places. And now the . old South Church has been sold under the hammer. This is the first instance in history where the people have destroyed their own monuments.
"July 4, 1776 - May we never forget the day which gave birth to our Independence and enrolled America on the list of the em- pires of the world."
" The memory of Washington -' First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his fellow countrymen.'"
Responded to by the Band.
" The Union - May it be perpetual."
Response by Rev. A. M. Folger:
MR. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN :- I thank you for the honor you have done me in calling upon me to respond to the toast just read; but, really I feel very much as I fancy the Rev. Mr. Murray, of Boston, must have felt when called upon to follow Wendell Phillips after his masterly speech, a few days ago, to save the old "South Church " from destruction. Said Mr. Murray, "I
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have read of a custom in heathen lands, where, after the feasting and the joy were ended, they served up a human sacrifice." And, ladies and gentlemen, I feel that, perhaps you, having feasted to your fill, until the cup of your joy runs over, are ready for a sacri- fice. I believe with Phillips that a man may as well die, orator- ically, as to speak after so much banqueting as you have enjoyed to-day. But I will, however, say a single word, and let me begin - by saying, God bless the United States of America. Let me say to the young men and others assembled in this place, to-day, that this Fourth of July means something more than festivities, bon- fires, and illuminations. It means that one hundred years ago to- day our nation was born, and that we are celebrating the birth- day, not of a man, but of a great nation. I feel that every one here assembled should " rejoice and be glad in the goodness of that God, who, for all these hundred years, in peace and war alike, has been our sun and shield, yea, the strong tower of our defence." Let us remember that with the fall of this Republic would fall one of the grandest and wisest systems of constitutional liberty which the wisdom of man has ever invented, or the hopes of pop- ular freedom cherished throughout the globe. Our fathers, who fought, bled and died that we might have a free country, are not with us to-day, but let us, standing by their graves, swear anew, and, if need be, teach the oath to our children, that this American Repub- lic, clasping the entire continent in its embrace, shall stand un- moved, though all the powers of evil, including foreign interfer- ence, intestine wars and national iniquity, shall unite to overthrow it ; that we shall have in the second century of our nation's exist- ence, as we have had in the past, one country, one constitution, one destiny. And when the dark powers now seeking our over- throw, or that shall over seek our overthrow, shall themselves have been overthrown, may our children, gathering strength from our example in every contest with despotism, again rally under the glorious stars and stripes, with our olden war-cry, "Liberty and Union, one and inseparable, now and for ever."
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