USA > Vermont > Caledonia County > Peacham > Caledonia County grammar school, Peacham, Vt. Report of the commemorative exercises, August 11-12, 1897 100th Anniversary > Part 10
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None stands above her shining name.
There was one function connected with our academy that
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will never be forgotten by Peacham boys. That's where we annually discussed the question of capital punishment and listened to soul-stirring chronicles from rosy-lipped editresses. This banquet would be incomplete without this toast:
THE OLD LYCEUM,
A training school where swords were cleaned of rust.
John C Stewart, York Me.
Mr. Toastmaster, Ladies and Gentlemen-Friends, it lacks but a very few days of thirty years since I fist came to Peach- am from Orange County. I brought with me a partner and we very soon established a reputation. We hung out no sign, and well-established tradition says that we had no fixed place of business. We trusted only a very select few; but I found on my arrival here that the reputation of the firm had not faded from the memory of your citizens. One of the oldest, as he grasped my hand, said: "John Stewart, I forgive you for all
you ever did to me." He then went on to recite a long list of crimes and sins of which I had never even heard. I soon real- ized that he was forgiving me, not only the crimes and sins I had committed, but all I had omitted to commit.
When your toastmaster wrote me several days ago assign- ing me this subject, he told me to take "ten minutes and put some fun in it." That evening, as I sat in my office, down by the sounding sea, I went back in memory to the old days. I called up in mind each of the old boys and girls and, my friends, I assure you there was no fun in it. A thousand mem- ories crowded themselves upon me, and had I followed my own inclination I would not be here to-day. I am here be- cause I am a loyal son of the old school, to meet and greet my brothers and sisters, children of one common foster-mother. I love the old academy and the town with an affection that does not fade with the falling blossoms of your apple trees, but rather increases as the season advances, and I think some of you believe it formerly ripened with the fruit.
But I am to speak to you of the "Old Lyceum." Was there any fun in that? Some of you come from the forum, others from the rostrum. You have been engaged in the discussion of weighty and important questions, but I ask you, did you ever devote yourselves any more seriously or earnestly to these than you did to the questions you debated in the "Old Lyceum"? If so you failed to get the most out of it. There we would have taught him the very rudiments of eloquence- old Demosthenes himself. There we discussed and decided questions of statecraft which had troubled Jefferson; of finance which had bothered Hamilton; of constitutional law, which had puzzled Webster; of theology, which Luther and Calvin had ignored. We established or set aside, at pleasure, the wisdom of all former savants; the most abstract and abstruse prob- lems of morals and ethics were fearlessly disposed of. In the
MRS. C. A. BUNKER
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discussions we had there, as in after years, we sought to have the questions decided in our favor. One or the other of the disputants was defeated. But we had one man who, when it was necessary, took part in the discussion upon both sides, thus assuring victory to himself in any event.
But our debates were not confined to the discussion of the regular questions. I recollect one in which I was an intensely interested participant, which took place in the old hall im- mediately after the close of one of the meetings. There was a very interesting young lady who lived just a little way down the street. With Horace McClary I debated the question as to which of us should accompany her home. She decided the matter and went "up on the hill."
"Ah, those were happy days, Those good old days of yore, When Bunker run the school, And Varnum kept the store.
One of the prophets takes for his wail, "We are no better than our fathers." If he belonged to the coming generation, we should say, "What are you kicking about, do you want the Earth?" I have a great respect for this coming generation, and three of it keep me pretty busy. The world moves fast these days and the first half of the twentieth century will ac- celerate the pace. I toast them to-day.
THE RISING GENERATION.
ADDRESS BY MRS. MINA MERRILL HOOKER.
A subject of especial interest, particularly if we are so fortunate as to possess a few specimens ourselves, is "The Ris- ing Generation." Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes was once asked when the education of a child should begin. He replied, "A hundred years before it is born." We are reminded to-day that the education of our children began a hundred years ago, when our forefathers decided and arranged to give their chil- dren and children's children an opportunity for higher educa- tion by having placed here this Academy, for which thought- ful kindness we return them our hearty thanks.
At the close of this century, when colleges are more nu- merous than academies were a hundred years ago, one need not speak of the advantages and influences of education for every one. So needful is this considered by the State for its own prosperity by developing the character of the child, that attendance at public school is made compulsory. The child to-day who is the citizen to-morrow should be thoroughly prepared for all the duties which may come to him.
We rarely meet a person who complains of having been too highly educated; but the question is sometimes asked, does it pay? Statistics say yes, even in a purely material
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sense. A few years ago one of the boys in the Academy gave an oration upon the old adage, "Knowledge is Power." A long list of names familiar to us all, from among the former mem- bers of this school, might be given to illustrate this truth. Among them would be found that of the orator mentioned, who is with us to-day and orders the toasts. But book learn- ing is a small part of education. One may have this alone and be merely an educated crank. These people are fully as disagreeable as cranks of any other kind. One who has had classes for many years and still has them deems other lessons more important than those learned from books, such as hon- esty, truth, frankness, courage, love and humility; that envy is ignorance, that imitation is suicide, that evils resisted are blessings. "It is the heart and not the brain that to the highest doth attain." Would not such training as this make more sure the life of the nation?
We hear on all sides that our Academy has had a glorious past. This is an indisputable fact, but what will be its future? It must depend upon the rising generation. We are proud of the many strong men and women who have been connected with this school. We believe that at the coming celebration fifty years from now we shall hear many more names brought forth with pride as having been students of the C. C. G. S.
Every parent present could foretell some of these names now! We hear much comment upon the Coming Woman. Whatever she may be we trust she will be an evolution of the best, and that the Coming Man, who is just as much of a conundrum, will be the "survival of the fittest." Great re- sponsibilities rest upon them, for to them we look to retrieve all our mistakes, both of omission and commission. We have great faith in these young people and great sympathy for them. We wish for them all the aids possible in the cultivation of mind, heart and hands.
Our village is little changed to returning scholars. The same houses, hills, valleys and mountains. Academy Hill has had its fine view enlarged by an Observatory, where one may mount up with wings-that is, the rising generation may do so, while the rest of us will toil after, as usual-and view the landscape o'er. This we owe to kind friends who do not forget Peacham and her children. We have an improved school build- ing, but they will miss the old pillars covered with memories and pencil marks. If one coat of paint after another could have been removed from them, the name of nearly every boy and girl from the time the Academy was built on down through the century would have come to light. We would recognize many who have since made a mark in the world.
May this generation realize, while they are living there, that these are "halcyon days," and when all days are over may all their names with those past and those to come be found inscribed in that Book of Life-beyond.
A man without friends might as well hand in his obituary to the comic newspapers. He is like a political combination that
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appeared in the last election. He's dead and don't know it. Acquaintances come and friends linger. As with a man, so with a school. Peacham Academy has ever commanded the respect and friendship of the surrounding communities, and we offer this toast,
OUR FRIENDS.
REMARKS BY MARSHALL MONTGOMERY.
Mr. Montgomery responded in substance that our friends are the friends of this school, the friends of Peacham. Every- body that knows about this school is a friend of it. Peacham has worked hard to maintain its school and it has a good one. All of us here, and many who were not able to come, love no town better than this one.
It is said by those who know, that the best should always come last. That is why our ladies always want the last word and to-day they shall have it. The toast is the bonniest, sweet- est, rosiest morsel that I can offer.
PEACHAM GIRLS.
Sui generis, eas omnes amamus. By Mary Hale Sargeant.
"PEACHAM GIRLS."
I am keeping tryst with memories, And by their aid I see, Full many a scene, delightful, In days of Used-To-Be.
I see among the mountains, And closely snuggled down, Away, o'er miles of distance. An old New England town.
Beginning, it was "Meacham," But that looked "meaching" quite, Low down, cowering, or may be Like something out of sight!
And so, some good old father, Thought "Peacham" would be best, No doubt he thought of peaches, As his lips together pressed-
Saw worth and wealth together Clasp hands; enlarge the town; Saw wisdom yoked with learning, Build up, and settle down.
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This is, of course, but fancy ; This "Peaches" tale! I know The pretty town of Peacham Did among the mountains grow.
I know was built a school-house, One hundred years ago; Where young ideas were tutored To make some little show.
I know a man named Harvey, In good, old-fashioned way, Was called to wield the sceptre His descendant wields to-day!
But oh, those girls of Peacham! So giddy, full of fun; With tongues and hands all ready, Were mischief to be done.
No "caps and gowns" in prospect, No "graduation" lure, To captivate the classes, The "parchment" to secure.
But were a "lark" on tapis, Those girls were always there; To them 'twas stealing peaches, And each one took her share.
'Twas "Hale" come on my hearties! Fear not, for "Bunker's" light; Our "Cowles" just ache for burning, I move we make a light.
There's "Blanchard," too, and "Johnson," And "Harriman" will try, Our wise and staid "Professor," With some old jokes to "guy."
I see them here beside me; They answer memory's call; "Mattocks," "Merrill," "Chandler," "Varnum," "Chamberlin," "Paul."
There were "Shedd," "Kinerson," "Strobridge," With many another name, Of whom a cherished memory Is all to-day we claim.
There was a "Way" of doing, A "Hidden" sly "McClary," With cunning hand and ready, Altho' it seemed most wary.
MISS LUCY PERRY
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While "Martin," "Parker," "Pearson," With "Choate" and "Eastman" all, Receive the welcome plaudit, "Well done," when comes the call.
Oh, those merry, jolly maidens! Their ways were mischief strewn; Unmindful of the Future, They claimed To-day their own.
They knew by intuition, That life would bring its care;
That fruits less sweet than "peaches," Would fall for each one's share.
But they were brave and daring, Would do a woman's work;
And when came cares or crosses, No Peacham girl would shirk!
They'd push with steady shoulder, If this way o'er or that; If true the wheel, or wobbling, They'd know where they were "at!"
It is not always studying, That makes a woman grand; It is the rule of living, That tells throughout the land!
And hearts responsive, ready For what the moments' call, Will rise above Life's trials And triumph over all.
And so though scattered widely, O'er North, South, East or West, I know each "girl" of Peacham, If living-lives her best.
While they with life-work finished, Who rest upon the "Hill," Speak through their cherished influence, Bid us press onward, still.
Col. Harvey now closed the afternoon's speech making. He said much praise was due those who had taken great pains to make this centennial a success. He moved that a vote of thanks be extended especially to Mrs. Charles A. Bunker and in general to all the committees and others who had worked in the interest of this occasion. He was pleased to announce that despite the somewhat large expense the voluntary con-
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tributions were sufficient to pay every dollar of it. He urged all who had been members of the school to join the alumni association, which had just been organized to aid in the future progress of the school. He regretted that out of the 400 old students present but 100 had up to that time joined the asso- ciation. This association is going to do a great work for this school and if we can get some money in the treasury we will begin at once. He then announced that as a starter they wanted $500, of which the finance committee would give $250. The other $250 was raised in about three minutes. A. M. Ricker, Alma Parker, Mr. Flint, Mr. Strong and Mr. Ricker, Sr., each giving $50. A large number of $5 gifts quickly swelled the amount to $750 and then Col. Harvey wanted a thousand and said the finance committee would give $125 more. The desired amount was quickly obtained. Mrs. M. C. Wheeler gave $25, a gentleman friend of Mrs. Bunker's $50, Dr. L. F. Parker $25, and there were a number who gave $10, $15 and $20. When the $1,000 was obtained three rousing cheers were given for Col. Harvey and then music closed the afternoon's exercises. The quick response to the call for aid showed the strong attachment the old scholars have for the school. They have contributed money where there was need of it and where it will do much good. The $1,000 was raised to $1,500 during the evening.
EVENING.
Another concert was given in the Congregational Church in the evening to accommodate the many who were crowded out the night before. About 500 people were present and greatly enjoyed the programme, which, though not as long, was fully as good as the one of the evening before. Both the orchestras played several selections and there were clarinet and violin solos. Prof. Conant rendered a very pleasing solo, "Lead Thou Me On," with music of his own composition. After the concert an interview at the Academy Hall was largely attended. The grounds were finely decorated with Japanese lanterns. Music was furnished by the Neapolitan orchestra. A pleasant social time was enjoyed by all.
NOTES.
During the noon hour Thursday a marker of the Sons of the American Revolution was placed on the grave of Gen. Wm. Chamberlin, with appropriate ceremonies, by his grandson, Willie Strong, of Auburndale, Mass., with prayer by Rev. S. S. Martyn, remarks by Wm. Strong an'd Rev. Dr. E. E. Strong, and singing of the first verse of "America" by friends.
Two other graves of Revolutionary soldiers were visited. At the grave of Major Blake, I. G. Blake, a descendant, made a few remarks, and prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. E. E. Strong. The second verse of "America" was sung. At the grave of Edward Clark, the builder of churches and school
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houses, remarks were made by E. W. Clark, his grandson, prayer was offered by Rev. P. B. Fisk, and the last verse of "America" was sung.
It is a matter of deep regret to the secretary and to others that many of the former students were not reached by invita- tion or by letter. This arose from two reasons; our seemingly large number of invitaitons was too small for the necessities of the occasion and the utter inability to obtain the addresses of many who had been long absent from Peacham. A warm welcome awaited any old friend and amid the joy of renewed friendships there was many a regret over the absence of those who were unable to be present.
THE OBSERVATORY.
The Observatory, erected the present season in the Academy grove, was the thought of Mr. John D. Flint, of Fall River, Mass., who visited Peacham last year, proposed the building of such a tower, offering to con- tribute generously toward its expense, thinking that the grand and at the same time beautiful view from its top could not fail to inspire old and young to noble living.
Messrs. G. B. M. Harvey, F. E. Sargeant, John G. Brown, B. K. Marsh, and J. R. Kinerson were also liberal contributors.
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