,v 4^ \ ^v „ » „ -^^ -■s- cV .V 0^ ^ o « o , *7-, ,-^ ^/-i -^ .^-^ ***^'- V r w r^/-^ Jmr 4wm^ £8W. -^t^f-i^ '^MF&MM, § Qy;\3 CELEBRATION OF THE One Hundredth Anniversary OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, HELD AT / JULY 4TH, 1876, HAVERHILL : GAZETTE BOOK AND JOB PRINTING OFFICE. 1877. n At a legal town-meeting held June loth, 1876, the followiHg votes were passed : Art. 2d. Voted — to approjiriate the sum of Three hundred ($300) dollai'S for the purpose of celebrating the coming Centennial fourth of July. Voted — that the following named be a committee to carry out the above vote with power to fill vacancies and appoint sub-com- mittees : d. fueeman towne. Dk. Wm. Cogswell. James K. Hall. Geokge W. Ladd. Wm. Wm. a. Kimball. Chas. B. Emerson. Wbi. Hilton. Gardner G. Kimuall. Gage. <7^ \^< ORGANIZATION OF THE Committee op Aeeangements. George W. Ladd, Chairman. William Cogswell, General Director. William Hilton, Secretary. William L. Gage, Treasurer. Samuel W. Hopkinson, ^ D. Freeman Towne, > Selectmen. Wm. Allison Kimball. ) Charles B. Emerson. James K. Hall. Gardner G. Ki3iball. SUB COMMITTEES. Committee to select Grounds for the Celebration. Geo. W. Ladd. D. F. Towne. Wm. L. Gage. Committee to procure a Band. D F. Towne. Gardner G. Kimball. Ja3ies K. Hall. Committee on Singing. Wm. Cogswell, Chas. B, Emerson. Committee on Salute. James K. Hall. Samuel W. Hopkinson. Committee to furnish Stand, Tables and Decorations. William Hilton. Committee to procure Provisions and superintend Tables. Charles B. Emerson. James K. Hall. Wm. Allison Kimball. Committee to procure Lemonade. William L. Gage. Assistant Committee. Sam'l K. Holmes. Doane Cogswell. Benj. F. Leavitt. Nicholas Sawyer. Frank Johnson. Alden B. Chadwick, Edwin G. Elliott. OFFICEHS OF THE DAY. Committee to arrange Tables and Decorations^ Mks. Laburton Johnson. " Harrison E. Chadwick, " William W. Phillips. " P. E. Pearl. " George W. Ladd. " Harrison Williams, " A. Laburton Kimball. " Samuel B. Perry. " William Cogswell. " Eliza Goodwin. " John B. Farrar. Miss Lizzie Peabody. *' Julia A. Goodell. " JVLvRY E. Webster. " Hattie N. Hills. The Committee appointed as Oiiicers of the Di\y : Chief Marshal. Major Eugene Carter. Assistant Marshals. Benj. G. Perry. Chas. T. Richards, Charles G. Johnson. Frank E, Morse. President. Hon. George Cogswell. Chaplain. Rev. J. C. Paine, of Grovclaiid. Reader of the Declaration of Independence. Dr. William Cogswell. Orator. EEarrison E. Chad wick, Esq. Toast Master. Sariuel W. Hopkinson, Esq. Musical Director. Prof. H. E. Holt. PROCEEDINGS. At sunrise the church bell was ruug, and a salute of thirteen guns for the thirteen original States was fired. At noon the church bell was again rung, and the people assembled at the Common in front of the meeting-house, according to previous notice. A procession was then formed by Major Eugene Carter, the Chief Marshal of the day, in the following order : — First, the Groveland Brass Band, followed by the carriage bearing the Presi- dent of the day, the Chairman of the Committee of Ar- rangements, the Chaplain and the Orator; then the Town Ofiicers, the elderly people and invited guests in car- riages ; then followed the children of the public schools on foot, many of them carrying flags ; and as many others of the citizens as chose to join the procession. At about one o'clock the procession moved up Main Street into School Street about one-half a mile to the grove on the grounds of Bradford Academy, in the rear of the building, where the whole assembly, numbering about fifteen hundred, arranged themselves around the stand provided for the occasion. At half-past one o'clock the exercises commenced. George W. Ladd, Esq., Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements, addressed the assembly as follows : Ladies and Gentlemen : You all well know that we have met here to celebrate this glori- ous Fourth of July. Every community ought, and every individ- ual should participate in some way. It is a duty we owe to our country, and a duty we can do with pleasure. There is something grand in being here on this Centennial Year of our National Independence, to do all we can that is patriotic and profitable, for in doing so we can all pledge ourselves anew to cher- ish the memory of those noble men and women who sacrificed so 6 PROCEEDINGS. much to gain our lii(le2:)endcnce, ami U> thosi; that did so much to restoi'e it. I will not detain 3'ou with with any extended remarks, but will say that the Committee of Arrangements have selected one of our honored and esteemed citizens to take chai'ge of the exercises — one whom you all know ; one who has been in our midst for nearly tifty years ; one who has seen this town grow from a little village to its l^resent proportions ; and one that has always had the interest of Brad- ford ami his country nearest his heart. I now have the pleasure of introducing to you as President of the Day, Hon. George Cogswell. remarks of the president. Fellow-Countky.men axd Fellow-Townsmen: A century since our fathers uttei'ed these words, "We hold these truths to be self-evident : that all men are created equal ; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights ; that among these are life, liberty, and the 23ursuit of happiness." Upon the Declaration of Independence the thirteen American Colonies continued the war then existing with the mother country, not merely to escajje from British opjjression but to establish a na- tion. Our ancestors brought with them from England the great prinei])le that all men have the right to woi'ship God in accordance with the dictates of conscience, and, also, to found a govei'nment "of the jjeople, by the people, and lor the jseojile." These grand truths uttered by John Calvin had been quietly possessing the hearts of men, until they found full expression in the founding of the American Repul)lic. The population of this country was then between three and four millions, engaged in a desperate war with the savages on the west, on the east with the mightiest nation in Europe assisted by mercenary German troops. Now we have a nation of forty millions and not a slave presses our soil, extending from the fi-ozen regions of the north to the wann waters of the Gulf; at peace with ourselves and with all the nations of the earth, while t)ur Hag lloats jjroudly over every sea as an emblem of power and of self-government. We meet to-day to recount our blessings and to give thanks to Almighty God that he did put it into the hearts of our fathers to cross the Atlantic and take possession of a continent and found this great nation on a moiUil far in advance of any other nation in secur- ing equal rights to all. Fellow-townsmen, our lot is cast in this beautiful town of Brad- ford, on the south bank of the Merrimack, overlooking the city of Haverhill with its unsurpassed beauty, in the midst of an industri- ous, thriving and substantial population, with moral, educational PROCEEDINGS. < and religions advantages wliicli onght to satisfy the most exacting. With such national and local privileges and enjoj^ments, let us render praises to our Heavenly Father for his mercies to us, not only as a nation, but also to us as a town ; and in addition, on this interesting Centennial anniversary, let us renew our vows of allegiance to our country, resolving to discharge every duty of citizenship in such a manner as shall best pi'omote the true interest of our common coun- tr}', and thereby of evei-y individual member of this republic. In behalf of the citizens of Bradford I welcome the government of the city of Haverhill with its citizens ; I welcome the town authorities and citizens of Groveland, which for so many years was one with us as a corporation, to the rejoicings and festivities of this occasion. I welcome all citizens, whether fi'om the east or west, or from the north or the south ; our country is one, — our duties the same : the fairest country and the truest people the sun in his countless revolutions has ever shone upon. May the blessings of self-government and good order continue to comfort this people and may they continue worthv of these blessings so long as day shall succeed to night. He concluded by readino^ an interestins: letter from Dr. Jeremiah SpofFord, a venerable physician of Groveland, who regretted that he was obliged to decline the invita- tion to be present. The Rev. J. C. Paine, of Groveland, the Chaplain of the Day, then invoked the Divine blessing upon the as- sembly, offering thanks for the great and numerous bles- sings which as a nation they had received, and praying for their continuance, and that our whole united country might continue in the enjoyment of liberty, peace, and the knowledge of the Lord. Next in order came the singing of the national air, "Hail Columbia," fey a select choir under the lead of Prof. H. E. Holt, with chorus by the assembly. The Declaration of Independence was read by Dr. William Cogswell from the identical sheet that was sent to Brad- ford one hundred years ago, and read from the ]^ulpit by the Rev. Samuel Williams, then minister at Bradford. It was then voted that this same sheet be read one hundred 8 ORATION. years hence, aud the Selectmen were directed to govern themselves accordingly. The President then introduced Harrison E. Chadwick, Esq., their fellow-townsman, as the Orator of the Day, who delivered the followinsj ORATION. Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : The history of the world is marked by the occm-rence of events which affect not only the people who are actors in those events, but all succeeding generations. Such an event occurred on the day whose one hundredth aniversa- ry we are now assembled to commemorate. One hun- dred years ago to-day, stretched along the Atlantic coast were thirteen colonies, on the borders of a continent un- traversed by civilization. These colonies, having passed through the period of their settlement and dependence, are now just coming forth in their weakness of numbers and resources, yet in the strength of a mighty purpose, to claim the right in the ranks of the nations of the earth to take care of themselves. Gladly would they have continued the relations of the child to the parent for a longer period, had not the foster- ing care of the mother-country been perverted to such an extent that the interests of the infant and struggling colo- nies were made subservient to the interests of the sover- eign power to which they looked for protection. It was not of neglect merely that they complained, but, disre- garding the just rights of the people, a system of oppres- sion had been inaugurated, which if continued would ORATION. 9 cripple the development of their country and destroy that manhood essential to the prosperity of a people. They had petitioned ; they had remonstrated ; they had implored a removal of the burden imposed upon them, unjustly as they believed — all to no purpose. They had sought a fair representation and voice in the government to which they owed allegiance ; this had been denied them. Having in many instances sought an asylum in the New World from oppression and violence in the Old, the colonists had been compelled to seek protection from a power which had little claim on their gratitude or re- spect. They were now outgrowing a dependence which was irksome to most, particularly to the Massachusetts colony, who were regarded as the instigators in the re- bellion and against whom most of the enactments were made to suppress the opposition to the authority of the British government. The tyranny and arrogance of the royal governors sent across the Atlantic to rule over them hastened on the act of separation. More than a year of open warfare had passed in the en- deavor on the part of the Crown of England to subdue the rebel colonists before the latter could be aroused to take the heroic step that was to sever them forever from their allegiance to the Old World and establish the inde- pendence of a nation extending from sea to sea across a continent ; a nation with a form of government whose ex- pansive and elastic power for the protection and welfare of the people has stood the test of a hundred years against the assaults of foes abroad and the machinations of enemies at home. This goodly land is our dwelling- 9 10 ORATIOiS'. place, and this form of government is our national inher- itance. And we are this day assembled together to express our feelings of gratitude to our ancestors for their heroic deeds and f elf-sacrifice ; and also on our own part to cher- ish and keep alive that spirit of independence and nation- al honor so characteristic of the early American people : "the spirit of seventy-six." THE REVOLUTION. That the people of Bradford fully entered into the spir- it of the times one hundred years ago is evident from the record of their acts. Let us for a moment, if we can, go back in imagination to those early times, when the people, as now, were accustomed to discuss in their town meetings the gravest national questions. The people of Bradford, scarcely a thousand in number, were scattered over a territory eig'ht miles in extent along the Merrimack river, piu-suing their occupation of tilling the soil. Vil- lages, they had none. They had their East and their West meeting-houses located centrally in each parish, and around them were clustered a few dwelling's and perhaps a store for the sale of a few articles of necessity ; l)ut not a post-office. And, so frugal in their habits, these, our worthy ancestors, found it necessary at that time to expend only £100 annually to defray all their town charges. The part which they took in the struggle for independence can better be told in their own language than in mine. In the early stages of the troubles, a town-meeting was held in the West meeting-house, Jan. 7, 1773, to act on the followinir article : ORATION. 11 **Tosee what instructions they will give to their Rep- resentative in General Court assembled (if any shall be thought proper) relating to the present difficulties, which the province and this town as part of the community are laboring under, and to act anything they shall think prop- er when met together to act ; and also to see if the Town will pass a vote to concur with the town of Boston in what is set forth in a pamphlet sent to the several towns in this province by said town of Boston relating to the grievances we labor under, and send them an answer ac- cording as they shall think proper." And the vote was to choose a committee to report im- mediately. They chose a committee, and adjourned to 6 o'clock, P. M., the same day, to hear the report. Capt. Daniel Thurston was then the town representative, and to him the town through its committee gave instructions as fol- lows ; '-Sir, we, his majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, freeholders and other iijhabitants of the town of Bradford, in town meeting legally assembled, this seventh day of January, 1773, take this opportunity to express our very great uneasiness at the infringements on our natural and constitutional rights by many of the late measures of the British administration, particularly of the taxation of the colonies and the granting of salaries to the Judges of the Superior Court, measures adapted, as we apprehend, to lay a foundation in time to render property precarious, and to introduce a system of des- potism, which we cannot but view with the utmost aver- sion, and to which we cannot submit while possible to be 12 ORATIOlSr. avoided. We recommend it to you as our Kepresenta- tive in General Assembly to use your influence to obtaio redress of all our grievances, and in particular to enquire whether the support of the Judges of the Superior Court has been adequate to their services, offices, and station, and if not, to use your i]iflueuce in obtaining suitable grants and establishments, as may be thought sufficient to remove all pretence that government is not supported among ourselves — which was voted unanimously. We also vote the thanks of this town to the town of Boston for the care and vigilance they have discovered for the rights and privileges of this province as men, as Christians, and as subjects. Voted, that the town clerk be directed to transmit a copy of these instructions, &c., to the Committee of Correspondence in Boston. Dudley Carleton, Esq., William Greenough, Benjamin Gage, Jr., Thomas Webster, Amos Mulliken, — Committee to make report," Thus we see that the people of Bradford were jealous of their liberties and prompt to take measures to defend them. Soon after this, anticipating the resort to arms, they voted to build a powder house, May 17, 1773, two years before the war, and stocked it with ammunition, "six half-barrels of powder; bullets and flints proportion- able." The town was represented in the Provincial Congress, which assembled at Concord, Oct. 11, 1774, by Capt. Daniel Thurston, who was also chosen to represent the town in the Provincial Congress held in the following February at Cambridge. ORATION. 13 More ammiiDition was laid in store, and thirty pounds sterling were voted for that purpose, and this before open hostilities had commenced. The enlistment of minute men now commenced, and these were drilled, equipped and paid by the town. The number of hours required for drill was increased from time to time as the emergen- cy seemed to demand, so that they might be ready to con- tribute their aid when needed. Town meetings now were frequently held, adjourning often to the east or west meeting-house to hear reports from committees, vote supplies and encourage each other. It is also stated that relief was voted to the poor of Boston, in their distress under the seige of the British. The town meeting called May 23, 1775, was an important one. It was the first after the battles of Lexinijton and Concord. The Mas- sachusetts army had appealed to the town for aid, and the articles needed were stated in a circular from a committee of supplies. The town was also called upon to choose a committee of correspondence, according to the recom- mendation of the Provincial Congress. The supply for the army called for was voted and the committee chosen. This committee were instructed to return the names of those persons who deserted the Pro- vincial service, to the covmty committee, unless they returned to duty. Soon after the battle of Bunker Hill — June 28, 1775 — being only eleven days after, another town meeting was held encouraging the re-enlistment of the minute men and promising to pay them. Capt. Na- thaniel Gage, with a company of forty men from their own town had just taken part in the battle of Bunker 14 OR ATI ox. Hill. It is stated that this company was one of the best disciplined and most effective on that memorable day. having been instructed in military manoeuvres by an Eng- lish deserter, and although much exposed to the enemy, no one was fatally injured. Capt. Gage is said to have given half his property for the cause. The war of the revolution had now commenced in ear- nest ; there was no retreat save through dishonor and an increase of their grievances. The recent battles had the effect to unite the colonies and arouse them to put forth all their energies to secure their freedom. That Bradford shared in this spirit of resistance and determination to persevere in the cause is fully shown by the frequent votes for supplies. Thus the war was progressing, and as the difficulties between the colonies and the mother country increased, it became a serious question, whether the colonies should unite in declaring themselves indepen- dent. This measure was strenuously urged by the Massa- chusetts patriots, seconded by Virginia. In the midst of these deliberations the records show that Bradford was in full sympathy Avith them. A town meeting was called June 20, 1776, for the purpose of considering this ques- tion. Ten days prior to this a resolution had passed the Colonial Congress, making known their intention to de- clare the colonies independent. It is noticeable that this town-meeting waa not called in the name of his majesty as was formerly the custom. That acknowledgment of allegiance was omitted. At this meeting a committee was chosen consisting of Thomas Webster, John Burbank, Capt. Nathaniel Gage, ORATION, 15 Benjamin Muzzy and Capt. John Savory, to consult and report to the meeting what ought to be done. The meet- ing adjourned for half an hour awaiting the report of the ■committee, which is recorded as follows : *' We the subscribers being chosen a committee to form instruction for the representative of this town with re- spect to the Honorable Congress forming these United Colonies into Independent States, beg leave to make the following report : To Dudley Carleton, Esq., Representative for the Town of Bradford, in General Assembly : Sir : — When we consider the Despotic plan of govern- ment adopted by the King, Ministry and Parliament of Great Britain to enslave these American colonies ; when we consider that instead of redressing our grievances, they have turned a deaf ear to the repeated petitions and remonstrances of all the United Colonies, and have also been and still are, endeavoring to enforce their arbitrary plan upon us, by spilling our blood, by burning our towns, by seizing our property, and by instigating the savages of the wilderness and negroes to take up the cause against us ; when we consider these things, it raises our indignation, that we, who have always been loyal sub- jects to the King of Great Britain, should be so unconsti- tutionally and inhumanely treated. Such tyrannical im- positions and abuses of power we cannot as men submit to^ Therefore utterly despairing of a happy reconciliation ever taking place between Great Britain and these colo- nies, you are hereby desired, as our representative, to use your utmost endeavor that our delegates in General Con- 16 ORATIOIy Ipswich and Topsfield, and included nearly all that now constitutes the towns of Rowley, Boxford, Georgetown, Groveland and Bradford. Bradford was separated from Rowley by an act of incorporation in 1675. Previous to this, however, in 1658, a committee of Rowley had laid out tracts of land for the Rev. Samuel Phillips, who was the colleague of Rev. Ezekiel Rogers, the tirst minister of Rowley. Mr. Phillips, Joseph Jewett, John Spoiford and others whose names are mentioned divided these lands — about 10,000 acres — among themselves in various })roportions, in 1671. Tliese pet sons were the first set- tlers of this territory, which, bordering as it does on the river, was at first called Merrimack. Afterwards it w^as known as Rowley village, and finally received the name of Bradford when it became an incorporated town. The town was originally laid out in lots running from the river southward. These lots were of diflerent widths, and many of the ancient boundaries still remain, and are discoverable by the course of the fences, especially over the hills. In some cases portions of these lands are occu- pied by the descendants of the first settlers, whose names in the east part of the town, now Groveland, are the fol- lowing, in order of lots, beginning at the east end : Joseph Richardson, Jonas Platts, John Hopkinson, Joseph Bailey, Edward Wood, Benjamin Savory, William Hutchens, Ezra Rolf, Samuel Tenney, Francis .Jewett, Samuel Wooster, Samuel Stickney, John and William Hardy, Abraham and Daniel Parker, and the Carleton Patent. Then came next in what is now Bradford, the Haseltine ORATIOX. 21 Patent, extending from Johnson's Creek to Cliadwick's Ferry, and settled by Thomas Kimball, William Jackson, David Hasseltiue, and Shubal Walker ; next followed the lots of Thomas West, John Boynton and John Griffin. The extreme west was the Patent of John Day, whose house was the fourth built in the West Parish. On his Patent also settled Nehemiah Carleton, Richard Hale, and Alexander Campbell. The land at the neck, so-called, was patented to Philip At wood and John Head, and with them settled Abraham Gage, John Annis and Samuel Kimball. The employ- ment of the people in the early times was mostly agricul- tural, and many line farms along the Merrimack attested the fertility of the soil ; prominent among them in later times was the farm of David How. In 1670 the first grist-mill was erected on Johnson's creek. The business of tanning leather was commenced early in the West Parish and afterwards more extensively carried on in the East Parish, now almost wholly abandoned. Prior to the introduction of the shoe business, ship building was car- ried on in several ship yards. Brick making to some extent has been carried on, and is also at the present time. In 1760 a fulling mill was established on Johnson's creek. Upon this stream in former years have been operated grist- mills, saw-mills, tanneries, and a manufactory of twine and thread, all of which have given place to the extensive woolen manufactories in South Groveland, owned and carried on by the Hon. E. J. M. Hale, of Haverhill, and employing 400 or more operatives. The shoe business as a trade, furnishing shoes far the 22 ORATION. market, was commenced by Daniel Hardy about the year 1760, or one hundred years after the settlement of the town. He was followed by others until in both parishes it became the leading and almost exclusive manufacturing" business. This business has funiished employment alsoy to most of the people din-ing the winter months in addi- tion to their agricultural pursuits. At the present time it employs a large proportion of the people of Bradford, althou£2:h not a shoe manufacturino; establishment stands upon her soil. The immediate proximity of Haverhill and the greater facilities for carrying on the business there have induced the Bradford manufacturers to remove their establishments across the river, which removal was completed about twen- ty-five years ago. Among the larger business firms in Haver- hill may be found those operated l)y residents of Bradford, viz. : L. Johnson & Co., A. L. Kimball, John B. Farrar, Warren Ordway, Alfred A. Ordway, S. W. Hopkhison, Peter E. Pearl, and John F. Merrill. This easy access to Haverhill over a free bridge has had a similar influence upon all the other trades and occupations of the people. The only stores to be found here are grocery and provis- ion stores, and Bradford has become almost entirely a place of residence, the active business of its people being carried on in Haverhill, and in some instances in Boston, so far as trade, manufactures, and mechanical employ- ments are concerned. A few statistics showing the increase of the population from time to time may not be out of place here. From lack of census returns T give the Governor vote under the ORATION. 23 new constitution in 1780, which was 47 ; in 1790, 63 ; in 1800, 115; and in 1810, 219. In 1810 the popnlation was 1369; in 1820, 1650; and in 1850, when Groveland w\as set off, Bradford's half of the population was about 1300. The most rapid increase has been during the past ten years. The present number is about 2500. This in- crease has been confined almost entirely to the central portion of the town. When the Boston & Maine railroad was opened to this town in 1837 the village contained but three streets, the Andover road and the Salem road, which unite at the meeting house and extend to Haverhill bridge — excepting the old Ferry street. Since then some fifteen new streets have been opened and more or less built upon. The postofiice system, established about the year 1672, did not give to Bradford a postofiSce till 1811. PROVISION FOR RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION. That the first settlers of Bradford took a deep interest in religious instruction is manifest from the early records. One of their number to whom the territory was originally allotted was a clergyman, the Rev. Samuel Phillips, of Rowley. Of the first public worship in the town there seems to be no record. The first religions teacher of whom there is a record was the Rev. Zechariah Syrames, a son of Rev. Zechariah Symmes, minister at Charles- town. He graduated at Harvard College in 1657. At what time he came to Bradford, or Rowley it was then, does not appear. But he must have been the minister here not long after the first settlement, and have decided to make his residence among the people of Bradford, for at the first leiral town meeting on record, held Feb. 20th, 24 ORATION. 1668, it was voted to finish biiilcling the minister's house, under direction of Mr. Symmes, and this was seven years before the town was incorporated and fourteen years be- fore the organization of the first church, when Mr. Symmes was ordained, in 1682. The first year's salary was forty pounds, which l)y the custom of those days was paid in provisions — the necessaries of life. It would ))e interesting to present the various steps taken by the town tor the formation of the first church. I have only space for a very short quotation, which will shoAv the mind of the people, and it will be observed also that this is a town and not simply a church action, for the church seemed to include the town. The record is as follows : " We, the inhabitants of Bradford, met togeth- er at a legal town meeting, 13th March, 1682, in thank- fulness to God for his great mercy in setting up his sanct- uary among us, do hereby engtige ourselves, jointly and singly, and do engage our children after us, as far as we may by our parental authority, to endeavor by our and their utmost power, to uphold the fiiithful ministry of the gospel of Jesus Christ in this town of Bradford so long as we and they shall live." Then follows the agreement with the minister for his support. They had already bought the parsonage land of forty acres. A part only of the covenant of the first church has been preserved, which was signed by fourteen male members. After forty years' service, Mr. Symmes died in 1707. Of his succes- sors there is only time to speak briefly. During the first half century from the settlement of the town there was but one church, and but two pastors, — the ORATION. 25 two Symmes, father aud sou, both able men and faith- ful miuisters. Immediately foUowiug the settlement of the third pastor, Rev. Joseph Parsous, the town was di- vided into two parishes, the East aud West. This was iu 1726. The first minister iu the East Parish was the Rev. Wil- liam Balch, followed by Ebenezer Dutch aud Gardner B. Perry, whose three pastorates comprise one hundred and forty-six years. In the West Parish Mr. Parsons was succeeded in 1765 by the Rev. Samuel Williams, a mau of much learning and widely known as a literary char- acter in this and other countries. He was elected a pro- fessor of mathematics and natural philosophy at Harvard University and left the ministry at Bradford in 1780. Then followed the Rev. Jonathan Allen, whose term of ministerial office was longer than any of his predecessors or successors to the present time, being about forty-six years. From the ordination of Mr. Symmes in 1682 to the death of Mr. Allen in 1827, a period of one hundred and forty -live years, there were but five ministers in the West Parish, being an average of twenty-nine years each. Mr. Allen was the author of the sacred hymn commencing " Sinners will you scorn the message Sent in mercy from above ? " Since Mr. Allen's day there have been six ministers to the present time, forty-nine years, averaging a little more than^ eight years each. Of the miuisters, Ingraham, Hoadley, Searle, Munroe, and McCollom, a lack of time forbids me to speak. And while our present minister, the Rev. John D. Kingsbury, has exceeded the average term of office of 26 O'EATION', his immediate predecessors, may we not hope that hi;? length of days and increasing usefuhiess may l)e contin- ued among us as in the gx)od old times. The first meet- ing house was erected prior to the first town meeting on record, and located west of the centre of the town at the old cemetery. A. second was erected in 1705. After the town was divided into the East and West Parishes, the West Parish held possession of the meeting house and the East erected for themselves a place of worship in 172G. Twenty-five years later the West Parish chose a more central location and erected a new meeting house near where the present one now stands, wliich is the fifth and only one in Bradford. About the year IcSOO a small fund was established to aid in the support of the minister, by a donation from Jonathan Chadwick of $1000. This fund has increased from time to time and now yields something over $400 annually. EDUCATION. A'^ery little is known about the provision made for the education of the children at the earliest settlement of the town. The Selectmen had authority given them to ex- pend money for " prudentials," and it is rensonable to suppose that instructing the children Avas one of the " prudentials." The first recorded vote of the town on this subject was in 1701, when the Selectmen were direct- ed to provide a school at their discretion at the town's expense. The next year, hoAvever, a small tuition was required ; twopence a week for those learning to read, and fourpence for those learning to write, and a portion OEATIOJ^, 27 «f the expense was paid by the town. The teacher, whose aiame is tirst mentioned, was Ichabods. Tliere is found the record of a teacher in 1723, by the name of White, who received an annual sahiry of £24 and 10s. After bim wore Master Hobey and Master Merrel. These teachers taught through the year, alternating from one place to another in different parts of the town. The first school house was built on the meeting house land, year unknown, costing £25. The following is from the record of March 7th, 1774 : " 'Twas put to vote to see if the town would supply the schools with wood after September next, and so on for the future, and it passed in the negative." In 1780 voted one month's schooling at the school house near John Burbauk's. In 1795 is the first record of a school committee chosen in addition to the selectmen and minister, who were a standing committee of schools by virtue of their ofiice. Their names were Capt. Nathaniel Thurston, Ens. James Kimball, Nathan Burbank, and Dea. Seth Jewett. Voted to raise £340 to defray all town charges. Voted two months' schooling, January and February, in the new school house near Kev. Mr. Allen's. About this time an increased interest was mani- fested in the public schools, and a committee soon after- wards introduced regulations for the more systematic management of the schools. The time of the school ses- sions was short, and the range of studies very limited. Although the interest in the cause of education had been marked by constant provision for the support of the pub- lic schools, yet not satisfied with the school advantages provided at public expense, prominent individuals con- templated something beyond. The effort was made and Bradford Academy commenced its first term June 6th ^ 1803^, which was within three months from the time of the first meeting of the i>eople to consider the subject of erecting a building. During these three months they had raised the money, erected their building, engaged a preceptor and preceptress, and opened a school with fifty- one pupils of both sexes. The next year the number of pupils had increased to eighty-seven the first term. In this. year, 1804, an act of incorporation was obtainedo And this was the foundation of one of the first and most widely known female academies in the country. The first preceptor was Mr. Samuel Walker, and he was succeeded by twelve others in less than twelve years. Two of the twelve were natives of Bradford : the Rev. Daniel Hardy, educated at Dartmouth College and preceptor two 3'ears, and Richard Kimball, also educated at Dartmouth Colles-e and formerly a pupil in the Academy. The last preceptor was Benjamin Greenleaf, whose term of office was almost double the aggregate time of his thirteen predecessors. His labors in the Academy were abundantly successful, and his arithmetics gave him a wide reputation as a math- ematician. He also took a great interest in the public schools both of the town and the State. He was one of the founders of the Essex County Teachers' Association. His term of administration continued a quarter of a cen- tury, to 1836, when the school was restricted to the education of young ladies. After leaving the Academy he continued teaching and established Bradford Teachers* Seminary, which continued till 1848. The Academy as a ORATION. 29 female school was continued under the instruction of the preceptress, Miss Abigail C. Hasseltine, of Bradford, who as a pupil or teacher was connected with this school for fifty years, and only abandoned her loved profession when compelled to do so by the infirmities of age. Among the first pupils were Mrs. Jijdson and Mrs. Newell, whose connection with the first foreign missionary movement has given to the Academy a wide reputation. It was in Brad- ford at the meeting of the General Association of Massa- chusetts, that the proposition of Messrs. Judson, Nott, Newell and Hall to become foreign missionaries was re- ceived. It was at this same meetins^ that the Association instituted ' ' The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions," and elected the persons constituting, in the first instance, that Board. This took place in June, 1810. Also the pupils from this Academy have l)ecome the instructors or founders of other similar acade- mies, as Ipswich and Holyoke. Twice have new and ' enlarged buildings been erected, in 1841 and in 1870, to accommodate this school. Of the present Academy, its benevolent donors, its numerous patrons, its dozen teachers, its hundred pupils, its extended influence, I have not time to speak. Its spacious building is before you, its influence we all acknowledge, and the pleasure of its grounds we are now permitted to enjoy, through the courtesy of him who has been most prominent among its benefactors, the Hon. George Cogswell, the president of the day. In 1821 Merrimack Academy was established in the East Parish. It has done much for the education of its 30 OKATIOX. people, aiiJ now, after some iiitcrruptioiis, is in sirccesgfuB operation. The change in the system of education in our State has- "wrought great changes in all the schools in the more pop- iilons towns. The old academies so common in the New England towns have given place to the public High School and the lower grades. The districts have been abolished and a system of graded schools introduced. Bradford adopted this system and established a High School in 1866, although there were not at that time in the town five hundred families, the number by law necessitating the establishment of such a school. This school has a four years' course of study and is well sustained. The first newspaper, the Bradford Sun, edited by our High School boys, is a very worthy sheet. In amount appropriated ibr support of public schools according to the numl)er of scholars between five and fifteen years old, Bradford ranks the sixth in the County and the forty-ninth in the State, TOAVN OFFICERS. The appointment of suitable men to transact the public business of a town contributes greatly to its prosperity and respectability. And it is but justice to say that the records of this town bear strong evidence of the wisdom and faithfulness of the Selectmen liy the numer- ous votes giving them discretionary powx»r to manage all its " prudentials." And also they bear testimony to the faithfulness of the recording ofiicer from time to time. The town meeting, from that first one of forty-one per- sons in 1620 which was held on board the Mayflower to the ORATION. 31 present time, has occupied an important place in our form of government. The people are recognized as the source ■of power, and it is in these meetings that they exercise the greatest freedom of speech and action, not only in con- ducting their own local atiairs, hut in making their intiu- •ence felt by the general government. Upon the character of the men who take the lead in these meetings, and the people who sustain them, depends the prosperity and de- velopment of the local municipalities and through them the State and the Nation. The exercise of this power is a most sacred trust, a people governing themselves. Our rulers are our servants, who are expected to carry out the will of the people as expressed throngh the voice of the majority in these town meetings. Our liberties were established by the heroic deeds of our ancestors ; they were defended and confirmed by the blood of the patriotic dead ; and to this generation is entrusted the duty of preserving and perpetuating that which we have inherited. How can we better do this than by exercising that lofty patriotism which knows no local- ity except that for the interests of the w^hole ; by diffusing among the people the treasures of knowledge which is power ; and by encouraging the practice of virtue by word and by deed. Do we complain of the corruption of our rulers, we have only to look around among us to find that this is but the reflection of the corruption of the peo- ple at home. As the fountain can never rise higher than its source, so the rulers of a representative form of gov- ernment can never be more pure and patriotic than the masses of the people whom they represent. Our rulers S2 ORATICm, are made such but temi)orarily, aucl if they ai-e not faith- ful to the trust confided to them, it is the fault of the people to continue them in that trust. In fact among a true, a virtuous and high-minded j^eople it is impossible for the demagogue to continue long in power. Of the duties of the hour, retrenchment, reform, economy, a cor- rection of the abuses of public patronage, and maintaining a sound currency, &c., I have not time to speak. Our republic is yet young. Many dangers lie before us. It is possible for us to lose our liberties. The Com- monwealth of Rome continued for nearly tive hundred years. She went on conquering and exacting tribute from every new State, until the city of the seven hills became the mistress of the world. Everything paid tribute to Rome, till she fell 1)y the weight of her own greatness, which led to her own corruption. Everything Avas drawn from the people for the emolument and glory of the Roman capital and nothing but a name extended to them. Such is not our policy. It would destroy our republic in less than twenty-five years. Policies develop faster in our day. Then let ours be the policy that disseminates ; a parental policy, that extends the strong arm of the cen- tral government all over the land, not to exact tribute from the people, but to scatter among them the blessings of personal liberty, encouraging the weak, raising up the fallen, and allowing the oppression of none. Let our rulers go up to the capital, not in regal splendor; but in republican simplicity ; not for the aggrandizement of them- selves, but as the guardians of liberty for millions yet to be. PROCEEDINGS. 33 The Amphion Glee Club of Haverhill then sang songs appropriate to the occasion, and national airs were played by the band. The well spread tables were next visited and the wants of the inner man attended to. The social features of the hour were evidently enjoyed by all, and it was manifest by the abundance provided that the com- mittee on provisions had not neglected their duty. After the collation toasts and speeches were the order of the day, and Samuel W. Hopkinson, Esq., acting as Toastmaster, read the following sentiments, to which spirited responses were given : I. The President of the United States, May he ever be insjoirecl with wisdom from on high, that he may guide the Ship of State with an eye single to the glory and honor of our country. Responded to by Hon. Henry Carter, of Bradford. II. The Day we Celebrate. May the same feelings of patriotism that prompt us to celebrate to-day go down with generations to' follow through other centuries. Responded to by Rev. John C. Paine, of Groveland : Mr. President and Fellow Citizens : We have reached an interesting pei'iod in our national existence ; and as we gather to-day around our sacred altars, our first feeling should be that of gratitude to Him, who was evidently with our fathers in the days of conflict and peril ; and who has ever watched over the people in their prosperity. Next to that Providence whose smile was upon our fathers on the battle-field and in the council- chamber, we should remember those who stood firm for the cause of freedom, and went forward with firm step and a martyr's zeal, in the noblest cause that shines in the history of the world, to achieve for themselves and their posterity political and religious liberty. For, through their agency, we have a government modeled more nearly to accord with what man's nature requires than any other. Under this government we have prospered ; and standing as we do to-day on free American soil, looking back upon our history for a century, we may present our country to the world, and say, as Webster said of Massachusetts, " There she stands, look at her." 5 34 PROCEEDINGS. F'rom a poor, bankrupt colony, we have risen to the second commer- cial nation in the world. From a population of three millions we may boast now of forty millions. From being confined to the Atlantic seaboard, with the ocean on one hand, and savages and a wilderness on the other, we now stretch our arms from sea to sea, with cities and villages springing up on every side. Literature, ' general intelligence and religion have everywhere kept pace with other improvements, and we can hardly appreciate the present and prospective greatness, and consequent influence of our gi'owin^ Repulilic. Every vision we take of it deepens the impression of its importance. Great enterprise marks the character of our people. Agriculture, manufactures and commerce, schools and public build- ings, and houses of worship, all testify to our matchless enterprise. If we remain truq to our j^olitical and religious pi-inciples, and use with faithfulness our I'esources and elements of power, taking broad views of duty and obligation, we may expect still to progi*ess with greater I'apidity than in the past, and that our institutions will be copied in other lands, and that we may exert a decisive and beni<^n influence on the destinies of the world. III. Our Public Schools The broad foundation on which our national temple was built. Responded to Iw Herbert I. Ordway, of the School Committee : Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : Tt is not necessarj^ for me to go into an extended account of our schools to-day. You all know what they are. A great many of you were present at the late High School Exhibition, where the scholars spoke for themselves far better than any one could speak for them, and it is in this way that you must become acquainted with the schools. I am sorry to notice that the people in this town seem to have so little personal intei-est in the schools. Tou appropriate four or five times as much money for them as for any other one purpose, and are content to put this money into the hands of three men to expend as they please, and are willing to depend for your knowledge of the result upon what j^our children say and what you hear upon the street. This is not as it should be. All of you, and especially those of you who have children at school, should make it a point to visit the schools once in a while and judge for yourselves of the methods and discipline of the teacher and of the success of each. Then you will be able to form an intelligent idea of our Schools and the effect upon both teachers and scholars cannot fail to PROCEEDINGS. 35 be beneficial. Those of you who may follow my advice will then find that one of the greatest difficulties which our teachers have to contend with is the frequent and often unnecessary absences of some of the scholars. I cannot sijeak on this subject too strongly. If the absent scholar were the only one sufl'ering from the absence, the evil would be less, but the effects are felt more or less by the whole school. I hope you will guard against this evil in the future. Send your children to school every day unless it is absolutely neces- sary that they should remain at home, and be assured that they will learn as much in one year of punctual attendance as in three years devoted half to school and half to something else. IV. Ow Revenues. May the future collections of the govern- ment be equal to the payments of the people. Responded to by Hon. E. B. George, of Groveland : Mr. President and Fellow Citizens : The subject of the toast to which I am expected to respond, will hardly be considered an interesting one, as no measure that calls upon us to put our hands in our pockets and pass out our money without at once receiving a tangible equivalent in return, can be considered agreeable to any one of us. What more uninteresting object can possibly be presented to our fellow citizens when they return from a visit abroad, loaded with rare and curious articles, than an officer of the Revenue. The lady who has filled her trunk with "a love of a bonnet," costly lace, rich silks and velvets; the gentleman who has stowed away among his wardrobe a few boxes of choice cigars, a beautiful present for the girl he left behind him, or the wife and children as precious as his own life, all think of him with fear and trembling. And not an importer in the land en- ters a custom house with his bag of gold, who does not wish that in some way this payment of duties could be evaded or abated. Yet all these are required to contribute to swell "our revenue." The wish is expressed that "the future collections of the govern- ment may be equal to the payments by the people.'" This good time is almost upon us, for it appears by a report recently made in the Senate of the United States that the percentage of loss upon the money collected and disbursed by the government has been less during the present administration than during any preceding one since the organization of the government. And not only is the per- centage of loss very much less, but it also appears that while the amount the government collects and disburses has greatly in- 36 PROCEEDINGS. creased, yet the total loss during the present administration has been less than it was during the administration of Martin Van Bu- ren, Andrew Jackson, or James Monroe. Not a bad exhibit with which to enter upon the second century of our national existence. I have alluded to the general reluctance with which revenue dues are paid. But when we reflect upon the value of our institutions, it would seem as if we should cheerfully contribute to their support. Consider for a moment their cost. We all have a realizing sense of what it cost of blood and of treasure, of agony upon the battle-field and among the loved ones at home, to preserve our free institutions dur- ing the war of the rebellion. From history we obtain some idea of the toil and suffering cheerfully endured by our forefathers in found- ing this Republic and. in waging the war for Independence. But this is not all. A Republic cannot be made in a day; it cannot be created by a series of resolutions, nor by a declaration. It was not that softly beautiful autumn day, when the ajjple dropped, fully ripe, from the tree into the la^) of the waiting husbandman, that jjro- duced the apjile. That was perhaps the least important of all the Ijreceding days of spring and summer, sunshine and rain, during which it grew and matured. So it was not that one day, a hundred years ago, upon which the Declaration of Independence was pro- mulgated, that made our Republic a possibility. For that, all the preceding days, stretching back through the one hundred and fifty years, were necessary, during which our forefathers were becom- ing inured to toil and hardships of every kind — were learning the art of war by defending themselves from a savage and wily foe — were perfecting themselves in the science of self-government by assembling in town meetings to discuss public affairs, and by gath- ering together to devise ways and means for founding and maintain- ing schools and churches. No other nation ever had such a training as this, and therefore it is no marvel that there arc so few Republics to-day. More than this, our fathers came here bringing with them all that was best in the customs and the laws, the civilization and the religion of the motherland— the best she had been able to ac- quire during seven and a half centuries. So, then, the institutions that to-day bless this nation are the ripe fruit of all the toil and the sufferings, the study, the heroism and the blood-shed of a thousand years. Such being their cost and their value, how zealously should we'strive to preserve them imimpaired, how careful should we be that the ballots that silently drop from our hands, freighted with the nation's destiny, re2)resent all that is best and purest in the civiliza- tion^and Christianity of the age. PROCEEDINGS. 37 V. The Buttle of Coivjjens. May Americans always beat in Cow- pens, calf-pens, pig-pens, authors' pens, and all other pens. Mr. Warren Ordway was called upon to respond for American Agriculture, which he thought had made as much progress during the past century as had been made in other departments of American industry. The chemi- cal analysis of soils, underdraining, and the improved methods of cultivation by the use of labor saving machin- ery, market gardening, milk fiirms, cheese factories and cattle husbandry, the establishment of agricultural schools and colleges for the education of our 3^0 ung men in scientific farming, when taken together with the gigan- tic operations of the farmers in the Western States and California, show an enterprising progress that is fully up to the American standard. The production of cotton, rice and tobacco in our Southern States has been devel- oped to a great extent during the century that is past, and these productions for a long series of years furnished the principal medium of our European exchanges. American agriculture is still in its infancy, as another one hundred years will show, when the now deserted farms of New England will be rejuvenated and brought into successful and profitable cultivation. VI. We have heard from the old block ; now let me introduce to you a chip of the same, who has strayed so far away from his fath- er's profession as to become a lawyer. Responded to by C. F. Payne, Esq., of Groveland : Mb. President and Fellow Citizens of Bradford : Although I had some intimation that I should be called upon to say a few words to-day, I only learned at the moment I heard it read, the nature of the toast to which I was to. respond. If, as your toast-master has been so polite to say, I am indeed a "chip of the old block," I am very glad and proud of it, and I trust I may live long enough, and improve suflaciently, to be a credit to 3^^ piiacuEDrN-GS^. the spotless ancestry, which it has been my great good fortune tc have. But I will not take up your time with a genealogical disser- tation. As I am in some sense a representative of the younger por- tion of the community perlia2>s it would be in good taste to particu- larly address that particular class ; and any other day than the one we celebrate on this occasion, I would do so. But, Mr. President,, upon the anniversary of the birthday of om- country's independence,, it behooves us, I think, to forget all class distinctions of every sort,. to know no age, no j'outh, no sex, or color, and no North or South. To feel for once the beauty and the glory of the great fraternal tie,^ which binds us heart to heart, and liand to liiind, each time we recollect our common parentage. * * * It is a common thing, mj^ friends, for men to rail at politicians —to sneer and jeer at what they call the dii'ty pool of politics. And yet I dare to stand up here to- day and say, indeed, insist, that men not only have a moral as a le- gal right to mix in politics, but that it is the duty, most absolute and manifest, for ever}^ one who loves his country and desires his coun- try's good, to be a politician. Is legislation or tlie code of laws coi"- rupt ? See to it that you do your part to make them pure ! Are taxes over high and legislation onerous ? Who levies taxes, and who makes the laws ? — the sovereign people through their reprsenta- fcives ! Do scheming, unsafe men usurp the place of honor, and the treasury keys ? Do thieves break through and steal ? Let lionest men like you, and you, my friends, just be on hand and plan and vote at the appointed time for better and more honest persons for custo- dians ! And isn't after all the trouble with yourselves, or do yous all attend the caucus and jjrimary meeting faithfully ? I tell you Mr. President and fellow-citizens, the caucus underlies the cabinet and the legislature after all. But as the time is short, I must confine myself to topics of a dif- ferent sort, and leave unsaid a hundred things that should somehow be brought straight home to every citizen of this free and equal country, politically speaking. I feel the compliment you pay to me to-day in asking mc to sj)eak, because I am myself, in every nerve and fibre of my being, Araei'ican. My father's father fought with Washington. My father in the great I'ebellion held a commission signed by John A. Andrew, as a chaplain in our Union army. I was myself a soldier in that same great war. And though another of my family once had the great temerity to strike, indeed, knock down the boy who had a hatchet and never told a lie — who after- wards became the father of his country, ^this same impetuous, hot Virginia colonel was afterwards a friend and faithful soldier of that same great chief. Why should I not exult to see my country's PROCEEDINGS. B9 growth and glory. * * When one day that wonderful battle cry went wp, anticipating liberty to a race, and Union one andindissoluble, what a noble, new and untried page it opened up to the historian of the fu- ture ! unprecedented and anomalous ! Ploughshares were lelt for swords, and pruning-hoolss were beaten into spears. The hum •of peaceful industry was deadened in an hour by the feet of a myriad citizen soldiers marching southward. The blast of the bugle and the roar of artillery were tlie orchestral voices Avhich sang the grand and terrible symjihony of life against life. When Sumpter's blood-stained bi'aves struck the eaith, that shock was t'elt in eA'ery Northern mother's heart. Oh ! food for pride and glory in America's patriotism was the begin- ning! fitful, fierce and terrible the struggle; but with the help of God, and the right on our side, the end victorious came at last. Scarred and decimated marched our armies, but four million freemen, looking '■ orthward, sang to Heaven their escape from ■chains and slavery. And though our private wounds wei'e many, ■deep and bitter, our Union was preserved! Where sleep the brave to-day.^ Their bones whiten upon the hillsides of Virginia and Eastern Tennessee; their blood mingles with the lagoons of Florida, and the bayous of Louisiana. Forgotten and undistinguished as they seem, they died upon the field of honor, and their self-sacrifice and noble daring shall be written u on the brightest page of Histor}-. What though no costly monument points out their resting-place ? From Massachusetts to Oregon, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from St. Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico, pine tree and catai'act, and ocean, blending harmoniously, sing' the golden glory of their lives and death. And their names, their fame, their deeds, their destiny and memory shall be forever green in the hearts of their grateful fellow-countrymen, VII. The Ladies The last and best work of Nature : " Her 'prentice hand she tried on man, And then she made the lasses, O ! " Responded to by Charles B. Emerson, Esq. : Mr. President and Fellow Citizens : Deeming it as I do a signal honor to be called to respond in be- half of true womanhood, I with pleasure comply. Sir, I trust no careful student of national history— either of the Old World or the New — can fail to perceive the potent power, and influence, woman has infused in national life in all ages. When in retrospect of one 40 FROCEEDIXGS. hundred yeare ag-o, we behold the infant America of 1776 cradled upon the bleak and unknown shore of the Plymouth of New Eng- land, suiTounded by cruel and treacherous savag^es in ambush, and call to mind the terrible sufferings, cnielty and privations endured, it is no wonder that the vei^ spot becomes saci*ed ground and Plym- outh Rock a national legacy. Mr, President, with this glorious old flag of freedom fluttering' in the breeze about our heads, emblematic of thirty-eight free and independent States, securely united in bonds of ft'aternal bi'otherhood — ^a glorious triumiA of heroic sacrifices filling' our hearts with exultant joy— and be(jueathing to as all that makes a nation truly a nation— freedom of action, freedom of thought, freedom of speech, we celebrate the hundredth birthday of the most benignant government under heaven, and the " Mistress of the World." Mr. President, for all these blessings to no one source are we more indebted than to woman for the moral vigor she has infused into the veins of our national life. In closing", Mr. Presi- dent, alow me the seniment — Ladie.i of Bradford — Noble representatives of a free and indepen- dent People, and a pure National life — eminent alike for their Virtue, Intelligence and Piety. VIII. The Oroveland Band. Although young, yet wonderfully perfected. Music by the Rand. IX. The Toirn of Oroveland. A rib taken from our side ; al- though young in years, yet prosperous and full of beauty and interest. Responded to by Charles Stickney, of Grovelaud. X. Oeorge Washington. "The first in peace; the first in war; and first in the hearts of his countrymen." Responded to by William Hilton, of Bradford : Mu. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: It is difiicult to respond to such a sentiment as this, when we bring to mind all that has been said and written on the life and character of Washington. But there are four points so marked in his chai'acter that it is well to bring them to view as often as possi- ble ; certainly on this, the centennial anniversary of the country, he may almost be said to have created. First, his undying love of PROCEEDINGS. 41 country; second, his unbending integrity; third, his firmness of purpose ; fourth, his trust in the God of Nations. It was said of him that he was accustomed to retire morning and evening and pray to his Heavenly Father for his protection and guidance. And the martyi- President, Lincoln, the preserver of the country, asked the prayers of the people, that he might have the help of Almighty God, to cai'ry through the great burden placed upon him. Well has it been said of Washington, that "No country can claim him as their own ; he was a boon to mankind, a gift to the world." Happy, proud America, the lightnings of heaven yielded to your philosophy and the temptation of earth could not seduce your patriotism. XI. The Town of Bradford Who can speak for the Town of Bradford so well as Towne himself? Responded to by D. Freeman Towue : Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : I am really placed in a very unfortunate position in attempting to say anything for the town of Bradford after so complete a gleaning of the field by our orator of the day. I shall therefore be compelled to take a broader field — that of our own country. It is with par- donable pride, on this centennial anniversary of our nation's birth, to behold her as she stands to-day, one of the brightest stars in the galaxy of nations, the future hope of millions of our countrymen and the asylum for the oppressed of other nations. One hundred years have rolled away since the corner stone of this government was laid. We were then weak, yet nurtured by the approving smiles of Providence, we have since gi'own to the strength and per- fection of a great and mighty nation. Our territory then compris- ing but thirteen States thinly populated with three millions ot people confined to the Atlantic coast, now embraces thirty-eight with forty-four millions, having a government of their own, but by Federal compact united to form one powerful nation, whose influence is felt to the remotest part of the world. What astounding imi^i'ovements characterize the age in which we live. Improvement succeeds im- provement, and the invention of to-day supplants that of yesterday. No project is too bold for the enterprise of the present generation . Our commerce at the beginning of the late war, left no sea unex- plored ; the sails of our ships whitened every ocean ; the commercial enterprise of our merchants visited every bustling mart of the known world. Our railroads spread out their net work and draw in closer union different portions of the country and unite as by bands of iron distant cities and states ; the press, the mightiest engine 6 42 PROCEEDINGS. ever invented by the genius of man, throws off its impressions with the rapidity of thought, and the fire horse, impatient of restraint, stands ready to convey them to the remotest hamlet of the land ; the mystic wire, as if reproaching the sluggish power of steam, threads its way to encompass the globe and to urge on with electric force the progress and improvement of the age. Want of time for- bids me to note the marvellous improvements in the various dejiart- ments of mechanical art, in the manufacture of cloth, in the art of printing and electro-magnetism since the days of our Franklin. It is with astonishment that we behold the wonderful perfection in the api^lication of steam since its discovery by Fitch and Fulton. Think of it as it drives our cars over sixty thousand miles of rail- way, and also despite wind and wave, tide and stox-m, propels the thousands of steamboats which plow our navigable waters, and turns the machinery of the world. Its magic power gives new direction to energy and capital, brings distant places into proximity and con- nects them by bands which no party animosity, no sectional prejudices or civil discords can ever sunder. Now, Mr. President, the hours of this glorious day are passing, and long ere the recurrence of anoth- er centennial every participant of this will have passed away, but may the same principle that actuated the founders of our govern- ment and was incorporated into its formation flow down to the remotest stages of postei'ity — that the next centennial will still find this a united Republic whose " God is the Lord." Xn. " The Orator:' Responded to by Harrison E. Chadwick : Mr. PRESroENT AND Fellow Citizens : We celebrate the deeds of our ancestors. We look back with pride to the history of the settlement of our country, while we trace its rapid growth, and congratulate ourselves ujjon the achievement of our liberties. We see a continent, given up to the abode of the savage of the wilderness, transformed into the abode of civilization and plenty. We see how our enemies abroad and at home have been overcome, and made to acknowledge our power and freedom : how the slave has been set free, and raised to citizenship. Yet while all this and more, that I have not time to enumerate, has been accomplished, thei-e is much left to be done. Our ancestors have done their part and left us. It is ours to continue what they have commenced, and to preserve what they have established. Can we say that the work is complete while we have an enemy in our midst that has done more to check the progress of our people than the PEOCEEDINGS. 43 wild Indian, or tax levying parliament of Great Britain ? an enemy that in defiance of " Maine Laws," widows' sighs and orphans' tears, stalks over our land, leaving only ruin in his j)ath? Yes, we have an enemy to conquer. King Alcohol must be overcome, and there is a duty awaiting each one. The first duty in a temperance reform is for each one to begin at home at once. Every reformer must strive to be himself what he would have othei's become. It is useless for our legislators to enact laws against the selling of liquors, while they themselves within twenty-four hours of their enactments, in many cases, go out and break their laws by their purchases. It is impossible for the seller of liquor to break the law alone. There must be a buyer ; and until our temperance laws can have the moral support of our legislators and all good citizens the traiSc and consequent ruin will go on. If, as statistics show, this is the worst enemy in our midst, and .the cause of more crime and ruin than all else combined, then let us meet the foe manfully, and achieve a victory greater than tliat we this day celebrate. The ceremonies at the grove were now concluded. Among the guests present from Haverhill were ex-Mayors Levi Taylor and Alpheus Currier, ex- Alderman James F. West; John B. Nichols and Thos. J, Taylor. The decorations and display of flags in the various streets were numerous, and many of them attractive. At the residence of John Davis was a beautiful centennial decoration, embracing portraits of General and Martha Washington, the descending dove amid numerous flags, and the mottoes, "Our flag in honor shall wave" — "Loudly pealed the old bell" — "Malice toward none, Charity for all." United with these was a combination of flowers, wreaths, and ferns. The residence of Jacob Kimball, near the Common, the " Old Tavern" of the days that are past, was decorated tastefully with the stars and stripes. There was a handsome display of flags and tri-colored draping by Samuel W. Hopkinson, and an el- egant decoration of the residence and grounds of James K. Hall, with flags and streamers of red, white and blue, combined with Chinese lanterns supplying an illumination 44 PROCEEDINGS, in the evening. The residences of many other citizens were more or less decorated by the display of flags or otherwise, among them may be named, Leverett W. Tyler, A. L. Kimball, B. R. Downes, Justin Lawrence, Wm. Cogswell, A. S. Hodgkins, Mrs. Joseph Pearsons, Frank H. Kimball, Eev. John D. Kingsbury, Dr. George Cogswell, Warren Ordway, B. G. Perry, Leverett Kim- ball, John B. FaiTar, J. W. Woodside, Sylvester Doloff, Geo. L. Kelley, Lieut. E. E. Bradbury, U. S. N., and the Postoffice. At sunset the church bell was rung, and a salute of thirty-eight guns was fired by a detachment of the Mass. battery. A display of fireworks in the evening closed the observance of this Centennial Fom-th of July. *D 18 1 .c "-^^0^ c .^"^ ^^ A o. i fe' ^' -t 'o , ^ t) A > .^^ o 1 " '^^ <:^~ o ^-S"^ .*$!? s ^ ^^. "'' ,\^ . \. '■> ■& ^' A. ■4> c ^^-'^. DOBBS BROS. LIBRARV BINDING ■:^ '-'. r.T* ,0^ O ST. AUGUSTINE 0°"°* ■<^^ ,0^^ .•"** ^O -^ .^^ FLA- '^^V. -^^^ <; ^ ^^Mm^.- \^ .-^^ .V- -..-Mllfe iP^^ Ao^