CELEBRATION @113 Hundredth Anniversary DECLARATION 01+‘ INADEAPENDENCE .0213‘ TIIE ‘UNITED STATES 013‘ AME RICA; I3RADiF‘()R D. MA&s:3A., J ULY 4:'I'I-I. 1878. c+.A.z1«:u7cr1i: 12.0012: AND JOB 1>1uN*rING% o1M<~ércxa:; A 1877'. AT 21 Iegal town-111"eefii11g* held June 13th, 1876, the fbllowing "votes were passed: Art. fad. Voted—-130 approp1'iEte the sum of Thlree 11unc1rec¥ ($300) do11.2u's for the pu1'po.=se of celebmting the coming C‘entennia,1é fourth of July. ' Votec1—-—t1mt the following 11zm3c-ad be as c:o1nmitteca to c::u'i~y out the .‘1LbO'\7"G vote with power to fill Vacanceies anal appoint sub-com- mittees: D. FREEMAN TOWNE. WM. A. KIMB.ALI... % DR. WM. COGSVVELL. CHAS. B. EMERSON. JAMES K. EHALL. WM. HILTON. GEORGE W. LAJDD. GARDNER G. I{xMEAI..L. WM. L. GAGE. ORGANTZATION OF THE EOMMITTEE OE ARRANGEMENTS. GEORGE LADD, C1Ta.i1'm:a.n. WILLIAM COGSWELL, Ge11era.1 Director. VVILLIAM.‘ HILTON, Secretmy. VVILLIAM L. GAGE, ’l‘1'ea.sL1re1‘. SAMUEL W. HOPKINSON, . D. FREEMAN TOWNE, Selectmen. WM. ALLISON KIMRALL. ' CI-IA}?:.LIi“.S B. EMERSON. JAMES K. HALL. Gr.A.R"DNER Gr. K.I‘l\II3ALL. SUB COMMITTEES. 0O99'm?.?Zz5tee to select (~»‘57'O'Lmds for the C'eZebrcLtz'On.. GEO. W. LAIDZI). D. F. TOWNE. WM. L. GAGE. (,rw*'2v,79'e.?Ié6<9e to j.9?“0C’l.l.9"6 at Ber/ml. D F. TOWNE. GA:1i~mNER G. KliM;}3ALL.. JAMES K. I‘IALL. C’o9m2:£ttee cm 6’?I72.g'2I7'2,g. WM. C0(3}SWE'.L’L. CHAR. B. EMERSON. 0o972,9~9z2'tz5e=3e rm. ScacZ’z.cte. JAMES KI. HALL. o.‘3Al\.1‘l‘JIi}I.. W. HOI’KINSON. C*o77a97z9Iz£ee to M‘/“'zm'2.i..<;7z. /Smncl, Cl’c:z'/jles and Decorations. W1:L;LmM I-I1:I.TON. A Oommxelttee to _2)7‘0G’lM"6 P2*'ovi.%'o9*z.9 and .su;_pe9"z'n£e7zd Tcalales. C1‘~IA;I{LEE5 B. EMIEREON. J AMES K. HALL. WM. ALL1:.<3ON KIMBALL. Oommittee to proowe Lemonade. WILLIAM L. GAGE. Assistcznt Committee. A SAM"L K. HOLMES. DOANE COOSWELL. ‘BENJ. F. LEAVITT. NICHOLAS SAWYER. FRANIC J OHNSON. ALLEN B. CIIADWIOK. * EDWIN G. ELLIOTT. OFFICERS’ OF’ THE" DAY... Committee to arrange Tables and Dec'o7*at€a9v2.R... MRS. LABURTON JOHNSON. “ HARRISON E. CHADWICK... “ _WILLIAM W. PHILLIPS. “ P. E. PEARL. “ GEORGE W. LADD. “ HARRISON VVIL.L1AMs. A “ A. LABURTON K1MRALL.. “ SAMUEL B. PERRY. “ WxL.LIA1\1 COGSWELL. “ ELIZA Gro0DWIN. “ JOHN B. FARRAR. MISS LIZZIE PEABODY. “ JULIA A. Groo:DELL.. “ MARY E. WEBSTER. “ I-IATTIE N. HILLS. The C-0mn1ittee»:.Lpp0i11tec1 ()ffice1's of tlw Day: C’/ulef 1Wctrs7t_aZ. MAJOR EUGENE OA.RTER. Assistctnt ll/[ct9*'.£:.7¢a»Z.s. BENJ. G. CHAS. T. RICI"I%IAI{.[)H.. CHARLES Gr. JOHNSON. FRANK E. M0-1{SE. Presiclent. HON. GEORGE COGrSWELL.' 0/zaplaivz. REV. J. C. PAINE, of G1'0ve]e.11d. Reader of the Declaratrfcm. of Independence. DR. VVILLIAM COGSWZELL. Orator. HARRISON E. CHADWICK,‘ ESQ. A Toast Master. SAMUEL W. HOPKINSON, ESQ. Musical Director. PROF. H. E. HOLT. Psoonsomes. At sunrisethe church hell was rung, encl a salute of ‘thirteen guns for the thirteen original States was fired. At noon the church hell was agai11 rune" and the people o ::= :assen1h1ecl at the Common in front of the n1eeti11g—l1ouse, eceo1'dingy to previous notice. A “procession was then "formed by Major, Eugene Carter, the Chief yMarsha,1 of the cley, in the t’ollc)wi.11g- order :-—-————First, the Grovelzmcl. Brass B£l11Cl,‘f(')ll()WGCl hy the e:t1'x'ie.ge heztriing the Presi- (lent of the deny, the Cl1u.irm.'tn of the Committee of Ar- r:;ngen1ents, the Cl1tt1.)l€Ll11 and the Orntor; then the Town Oflicers, the elderly people and invited guests in em‘- 1*i:tges; the11.fo1loWecltl1e children of the public schools on foot, 1m:u1y* of them e:n'1'yi11g flags ; ztncl as ineny others of the citir/iens as chose to join the procession. At about one o’clock'the processio11 moved up Meiii Street into School Street about one-lm.lf fit mile to the grove on the ggrouiucls of’ B1‘.‘It<‘.lf01"‘Cl Aeztclenly, in the rear of the b11ild.i1;1g, where the Whole assembly, n111nhe1*i11g W about iifteen liundred, e1're.'11gecl themselves ::Lrouncl the stend proviclecl for the oceesi.o11. , At lielf-pitst one o’eIock the exercises coininencecl. George W. Ledcl, EsqL, Chairman of the Committee of A1'1'e11gements, edd1'essed the assembly as follows : LA.I)IES AND GrIEN'1‘LEl\II3.‘.N: You all Well know that we lleve met here to celebrate this glori- ous Fourth of July. Every community ought, zuicl every i11tlivicl- ~ue1 shoulclpzt1rtiei13e1:ei11 some way. It is {L duty We owe to our country, encl at cluty We een do with pleasure. There is so1r1etl1ing grand in being here on this Ce11te1111ie1 Year of our Netiomtl Indepenclence, to-Ado tell We can that is patriotic and profitable, for in ClOl1’1g so We can all pledge ourselves anew to cher- ish the memory of those noble men end Wome.n who seerificed so 6 ‘ A PROCEEDINGS. much to gain our Independence, and to those that did so much to restore it. I Will not detain you with with a11y extended reniarks, but Will say that the Committee of Arrangements have selected one of our honored and esteemed citizens to take charge of the eXercises———-one Whom you all know; one who has been in our midst for nearly fifty years; one Who“ has seen this town grow from little village to its present proportions; and one that has always had the interest of Brad- ford and 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’-CO'UNTI’tYl\IEN AND FnLLoW—ToWNsM:eN: A century since our fathers uttered these Words, “We hold these truths totbe self-evident: that all men are created equal ; that they are endowed by their Ireator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Upon the Declaration of Independence the thirteen American Colonies continued the war then existiiig with the mother country, not merely to escape from British oppression but to establish a na- tion. Our ancestors brought with them froin Eiiglzmcl the great principle that all men liave the right to Worship God in accor<;l.:=L11(i:e with the dictates of conscience, and, also, to found at ,gov'e1'11111ei1t “of the people, by the people, and for the people.” These grand truths uttered by John Calvin had been quietly p<:>ssessiiig the hearts of men, until they found full expression in the founding of the American l?.epublic. The population of this country was then between -three and four millions, eiigztgecl in a. desperate War with the savages on the West, on -the east with the mightiest nation in Europe assisted by mercenary Grerlnan troops. Now We have a nation of forty 1'11i11iO11S and not a slave presses our soil, extending from the frozen regions of the north to the Warm waters of the Gulf ; at peace with ourselves and with all the nations of the earth, while our flag floats proudly over every sea as an emblem of power and of self-governinent. V i 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 model far in advance of any other nation in secur- ing equal rights to all. i A V Fellow-townsmen, our lot is cast in this beautiful town of Brad- ford, on the south bank of the Merrixnaelaz, iove1'looki11g the city of I-Iaverhill with its unsurpassed beauty, in the midst of an industri’-— ous, thriving and substantial population, with moral, educational PROCEEDINGS. 7 and 1*e1ig*io11s aclvantages which ought to satisfy the most exactiiig. Witli such national and local privileges and enjoyrnents, let us render praises to our Heavenly Father for his mercies to us, not only as a nation, but also to us a town; and in addition, on this interesting Centennial anniversary, let us renew our vows of allegiaiice to our country, resolving to discharge every duty of citizenship in such a manner as shall best promote the true interest of our common coun- « try, and thereby of every indivicltrial member of this republic. In behalf of the citizens of l31'ad;forr.l I Welcome the g;ove1r11.111(31it of the city of I-Iaverhill with its citizens; I Welcome the town authorities and citizens of (3‘o.'ovela11(fl, Wl.1l.(3l‘l for so many years was one With us as a corporation, to the rejoiciiigs and festivities of this occasion. I Welcome all citizens, whether from the east or West, or from the north or the south; our country is on.e,—---our duties the same: the fairest country and the truest people the sun in his countless revolutions has ever shone upon. May the lilessiiigs of sell’-govern17ne1;1t and good. order contintie to eorni'ort this people and may tliey con.tinue wortlrv oi" tl1o.so blessin so l<31ig; as (:lu.y' shall succeed to night. He concluded by 1'e:tcli11g an i.1'1te1*esti11.§.r letter i'ron'1 Dr. Jeremiah Spoflbrcl, a venerable pliysioinli of Groveland, who regretted that he was ol.)l.*ig;ecl to decline the invite.»- tion to be present. The Rev. J. O. Paine, of G-roveland, the Chaplain of tlie Day, then invoked the Divine blesstilig upon the as- sembly, offe1*i11g tlienlsrs for the great and nutnerous l;)le...—- sings which a nation they had received, and prayi.n,e; for their continuance, and that our whole united country might continue in the enjoyment of liberty, peace, and the knowleclge of the Lord. Next in order came the si.ngi11g of the national air, “Hail Columbia,” bye 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 pulpit by the Rev. Samuel Wi1lla111S, then minister at Bradford. It was then voted that this same sheet be read one hundred ’ ~48 ongarxon. years hence, and the Selectmen were directed to govern themselves accordingly. The President then introduced Harrison E. Chadwick, Esq., their fellow-tmvnsman, as the Orator of the Day, who delivered the following ORATION. MR. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN : A The history of the World is marked by the occurrence 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 Atlaiitic 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 jl1SfJC011’1i11g forth in their Wealmess 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. A Grladly 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 coloé nies were made subservient to the interests of the sover- eign power to which they looked for protection. It was not,of neglect merely thatsthey complained, but, disre- T garding the just rights of the people, a system of oppreg.. sion had been inaug;urated, which if continued would * them: oazrrron. l 9 cripple the development of their country and destroy that manhood essential to the prosperity of a people. A lThey had petitioned; they had remonstrated ; they had implored a removal of the burden imposed upon them, unjustly as they believecl---all to no purpose. They had sought a fair representation and voice in the government to which they owed allegiance; this had been denied Having in many instanoessonght an asylum in the New VVorld 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 oL1tg'1‘oVvii1g a dependence which was irksome to most, particularly to the Massachusetts colony, who were rega1*<;led as the i1istrigato1's in the re»- bellion and against whom most of the enactments were made tosuppress the opposition to the autliority 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 England to subcliie the rebel colonists before the latter could be aroused to take the heroic step that was to sever them forever from r their allegiance to the Old "World and establish the incle- pendence of a nation extencling 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 clwellinb; 2 W t onA'rIon'. - place, and this form of government is- our national inh~er'—-— itance. And We are this day assembled together to express our feelings of gratitude to our ancestors for their heroic deeds and self-sacrifice ; and also 011 our own part to cher- ish and keep alive that spirit of independence and nation--- al honor so characteristic of the early A.merican people : “the spirit of seventy-“six.” ,, THE REVOLUTION. That the people of Bradford fully entered into the spin- 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 acenstorned to clisenss in their tovm meetings the gravest national questions. The people of V Bradford, scarcely a thousand in nuinher, were scattered over a territory eight miles in extent along the Merrimack river, pursuing their occupation of tilling the soil.i Vil- lages, they had none. They had their East and their West meeting-houses “located centrally in each parisli, and around them were clustered a few dwellings and perliaps a store for the sale of a few articles of necessity; but not a post-ofice, 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 inclepenclence 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, J an. 7, 17 73, to act on the following article: cm'rIoN.. 11 '“To see What instructions they will give to their Rep-— resentative in General Court assembled (if any shall be thought proper) relating to the present difiiculties, which the province and this town as part of the community are laboring under, and to act anything they shall think; prop- er when meta 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.”p And the vote was to choose a committee to report im—- mediately. They chose a committee, and adjourned to 6 o’cloclz;, P. M., the same day, to hear the report. C:;i13t. Daniel Thurston was then the town representative, and to him the town through its committee gave instructions as fol»- lowsg “Sir, We, his 1najesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, freeholders and other iitihaloitants of the town of Bradford, in town nieetiiig legally assembled, this seventh day of anuary, 17 7 3, 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 it 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 , ORATION. avoided. We recommend it to you as our Representa- tive in General Assembly to use your influence to obtain redress of all our grievances, and in particular to enquire Whether the support of the udges of the Superior Court . has been adequate to their services, offices, and station, and if not, to use your influence in obtaining suitable ,grants and establishments, as may be thought suficient 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 thisprovince 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 Cor1;espondence in Boston. Dudley Carleton, Esq., William Greenough, Benjamin Gage, J r., Thomas Webster, Amos Mulliken,--—Committee to malaze report.” Thus We see that the people of Bradford were jealous of theirliberties 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, 17 7 3, two years before the War, and stocked it with ammunition, “six half-barrels of powder; bullets and flints proportion-~ it able.” The town wasrepresented in the Provincial Congress, which assembled at Concord, Oct.‘ 11, 17 74, by Capt. Daniel Thurston, Who was also chosen to represent the town in the Provincial Congress held in the following February at Cambridge. 1 omrrron. 13 More ammunition 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.- trihute their aid when needed. Town meetings now were frequently held, adjourning often to the east or west meeting-«house to hear reports fromcommittees, vote supplies and encourage each other. It is also stated that relief was voted to the poor of Boston, in their distress under the scige of the British. The town meetirrig called May 23, 1775, was an iniportant one. It was the first after the battles of Lexington and Concord. The Mas- sachusetts army had appealed to the town for aid, and the articles needed were stated in a, circular from a commi.ttee , of supplies. The town was also called upon to choose a committee of correspondence, according to the recom- mendation of the Provincial Congress. A 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 county committee, unless they returned to duty. Soon after the battle of Bunker Hill---—--, A June 28, 17 75m-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-L thaniel Gage, with a coinpany of forty men from their own town had just taken“ part in the battle of Bunker my W- 1 4 URALTT Of .- 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 dificulties 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 Mass: - chusetts patriots, seconded by Virginia. In the midst of these deliberations the records show that Bradford was in “full sympathypwith 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 iiiitention to de- clare the colonies independent. It is noticeable that this toWn-meetingwas 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 Webste1°, John Burbanlz, Capt. Nathaniel Gage, onarron. 15 Benjamin Muzzy and Capt. John Savor , 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 Coxiigress fo1*mi.ng' these United Colonies" into Independent States, beg leave to make the iollowing report : To Dudley Carleton, Esq., Representative for the Town of Bradford, in General Asseinbly : ;Sl2'r.°»-,——-'VVl1e11 We consider the Despotic plan of lg()ve1'11~ ment adopted by the I{'l,1'lf~.V’,’, Ministry and Parliament of Great Britain toenslave these American colonies; when We consider that instead of recl1*essi.11g 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 spilli.11g our blood, by bu.rniI1g our "towns, by seizing our property, and by i.11stigati11g the savages of the wilderness and 11eg1*oes 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 Bri_tain, 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 ahappy reconciliation ever taking place between Great Britain and these colo- nice, you are hereby desired, as our representative, to use your utmost endeavor that our delegates in Greneral Con- 1 6 7 ” onArIoN. gress be instructed to shake off the tyrannical yoke of Great Britain, and declare these United Colonies inde—- pendent of that venal, corrupt and avaricious court for- ever—--provided no proposals for a happy reconciliation be offered, which the honorable congress thinla: proper to ac~-- “ cept; and we hereby engage that we will, at the risk of as our lives and fortunes, endeavor to support and defend them therein." 1 This report was accepted by a vote of the town. Here we have the sentiment of this town just two weeks before the declaration of indepenclenc. By this act a new na- tion commenced an existence, and new duties were in- volved. Not only must the war he carried on, but a civil government must be provided for. A plan of government for the State was proposed by a resolution of the House of Representatives, Sept. 17, 1776, whereby the House and the Council should join in one body, with equal voice, and adopt a constitution, afterwards asking the towns to assent thereto. This proposition was not acceptable to this town, and after stating their dissatisfaction, the fol- lowing is an extract from a vote passed October 31, 17 7 6 : “But we are willing and desire that» the Hon. Council and the Hon. House of Representatives (each acting in their respective capacities,) proceed to form a government for this State, and exhibit attested copies thereof to its sev-- eral towns for their inspection and approbation, before it is ratified and confirmed.” The committee who reported and favored this .action on the part, of the town were Col. 1 Daniel Thurston, Dea. Thomas Kimball, Benjamin if Muz- zy, Maj .. Benjamin Gage, Jr., and John Burbank. ’0RA‘TI'ON.. c 17 This town also lent its aid in securing the observance cf the State act to prevent monopoly and oppression. Abraham Da , Jr., was chosen to guard the town against the danger arising from internal enernies. It would be impossible to give all the details of the various town meetings, fifty or more in number, held to carry «on this war. But the records abound in evidence of the zeal and readiness of the people to do their part, by votiing supplies , and fur1:1ishing men. A few must suffice. Oct. 11th, 17 7 9, voted to hire ‘ten men to go to New York: and join General W'asl1ington’s army; and £1995 were raised for that pur- pose. June 12th, 17 80, voted to hire sixteen men for the Continental army for six 1I1(')11iJl1S ; and on the 28th of the same month, voted to hire four men to serve in the Con- tinental army for six months, and nineteen ‘ men to serve in the militia for the space of three rnonthu; also voted to raise £12,527 to defray town eliarges. This was fol- lowed, Oct. 12th, 1780, by a vote to raise the sum of 43,844 pounds, 12 sliillinggs and 6 pence to defray town charges. Just before this came, a call f'ro1n the State for 10,750 pounds of beef. The xcornmittees appointed in each case to hire the men consisted of twice the nurnber of soldiers required, which would seem to indicate that the task was a difficult one. i i Upon these committees are found the. names of men whose military titles are evidence that they were them- selves engaged in the active service of their country; among them the followirigz Capt. Nathaniel Grage, Lieut. Daniel Kimball, Lieut. Tl1o1nasStiel<:ney, Lieut. Elipha- let Hardy, Lieut. Moses°Harri1nan, Lieut. . Phineas Cole, I 18 ouarxon. Adjt. Daniel Hardy, Lieut. Abel Kiinhall, Lieut. Na»- thaniel Parlzzer, Lieut. Nathaniel Plumer, and Capt. John‘ Savory. By a resolution of the General Court, December 4th,« 17 80, a call was made upon Bradford to furnish 20,642 pounds of beef for the use of the State. In response to this call, the town, on January 3d, 1781,, voted to raise the sum of £61,926 to purchase the beef. Thus, in less than six months, the town voted to raise over £100,000 on account of the War; quite a sum although in a dep~re- ciated currency. But f'o~1' some reason not stated, the beef was not fortlieoiiiing", and a meeting was called J an.. i?3d and a vote passed giviiig the Selectmen clriscretioioiary power to purchase the beef or pay the money in lieu thereof" at the rate of $4.50 per pound, so g1"ea.t had he-— come the depreciation of the currency. The cleilegzite from Bradford to the convention held at 7 Ca1nl‘.>1~iélge in 17 79 to form a State Constitution was Peter Russel, Esq. The new Constitution Was accepted hy the town after some discussion upon the third article. The first vote for Governor under the new Constitution was 47 , of which John Hancock had 353 and James Bmvdoin 15. At this time the feeling iigapiiist those who opposed the Revolution and left the country during the War, or con- spired agaiiist it, was very strong; and a vote was passed instructiiig our Representative to use his utmost endeav- ors to prevent all such from ever returning to live again in this Commonwealth. After a careful examination of the records, I feel justified in saying‘ there are no instances of disloyalty to the colonial cause on the part of the town, ORATION. 19 but re.ther they were zeelons to do their part. Also dur- ing the French Wzt1' of 1755, :3. con1pe.nyfron1 this town n1e.rohed to Si3iiiV'V:3.t61", N. Y., under the con1n1a.nd of Capt. Wm. Kirnball. And since the division of the town, in 1850, when G1'oVe1zu1d wee set off withh-.t1f the popL:11:¢1,- tion and ha.1f the valuation, the town of Bmdfo1'd ime well sustained its fo1'I11e1' repnte.tion, which W::LS put to :1. severe test dnri11g the recent VV:L1‘ of the Rehellimi. '.I.‘heJ;'e were some, indeed, who stood aloof, u.nd some who openly op- posed the n:1eesL11'es i3:Tl.i.{eI‘1 to 1.)1:iese1‘Ve the Union. But their opposition Wes Vveeiz e.n1id the great outburst of pop»- uier feeling for the cause of the 1'igl1't end the f1'eodon1 of the oppressed. This feeling Wee put in active 0pGl'zLi3iO11 by the enlistnnent of Vohinteors Amid the fu1*nish.ing of supplies i111'1‘.r1e(:l.i.u.te.l_y on the "first not of zmned opposition to the govermgnent. Bmdford did well her part, ell tlmt was eskecl of 11e1*,.i11 f'l:11'11ois11ing; linen and money. This is fully attested by the a.n1ouo1:1t expe11ded and the debt she i11on1'red for e.:u'ry.i.11g on the War, Whioll is now all pnici: but more espeogieliy by her thilrty-opne f:;1.11e11 solis, at Whose graves We a.11111n1.11y pay the trii:‘>ute of g1'ntef'L11 1*e1nemh1'e.noe. And now, from the record of war, a.hi111<:1zL11t as it is and imperfectly as I have been able to give it, let us go beck, another hundred years, to the first settlement of the town, which may afford some “items of interest. SETTLEMENT OF THE TOWN. The town of Bovvley forxneriy extended from the At- lantio ocean on the east to the town of Audover on the West, and, after passing Newbury on the north, extended to 20' T T onncoron‘. the Merrimack river. On the south it was hounded by Ipswich and Toprsfield, and included nearly all that now constitutes the towns of Rowley, Boxford, Georgetowii, Groveland and Bradford. Bradford was separated from ' Rowley by an act of incorporation in 167 5. 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 first minister of Rowley. Mr. Phillips, Joseph J ewett, John Spotford and others whose names are mentioned divided these lands----—~about 10,000 acres—-—-among themselves in various proportions, in 1671. These persons Were‘ the first set- tlers of this territory, Which, bordering as it does on the river, was at first called Me~rrimach:. Afterwards it was 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 different 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 A in the east part of the town, now Grroveland, are the fol» lowing, in order of lots, beginning at the east end : Joseph Richardson, J o11as Platts, John I-Iopkinson, Joseph Bailey, Edward iWood, Benjamin Savory, William Hutchens, Ezra Rolf, Samuel Tenney, Francis J ewett, Samuel VVooster, Samuel Stickney, John and William Hardy, A T Abraham and Daniel Parker, and the Carleton Patent. Then came next in What is now Bradford, the Haseltine enarrou. 21 Patent, extending from Jol1nson’s Creek to ChadWick’s Ferr , and settled by Thomas Kimball, William Jackson, V ,David Hasseltine, and Shubal Walker; next followed the , lots of Thomas West, John Boynton and John Grrifin. 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. J The land at the neck, so--called, was patented to Philip Atwood and John Head, and with them settled Abraham Gage, John Annie and Samuel Kimball. The employ- ment of the people in the early times was mostly agricul- tural, and inany fine farms along the Merrimack attested the’ fertility of the soil; prominent among them in later times was the farni of David How. In 1670 the first grist-mill was erected on J ohnson’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 vvholly 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 J ohnson’s creek. Upon this stream in former years have been operated grist- mills, saw-mills, tanneries, and a manufactory of twine J. and thread, all of which have given place to the extensive Woolen manufactories in South Grroveland, owned and carried on by the Hon. E. . M. Hale, of Haverliill, and employing 400 or more operatives. A The shoe business a trade, furnishing shoes far the 22 oaarxon. market, was commenced by Daniel Hardy about the year, 17 60, or one hunclrecl 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 furnishecl employment also, to most of the people dL”11'l1'1g the Winter months in addi- tion to their agricultural pursuits. At the present time it employs a large proportion of the people of Braclforcl, although not a shoe nianufactiiriiig establishment stands upon her soil. A The immetliate proximity of Havelrhill and the greater facilities for carrying on the business there have iiiclucecl the Braclforcl manufacturers to remove their establishments across the river, which relnoval Was completed about twen-- ty--five years ago. Ainongr the larger business firms in Haver-‘ hill may be found those operated by residents of Braclforcl, viz. : L. Johnson «St Co., A. L. Kiinlmll, John B. Farrar, VVarren Orclway, Alfred A. Ordway, S. VV. I~Iopl«;:i11son, 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-1 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 I give the Governor vote under the ORATION. ‘ 23 new constitution in 1780, which W:.-LS 47 ; in 1790, 63 ;l in 1800, 115; and in 1810, 219. In 181.0 the population was 1869; in 1820, 1650; and in 1850, when Grovelmlcl was set off“, Bredforcl’s half of the popul:.Ltio11 was about 1300. The most 1‘£-Lplfil inerezaxse has been during the past ten years. The present n1.1mber is about 2500. This in«-- «erease lms _bee11eonfinecl almost entirel.y to the centra.l portion of the town.’ When the Boston & Mzmie ra.ilroe.d vvzxs opened to this toxvn in 1837 the village eonte.i11ecl but three streets, the Anclover 1‘():fLCl zfmcl the Stjtlelll 1*o:1cl, Wl1'1Gl1 unite at the 1nee1;i1rl1g .l:1onse encl extmrxcl to H:1VG1‘l’1.il1 b1~idge——exoepting; the old Ferry street. Since then some fifteen new st.roets lpmve beelii openecl encl more or less built upon. The postofiice system, C‘SttlLl;)llSl1(~3(.l z;LboL1t the year 167 2, (lid not give to Bm<;lf<)1'Ll :.~:L pos'to'Hiee till 1811. PROVISION I+‘O"I'i RELIGIOLTS INs'reUe'rIoN. That the first settlers of B ':;1.clf'o1'cl took :1 deep interest in religioiis instruction is mzmifest from the early reeorcls. One of their m1mbe1' to Wliom the terrvitory Wes o1‘igi1m.lly ellottecl was 21. clergyman, ‘the Rev. S::m:111el Phillips, of Rovvley. Of the first 'p1_1lT)l‘jl.(,7'VVOl':93l1'lp in the town there seems to be no reoorcl. The first 1'eli.gio11s teeclier of Whom there is a record was the Rev. Zeoltuzirieli Symmes, at son of Rev. Zeol1e.1'ie11A Symmes, minister at Ch.21.rles- town. He gmcluated at Hervercl College in 1657. At What time he emne to l3re.clf(>rcl, or Rovvley it was then, does not .~:Lppe:é1.1'. But he must have been the minister here not lc)11g after the first settlement, eiicl lixeve (leeidecl to make his residence mnc>11g the people of Breclforcl, for et the first legetl town meeting on reeorcl, helcl Feb. 20th, 24 » ‘ ORATION. 1668, it was Voted to finish building the minister’s house, i h under direction of Mr. Symmes, and this was seven years before the town was incorporated and fourteen yearsbe—- fore the organization of the first church, when Mr. Symmes was ordained, in 1682. The first year’s salary was forty pounds, which by the custom of those days was paid in provisions-——the necessaries of life. ' It would be interesting to present the various steps taken by the town for the formation of the first church. _ I have only space for a Very short quotation, which will show the mind of the people, audit 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 sanet-» nary among us, do hereby engage ourselves, jointly and singly, and do engage our children after us, as Far We may by our parental authority, to encleavor by our and their utmost power, to uphold the faitliful ministry of the gospel of Jesus Christ in this town of Bradford so long as weand they shall live.’’' Then follows the agreement with the minister for his support. g'1.‘hey 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--i sors there is only time to speak briefly. A During the first half century from the settlement of the town there was but one church, and but two pastors,--——tl1e onarron. A 25 two Symmes, father and son, both able men and faith- ful ministers. Immediately following the settlement of the third pastor, Rev. Joseph Parsons, the town was di- vided into two parishes, the East and West. This was in 172.6. _ o The first minister in the EastP-arish was the Rev. Wil~ liam Balch, followed by Ebenezer Dutch and Gardner Bl. Perry, Whose three pastorates comprise one hundrecl and forty-six years. In the West Parish Mr. Parsons was succeeded in 1765 by the Rev. Samuel Williarns, a man of much learning and Widelyla'.11o'vv11 as a literary char-» acter in tliisand 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 oflice was longer than any of his predecessors or successors to the present time, being about forty-six years. From the ordination-of Mr. Symtmes in 1682 to the death of Mr. Allen in 1827, a period of one hundred and forty-five years, there were but five ministers in the VVest Parish, being an ave1*age of twenty--niiie 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.lAllen’s day there have been six ministers tothe present time, forty-nine years, averaging a little more than eight years each. Of the ministers, Ingraham, Hoadley, Searle, Munroe, and McCollom, a lack of time forbids me to speak. And While our present minister, the Rev. John D.I{ingsbury, has exceeded the average term of office of . 4 26’: ozaarxon. his immediate predecessors, may We not hope that his length of days and increasing usefulness may he contin-~ ued among us as in the good. old times. The first meet» ing house was erected prior to tl1e first town meeting on; record, and located west of the centre of the town at the old cemetery. A second was erected in 17 05. 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 “at place of 1 Worship in 1,7 26. 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, which is the fifth and only one in Bradt'ord. About the year 1800 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 fro1'n time to time and now yields something over $400 annually. EDUCATION. Very 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 vrnoney for“ prudentials,” and it is reasonable to suppose that instructing the children was one of the “ pruclentials.p” 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, however, a small tuition was required; tvvopence a week for those learning to read,“ and fourpence for those learning to Write, and a portion- o;e.:vrIoNu. it 27 of the e:»<:pense was paid by the town. The teacher, whose name is first mentioned, was Ichabods} There is found the record of a teacher in 1723, by the name of White, who received an annual salary of £24 and 10.9. After him were Master Hobey and Master Merrel. These teachers taught tl11'oL1gl1 the year, alternating from one place to anotl1er in diflhrent parts of the town. Tl1e first .-school house was built on the nieetiiig house land, year unknown, costing; £25. The followiixig is from the record of March 7th, 177 4 : “ ‘Twas put to vote to see iftlie 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 sel*1c>oli11g at tl1e school house near John Burbank’s. In 1795 is the first record of a school committee chosen in a<;lditi.on to the seleetmeii and minister, who were a Sl32i.Ll1(.-lill‘.lg' committee of sehools by virtue of their otfioe. Their iianles were Capt. Nathaniel Thurston, Ens. Jarnes Kirxihall, Netliaii Burbank, and Dea. Seth J ewett. Voted to raise £340 to defray all town charges. Voted two months’ schooling, January and Februar , in the new school house near Rev. Mr. Allenfs. About this time an iI101‘(3z*L&3EbLl”il11J€31‘0St was mani- fested in the public schools, and a committee soon after-~ Wards introduced regulations for the more systematic wmanagement 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 satisliecl with the school advantages provided at public expense, prominent individuals con- 28 onamron. 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 people to consider the subject of erecting a building. During these three months they had raised thelmoney, erected their huildiimg, engaged at preceptor and preceptress, and opened a school with fifty»- onegpupils 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 incorpo'ation was obtained. And this was the foundation of one of the first and most Widely known female academies in the country. The first preeeptor was Mr. Samuel Wzillzer", and he was succeeL1gl1 the voice of the majority in these town n1cet;ing's. 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 p1'ese1‘"Vi11g and perpetuatiiig that which we have inherited. How can we better do this than is by exercising that lofty patri.otisn1 which knows no local-‘~ ity emzept that for the interests of the whole ; by diffusing among the people the treasures of knowledge which is. power; and by e11co111*agi11g 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 risehigher 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 32 omrrxon. are made such but temporarily, and if they are 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 people 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» A monwealth of Rome continued for nearly five hundred years. She Went on conquering and exacti11gt1*ib11te from every neWlState, until the city of the seven hills became the mistress of the World. Everything paid tribute to Rome, till she fell by the Weight of her own greatness, which led to her own corruption. Everything was 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. ivnoonnnrnes. The Amphion Glee Club of Hztverhill then sang so110's appropriate to the occasion, and national airs were played p by the band. The Well spread tables were next visited and the Wants of the inner nntn attended to. The social features of the hour were evidently enjoyed by ell, and it was inenifest by the :.tbu11cle11ee provided tliet the com- mittee on provisions l11tCl not iieaglectecl their duty. After the collation toasts and speeches were the order of the dzty, zitnd S:L1:r1uel Hopl1rogress with greater rapidity than in the past, and that our institutions Will be copied in other lands, and that We may exert a decisive and l9e11i._r:11 influence on the destinies of the World. III. Our Public Schools The broad foundation on which our national temple was built. a Responded to by Herbert I. Ordway, of the School Committee : MR. PRESIDENT, Lamas AND GENTLEMEN: It is not necessary 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 Exliilaition, 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 interest in the schools. You appropriate four or five times as much money for. them ‘as for any other one purpose, and are content to put this moneyinto. the hands of three men to expend as‘they please, and are willing to depend for your knowledge of the result upon What your 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 V schools and the effect upon both teachers and scholars cannot fail to rnocnnnxues. T 35 be beneficial. Those of you who may follow my advice will then find tl1at one of the greatest difficulties which our teachers have to contend vvith is the frequent and often unnecessary absences of some " of the scholars. I cannot speak on this subject too strongly. If the absent scholar were the only one suffering 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 honhe, 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. Om‘ ltavcazres. lvglay the future collections of the govern—- ment be equal to the p aymeuts of the people. Iiespolicletl to by lion. 1*‘. B. G~eo1'gc, of G1‘oV*el:.L11cl: l\1n. '1;’nnsIDnNr AN1.) l_+‘i:«:.LLoW CIr.r1z;uNs: The subject of the toast to whicli 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 an<;l curious articles, than an oflicer of the lfteveriue. 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 aiinong his Wardrobe a few boxes or 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 tremblinwu 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 evaded or abated. Yet all these 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» aclministration 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- 3 6’ rnocnnnrues. creased, yet the total loss during the present administration has been less than it was during the aclmillistration of lilartin 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 eost of blood and of treasure, of agony upon the battle-iield 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 suflering cheerfully endured by our fore.t'atl.1ers infou11d- 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 ereated by a series of resolutions, nor by a declaration. It was not that softly beautiful autumn day, when the apple dropped, fully ripe, from the tree into the lap of the Waitin g husbandman, that pro- duced the apple. That was perhaps the least important of all the preceding days of spring and summer, sunshi.ne and rain, during which it grew andmatured. 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 hundrecl 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 fro1n a savage and Wily foe——-—- Were perfecting theniselves 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 1112ll1'1i3E1»lI1- ing schools and churches. N 0 other nation ever had such a training as this, and therefore it is no marvel that there are so few Republics to-day. More than this, our fathers came here bringing ‘With them all that was best in the customsand 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 toazla? 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, hovv zealously should Wej strive to preserve them unirnpaired, how careful should We be that the ballots that silently drop from our hands, freighted with the nations destiny, represent all that is best and purest in the civiliza- tion and Christianity of the age. i ‘PREOEEDINGSW 33? "V1. T/2.-e Battle of Oozopens. May Americans always ‘heat in Cow- pens, calf-pens, pig-pens, authors’ pens, and all other pens. Mr. VVarren Ordway was called upon to respond for .A1neriean Agriculture, which he thought had made as rnueh 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 inaohin--l -ery, market garde1u1i11g? milk: farms, oheese factories and »eattle l1uslf)andry, the estahlislnnent of :tgi'i.eultL11'z1l schools and L‘3(l)llt.-3g_2‘_,‘(3S for the education of our young men in soie11ti;fio farming, when taken together with the gigan- tic operati.ons of the farmers in the VVestern States and California, show an enterprising p1‘og1'essp that is fu.lly up to the American standard. The procluotion of cotton, rice and tollaeeo in our Southern. States has been devel- oped to a great exute1:1t during the century that is past, and these productions for a long series of years furnished the principal medium of our European exelianges. A1:ne1'iean flg1Ti0l1lt1]1“G'lS still in its infancy, as another one hundred years will show, when the now deserted farms of New England will he rejuvexiated and brouglit into successful and profitable cultivation. VI. We have heard from the old hloolr; now let me introduce to you ehip of the same, who has strayed so far away from his fath- ~er’s profession as to become a lawyer. Responded to bypC. Fl. Payne, Esq., of Grroveland: Mn. Pnnsxnnnrv AND FELLOW_ CITIZENS M BRADFORD: 2% Although I had some intimation thatl 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 “chip of the old block,” I am very glad and proud of it, and I trust I may live long enough, and improve suificiently, to be a credit to s =.«. s. V rinocnnn-m*e*s=.. the spotless ancestry, wl1.ich it has been my great"pgood' f‘o~rt'u*11e' tow lfrave. But I will not take up your time Wltll a genealogical disser- tatiou. As I‘ am. in some sense a representative of the younger por-— tion of the coininunity perhaps 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 our country’s independ7ence,, i-tbehooves us, I think, to forget all class dis—tinctions‘- of every sort, to know no age, no youth, no sex, or color, and no North or South. To feel for once the beauty arnl. the glory of the great l:'raternal tie, Wliich binds us l1:ea;rt to heart, and liaml to» hand, each time we recollect our common parentage. '”*‘ * * It is a co1n.mor1 tlriing, my: fl‘l(-311(lS, for men to rail at polit.ieians_-—~to- sneer" and jee” at What they eall the dirty pool of politics. And -yet I (latte to stand up here to-« day and say, indeed, insist, that men not only have n1.ora.l as a le-~ gal rig1‘h.t to inix in politics, but that it is the duly, most absolute and. manifest, for every one who loves his country and desires his coun- try’s good, to be a politician. Is legislation or the code of laws cor- rupt? See to it that you do your part to 1n=-atze: thein pure! Are- tazstes over high and legislation onerous 9 Who levies taxes, and Who- rnakes the laws‘?-—-«the sovereign people through their reprsenta—- tives! Do scheming, unsafe men usurp the place of honor, and the- treasury keys? Do thieves break through and steal? Let honest men like you. and you, my friends, just be on hand and plan and vote at the appointed time for better and more lionest persons for custo~ diansl And isn’t after all the trouble with yourselves, or do you all attend the caucus and primary rneeting faithfully? I tell you Mr. President and fe1loW—citiZens, the caucus underlies the cabvinet and the legislature after all. V . 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 strziglit home to every citizen of this free and equal country, politically speal«:ino'. I feel the compliment you pay to me to-day in asking me to speak, because I am myself, in every nerve and fibre of my being, American. My father’s father fought with Washington. My father in‘ the great rebellion held a cornmission signed by John A. Andrew, as a cliaplainl 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, lrnoclsc down theboy Who had. a hatchet and never told a lie---Wh_o 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 ‘r:e'o'C:nnDIN'e‘s. '39 ggrowtli and glory. * * VVhen one day that wonderf'u1 battle cry went rap, a.nticipa.ting liberty to a race, ::n1cl.U1i.ioi1 one etndindissoluble, whet ze noble, new and untried page it opened up to the historian of the fu- tture! unprecedented and enorneloizsi Plouglisheres were lelt for tswords, and pruning-hoolzs were beaten in.to spears. The hum «of pee.eefu1 ‘industry "VV'£‘tS deedened in an hour by the feet of he rnyriecl citizen soldiers nlerehing rsontliwzwd. The blast of 'the’b1:;1gle end the roar of ~.ztrti1le1*y were the orchestral voices "Which suing“ the g*1:':r2'1<.l and ‘ter1'ible ~syn1pho1:1y of life ageiilst life. When Sun1pte-r’s blooci-sta.ined bmves struck ‘the earth, tlmt ‘slmck was u/izlz‘. ‘in every N (f;)1'l.3l‘i(?!1.'l1 1nothe1."s l‘1G£tI't. Oh‘! asfoed for pride and glory in A1rnerie:"s pz1.triotis1in Wits the l)eg;i11- 'ni‘ng'! ifritful, ‘fierce :.m(;l terrible the st1‘ug;gle; but W;itl1 the help «of God, and ‘the 1'i'gl.1t on our side, the ma’ Vrietorious 0.-gmie zit lest. Semfred zmxizl (llC.3(3l111:l.t(*3(l irutrelrxecl our :m:nies,' bnt four million 'free1nen, looking oifitliwercl, swig to I-Iezwen their escape from ~eln'1.i11sH end sleveryl. And tlimrigli our priv:i.te Wo11nds were 1im.ny, deep end bitter, (:)m' Union was preserved’? Where ell ep the l.:>i1rzwe fi3()-Clzity? Their bones whiten upon the hillsides of Virg'i1fii:.1. zmd Eztstern 'I‘e,nnessee; their blood Iniitxgles with the legootis of F1.c:)1‘i(“lz‘L, ’ and the be.you-s of Loilisiztmt. 1?<::>rx'gc;>tt:e1i and 1111»(;listi1.i.g1iished as they seem, they died upon the field of honor, ::md their self-se.erifiee 1EL11Cl. noble d:t1*i11g shall be Written u,:m11 the b1'i.gl1testpztge.c)f I:I'istory. VV11et t:l:1c)‘L1g11 no costly rrminiiinent points out their restiiig-plza.ee? From l\Ia.sseel.1usette to Oregon, from the Atlantic-. to the I"e.eifie,. from St. Le.vv1'e1r1.eeto the Gulf of Mexico, pine tree and eetereet, ‘ ‘ n V: n u and eeeen, blen:i1*t'l1day of" the most benignant go-vernrnexrt under lieaven, a1;1cl the “ Mi-'st1.‘ess of’ the W'orlc .” Mr. ‘Presitlent, "for" all these blessilngs to 110 one source are We more inciebtecl than to Woman for the rnoral. vigor she lias infused into the Veins of our national life. In elo:si11g, Mr. Presi-~ dent, alow me the S(l3I1lil1'IC-Ill}-*- Lczdme of Braczl/'07-d—--—Nol3le representatives of a free anal inc‘l.epe11—~ (lent People, and a pure Nati"onal l'i’fe——e1n'inent alike for their "Virtuze, Intelligence and I?iet‘y‘. VIII. "The (}=2"o-velcmrl ]3(mr'I. A‘.lt'l10l1T1gl1 yeirng, yet W<:rntle1.'fully’ perfected. Music by the Band. IX. The Town of Gowvelarxnd. A rib taken fi'01n our side; 11.1- though youiig in years, yet prosperous and full of beauty z:1.nr'l interest. Responcled to by Charles Sticlzney, of Groveland. X. George Washington. “ The first in peace; ‘the first in War; and first in the hearts of his countrylnen.” ‘ Responded to by William Hilton, of 'Braclford: Mn. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLTEMEN: It is difficult to responcll to such a sentiment as this, when We bring to rnincl all that has been said and Written on the life and character of Washington. But there are four points so markzed in his character 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 unclying love of PROCEEDINGS. 41 country; second, his unbcnding integrity; third, his firmness of purpose; fourth, his trust in tlie 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 martyr President, Lincoln, the preserver of the country, EtSl{QCl the prayers of the people, that he miglit have the help of Almighty God, to carry 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 boon to nlztllkilld, gift to the World.” Happy, proud America, the lightnings of heaven yielded to your philosophy and the temptatioin of earth could not seduce your patriotism. XI. The Town of Bmdforcl Who can speak for the Town of Bradibrd so Well as Towns himself? Responded to by D. Freeuian Towne : Mn. Pnns‘Ii:>.nNr, I...a.1i>ri1«:s AND GnNrI.nMeN: I am really placed in a very unfortunate position in attempting to say anything for the town of Braclford after so complete a gleaning of the field by our orator of the day. I shall therefore be compelled to take a broader fie1d—-—that of our own country. It is With par- donable pride, on thiscentennial anniversary of our nation’s birth, to behold her she stands t<)-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 rolleil away since the corner stone of this government gvvas laid. We were then Weak, yet nurtured by the approving smiles of Providence, we have since grown 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 oi people confined to the Atlantic coast, new embraces thirty»-eight with i’orty-i'our millions, having government of their own, but by Federal compact unitedto form one powerful nation, Whose influence is felt to the remotest part of the world. What astounding improvements characterize the age in which We live. Improvement succeeds im- provement, and the invention of to-day snpplants that of yesterday. N 0 project is too hold 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 5 . 42 PROCEEDINGS. ever invented by the genius of man, throws off its impressions with the rapidity of M thought, and the fire horse, impatient of restraint, stands ready to convey them to the remotest hainlet 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. Waiit of time for- bids me to note the marvellous improvements in the various depart- ments of mechanical art, in the manufacture of cloth, in the art of printing and electro-i:nag11etisn1 since the days of our Frank.lin. It is with astonishment that we behold the wonderful. perfection in the application of steam since its discovery by Fitch and Fulton. Think of it as i.t drives our cars over sixty thousand miles of rail- way, and also despite wind and wave, tide and storm, propels the thousands of steamboats which plow our navigable waters, and turns the macli.inery of the world. Its magic power gives new direction to energy and capital, brings distant places into proxiinity and con- nects tl1embyban.ds which no party ani1nosi.ty, no sectional prejudices or civil discords can ever sunder. Now, Mr. President, the hours of this glorious day are passing, and loiig ere the recurrence of anoth- er cen.tennial. every participant of this will have passed away, but may the same principle that actuated the founclers of our govern- ment and was incorporated into its formation flow down to the reinotest stages of posterity——that the next centennial will still find this a united Republic whose “ God is the Lord." XII. “ The 0rato'r.'” Responded to by Harrison E. Chadwick: Mn. Pansrnnnr 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 upon the achievement of our li.berties. 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 aclrnowledge our power and freedom: how the slave has been set free, and raised to citizenship. Yet while all this andimore, that I have not time to enuinerate, has been accomplished, there 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 clieclit the progress of our people than the rnnoonnnmess. 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, leaviiig only ruin in his path? 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 teniperance reform is for each one to begin at home at once. Every reforiner must strive to he himself what he would have others beoonie. It is useless for our legis1ato1's to enact laws against the selling of iiqnors, While they themselves Within tweiity-four hours of their enaotinents, in inany cases, go out and break their laws by their pureliases. It is impossible for the seller oi'liq_L1o1' to b1'eaL: the law alone. There Innst be :1. buyer; and until our temperance laws »-ean have the moral support of our legislators and all good citizens the t1'aflie and eonseqnent 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 eombined, then let us meet the foe manfully, and achieve a victory greater than that we this day celebrate. '.l‘he cerenionies at the g1“'o'Ve were new concluded. Ainong the guests present from H:'1;ver11ill were ex;-lid:;tyo1's Levi Tziylor and Alpheus Currier, ex~A1dern1a11 Janies F. "West; John B. Nichols and Thos. J. Taylor. The decorations “ and display of flags in the Various streets were numerous, and Inany of them attractive. At the residence of? John Davis Was beautiful centennial decoration, (i!lI1i.)1‘il.(3il1”lg portraits of General and Martha Washiiiigtoii, the desceiidingz dove amid nmnerous fl.ags, and the mottoes, “ Our fl.ai.g in honor shall Wave ”-—-~ “ Londly peeled the old he11”————“ l\/[slice toward none, Charity for all.” United with these was a combination of flmvers, Wreatlis, 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 drapiiig by Samuel W. Hoplsinson, and an el- egant decoration of the residence and grounds of James K. Hall, with flaws and streamers of red, White and blue, combined with Chinese lanterns supplying; an illumination 44; A 'PROCEE’DING’S‘... in the eVeni11g.l The 1*esi<:le11oee of Jrxmny other oiti'zeI1e: were more or less clecoratecl by the display of flags otherwise, among them may be named, Leverett W. Tyler, A. L. Kimbal-l, B. R. D’oWnes, J uetin L:.tW1°e11ce,. Wm.. Cogewell, A. S. Hoclgla:i11s, Mrs. J oeeph Pea1°sons,f Fr.-smlat H. Iiirghbell, Rev. John D. Kingshury, Dr. George *CogsWell, War1'en Ordway, B. Gr. Perry, Leverett Kim- ball, John B. Fa1*mr, J. W. Wooclsicle, %Sylveete1' Dolofl’, Geo. L. ‘Kelley, Lieut. E. E. Bmcll)111'y, U. S. N ., zzmcl the Postolfice. At sunset the C11111‘0h bell was rtmg, :mcl :51. salute of thirty-eight guns was firecl by it cletach1ne11t of the Mass. loa.tte1°y. A clispla.y'of fi1'eWo1*l{e in the evening closed the obse1'Va.nce of this Ce_11tennial Fourth of J uly.