The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1831-08-10
FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS, spy.
COUNTY OF WopcPsTrD

| -r NoOFl Vi w WORCESTER.
I Inc present season completes a century since
the tlrst organization of the County and tie Cen
tehhlal anniversary of the first opening of the i'll
dlclal Courts will be celebrated with approDriate
observances. Upon the suggestion of a Committee
appointed lor Inns purpose at general meeting Of
| the arrangements will be made and condnctcd nm,
ger the direction of the Historical Society of the
Couhty. All classes of our citizens have deem
interest IN the events that this day recalls and all
are invited to participate in its commemoration.
There is something solemn in the thought that we
are pursuing the same train Of reflections that ami
| mated the hearts Of our fathers a century 900
tnat we are occupying the same spots and filling
the places OF race OF intelligent and enterprzinS
ana patriotic men, whose venerable forms have fad
ca from the earth and will no longer hail the re-.
turn OF this anniversary. Though they are dead
they still survive in their institutions and nowith
standing the lapse OF n century, their names are
treasured up IN our memories and are still green in
our histories. With what delight would they have
prosecuted ther laoorious enterprise, could their
spfts nave looked forward to this day and their
newly formed County SO far subdued by industry nc
10 present SO large part OF the human family in
their social state, under circumstances more favor
able than any similar community ever enjoyed, In
looking around this widespread territory in con-
trastng its humble beginnings WITH its present pros
perity after tho lapse of n century, what a wide
field is presented for grateful reflections and pleas
ant associations. At that PERIOD we find popula-
ton probably not exceeding or COCO inhabitants,
scattered over an unsubduad Wilderness of 1900
square miles, planting their cabins by the sunny
margins of our streams and soping hill sides, de-
pending for subsistence for their scanty herds of
cattle upon the meadows and swamps which are
now the least VALUABLE part Of territory with
out suitable fences, bridges, or highways, no
churches but the groves and the Skies with but
few schools and those unaccommodated with pub
lie buildings or suitable means Of Instruction. COM
PEELED otentlmes to traverse a forest of 20 or 80
miles to reach mill to obtain relief in sickness
or distress. Look now at the mighty change the
bright retrospect of the past and the fruits of
industry directed by intelligence, and of enterprize
pressed EDWARDS by patriotism and love for posteri-
ty Our County, with but exception, is the
youngest in the Commonwealth and yet in num-
bers is already the first in New England and it
believed, in tho number of its useful institutions
may safely challenge comparison with any other
County in the United States. We name it not in
spirit OF Boosting, but it is fact that results from
the peculiar organization of social state, that,
IN tho County of Worcester, there 81 incorpo-
rated towns each forming little republic levying,
collecting, and directing the expenditure by the
votes Of all the people, of nearly the whole of the
public revenues, that directly paid by the peo-
pie, choosing their own rulers and framing their
own bylaws. We already have more than 100
ganzed parishes religious societies, nearly all of
which are accommodated with spacious ediices
for the public homage of that Great Being, who has
SO Literally dispensed to these worshippers the
bounties of his Providence. We have between 400
and 500 lesser corporations called School Districts,
in each of which it is believed there is comfort
able and convenient school house, wherein all the
children of this great community have not only
lawful right. but are urged, nay in many instances,
are compelled 10 assemble to receive the rudments
Of education-to learn the first principles of repub-
can citizens and the duties of men, of patriots and
of Christians. OF these institutions we have
right to speak, because they were transmitted to
US by our fathers and because we daily experience
their good influences. All these and many other
public blessings supported by an annual tax up.
on the property of the citizens, and while the Ia.
boring man with his family mas the full benefits Of
them all, yet it is but little, very little, he is called
upon to contribute for their support. 9.