The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1831-10-12
CENTENNIAL CELEBR ALTON

by public address and dinner. with o,ba,
exercises, under the direction of the wor
cester Historical Society. The procession
ia "nich the Governor of the State, the
Judges OF the Supreme Judicial Court Nom.
oers OF the Antiquarian and Historical So.
cietIes, many of the Civil! and Judicial OFF
GERS and Clergymen of the County, occupi
gu the places which had been previously as
signed TO them, together with a great num-
DER OF citizens of the County and strangers.
moved to the Old South Meeting House at
CLOCK. 1t was escorted by the corps
OF Independent Cadets from Boston, the
worcester Light Infantry under Capt. Stud
ley, and the Worcester Rifemen under
capt Pool, the whole Commanded by 1t.
Ooi. Baker, commanding officer of the Ca
oets, and accompanied by the celebrated
Boston Band. Oflhe exercises at the Meet
ing House we cannot speak more appropri-
ately than by making the following extract
from communication in the Egis of last
week:
" After rich music from the military bands,
the Rev. Aaron Bancroft, one of the aged
ana venerable clergymen of the County, Of
Iefed an appropriate, eloquent, and impress
slVe prayer. Select passages of Scripture
were read by the Rev. Rodney A. Miller.
Ihe Address of the Hon. John Davis was
an able, faithful, and interesting review of
,he prominent events in the history of the
last century of our country. 1t contained
notices ofthe aboriginal inhabitants, of their
hostIlities with the planters-the wars with
the French, and the efforts ofour inhabitants
IN the expeditions against the seats of the
formidable power whose influence darken-
ed the early years of New England-the
struggle OF the spirit of freedom in the rev.
olutlon-and the prominent events of local
interest during the past century. The caus-
es which have made our population virtuous
and given their character to the men of
Worcester County, were traced and devel-
oped. The address was full of historical
fact, exhibiting the results of great and la
borious research and Of extensive and sue
cesstul examination. 1t was performance
of great merit, of sound historical value.
which will remain long after the interest
derived from the occasion shall have passed.
OF the merits of Mr.. Davis's address it is
ty, to speak SO fully as we should wish. We
have reason to expect that work of SO
much value will be- furnished to the public
IN permanent form.''
Alter the exercises at the Meeting House
were concluded, the procession again form
ed, and returned to Estabrook's Hotel. where
between two and three hundred persons sat
down to an excellent dinner, at which Gov.
Lincoln presided, assisted by DR.. Tufts and
Col. Cushing, as Vice Presidents The
regular toasts were as follows:
The Day-From which we look back
upon the work Of an hundred years: as fu-
ture centuries shall complete their courses,
may its return be the occasion for grateful
review of improvements yet to be accom-
pllshed in the condition of our County.
The PERSONAL Estate Of our .4ncestors-
Trusty and ample, by which we inherit the
good land we possess, and the institutions
which adorn it-a Gun and Bible.
The memory of Ddntel Goekin, an orig
Casas of New England, and no less hero
in contendng for the rights of the aborig-
ines, than the bravest of those who exposed
The Old Colony-The fountain head of
population, which once sent strong hands to
the heart of Massachusett it's to do the work of
settlement, and which notu furnishes strong.
heads to honor its festival.
After this toast was drunk, Chief Justice
Shaw (who is a native of the d" ODD Colony,")
rose and addressed the company with much
feeling and eloquence, and concluded by of
fering sentiment which was received with
marked applause. We regret that we are
unable to present our readers either with
the sentiment: or the remarks which preced-
ed it.
Oh Customs and Modern Innovations
Before discarding the former, let US weigh
all the claims Of the latter, and be sure that
the "march of mind" is not retrograde.
The Militia Of the Union-Enemies to all
tyranny, whether of the many or the .fe,o-
honored by all but mobS and despots.
Judges during life, toith good behauior-
The best security for the life and good be-
havior of their fellow citizens.
Shatenaut and Quif,sigamond-We wish
their old Sagamores could rise up, and see
the distinction TO which they have arrived
how our council fires are kindled in the one,
while the Chief Sachem of I" The Massa-
chasetts" resides in the other.
After the above had been received and
drank with applause, the Governor rose,
and, addressing himself to the Vice Presi-
dent, by whom it was announced, said, that
from the manner in which the toast had
been offered to the company, it might be
expected of him to give to it some special
notice. The Interpretation of the toast he
understood to be, that the General Court
sits in Boston, and the Governor lives in
Worcester. By any reference to himself, in
his official station, he always felt honored,
but as an inhabitant of Quinsigamond, he
more especially was now called upon TO ex-
press his thanks to the company for the
kind notice of the place of his residence, in
connection with their just regard for the
metropolis Of the State. The patriotism,
the moral condition, the enlightened and
cnterprsing spirit, and the social virtues of
the inhabitants of Boston, entitle them to
the highest confidence, and are nowhere
more justly appreciated than here. AS an
expression of the sentiment which he well
knew was entertained towards that place
by the citizens of Quinsigamond, he asked
1aova In nronoSa IN tho cnmnorv