The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-08-26

but not the face youthws have drunk from the moss
grown bucetsrcd the pathway by the old pasture Aeldu
and meadows-have Tambled In old hunting and Ash
ing grounds-wc have slaked our thirst at the same
perennial spring or tasted the apple pucked from the
wood hillside. We have loitered around the old
school house looked into it, bat not the social
school dame nor little schoolelows. We have run
sream-we have worshipped in the old meeting .house,
heard preached the gospel Of peace. We met
few familiar faces; many more half recognized counte
but stiia greater number who strangers
From evening path we have gone to revisit the
resting places Of departed friendshave read tho
scriptIon their tombs-listened to the small still
from their graves ard hearts have held sweet
and silent with their departed spirits which
seemed to hover In all these scenes indeed has
bean awakened the memory Of joys that past both
pleasant and mournful TO the soul Until this
return we did not fully realise how arderty
remained here TO preserve old household while we
have gone out into other portions OF this land We have
hsaphs Of our mothers while with sratalasns andr nd
recollection, and with grateful hearts find you love
not the less Of our going from you, and
hearts shall be satisfied Tor the home Of our childhood
lives craven memofies; iii the joy and pride Of
hearts that the chain that binds US to you Is more
grow brighter and brighter Let be extended till ii
encrcle the whole world. (applause) How true it
that the OF old have reason 10
aud love their native soil In truth well and elo
quenty said she is the mother of mighty people; she
has held her way with silent but firm tread to great
ness she is the mother Of noble Of men, Her hills
her Wales her mpd streams, ren ain as they were yet
these shall not remain longer than the great principles
which at the foundation of her institutions II il now
only 224 since the pilgrim fathers first reached the
shores OF the world and effected their landing
the barren rock Of Plymouth The history Of their
fces their their suerings is familiar to ALL
They came freighted with riches more enduring than
gold PEARLS the deposit Of the great principles Of civil
and religious liberty On this soil they planted Them
the protection Of God they shall spread until they
the whole world. After this memorable event than
hundred elapsed before this forest held by the
red man, elled by the sturdy of the pioneers
and this beautiful part Of the Staehen called Hampshire
borders and to Sheffield belongs the honor of first
afordng shelter the Pioneers and the first in
corpora ed town Of this county. Mr. Spencer then en-
tered into historical details relative to the first
Element OF Berkshire county and OF Stockbrdge Great
Darlington, and Pittsed, mskng honorable mention OF
her o 70 hs Of
districts OF the early wisdom Of the Massachusetts Legs
latnre IN providing for the clergy and education The
first Printing Press established in 1888 Stockbridge
and although il did not usher in the Star in the East
the western Starr shortly appeared and shed it's mild
light on the Berkshire hills and in confirmation OF this
interesting statement let me read some "fr.sh news'
from of its early numbers, dated March 10th, l7g3
under the head Of Oath Of Office administered to the
President of the United States" Breads the paragraph
which from its quaint style and homely remarks afforded
much amusement. Not long after this and issuing from
the Press Of Pttseld, the Sum in the armament
Of this county cheers and it, rise ded the hill tops
and illuminated the wales and among my earliest recol
lectons is that Of the post rider bearing along these
OF the mind. can almost now hear the sound of his
horn announcing his welcome approach Here too other
lights appeared and shone with brightness before which
long catalogue of names might be mentioned, but they
live in history and in the grateful memories Of posterity
In this county many Of her daughters have done virt
osly and well but one there is who he's far excelled
them ALL appause who has done honor to her ustrious
SIRE to herself and to her country and her works do fol
low her. Compared to the rapid pcopDg Of the great
region of the West that of Berkshire was slow but on
ward. The lonely valley and the hill side were adorned
by the log hut and fields Of waving corn was the
meeting house nor social intercourse neglected What
else than what have SEEN what do see could be
the result Of such beginning About this time the
incursions of the Canada Indians and the building
Forts Adams and Williamstown the consequence |;
the latter commanded by nCol Arthur Williams, the
younger in 1850 So late 1885, the settlers
PEELED to fly before the stealhy foe and take refuge in
stockbfdge with the loss Of Of their number and
these serious trials not finally ended until several
years after the treaty Of peace was signed between
France anil England when several settlements in the
county were then Incorporated Connecticut, Massachu
sets and Rhode Island up many Of their peo
pie lands OF this county and they found equal to
every difficulty The colonial difficulties with the mo-
keen glance of these In 1875 the inhabitants Of the
several towns of the county held assembly at Stock
bridge at which Joshua Ashley was president, and no
Sedgewick secretary and the performance Of the
bonds made by this assembly in Berkshire resulted in
the declaration of independence. (Appause) cove
nant was agreed upon to be signed by the people Of the
county, engaging not to import any goods
manufactured in Great Britain until their constitutional
rights should be restored (applause)to observe the
peace love and union among each other snd to refuse all
intercourse with those who would not sign the
But what shows the rapid growth Of the county after
the French war it, that two regiments raised in it.
by Col Brown Of sheiiei when the news Of the bat
tie Of Lexington arrived they instantly set out for the
field, not by railroad-bu foot, and in eight hours
the road for Lexington fully equipped 70 the
fray For several years after so long as there was need
Of them until the closing the Of these remained
atered in her duty in this as we'll as her other g rous
achievements Pence with 1888 but the Berkshire
people were destined to ney trials of their patience In
xAo,a
enng anarchy to the commonwealth. But foreia-
theirs were equal 10 the emergency. In decned action,
le at Sheffield the 9Th July 1887. Apparent quiet
was restored but not as formerly Asperities among
neghbos and division among families remained for
raj years Fourteen Of the insurgents taken prison.
ers tried and sentenced to death bit to the honor Of
country be il spoken that in the infancy of her in
sti.ntons no man for political opinions suffered by the
here called out huzzah," which provoked loud peal
of laughter) These records are among the brightest
the enterprise, which dictated them, are felt not
only here, but all over the world Colonel Williams
y, was the founder Of the seat Of sound learning
ment the 9th Of April 1855. the shores Of
Lake George at the early age OF A. He had for many
years followed the ocean but relnqushed that probes
son and took the army when he became distinguished
for his skill and intrepidty when in command Of the
Massachusetts line OF forts on the Connecticut river
where he owned large tracts OF lands and witnessed
their settlement He aimed to be their beneacor and
became the benefactor Of mankind few days before his
on MS mACn TOWARDS western
felt presentiment OF his death, and made his will lcav.
ing residue OF his property, money and bonds to be put
to interest and the fund to be applied to establish and
support free schools in Williamsown THIS trust has
been most faithfully executed In l7s3 the ap
piled to the Legislature for act Of incorporation and
obtained it also grant Of So 500 well $4,000 from
the inhabitants twas then under the charge OF b. Fisk,
well known in the annals this State In 1893 the pc
on Of herustees the schoolwas erected into aColege
and This was brought into existence in years after the
termination OF bloody war-tha greet of learning
Of which Berkshire may well be proud. It's onward ca.
is known the earth and the light ofts educated
not unhecded for the history OF their country and
their own are written together (Mr s. then auding
several distinguished names Of educated at this col
legc entered into detailed sketch of the collegiate
course and missionary Of Miller Hail. and Rich.
ardson. with whom originated the American Board oil
Foreign missions, and who the first missionaries
under its auspices, renewed their work among the
heahens and predicted for the glorious future y
And may not Berkshire well rejoice in the prosperity
this her metropolitan village Although PittsAed was