The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1849-07-10
HISTORICAL CELEBRATION.
AT LEICESTER.

account than has yet been gwen of the recent celebration
of the Fourth in this place. by the united towns of Spen
Ger, Paxton Auburn and Leicester, composing the
original town of Leicester, might be interesting the
hundreds Of absent and daughters OF those towns
who unable 10 be present on that occasion, send
you sketch Of the transactions of that interesting day
circular having previously been sent Quit forms
er residents OF these towns together that
caSion for the purpose of refreshing their minds by the
early "reminiscences OF their history and recalling the
interesting events of the Revolutionary War and the
part which the citizens of these towns then acting
geter, took, achieving our independence, and laying
the foundation of our present form of Government
the quiet village of Leicester where the celebration
to take place, envened during the previous day and
evening" by the arrival from various quarters Of the land
of the friends and relatives of its present citizens, and
the absent and daughters of the town, from a dis
lance and the many happy meetings which took place
among former friends and acquaintance, were only
prelude 10 the erjoyments of the following day.
The morning of the Fourth, which was bright aud
beautiful usbered in by The ringing of bells and the
discharge of national salute on the common The re-
freshng showers in the early part of the week. had pre-
pared for Just such day would have been chosen
for the occasion, and evious the hour assigned for
the services, the gathering throng from the neghboring
towns manifested the deep interest tLey felt in this novel
celebration of our Nations Birth day.
At about ten O'Clock, long procession of The crze
Of Spencer in carriages preceded by their Fire Engine
Company in full uniform, with elegant Engine drawn
by two horses, were met on their way and escorted into
the village by the Leicester Fire Engine Company &C.
eompaned by the Northbrdge Band, which, by its cl
music envened the performances OF the day
At half past ten A. NJ, the multitude assembled at the
Grove about eighty rods south of the Common
where prepared 10 accommodate wo thousand
persons, which were all filed, and some hundreds of
others stood around and in carriages lear the stand
erected for the Orator of the day.
Music from the Band announced the time for the com.
mencement oil the services, which introduced by
an earnest and appropriate prayer from the Rev. DR..
NELSON, the venerable Minister, who has for nearly
forty years past been settled over the First Congregation
al Society in this place.
The following Hymn, by Henry S. Washburn Esq,
then sung by the audience, to the of Old Hun
dred -
We gather from a thousand homes
Around the old ancestral tree;
From rural wales and city domes-
The favored children of the Free
Wetread IN oldeu paths to day;
We muse hailoWed memories here;
And liDger fondly BY the way,
With friends we've missed Tor many year.
And spirits Of the just and true,
OF men who spurned the tyrants power
Whose names are fragrant as the dew,
They, too, are with us at this hour
Their graves are with us,-green and fair,
The cold sod lies upon their breasts,
And Freedom hreathes no hoier air,
Than where the Patriot Sweetly rests
And, Father, while with ilial love-
We knee around this ancient shrine
o may thy spirit from above,
Renew and sanctify US Thine.
And strengthened by these rites to>day
For harder toll for steTner strife,
May press on e's cheqaered way,
Till We haVewOn the crown Of Life.
OF the Grafton by Hon. EMORY WAsHBURS we
shall attempt no description Its subject was accOrd>
with the design Of the celebration, history of the
part which our citizens took in the events of the Revo.
lutlonaTy War; and the intense interest with which the
audience listened during the hour and ba occupied
by the orator, gave strong evidence of the power Of bis
eloquence and the interest Of his details.
We trust that in accordance with request Of the |
hearers, this interesting Address will be given to the
public.
During the delivery of the address, quite a sensation
was produced in the audience by the arrival of the |
venerable Lieut. Nathan Craige from Spencer the only
survivor OF the Leicester Minute Company, who |
the Battle of Bunker Hill in the Company of Capt Seth
Washburn, and who now, at the age Of ninety FIVE
introduced to the assembly by the President of the day
On the same platform, ALSO sat three other venerable
Revolutionary Soldiers belonging to the original OF
Leicester.
After the services at the Grove procession was
formed under the direction Of Henry A. Denny, Esq
uAoiSuoll, tSCoIttu ny companies
Band OF Music, TO the table, which spread under |
spacious tent on the Common.
Among the Flags that floating around this spot,
was erected by the students of Leicester Academy
and sumounng the cupoa of that venerable Institution,
bearing motto Libertas Ell doctrina ger
mana"
OF the Dinner, which was provided by John Wright
Esq OF Boston, it is but justice tossy, that every thing
was arranged in the most perfect order, and in style
unequalled by any public table we have ever before
seen.
The beautiful bill OF fare. tastefuly arranged, was
apparently satisfactory 10 every guess; and what was
somewhat remarkable in extensive ceebraon, ev>
cry seat was occupied, and every one who desired
seat wasprov ded for. Between Bne and ten hundred
persons, of both sexes parook of the dinner.
During the three or four hours which passed al the Ia
ble The most perfect order prevailed, while general
haaIity seemed 10 peTvade the company. Not gun
was heard in the village around-no cheer was raised,
with one exception, throughout the tent during their long
sitting and the only demonstration Of applause which
followed the many toass, poems speeches, and songs,
which were said and sung by the assembled multitude,
We're the clappng of hands, and the suppressed Laughter
Of the guests
The order and decorum which prevaid throughout the
Jay was worthy of remark, showing the favorable
change Tor lew years past in the Celebration OF this
anniversary BY the abandonment nj vUinp and