Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-09-19
Inauguration Of the Franl.Iin Statue.

The Inauguration of the statue of Franklin
at Boston, on Wednesday, Sept 18th, was a
grand affair, surprising in some of its more
imposing details the areat civic event of intro
tbe G9ghhf4Hsse9a 1viss, TIAs s gPgG 50ees
by the first brigade OF the Massachusetts Mi
litia, including the Boston Light Artillery,
National Lancers, and Light Dragons. The
procession was over two hours passing given
point, and represented nearly every mechanical
trade and manufacture. Among the special at
fractions, was new and beautiful locomotive
and teader named Benjamin Fianklin, IN cunt.
edon trucks and drawn by eighteen horses
House and Morse Telegraph Instruments;
Electric Fire Alarm Franklins old Printing
Press, on which was being struck off and
scattered to the crowd fac sin,He of his news
paper, dated 1928 immense structures on
wheels, representing school rooms filled with
scholars at the desks; and vast number of
other novel and interesting features made up
one of the grandest displays ever witnessed.
The Masonic Fraternity, Firemen, and Me-
chanics' Charitable Association, numerous
charitable societies of Boston, and mechanic
and other societies, were out in full force; al
SO the franklin medal scholars, children OF
the public schools sc. The procession reach
ed the site OF the statue, at west front OF
City Hall, soon after O'Clock. Other thou
sands filed every standing place. The dra-
perry which had hitherto concealed the statue,
was then raised, when it was greeted with
thunders OF applause. The exercises consist
ed of music by the band, singing by the pu-
pills of the public schools, prayer by Rev. Mr..
Blagden, addresses by Mayor Rice, Masonic
ceremonies of Inauguration, &c.
The Grafton was then pronounced by Rob-
ert c. Winthrop, and occupied one hour and
quarter in delivery. 1t was listened to with
close attention, broken only by repeated out
bursts of applause.
An ode, written for the occasion by James
1. Fields, was then sung by select choir of
pupils of the public schools.
Then followed address by Frederick w.
Lincoln, ESQ.,, President of the Msssachu-
sets Charitable Mechanic Association, pre-
senting the Statute to His Honor, Mayor
Rice.
Hon. Alexander H. Rice, Mayor of the
city then responded in an eloquent address of
reception.
Then followed the Masonic ceremonies of
Inauguration by Winslow Lewis, NJ. General
Master, and other officers of the Grand Lodge.
The hymn of Old Hundred, sung by the
vast audience, and benediction by Bishop
Eastburn, closed the Inauguration.
During the ceremonies Of Inauguration, tel.
| egraphic messages were transmitted to, and
answers received, and read, from the Mayor
of Portland, New York, Philadelphia, Hall
fax, Troy, Albany, Springfield, Dover, Pitts
field, and other cities. In the evening, the
City Hall was brilliantly illuminated.
There were also fire. works in the evening
on the Common. The number of strangers
and citizens thronged to witness the pageant
was greater than ever seen before there The
sidewalks and balconies Of the entire route
of the procession were crowded. Many build
ings and streets were handsomely decorated.
1t was a great jubilee day for Boston.
But the grand feature Of the whole doings,
in our estimation, was the magnificent ora
ton Of Rev. E. II. Chaplin, Of New York,
oil the Life and Character of Franklin, and
! the lessons to be derived from it. 1t was a
I perfect and satisfactory antidote TO the Union.
saving characteristics of the Grafton of Mr.
Winthrop, who endeayored TO warp the great
and generous Anti Slavery ideas of franklin,
into support Of the miserable hunkerism Of
which he is an embodiment, under the pre-
tence the " Union is in danger. Mr.. Cha
pin maintained that it was Liberty and not
the Union, which was in danger. Those said
he, who are willing TO sacrifice liberty in or
der to save the Union, are not worthy of
either,