Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1857-08-03

Westfie1d Normal Association.
MeSsrs. Editors After four hours tedious
ride at the flag end of an accommodation freight
train on the Canal Railroad, your correspondent
reached the town of Westfeld, where was to be
held the reunion and festival of 1.-THE Westfeld
Normal Association" Invitation had been ex-
tended, as far as practicable, to all who had
been at any time connected with the institution,
with the design Of bringing together for pleas
ant reunion, those associated within its
walls, but who are now scattered over the coun-
try. The attempt was eminently successful, if
the lively conversation and evident epioymert of
the large company with which 'Normal Hall'
was filed, could be any indication of success
Upon the arrival of the orator, George NJ Cnr-
it's of New York, procession was formed, and
the company proceeded to the Methodist church,
which filed to OVERLOOKING and mum.
bers were unable to obtain admission. At this
juncture, the use Of the Congregational church
which is far more capaeious, was kindly offered
| to the Association, and the offer gladly &C.
| cepted. The audience once having become COM
fortsbly seated in this place, the exercises were
| appropriately commenced with hymn sung BY
| the choir, after which prayer offered by Rev
| J. 5. Bingham. Mr., NJ B. Whitney, in behalf
of the citizens of Westfield, delivered an appro.
pirate address to the f" Normalites,' welcoming
them to their beautiful village and TO the hospi.
tally of their homes. Mr.. Charles Hutchins
the Principal of the Association, responded in
felIcitous strain, thanking the citizens for their
sympathy with the institution, ard their Kindness
to its friends. He alluded to the invitation given
by citizen of Westfeld on former similar oc-
casion, to those then present, to come again at
future day, bringing their wives, their husbands,
and their children and said that the invitation
| had evidently been accepted in its literal signif
canoe. An original song of welcome was then
| effectively sung, after which Mr.. Curtis was in
| trOduced to the audience.
! 1t would be in vain, Messrs Editors for me to
| attempt to give your readers any conception OF
his beautiful Grafton. 1t was able, scholarly, ell
| oquent, and practical. His view of patriotism
| was lofty and philosophical. 1t consists, he said
! in a reverence and love Of our country's idea
| rather than for country, as a spot of earth,
| certain number of square miles of territory He
inculcated the sublime doctrine, reviled by some
| of higher law, "a doctrine which must and
soiH stand, despite the sneers and sophistries of
time and plaee-seIvers. No consideration not
even the hope OF domestic tranquility, should
tempt an individual to obey any human law which
required him to violate the moral law The ora
tor forciby illustrated the beauty and truth of
this principle and the duty of observing it. His
address was listened to, throughout with close
attention, interrupted only by frequent bursts of
applause Mr. Curtis was followed by the poet
of the occasion, Dr. Holland Of Springfield, who
gave capital poem, Astounding in genial hrmor
and telling hits, calling forth frequent and long
continued laughter and applause from the appre
| ciative audience. Your correspondent was
obliged to leave in the Eastern train, and did not
therefore, listen to the whole of this meritorous
| prod ucton, and was, also, unable to attend the
"eollation," which took place Immediately alter
| the exercises in the church. A.