Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1857-03-20
Dedication Of MeebauSca' Hail. Thu"s-
enr. AlnrcI. q. ah1.

Dedication Of AEecsauScn' HMiI. ThU"s-
day, March -. S57,
Long before the hour OF meeting, the audience
commenced pouring into the Hall in immense
numbers, so that by two o'clock it was crowded
to OVERLOOKING in every part, and presented a
magnificent appearance, not less than three
thousand persons being present.
At two clock, the vast assemblage called
to order by the Chief Marshal Gen. George
Hobbs. The exercises were commenced by a
voluntary from the Worcester Cornet Band.
During the enhvening strains of the music, the
officers and past officers Of tae Association, His
Honor, the Lieutenant Governor, and other mem
bers Of the State Government. His Hoaor. the
Mayor, and other members of the City Govern
ment, with other invited guests, entered the Hall
and took seats upon the platform.
Gen. Hobbs introduced to the audience Henry
S. Washburn, Esq, President of theiAssoeiation,
who called up Ichabod Washbam, Esq chair
man of the building committee he latter of
whom, in few blief and appropriate remarks,
surrendered the building, in its complete condi-
ton, into the hands of the Trustees. The Pres
ident, in behalf of the Trustees, responded in
appropriate terms, in acceptance of the trust
Prayer was then offered by Rev. Horace james
of Worcester, after which the audience were ia
vored by another voluntary from the band.
The President of the Association, Henry S.
Washburn, Esq, then proceeded to deliver the
following eloquent address:
SPEECH OF HENRY s wAsHBURN, ESQ.
Early in the Autumn of 1885, with appropriate
ceremonies laid the corner stone of this build
ing We have watched, with no ordinary inter-
est, the gradual and uain terrupted progress OF
the structure, and have felt the kindlings of
generous pride, at each successive development
ofbeauty and strength until now, brough to be-
hod its completion, we rest from our labors, and
proclaim, it is finished
Welcome, then, gentlemen of the Worcester
County Mechanics Association and fellow eit-
zens, welcome TO this beautiful Temple Of our
Charities formed and fashioned by the masters
hand, and ready for our use Blessed and conSe
Grated be the hour that calls away from the
roding cares of this ehequered life, to pay our de-
votions at such shrine, and to crown with our
grateful Civilizations the work which has been ac
complished.
Gentlemen this day will ever BE- memorable in
the annals of the Society. Yet, comparatively in
its youth, the Institution has placed itself in the
foremost rank Of corresponding Associations.
look back but fifteen years, and behold group
Of earnest men, assembled in small upper room
Of a building, almost within the sound OF my
voice, aad comforting together, night after night
upon matters pertaining to their social and intel
leetual improvement Their deliberations
euttcus the ORGANIZATION OF q NOlullOfy ASSOCl-
alton, with a Constitution and bylaws, the pre-
amble to which declares, % That to enable the
better to discharge our duty to ourselves, TO soc
ETY., and our country, and for the purpose OF ele-
waiting our moral characters, improving our intel
lects, and cultivating social qualities, and also
for the purpose OF improving and pertecting the
Msshaasie Arts, and dispensing Charity to our
needy brethren, we adopt and establish the fol-
loaing Bylaws for the government of the AS
soeiatioi."
Among those prominent in this movement, l
find the names of Anthony Chase, William A.
Wheeler, Albert Tolman, Ichahod Washburn,
William N. Bickford, Henry w. Miller, Levi A.
Dowiey, John P. Kettell, William beggaie, Ru-
fus d. Dunbar, Isaac Goddard, Joseph Pratt,
Henry Goulding, Putnam w. Taft, James s.
Woodwork, u. 9. Partridge, Edward r. Rice, and
Hiram GOrham-the most Of whom, by the coed
providence Of God, with US to- day, and join
IN these dedicatory ceremonies. Could the most
sanguine, exen in dreams, have had views of more
suspicious results
AT an early day library procured, and a
course Of lectures established, the first Of which
was given by Elihu Burritt. whose fame as g The
Learned Blacksmith" united 10 a generous de-
Votion to the best interests of humanity, have
made his name extensively known in both hemi-
sgheres. His subject was the Importance OF ed
ucation to the laboring classes. course of
lectures was Afterwards given upon the subject Of
geology, by DR.. Jackson of Boston. The tree
thus planted, and nourished By brave and loving
hearts, to-day spreads its branches high and wide
tumn, the pledge and promise Of harVests yet to
be gathered.
Following closely upon the Organization of this
Society, the heretofore comparatively quiet aud
rural town of Worcester began to exhibit signs of
unwonted enterprise and prosperity. Workshops
and warehouses were multiplied, and the popdla
ton rapidly increased. Young men, allured here
blythe success of mechanical pursuits Joined
the Association, and largely increased its nu-
merieal strength. For years the necessity of
a building flor the special use of the Society
was felt, and various plans were proposed to
effect this object; but IL was not until a hint,
dropped at the right moment into the ear Of one
whose public spirit and deeds ofbeuevoegcehave
kept pace with the aceumulations Of his fortune,
that proposition was made, which gave the de-
sired stimulus, and secured the results which
weSto-dsy witness
The response given by the Association, was
worthy Of any body Of men, in any community.
Contributions and loans upon the stock were
most cheerfully made, and in many instances, by
those who seemingly could i'll afford the sacrifice.
And these pledges, to the honor OF humanity be
it said have, almost to the last dollar, been re-
deemed. The entire cost of the land and build
ing il $780, 900. OF this sum S22 coo was a gift
in various amounts to the Society. $4,000 cf
the bonds of the Association, bearing interest,
and secured by mortgage have been taken, chiefly
by members Of the the Association, and, about
$4,000 has been obtained, on the security OF
members, from the Savings Banks, and other mon.
eyed institutions Of the city, the managers Of
sponded to the calls made npon them. The pay
ment for the land has been arranged, to suit the
convenience Of the society. 1t is presumed, that
BY the close Of the present fiscal year, provision
will be made TO liquidate the small amount of
floating obligations of the Society, and that the
finances of the Association will then be brought
into a comparatively easy easy and manageable
condition, and that there will be a sufficient
amount realized hereafter, from the rents and ex-
hibitions, TO meet the interest on the loans, and
for the payment of the obligations Of the Asso-
citation, at their maturity. This announcement
will, am sure, be received with pleasure by all
interested in our prosperity.
10 bring TO a successful termination, an UNDER
taking of much magnitude, has been no easy,
or.every-day matter and, i should be dong great
injustice TO- my own feelings, as well as to the
truth, were to omit to bear testimony to the la
bors OF the building committee and more espe-
cialy % lehabod WashbuIn, VIM. A, Wheeler,
Henry ", Miller, Elbridge Boyden. Horalio N.
Tower BENJAMIN Walker, VIM. T. Memheld,
and Samuel Davis, each Of whom has performed
great amount Of labor, for which they deserve
as am sure they will receive, the thanks Of the
community, Their deliberations have been har-
monious, 70 an extent rarely witnessed IN onera-
tons so extensive and diversified
And, here, let US not fail to record with yra.;
tude that, through the protecting care Of Divine
Providence, no accident has happened TO any one
engaged in rearing this vast structure
II, gentlemen, the success Of building Of this
character, is in its complete adaptation to the
purpose Intended in lis erection, combined with
IA al astf