Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-07-05
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ty bore in the past conspicuous relation. Its
conclusion, in particular, was beautiful and touch
ing. Abiding TO the past sons of Brook6eld, and
their descendants, after mentioning the names Of
Foster, Upham, Bannister, Crosby, Fay, Cutler,
Reed, Rice, Gilbert, Foxcroft, Forbes, Draper,
Field, Kittredge. Hale, Howe, &C.. &C., Judge
Merrick said, 'YOu may travel where you please,
to the Pilgrim Rock of Plymouth, or to the far
thest western shores Of the republic, and where
ever you go, you will find some representative of
this brave old town, working with his strong hand
or welding influence with his vigorous intellect.
Well may she indulge an honest hope, as
she watches, with parental eye, the har-
dy enterprises Of her sons, and their fidelity
to manly principle Their influence and energy
have been seen in the halls of legislation, upon
the bench, amid the din of war, and the strife Of
political parties, in the marts of trade, and in
ry profession and calling in life, in every quarter
Of the land. Many of them, out of reverent re-
gard for days of old, had now gathered at the old
homestead, to join in the festivities CT the pres
ent occupants Of the old birth places, old fire.
sides, and domestic affairs" But we will not
mar the beautiful phraseology of Judge Mer
rick's grafton, so complete as whole, BY any
further attempt at sketching any portion of it
He concluded by proposing as a sentiment; !.
Brookksid, as Of Old-May peace be within thy walls
and Prosperity in thy gates, forever.
The second regular toast was;
The Msrnory Of our Departed Patriots aud States
Tnsr-Ther ca1ractars we're upright and manly. their
motives were pure as the sky above their fame
tsnsive with tae universe May future generations emu
late their vraes practice their precept and pay HON
age to their minds.
Response-Dirge by the band, the audience
standing.
Third regular toast;
The Constitution ana the Unton.- May the wisdom
NAich fran ed the one and the patriotism which secured
the cher BY the fathers be perpetuaed in her sons so
that thu nherance which bequeathed to may be
maintained The pride of the people, the glory Of the age,
and the example for the world.
The Hon, William Appleton of Boston, late
member Of Congress, native Of BTookfeld, and
son of Rev. Joseph Appleton, formerly town
clerk of Brook6eld, was expected to respond to
this, but was obliged to leave by an early train.
Fourth regular sentiment;
The Sons Of Brookfeld.-w success is honorable
they have no such word as fail.
The Hon. Simeon Draper of New York, ma
tive of Brookfeld, whose fathers mansion is
near the old common, was to respond, but being
necessarily absent, sent letter, which was read,
returning thanks for the honor of the invitation,
and claiming for Brookfeld precedence in all
things pertaining to government.
The Gles Club then sung an old folks aeng,
to the tune of Aud Lang syne.
Fifth regular sentiment:
The Patriots Of BroOkfsld in 1776-They showed
their patriotism less by their seifdsriaL at home,
than by their brave'y on the battle heId.
In response to this, the president introduced
Hon Dwight Foster of Worcester, as the great
grandson of Hon. Jedediah Foster, member
the'Provincal Congress in 1774, and Judge Of
the Supreme Court; the grandson Of Hon.
Dwight Foster. senator in Congress; and the
son Of Hon, Alfred D. Foster. State Senator,
and member Of the Executive Council, all natives
of Brookfeld.
Col. Foster, on rising to respond, was received
with enthusiastic applause. He proceeded to
the delivery of an able and eloquent address.
Astounding in "reminiscences of the early history
of Brookfeld, and the noble part taken BY her
patriotic sons in the Revolutionary struggle, and
the events preceding the final Declaration of In.
dependence 1t was full of interesting details Of
important occurrences with which the public are
not familiar, and we should be glad to publish a
full report of it, which we have, but for want Of
room we are obliged to defer its publication
till another day. It was extremely well re-
ceived, and was listened to with the greatest at.
tention. Col Foster concluded by offering as a
sentiment:
Our Forsfathsrs of the town Of Brookfsid- May
equal their character.
When Mr.. Foster sat down, the president ele
waited little son OF Mr., f. to the table in front
Of the platform, saying, "a few more Of the same
sort coming yet" This sally brought down the
house with the lIveliest demonstrations of ap.
plause.
Sixth regular sentiments
The Veteran Sch0oimGsler of 1892 present with IA
this OccasioD.-te has probably Taught and foRgeo
more Broosid boys than any other thstever lived
The remarkable If his scholars In after life show
that his nsruc ions were good, and his discipline judi
efoWsty applied.
Here Mr.. Dodge, who for thirty-six years
kept the town school Of Brookfed and to whom
most Of the sons and daughters Of Brookield o
the present generation went for instruction ant
discipline, stood up. assisted by the president, as
he 10 quite infrm with the burdens, and his hai
silyered with the frosts, Of eighty five Winters
He was received with great applause.
Dea. Josiah Carey, now a resident of st
Charles, Mo-, arose, and announced himself al
one of"Master'' Dodge's early pupils, and as be
ing seventy-fve years of age. to the truth O
which his white locks bore testimony, and gave
Rufus Dodge, Esq.--Who taught the parents anC
the churen.
The president here said that there were o.
course many more present who had been "Mas
ter" Dodge's pupils, and Capt. Joel Tucker, aged
seventy-two, arose and announced himself as one
Of them. And, on request, all those who were
present arose, numbering about fifty, "kaster'
Dodge announced, through the president, thai
he would give out some words to test their abili
ty at spelling, and the president read the follow
ing certificate, from the original, now in Mr.
Dodge's possession, to show his qualification fo
instruction:
"BRooKFTELD. Dec. Is, 1894
These may certify, whom it may concern, tina
the bearer, Mr.. Rufus Dodge, is person of a fai
moral character, and as such may be recommend
ed 20 instruct youth in reading, writing, &c.s
Grew JOSEPH APPLETON, Clerk"
A toast from Master Dodge was here read
as follows:
The Sons Of old Brookfeld = Remarkable for thei
enterprise. wealth, learning, and reapectAbliiy.
A testimonial from some Of bis scholars, eiyer
him on leaving the school, was read, with tn,
names Of many familiar Brookfeld matrons, anC
pater .tamiiias Of venerable years and prominen
station.
George Howe, Esquire, Of Boston. one Of III,
scholars, made few remarks, giving some Of hi,
rscollections of-SchoOl boy days, and gave