The Portland daily press., 1875-07-08
Celebration at South Berwick.

oALMoN FALLS July 1875.
To the Editor Of the Press.
Some time since the ladies Of South Berwicl,
determined to have celebration the Fourth of
July in aid of the approaching centennial.
Mrs. John II. Burleigh and other pubic spirit
ed ladies took the matter in hand and as a
matter of course the celebration was a most
successful affair
At 1890 A. NJ. the procession, consisting of
firemen, Odd Fellows and citizens generally,
was formed under the direction of Capt. Fall
and proceeded to the depot to meet Hon. T. b.
Reed, the orator of the day who was escorted
through the principal streets to the Hall which
was closely packed with ladies and gentlemen.
The exercises began by the singing of "Ameri-
ca" by choir of Sunday School children under
direction of Mr.. Joy. Rev. Mr.. Riddell then
introduced Mr.. Reed who addressed the audi
ence in an eioqent and forcible manner for over
q half hour. The following is an abstract Of
his address.
The Speaker began by allusion to the an
cient custom of the people of the United States
to listen to orations on the deeds of the revolu-
ton and the prosperity of the republic since
that time. That custom for long time had
been discontinued; for the country, having taxi
en- its position unohallenged among the nations
Oh tn6 edTLn neeueu no OralOr3 10 SOuuu llS
praises. After briefly referring to some of the
more striking scenes of the Revolution, he de-
scribed tbe condition of the colonies before the
constitution was formed, how slight the b)I d
was that united them and the difficulties ia the
way of remedying the evils. which all appre-
ciated. The formation of the constitution was
next depicted, the compromises which had to
be made, and the hesitation which the States
ma infested in its adoption.
Considering the length and dispiriting nature
n dif1cul-
ties and doubts which beset our forefathers In
the formation and adoption of the constitution
and that all like attempts elsewhere have
proved failures, the question which occurred to
every man was, what could have been the Sc
cret of their success? The secret was that the
statesmen and generals of that day were
backed up by people strong with the educa-
ton which comes of local self.government.
This is the secret also of New England and
American manhood. All Americans ought TO
be interested in the government of the country,
in politics. If the country ever did come to
ruin it would be from too little politics and not
from too much. The educating effects of elec-
tions and political campaigns were next dis
cussed. The proposed change from annual
to biennial elections and legislatures criti-
cised at some length and the great departure
from the principles of our fathers was pointed
out. Men needed to have their attention
turned to the condition of the country at least
orce year.
While we had the institutions of our fathers
some might deem that we had no such States
men as they had. Jefferson, Adams and Mad
ison left no successors. That was by no means
certain. We always speak well of dead mem
| they are out of the way. When the men of
this generation have been dead three quarters
of century it may be found that Lincoln and
perhaps Douglas, George Evans and Fessen-
den will take their places with Jefferson, Ad-
| ans and Munroe After q brief allusion to
| the duties of the country in the matter OF the
| currency, and the declaration of the speakers
II -
| shall restore to US honest money fame as en-.
| during as that of Alexander Hamilton, the
| address was brought to a close by few fitting
| words in relation to the centennial.
The address was non-partisan and the speak
er was frequently interrupted by bursts of ap-
| plause.
At the close of the address, the audience adj
journed to partake of sumptuous dinner.
When the dinner was ended, Mr.. Charles NAL
10y, as toast master, gave the first sentiment:
"The soldiers of the Revolution" which was
responded to by Hon. T. B. Reed. Hon. j. III.
Burleigh responded to the toast: ''The first and
last Congress" He said that the last Congress
by refusing to pass the 'force bill' by refusing
to interfere in the local matters Of Arkansas
and by disentangling the snarl in Louisiana
affairs had given the South the amplest proof
that the North not only desired that its people
should have their rights but were eager to
bring about those cordial relations which ex-
listed before the curse of slavery had brought
sectional dissensions. He thought this action
had paved tine way to full reconciliation and
that mutual good feeling which enabled the
soldiers of both sections to clasp hands at
| Bunker Hill. Rev. Messrs. Lewis, Moulton
and Munger, Hon. J. b. Neatly, DIR. Severance,
and Hon. NJ. G. Burleigh very pleasantly re-
| sponded to various toasts.
In the afternoon there were various sports
which afforded the people vast deal of amuse-
ment Messrs. Plaisted, Flynn and Emery
won the bag races, Bennett the potato race,
| Arne Earle the wheelbarrow race and Sewall
Mcdaniel, after fifty had failed, climbed the
| creased pole on fifth trial In the evening
there was brilliant display of fireworks.
| PROTOS