Connecticut western news., 1876-07-07

the character of the goyernment will be | what it is made by the action of the peo- pie. Hence the proprlety, not to say ne- | cessity, of attemptingto elevate the stand | ard of moral, political and cultured charac- | ter in those we would select to discharge | the responsible functions of official life. | As nation we acknowledge no govern ment in theory superior to our own in wis dom, dignity or forecast. Does our prac- tice correspond with our theory, and incline us to select the purest and ablest of our fellow citizens to discharge the most re- eponsible political duties As this may be the last opportunity shall ever have of ad- dressing you, my fellow men, conjure you by every tie that binds you to your country, by every hope you entertain of it's future exahation and glory, by every desile you cherish of transmitting this noble in- heritance of liberty, unimpaired to your children, that you guard with jealous care and with an enlightened sense of duty the purity of the ballot box, the palladium of our liberties. -a.r The preceding details may have wearied your patience. my friends, as they are doubtless familiar to many of you, but to record them is duty we owe to posterity, whose interest in them will increase as the years roll on. Our mountains, lakes, rocks and brooks will remain without essential change. Our fertile meadows and rugged hill sides may receive higher culture that will change their aspect somewhat. Our villages may be enlarged and beautif1ed, and perhaps multiplied, but the actors in these scenes will sink into their graves generation after generation. Hence the duty of each to record it's own history, that their names and deeds may not pass from the memories of men. Our beautiful scenery, and health full climate, may attract people of taste and culture to our pleasant villages, but they will be retained amongst us only by good order and social elevation in our own com munities. The opening of the centennial year, and the formation of Improvement Societies, have given an impulse to the taste and enterprise of our citizens, that is highly commendable, and we may reason ably hope that many a heart will be warmed toward us in the coming years, for the grateful shade that our hundreds of newly planted elms will throw over happy homes, play grounds and streets.
 At the close of the Governors address. the following Centennial Hymn, composed
 and written by Mrs. A. H. Holley, was
 sung .'.'
 Father of nations God on high,
 We raise to Thee cur fervent cry,
 As we before Thee waiting stand,
 In temple fashioned by Thy hand.
 We come to bless Thee for the past,
 That OCT this land Thy shield hath cast
 Protection, guidance, strength and power Through the long century's passingrhour. With joyous hymn and cannon's voice, On this proud day do we rejoice, t Beseeching, Lord, that we may be, g Still strong and powerful, brave and free
 Strong in Gods power and arm of might g Brave in the consciousness of right, , , Free from the chains of wrong and sin, Gods warriors in the fight to win. 2
 When coming centuries shall lay down
 Tine burden of their years renOwn,
 Lord, in the future as in the past,
 Be with us, long as time shall last.
 After this hymn, and while the cannon f was booming out it's twelve o'clock guns
 the audience was invited to the repast a the tables near by. After dinner, the after , noon exercises were opened by music b
 the band, when Dr. Knight read his orig
 nal poem, which we publish entire below
 That the Doctor gave us 8 really goo
 poem. and one admirably appropriate [ the occasion, none who heard it will ques U tion, and although its perusal will give it merits as it appears in print, much of it U pathos ard beauty is lost to those who di