The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-28
AN EXTRAORDINARY CELEBRATION.

4 MASSACHUSETTS TOWN CoMMEMoRArISo IT'S
SETTLEMENT A CENTURY AND HALF AGO.
KINGSTON, Mass, June n, 1870
The celebration OF its 150th anniversary has made
this the proudest red letter day experienced In
the old Pilgrim town OF Kingston. The celebration
began betimcs this morning by a salute Of thirteen
guns and the ringing OF bolls followed by parade by
the Antiques and Horrbles.
PROCESSION
Promptly at nine A. NJ procession was formed At
the Town Hall, and, after marching TO the railroad
station to receive the invited guests, proceeded
in the following order through the principal
to the tent Thomas Hil:--South Abingdon Brass
Band, Halifax infantry, president Of the day. vice
presidents, invited guests, high, grammar and pri-
mary schools, citizens in carriages and on foot Tho
route Of the procession lay through the estate for
merry owned by Governor Bradford, tho spot where
his house formerly STOOD and the last Of his
orchard guarded old apple tree, being marked by ap
propriats inscriptions
PLATFORM
was occupied py many distinguished gentlemen. In
front OF the platform seated Of old gentle
men, the eldest beng Mr.. job washburn OF Camden,
aged ninety.
EXERCISES
began BY an address OF welcome by the president OF
the day, Nathaniel Adams OF Boston, followed by the
TcaouB u SVfIPtuIc, W NV. " bc NJ pas
tor Of the Unitarian church OF Kingston and prayer by
Rev. Joseph peckbam An original hymn by DR.. T. b.
Drew, OF Plymouth, than sung to the tune Of
America
Rev. j. r. Lowering, OF Waterfowl, was then intro
duced, who. after the applause with which he
greeted had subsidized, began the dc livery
OF the Grafton.
rnx poHw
Tho poet of the occasion, Mr. George G. Burgess (
Portland Me was then introduced and in a clear and
wcli-moduated voice. read tho pocm the opcnin
stanza OF which is appended
Standing upon this hiltops grassy crown
We look with hearts low aud eager down
Upon tho ocean. fields aud busy town.
So from the summit Of thrive fifty years.
backward we look. aud plain TO US appears
The fabric which cur memory uprears.
Aud look the thronciuy visions
OF those made this fruitful spot their homo.
W. soc the rock set in the salt sea foan-
Thcir shaop In the inner hHrbor rides
Stemmng the rough waves Of the winters tides.
While the swnrt savage from them lurking hides
A hundred years--we see them stronger grown,
Their borders widen. fruitful seed Is sown.
They have made all The wilderness their own
In ioval homage 10 their well loved king.
The name OF their founded town they bring,
And Kin gston call the accepted Offering.
In nf.y years how changed the feeling grows.
The land no king as earthly ruler knows.
Against all kingcraft proving stsrdy Toes ,
Aud fifty more-how has the circle spread
There stands nation In the hamlet's stead.
Aud midst the ud-st her wrcah-crowned ad
As when the lightning flashes through the night,
One instant stands revealed 10 eager sight
A Thousand forms IL things distinct aud bright.
50 nrmoryh glance brnss to our sight to-day
The forms Of things thou oh centuries away
To them turn with my unskiitu lay.
Next in order upon tho programme tho delivery
OF tho historical sketch OF the town bv mr. r. b. Drew,
OF Plymouth whose remarks covered the period from
the landing o the Pilgrims In 1920 To the year 1900,
or the beginning OF the present century.