New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-10-13
THE WEBSTER CELEBRATION:
THE PRESIDENT AND PARTY AT MARSH.
FIELD

main. although there were some Incidents not laid
down In the programme. The history of the origin
OF the demonstration is enveloped somewhat in
mystery. so tar as the outside word Is concerned.
There was no monument TO dedicate, and the GEN.
tennlal of Websters birth occurred last January
that to the ordinary mind it was somewhat difficult
to determine the exact motive or incentive TO this
demonstration, which has cost the City of Boston
and the State not far from $4,000. IL must. how
ever, be said, to the credit of Stephen NJ. Allen,
president of the Webster Historical Society, and
Others associated with him, that the demonstration
was carefully planned and admirably executed. So
far the State and city authorities concerned,
they were only the instruments in the hands of the
Webster Historical Society in doing honor to Web
sters name.
The Webster Historical Society is an organization
whose history extends back only few years and
its membership mas been greatly enlarged within o
few weeks President Arthur invited To be
present this occasion, and accepted and then the
city and State were invited TO do him honor and
pay the bills-which have been done in a manner
creditabe to all concerned
The day was cloudy and cold, but fortunately tho
threatened rain lid not fall. About $3.50 o'clock
this morning the President was escorted by the An.
clent and Honorable Artillery Company, the Web
ster Historical Society. the Plymouth Posts of tho
Grand Army of the Republic and many distIn-
guished gentlemen from the Hotel Brunswick TO the
Old Colony Railroad station. where trains were
taken for Marshfeld. Among those in tho
ranks OF tho Webster Historical Society
were Judge Nelson, of the United
States District Court; Distrlct-Attorney Sanger.
Robert C. Pitman, of the Superior Benchj
Sheriff Clarke, of Suffolk Leopold Morse Eustace
C. Ftz. Stillman b. Allen, Aldermen Slade and
Hall and President Pratt. of the Boston Common
Council The journey from Boston 10 Marshfed
not an eventful one. Governor Long joined
the party at bingham, and of course along the
route there was the usual amount of curiosity man.
ifested to see the Nations chief executive officer
The people of Marshfed aud surrounding country
were early astir and congregated In large numbers
near the place of celebration.
THE ARRIVAL AT MARsHFIELD.
The trains arrived at Marshheld about II o'clock,
and procession was at formed and, after the
President mad been welcomed by salute of twenty
one guns, moved promptly as possible over tho
heavy sandy road. The first half of the line went
directly TO the Webster mansion the second divi-
SION, beginning with the I'd Corps of the Ancient
and Honorable Artillery Company, turned to the
left at the field where the tents spread. and
where the Presidents escort also returned Tho
President proceeded the residence of Mrs. Fletcher
Webster, in the town of Marshield. He met
by Mrs. Fletcher Webster and the selectmen of
Marshfeld. who extended to him and to those with
him cordial greeting. Stephen NJ. Allen, president
of the Webster Historical Society. then said:
President; In behalf of Mrs. Fletcher Webster the
surviving pOssessOr OF this domain well as for tho
Webster Historical Society," welcome you TO the home
OF Daniel Webster, the defender OF the Constitution,
under which you were made Chief Magistrate or the
Republic. The associations and teaching OF this spot
fail to add confidence to you position and
hopes and impress you with all the strength dignity and
beauty OF that hign responsibility which Providence
suddenly and unexpectedly thrust upon you 10 your
calamity; your intellectual and moral independence,
your patriotism and hdelty-al 50 powerfully ielt and
quickly through the whole country and around the
wordit was OWING that the Republic passed It's most
diiculty 1t due to your discretion and statesman
snip, with its moral dignity and independence that con-
ndence lOred and since been fully
main In behalf Of this society," on the books of
thank you for this attention and presence May the
occasion prove valuable 10 US all
When Mr.. Allen had ceased the President
sponded briefly, expressing his pleasure that he was
able to visit the homo OF a man who was 80 famous
III his lime. and whose influence since his death has
been so powerful and so widespread.
DINING With MRS. FLETCHER WEBSTER.
The company then sat down to breakfast, al
which Mrs. Webster presided. The following per-
sons composed the partyi The President. the Gov
ernor, Stephen NJ. Allen, Mayor Green, of Boston.
Collector Worthington, Secretary Lincoln Secretary
Chandler Chester A. Arthur jr Assistant Postmaster
General HattOn, Oliver Ames Postmaster Tobey, e.
+. Choate, NJ. w. Cooper, O. N. Bliss, Governor
Plaisted of Maine, Governor Littlefeld. Of Rhode
Island Governor Bell of New-Hampshlre, Cover
nor Bigelow, of Connecticut, x-Governor Faruham,
of Vermont, Ex-Governor A. ii. Rice, ex-bovernor
Marshall Jewell, of Connecticut, Ex-Governor Bout
well. General Banks, President Bartlett, OF Dart
mouth College, Charles A. White, Thomas Russell.
the Selectmon OF Mirshfed. Senators Hoar and
Dawes George b. Loring, Q. A. GrinDell, Gordon
Webster, Judge George Washington Warren, Judge
Burnham OF New-York. Mrs. Stephen NJ. Allen
and Mrs H. c. Allen. When the meal
had been completed few minutes were
spent in chat and IN inspecting the
Webster relics. After that the President and his
party were photographed the lawn and were
escorted by the Auclents to the tomb.
The Webster place and the Webster tomb have
been so often and elabOratey described that 1t Is
almost matter of common education to know
something about the home aud the grave OF the
illustrious statesman AT no season does the quiet
Marshfeld homestead appear adorned by Nature as
on the morn of an Indian summer day, when a few
frosts have touched the forest with a glory of au-
tumnal colors. Going from the village of Marsh.
field, or rather from the point where the train to-
day left the visiting multitude, the Webster man-
sion is approached over ordinary country road.
which winds through the woods up gentle slope
for something more than halt u mile. One or two
houses and few clearings are all that break
gorgeous panorama OF rainbow unts
which hang dancing upon the branches
as far into the woods as eye can reach.
1t is through such scenes that half the distance
TO the Webster mansion Is passed. AS hlgher
elevation is reached breaks in the trees disclose
glimpses of the blue waters of Massachusetts Bay,
mila or two away and scattered along tho
horizon are always TO be seen the sails OF
commerce which Wooster loved to watch from ms
windows few rods vest of the grounds sur.
rounding the modern Webster mansion, iS largo
tract Of pasture-land, wheroon we're spread the
tents for the prlncpal eXerolses OF tOdays celeOra