Morning journal and courier., 1885-07-06
rHE WOODSTOCK CELEBRATION.

Thousands of visitors Hooked to Woodsteck July 4th to enjoy the 10th annual celebra- tion of the 4th at Roseland Park. In all about 5000 people were present and teams of all descriptions, from the most stylish tc the most antiquated. The several speakers and invited guests assembled at Putnam, Cpnn., Friday evening, being met at ths depot by a special committee and citizens Company.G of the Third regiment, State militia, Warren post No. 59, G. A. R., St Mary's band, and escorted to the public square where appropriate exercises were held The entire party took carriages to MT Bowen's residence, where from 9 to Il the party received. honors from the large number assembled.
 by Mrs. Bowen, Mrs. Holt, Mrs. Senator Lo gan, Mrs. Senator Platt, Mrs. Waldo Hutch ins, Mrs. Joaquin Miller, the Misses Alter bury and Stinson of New York, and the Misses Eldridge of Boston.
 At 9:30 this morning the party proceeded to Roseland Park. The exercises were open ed at 10.
 On the platform in addition to the speak CTS were Henry o. Bowen and several of his sons. Colonel Alexander Warner, Dr. Ed ward Peaslee, of New York; Charles E. Searles, Mrs. Senator Logan, Mrs. Senator Platt, Mrs. Waldo Hutchins, Mrs. Joaqui' Miller, George c. Holt, Dr. William Hayes
  Charles H. Butler, of New York; Misses Eldredge, of Boston, and Miss Stiason, of New York.
 Congressman John T. Wait, of Norwich, mads an address of welcome to the visitors in which he said:
 This gathering together of the men and women of Windham county demonstrates anew the continued existence of that deep reverence for the founders of the nation which has always characterized the people of this State Connecticut is proud and thank ful for the memory of Roger Sherman, but remembers with equal pride the great achievements of his illustrious descendant, who swept with bis victorious army from Atlanta over the mountains to the sea and compelled the surrender of General Joseph E. Johnston, who stands conspicuous among the ablest and most gallant of the Confeder- ate leaders. She rejoices also that the broad and far-seeing statesmanship which aided in conceiving and sustaining the declaration of American independence lives again in that descendant of Roger Sher- man who, in the Senate, with irresistible el- oquence and power has sustained those prin- ciples and measures that have preserved the honor and integrity of the American republic and guarded it against the assaults of open enemies and secret foes; whose ability in the management and control of the intricate and vast questions connected with the finances of the country is known and recognized throughout the world whom Connecticut claims as her own son and who takes part with us in the observance of this day.
 But not alone do sons and daughters of Connecticut birth and lineage gather here at this family altar From the imperial West comes that distinguished soldier and states man whose name and record are part of the cherished history of the nation. Regard less of party lines and affiliations the hearts of all our people go out to him with glad and ringing welcome He it was who, when the leaders of secession threatened to destroy the Union, declared to them that if they raised their hands against the government, the men swords to the gulf, and with his own right arm he aided to fulfill that prophecy. At the first sound of the enemy's guns he entered the service as n private soldier, and when the smoke of battle had lifted we saw upon his shoulders the we'll merited stars of major general. In the national halls of legislation he has ever since been consistently faithful to the principles and convictions for which he fought; and his late successful contest in his own State to which all eyes were turned, compelled the admiration and respect of both friend and foe.
 And while we have assembled especially to honor the memory of our forefathers, our hearts are not forgetful of the peerless com mander of our armies, on whom our steadfast trust was placed in the time of our national extremity. Silent, patient, faithful, un- yielding, as of old, he wages the unequal contest. The unspeakable love and grati tude of great people are with him in the hour of his suffering, and as he hears the borders of the river which all must cross may the God of our fathers cause his jour ney to be tranquil and untrou 5led and to the weary eyes of the old warrior may the still waters and the pleasant fields beyond be the sure promise of repose and peace.
 Mr Wait ended by nominating Governor Harrison as president of the day. The nom ination was, of course, carried with enthusi- astic exclamation, Prayer was offered by the Rev. E. B. Bingham, of Woodstock. Cover nor Harrison then made an address. He said:
 Men renowned in arts and in arms-states- men, scholars, poets, warriors-have assem- bled here with us to celebrate the birth of the Republic and to renew the expression of their faith in the fundamental doctrine of the Republic; the doctrine that government of the people" ought to be government for the people and by the people,"
 For solemn confession of that faith, 1 know of no place in the world more apprc- priate, in some respects, than the place where we now stand For this town of Woodstock dowed with ali the rights and powers which belong to every Connecticut town. It is political organism of a peculiar character, worthy the careful study of every political philosopher. It is, in fact, a little republic in itself, an indestructible republic, in which the principle of democratic government has full play, and where the free action of that principle is guaranteed by the strongest con- stitutional defences.
 Connecticut is a small State, almost invi- sible among the greater States of this Union, and yet within her narrow limits are 167 of these little republics. By their indissoluble union they ceRsSit4te the State, and exercise, through the State governlasat, those govern mental powers which # is practically i'm possible for them to exercise 2ndlYldually. This system of town government more or less closely resembles that which prevails in some of the other States, especially the other New England States; but 1 think, d. though 1 will not positively assert, that here in Woodstock and in other Con necticut towns, the democratic principle of government by the people is carried out more and protected more thoroughly by constitutional safeguards than it is in almost any other State or country in the world. l do not say that this system has no defects. It has defects which, in some of the larger towns, have made necessary the establish ment of supplementary city and borough or ganizations (also democratic in character, however, to cooperate with the town or
 
 that the system is perfect in all other re- spects. do say that it forms broad and deep and granite base for the free commonwealth which for two centuries and half has rested firmly upon it. It has answered for us the question whether a republican government can long endure. For, since it was estab- lished here, kingdoms and empires have ris- en and fallen while it has remained unsha- ken. For two hundred and fifty years this system has existed in Connecticut, varying in details, but unchanged in principle and substance. It has been strong in peace and strong in war. If you ask whether it has prompted the prosperity and hap piness of the people, look around you Here, then, if anywhere, may we appropriately celebrate the birth of the great republic; here in the center of the lit tie republic of Woodstock, a republic older than the great republic itself though young by more than 8 hundred years than some of her little sister republics of Connecticut. Most cordially do unite with my fellow cit izens in welcoming our distinguished guests to Woodstock, to Windham county and the State of Connecticut.
 An original hymn was read by Rev. J. E. Rankin, D. D., of Orange Valley, N. J.; an oration, ''The America of 1885 Contrasted With the America of 1775," was delivered by U. s. Mansfield; Senator Sherman, of Ohio, delivered a most brilliant oration; patriotic poem, "Daybreak, !" was read by Mau rice Thompson, of Indiana, and an address on "What ep American University Should Be" was made by President Mcintosh, of Prinoaton college Tbia nl0Sad the fOrenOon