New-York tribune., 1885-07-05
THE FOURTH AT WOODSTOCK.
SPEECHES OF LOGAN AND SHERMAN.

SPEECHES OF LOGAN AND SHERMAN.
GOVERNOR HARRISON PRAISES CONNECTICUT
CONGRESSMAN WATTS ADDRESS OF WELCOME
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TEIBUNE,1
WOODSTOCK, Conn. July 4-Woodstock de-
lights in pointing out to strangers three elms which
were planted by General McClean's grandmother when
the news of the battle Of Lexington set ablaze
the spirit Of patriotism which American In
dependence. As these Gins have grown to
lusy giants they TO have kept green the mcm-
ory Of those stirring days. In few other places s the
glorious Fourth celebrated after the good old fashioned
style with so much vim and delight as 1t is here. On
each recurring Fourth, the people gather in large num-
bers from the surrounding villages and listen to the old
story told again and again by speakers with
q degree OF enthusiasm and patriotrc patience which
wonld put to shame any New-York audience. Much OF
this is due to the activity Of HenryC Bowen Of The In
DEPENDENT who for many years has personally prepared
programme and induced well known
men from all over the country to take
part in the celebration Tho exercises began this
ing after 10 o'clock at RoselaDd Park with grove
Of trees for setting limpid lake sparkling in the
foreground, O bright sky and cooling breeze,
and an audience OF the sturdy New-Ensland
typo. hard-thinking and hard working people,
The speakers had every nducement to put forth their
best efforts On tho platform In addition to tho speak
Henry G. Bowen, and several Of his sons Col
onel Alexander Warner DR.. Edward Peaslee,
OF New-York; Charles E. searles, Mrs. Senator
Logan, Mrs. Senator Platt, Mrs. Waldo
Hutchns Mrs. Joaquin Miller, George @. Holt DR..
William Hayes Ward, DR.. and Mrs. Kinsley Twning,
Charles II Butler, Of New-York the Misses Eldredge,of
Boston, and Miss Atterbury and Miss stinsOn, of New
York.
Congressman John T. Walt OF Norwich made an ad-
dress of welcome the visitors in which he said:
This gathering together OF the men aud women OF
Windham County demonstrates anew the continued ex-
nf
Nation which has always characterized the people OF TINS
State. Connecticut is proud ant thankful, for the
memory OF Roger sherman, but remembers with equal
pride the great achievements Of his usrous descend
ant who swept with his victorious army from t Atlanta
render OF General Joseph f. Johnston who stands CON
feurote leaders She rooces also that the broad and
seeing statesnanship which aided in conceiyng and
lives again in that descendant OF Roger sherman who In
the Senate, with Irresistible ooquenco and power has
sustained those principles and measures thai have pre-
served the honor and integrity Of the American Republic
and guarded IL against 5e assaults OF open enemies anu
secret foes whose ability in the MANAGEMENT and con-
troll OF the intricate and vast questions connected with
the finances OF the country s known ana recognizea
and who takes part with us la the observance OF
But not alone do and daughters OF Connecticut
birth ana lineage gather here at this family altar From
the imperial West comes that distinguished soldier ana
statesman whose name and record are a part OF the
cherished history OF the Nation. Regardless Of party
lines and Affiliations the hearts OF all our people 70 Sas
Who when the leaders OF destroy
hands against the Government: the pen Of the North
would hew their with their swords to the Gu ana
with his own right arm ho aided to fl that piophrcy
At the first sound OF the cncmys guns he entered The
service private soldier and when the smoke OF bate
stars OF major general In the National halls Of legis-
lation he has since been consistently faithful 10 the
principles and convictions for which he iougnt; ana MS
late successful In his State. TO which all eyes
turned compelled the admiration and respect OF
And while have assembled especially to honor the
memory OF forefaihers our hearts are not orgetiu
% ~ nd N
steadfas trust placed in the time Of our National
extremity silent. patient; faithful! nryeldng. as 2,
love and gratitude OF great people are with him IN the
hour Of his suerng and as he nears the borders OF ne
river which all must cross may tho God OF our Fathers
his journey to be tranquil and untrouDe ana 70
the weary eyes OF the old warrior may the stI waters
and tho pleasant fields beyond De TIE sure promise OF
reposo and peace.
Mr. Walt ended by nominating Governor Harrison as
president OF the day The nomination was OF course,
carried with enthussstlo acclamaton. Prayer Of
fered by the Rev. T. b. Bingham. OF Woodstock Gov
ernor Harrison then made an address. lie said;
Men renowned Ia arts and In arms-staesInen, @ a.
scholars poets watrors.haYe asss sese M Win @ us
expres-on Of their iah In the fundamental doctrine OF
tie Republic: the doctrine That so'eEanomt o' 10y
by me me people"
place IN the world moro appropriate IN some resi- ects
than the place whero we now stand For thls town OF
dowed with all the rights ana powers whlch oeohs 70
every Connecticut town II s political organism o
peculiar character. worthy llo 'Ntly
poieal philosopher It H. IN fact little Republic in
Itself an Ia ostretioe Republic In which the principle
free action OF that principle is guaranteed by the
strongest constitutional dcfcnccs.
the greater o. this Union and yet within her mar
row is 1877 OF these little republics By their in
dssohc union they constitute the state aud exercise,
through tho state government those governmental
powers which # is practically inpossio oe for them to or
more or closely resembles that which prevails In
OF the other states, es eciay the otnet Ing
t.,,.I hutI
nssert that here In Woodstock aud In the other Con-
by the people carried vnt more radically ana protected
thoroughly hy constitutional saiegnarus thah ~ Is
not say that this system has defects 1t has defects
which, Of the larger towns have made necessary
the establishment OF supp lementary city and borough
organizations also democratic In character, however,,
10 operate with the town ORGANIZATIONS within those
towns do not say that the system Is perfect IN all
other respects do say that 1t forms broad and deep
and grantc base for tho free commonwealth whlch LOT
two centuries and a half has rested firmly upon t, IL
has answered for the question whether republican
government long endure For since II was estao-
shed here kingdoms and empires have risen and fallen
while 1t has remained unshaken- For 200 years ths
system has existed In Connecticut varying III details,
but unchanged In principle aud substance II haS been
strong In peace and strong In war; III you ask whether
1t has promoted tho prosperity and happiness OF the
people look around you Here. then. II anywhere, may
appropriately celebrate tho birth OF the great He-
public; here IN the centfe OF The little rebnbe Of Wood
stock q republic older than the great Republic itself,
though younger ~ more than hunircd years tnan
OF her hte sister republics OF Connecticut Most
ing our distinguished guests Woodstock. to windham
County, aud 10 the State Of Connecticut.
The reference to Woodstock tcked the pride OF the
Villagers despite the mask Of dIgnhed Indifference be
meath which they sought to hide IL, as became men
conscious OF their worth and Importance. Then followed
an original hymn by tho Rev. Dr. j. L. Rankin of Wash
ngton which tho audience aided by the band, sang TO
tho air of my Country tits Of Thee"
Senator John Sherman made address on The
America OF 1885 contrasted with the America Of l776"
lie pointed out tho value principles of the Declare
ton OF Independence characterlzlng them as the beacon
lights which cnorcle the world and which should be tho
guides OF all human government. lie briefly sketched
the course of tho revolution and showed some OF its
momentous results. Washington appropriately
commended and the Nations debt to France
atunglv acknowledged. The war Of 1912