Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1888-02-27
NEW uAYEN,s a6orH.


Getting Under Weigh for Celebration
Which Shall be Worthy OF an HON.
ored and Ancient New England
Town-What Was Done Saturday
Suggestions and "Reminiscences.
The work of preparing for suitable OBJ
servance of the fifth semi-centennial of the
settlement of New Haven has been COM
menced with spirit and great interest is gene
rally felt among all classes of citizens, espe-
cially those whose ancestry is traced back to
the landing of the planters here April 25 two
hundred and fifty years ago.
The committee of five gentlemen appoint
ed at meeting Friday evening to name,
without reporting to the adjourned meeting,
list of committees met Saturday afternoon
in the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce.
Town Agent James Reynolds presided and
ex-Mayor Henry G. Lewis was secretary. The
labor of selecting the right men for the diff
ferent committees was not completed and will
There will be committees on finance, choice
of orator, invitations, military, veteran fire.
men and the fire department., civic societies,
schools, public exercises, selection of q hall
in which to have the indoor part of the exer-
cises, medals, memorials, printing and
badges, mar6nalS ana line OF marCQ.
At present the arrangements are in a for
native condition and various suggestions
have already been made, each of which will
receive attention. One Is that as there is but
one brigade parade in the year 1t might be
called out on the 25th of April as we'll as at
later date. Another is that delegations
should be invited to participate from the
towns of Branford, Stratford, Milford, Gull
ford and Southold, L. l., which was at one
time part of the New Haven colony. A
suggestion that there should be a mural
tablet inset in the wall of building on the
correr of George and College streets to mark
the spot where Rev. John Davenport preach
ed his first sermon under tree has found
favor. The 81 900 voted by the town for q
celebration appears small, when the expenses
of the celebration will probably
much exceed that sum. But there
will be, it is thought little trouble in raising
by general subscription all that may be
needed. The vote of the town meeting pro-
vided that the celebration should be of ia
civic rather than military character" it be-
ing deemed inexpedient to make the possible
cost of military visitors burden to taxpay-
ers. New Haven military will of course be
asked to parade; so will all the organized
societies of all nationalities which exist here.
With regard to the selection of an orator
there is some division among the gentlemen
of the united committees. Some prefer
Henry B. Harrison, for the reason that he is
a town born man and has a more thorough
knowledge of the history of New Haven
and other towns than anybody else and
because of his honorable record since he was
Lancasterian boy under the teaching of the
now venerable John E. Lowell. Others see q
special reason why the Rev. Newman Smyth
should be the orator, as representing the first
church, founded by the planters of New
Haven, and which celebrates its 250th ami
versary shortly. This matter of choosing an
orator will interest all the subcommittee,
and the choice will also be ratified. Several
citizens have urged that the most important
matter the selection of an orator-should
be attended to first, as the time in which he
can spend in preparation for the Grafton is
short The Grafton of Professor Kingsley
fifty years ago occupied two hours and half
in delivery. In these days of fifteen minute
sermons less time will be occupied by the
orator.
The coming celebration cannot be in all
respects like that of fifty years ago when the
around which conferred the principal interest.
For although the last celebration had special
reference to the foundation of the town,
which was tantamount to the establishment
of the First church, there has been a great
change in the general character of the popu-
lation, al inevitable accompaniment of the
growth of the town. It is not known as yet
exactly what will be done next April, and
James Reynolds is at present the chairman
of the first committee and will also be chair
man of the whole of the committees acting as
one body.