The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-07-03
Rochester Unveils a Statue
Of a Pioneer.
Thousands Attend the Dedi-
catOry Exercises.
Mayor Felker Accepts the Memorial
On Behalf OF the City.


the important part she has played in his
tory, today, with reverential tenderness,
paid tribute to the memory OF one OF
her earliest settlers by unveiling
statue to Parson Amos Main. The banner
covering the massive bronze figure OF her
illustrious ancestor was removed by Miss
Marjorie Main Holt, daughter of Walter
s. Holt of Manchester.
The exercises, which began at noon, in
the presence of several thousand people,
consisted OF prayer, by Rev. ). M M.
Adams; singing, by MISS Anna Ellis
Dexter; presentation of the statue, John
ID. Fogg; acceptance, Mayor 3. ID. Felker.
In his speech OF presentation, Council
man John ID. Fogg said:
Your Honor, Mr.. Mayor, today we
place on pedestal of granite, the
statue of a man whose learning ana piety
did so much Tor the early days OF Koch
ester. To perpetuate his memory one OF
his loyal defendants, together with
public-spirited citizens OF our city, have
caused this statue TO be erected, which
i trust may be as enduring as his
fame and the granite on which IT
stands. In behalf OF the donors, now
have the honor through you of presenting
this statue of Parson Main OF the city OF
Rochester. i commit II to your guardian
ship, trusting that 1t may be faithfully
cared for and protected in all the years
10 come.
Mayor Samuel ID. Felker in &C slting
the monument said:
Mr.. Chairman of the Main statue COM
mittee: 1t gives me great pleasure for
and in behalf of the city OF Rochester 10
accept this statue and, TO the donors, to
your committee, to the sculptor. 10 our
invited guests, and to all those here to-
day Rochester thankfully greets you.
Permit me, Mr.. Chairman, through you
70 express the pleasure and gratihcation
OF the citizens of Rochester for the
nonor conferred by the. gilt OF this beau
tiful statue.
Your co Imittee have worked In season
and out OF season for the success OF this
undertaking. To ell the donors we wish
to return our most grateful acknowledge
ment and to you, sir. a lineai descend
ant of this noble ancestor, who, leaving
this town and state in early youth TO
GEEK fame and fortune in the newer
states OF the Pacific slope, have returned
% us in the full realization Of those early
ambitions. We sincerely assure you that
we appreciate your noble and generous
gift. May the years which sit so lightly
upon you now he greatly extended and
may much happiness and jov be yours is
the wish OF your native townspeople.
Statues OF noble men not only coGmem-
crate the struggles, heroism and achieve
ments OF the past but are valuable for
the lessons they teach to the present and
future generations.
Who has not stood in the Public Gar
den of Boston aud looked upn the eques-
triap statue of the Father OF his Country
and not thanked God II was his country
also? Who has not seen the statue of
Lincoln emancipating the slave and not
humanity?
Religious Influences are at the base of
a.s. I.A
we shosld erect here statue TO the Rev.
Amos Main, the first settled minister of
the town, VINO as you say, Mr.. Cheir-
man, has done 30 much for Rochester.
The carly minister was the most import
ant parsonage in town. In a sparsely set
tied community with few books, the
social, political and religious influences
all radiated from the church. The min
lister impressed his personality upon his
flock and moulded public opinion.
Our forefathers were religious people.
Religion and civil government went
hand in hand. The compact made upon
the Mayflower gives us an insight to their
character ana lives which continued and
existed at the time of our first minister.
"For the glory of God the Advancement
of Christian faith and honor of King and
Country" they had undertaken their
journey. Before landing they had form
ed a civil compact for the better govern
ment of the colony to which each indI-
vdual promised all due su bm ission and
obedience. What better people to form a
colony or state. Narrowed may have
been some of their religious, opinions yet
they we're free from political prejudices.
The restraining Influences of their relig-
ious bolief maoe liberty a reality instead
OF a sounding name. Our early settlers
were not immigrants fleeing from perse-
curson of Church or State, they were
the hardy yeomanry of older towns who
L.w 20. Iat 80 I..f.
One of their nrst acts was to build a
meeting house.
In 1897 Parson Main became the first
settled minister of the town ana the
same year the first town government was
organized. For % years be was their con-
slant companion, their counsellor, re-
ligious teacher and friend. Lite aid he
dream when doing such valiant and self
sacrificing services that tho future would
he so potent with the influences OF the
past. ] think We Will agree that no one
church or one kind of church contains
the whole truth ana the ability TO bring
IL home to the hearts OF all men, but
whatsoever our Religious belief may be
let us work together for the good of our
beloved city and state.
Mr.. Chairman accept this statue i'm
behalf OF the city OF Rochester and assure
you 1t will:ever guard and protect il, aud
Its inha bitants VIII cherish the memory
of its first minister who in his day
wrought so nobly and so well.
As we pass by this statue in our daily
intercourse may we remember the trials
and triumphs OF the rast ret new inspira-
tions fo- the duties of today; ard may
the religious life OF the ataors inspire us
with new and higher resolves, and under
whatever religious form we may worship
may religious duty ana civil liberty 20
hand in hand To the end of time.
The Grafton was by Rev. Charles s.
Murkland, president 81 the New flamp-
shire state Colleve at Durham.
AT the close Of the exercises n rumpt-
nous banquet was served Governor
Charles A. Busiel and stan, the donors
Of the statue and other guosts at Hotel
Wrisley.
The monoument II located on Central
square nm cost e59e that amount having
bern raised by subscriptions. II Is OF
Concord granite, the base b,ng II feet
high and the bronze figure OF Parson
MAINS feet.
kav Auo. Main uas tor, In Vo,L