Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-12

memory of her soldiers, and thereon
we see the front of this very
structure, the same one that prompted
the hand of the sculptor, not one reared
on the delusive scheme of similar lines
Opposite is the finest specimen of me-
mortal art in America, 1t commemo-
rates a scene in front of this edifice
on beautiful morn in May, 1868. There
was not an unoccupied inch of stand
ing room anywhere on Beacon hill Was
not the Bay State ever foremost, send
ing to the front the first regiment of
colored soldiers raised in a free state
and why should not humanity stand
agog?
How proud they seemed, those black
men, by Harvard College graduates led
Blood, then quick and exultant, in a
few brief months was to stiffen in a
mingled clot of black and white, meath
the guns of grim Fort Wagner. These
same century-old bricks echoed back
the drum beats of that glorious host.
The nation was just half century
old when before this capitol formed the
procession which, Aug. 2, 1925, marched
to Faneuil Hall to hear Daniel Webster
descant on the worth of John Adams
who had passed to his reward on the
preceding Fourth of July.
Said an officer of high rank in the
rebellion: Il cannot. think of the de-
struction of the Bulfnch state house
without feelings Of the utmost sadness
for there I and all my associates re-
ceived our commissions
Still mo history is shouted by the
irreconciliables to whom incidents must
have the gloss of at least century to
make them of any consideration, forget
ting that similar spirit would have
destroyed the Old South and Faneuil
Hall.
This whole building is fragrant of
memories Of the days when Massachu-
sets was ready, thanks to the energy
and foresight of Nathaniel P. Banks
and John A Andrew.
Senator Roe then told the story of
John A. Andrews prayer in the council
chamber with a merchant of Boston, so
often told, and of Lincon's remark
when he heard it: when we have the
governor of Massachusetts, to send us
troops in the way he has, and when
we have him utter such prayers for
US, have no doubt that we shall sue
ceed." If many, many thousands of
visitors annually climb the stairs in
Lincoln College, Oxford, to see and
stand where met the Holy Club, or the
Wesleys and Whitefield, may we not
expect, in the years to come, that tour
lists, black and white, shall ask: 'Where
is the place where the great war gov
ernor prayed and sang on account of
the enslaved African?"
The senator then sketched the person.
mel OF the governors who had served in
the building, from Sumner and Strong
down the line to the present governor.
In conclusion" said the senator, "the
necessary absence from the old chamber
during the repairs, made it evident that
enlarged quarters were necessary and
the old representatives. hall was as
signed as the future location of this
branch, and here we are today. The
floor is changed, the seating altered, but
the general effect is much nearer that.
Of century ago than any one of us ever
saw before. We miss the Goldfish, but we
reflect that he is in good and congenial
company among old friends, and we
wish all concerned long years of mutual
enjoyment. For a century fair faces
have looked down on this arena from the
east gallery and from that opposite the
families of executives taking the oath of
office have regarded the scene. In the
west gallery have assembled observers
to it's full capacity. Again they are all
filled with the public and for the public
good. The legislature of Massachusetts
has no secret session.
FINALLY the dream of many a loyal
Massachusetts heart is made real on
this occasion. Gen. Francis A. Walker
deemed the effort to destroy little bet
ter than proclamation, and were he with
us how would his voice join in acclaim
over the restoration. The old state house
stands, visible from afar-
First glimpse of the sailor who makes
the harbor round,
And last, slow fading vision, dear to the
outward bound"
At the conclusion Of the exercises in
the senate chamber there was a re-
ception by Gov. gWolcott in the execu-
tive chamber, that lasted nearly an
hour. The entire state house was open
to the public throughout the day.