The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-07-05

many remonstrances the deep. the
solemn appeal of the declaration, and
when he concludes the air is vocal with
the shouts of men made free.
The men of Worcester assembled
mere as subjects of the British crown.
Iney returned to their homes as AM
erlcan citizens-their shackIes broken
off forever!
Inc actors in the scene which have
put falntly described have long Stree
passed away. The old meeting house
mas given place to this splendid NUM-
clpal edlf1ce, the country village has be-
come great and fiourishing city. and
we look around in vain for any ralpa-
ble vestige of the Worcester OF &c.
but
While the grass grows on the hills
And flowers bloom in the vale,
the people Of Worcester will cherish in
their hearts the memory OF the mem
who, on the 14th of July, 1776. here
pledged their lives, their fortunes and
their sacred honor in defence Of Am.
er1can liberty and the dear rights of
mankind.
Standing on this spot, forever mem
orable, now fifty marked by tablet and
star, let us highly resolve to strengthen
the work of the fathers who, did so
much to mould the character and d.
rect the destiny of town and state and
natlon; and let us here renew our de-
termination to transmit to osterlty
the most glorious Inheritance that be-
longs to man.
city solicitor Arthur p. Rugg, stand
ing on the exact spot from which Isaiah
Thomas read the ringing words which
meant American liberty, read again,
the declaration of independence. Mr..
Hutchins, in few graceful words in
troduced his honor, Mayor Rufus B.
Dodge, Jr., who said
Around this spot cluster memories Of
heroic epoch in the history Of a
marvellous country
rms master declaration Of human
rights gave form to principles Of popu-
lar government, the seeds of which
were scattered by the Puritans on Eng
nsh soil, but whose fruit in full perfec-
tlon was never known till Americas
Valor secured her national independ-
ence.
We stand in the presence of a sacred
enunciation of national freedom; made
not only to England in her power, but
10 all the world; made not for that time
alone, but to continue until nations
shall pass from the earth.
Here heard the yeomanry those words, =
bearing great truths long felt by an
honest race. What was yesterday
treason was now patriotism of the
purest order; what had been a dream
was now reality. III
AS Thomas read the potent document
upon the spot where the citizens had
long met to worship and to vote how
imposing must have been the EVENT.
Inen did the light of liberty shine
through the ominous clouds Of mon
archy, scattered by the all-powerfna
rays or sovereign citizenship. y
crossing the line to Independence
meant war and sacrifice. How bitter
anu now devastating, this sturdy and
earnest community doubtless knew: !
nut tney TOOK up the burden with ex-.
ultatlon, not because they loved war
f nLu strlie' put because they held fulIs
liberty to be the highest achieyement.
or an American people. !
Here, then, we meet. beholdinr around
ABOUT us greater results than their.
highest hopes could picture. From the
spot where the founders of our proud
CITY met to deliberate upon the most
Solemn affairs, affecting themselves
ana their posterity, we glance back over
tue years, and ask ourselves what trih.
ute can we give to nobility like theirsF
Benold the flag. 1t was their token:
II shall be ours. Throughout the lena
they loved so well no human right shall
pc despised, no wrong shall long orr
dure. The temple Of the peoples nrIv-
llege shall stand guarded by the sane.
tity Of noble example, TIL primevsI
chaos reigns once again. =
After brief words by It. L. Hutoh,,s
the service. closed with patriotic airs
by the band. "''