The Newtown bee., 1907-06-21

4a a With all nature smiling, under the warm rays of a June sun, and the bus mess blocks and residences of New 1 Milford decorated as never before in it's history, the New Milford Bi-Cen- tennial celebration was formally opened on Saturday afternoon in the presence of company numbering about $500 people assembled about the grand stand on the walks adjacent to the village Green. Those who oc- cupied seats on the band stand were :: Charles N. Hall, general sercetary of the Bi-Centeniial committee, Senator A. G. Barnes, Seymour s. Green, Se- lectman Stephen c. Beach and E. B. w. F. Kinney. Charles M. Beach, R. F. Mygatt, Postmaster George H. Jackson and T. D. Merwin of New York. After the chimes on All-Saints' church had pealed forth the strains of Praise God From Whom All Blessings of the historic church of the town, the First Congregational. advanced and offered the opening prayer. The formal address of welcome was made by the capable secretary of the general com mittee, Charles N; Hall: MT Hall
 
 address and at the conclusion of the ex- ercises was warmly congratulated on all sides. His graceful reference to the esteemed chairman of the general com mittee, Hon Henry s. Mygatt, now temporarily laid aside from active duty by illness, was particularly timely and | well put. MT Hall said: Citizens and Friends, this seems the most com prehensive and fitting title by which to address such an assemblage as this i; since many of you are citizens, and all of you are friends of New Milford. Citizens and Friends then; to one and all, to those of you who are citizens 1; to those of you who were New Milford born but have found other homes; to those of you whose forefathers were once New Affords children ;; to each and every one of you, and to all guests yet to come, the General Com mittee of the Bi-Centennial, speaking for this entire community, extends most heartfelt welcome.
 But our welcome is tinged with re gret.; regret that these words cannot De spok en to-day by the one man best fitted for, most entitled to, that honor. Those of you who have worked during these months of preparation, and all who know him, will bear witness that no man living has done more for this celebration; no man living could have greeted you more gracefully or with greater sincerity than would our hon. ored president, Henry s. Mygatt, were he present. But though not with us in person, we know that he is so in thought, that his hopes and best wish es are with us to-day.
 It is difficult to find words fitting for an occasion like this, for no occasion like this has ever before confronted, us For the first time in her history New Milford fttingly celebrates birthday anniversary. or the fDst hicfo Naxxy ho planned a great general homecoming of all her scattered children. For the first time we shall see, during these four days, all our own people gathered together in a common cause ;apd 1t is not likely that any now living will ever see them so gathered again.
 This then is The Event, not merely of the years, but of the centuries ; an event which must occupy place unique and unapproachable in the his tory of our town and words may well fail to express the sentiments which such an occasion must inspire.
 . Since that day in the year TOY, when the pioneer, John Noble, first traversed the wilderness to this place, up to this day of June, 1907, every event and cir constance, toll and danger, hardship and prosperity, peace and war, all have been but successive steps leading to this celebration, and making it possi- ble. And in this celebration we mark not this anniversary alone, but cele- brate as we'll all that has gone before. We celebrate the founders of our town the heroic men and women who by their toll, their courage and their faith, not only made New Milford, but helped to lay the corner stone of this nation. Every event in this, our eel ebration this flag raising; the splend- idly impressive services of Sunday the | historic addresses, and the reception | of a of | Tuesday, all were planned, not only | to afford pleasure and entertainment i for our guests, and to glorify the New
 Milford of to-day, but also to com mamorate and glorify the past.
 | But while we celebrate New Milford, past and present, what shall we say of
 the New Milford to come? Shall not l the civic pride, the energy, the patri-
 otism, that have inspired this celebra- l tion, continue to be moving forces to-
 ward a better New Milford? Shall not l some of the thousands who visit us,
 impressed with the attractions of our
 town, remain and help us to make a l greater New Milford?
 New Milford has done wisely and l well to inaugurate this homecoming, for such hOme-cOmlngS are Vltally eS-
 ssntial to the right life and growth and prosperity of any community. New
 Milford is proud of her history proud
 of her position among the hills and
 towns of old Litchfield County, in this | blessed commonwealth of Connecticut | proud of her business enterprise, of he1
 schools and churches and proud of he1 children, whom she welcomes home to- day.
 You are here, not as chance visitors
 or strangers, but as members of one
 great family. We ask you to be not
 only with us, but of us at this time
 to become for the time being, citizens
 of our town, and would be glad to have
 you become so in fact,
 New Milford and it's celebration are
 yours. Be at home with us; survey
 the attractions of our town visit ant
 greet old friends; enjoy the celebra
 tion to the utmost, and then if yo.
 must leave us, take with you the kind
 est thoughts and happy memories O
 the Bi-Centennial.
 The speakers, with the band leadin, and ,,la the off = Allld I.anj