Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-06-18
CELEBRATION ENDS TO-DAY.
Civic and Military Parade at New
 Milford-Governor Talks.

Milford-Governor Talks.
 New Milford, June 18.--To-day was the final day of the bi-centen- nial celebration and a big crowd was on hand to witness the civic and mil itary parade and hear. an address by Governor Woodruff. In the parade were many military organizations, including the Second company Gov ernor's Foot Guards, of New Haven, Company G of the Third regiment, Upton post, G. A. R., and the New Milford cadets. A large number of local and state fire companies, drum corps and brass bands made up the second division, and the. New Milford school children in costume and rid ing on floats made up the third di- vision. The parade went through the main streets of the stown and was witnessed by thousands. It was reviewed by Governor Woodruff and staff, and later Governor Woodruff delivered an address. He spoke as follows:
 My friends am very glad to join with you in celebrating the two hun- dredth birthday of the settlement of New Milford. This commemoration will become an interesting experience in your lives and your children will never forget the history that is taught them by this event. They will learn o fthe early struggles of those who laid the foundations of Connecticut, in the establishment of her towns, in the making of her laws and building of great common wealth out of the materials of indus try, education and patriotism.
 Ut was no easy task your forefath- CTS set out to perform when they de- termined to have government as nearly democratic in its intention as 1t was possible to conceive. The scheme of the founders of our state was to insure happiness for all by making all the people independ- ent and free to govern themselves and to advance themselves in way that had never before been dreamed of by any race of men. The wisdom of these early settlers in organizing society upon liberal plane seems to us almost marvellous. What they hoped for has been realized.
 ''The people who founded New Milford and the other Connecticut towns were unselfish. They planned not only for themselves and their time, but they planned for those who were to come after them. They saw through the years what might be ours if their plans prevailed. They saw the human race rising to its highest perfection in an atmosphere of liberty and of opportunity. Yet their most daring fancy could not have pictured this surprising scene of to-day. They were rough and rude men two hundred years ago. And they were determined men and their lives were the serious lives of hardship and peril. What they wanted was freedom and a govern ment that would keep them free. They wantad to do what was right Justice to sall men was the motive that inspired them. They had faith in themselves and believed that the real government was that which came from the people. and they made their laws to last for all time. trust ing to the people the responsibility of taking care of themselves. They were the fathers of freedom in it's truest sense and intended to leave their children a house that was built upon rock. In all this they gave evidence of the noblest patriotism and they have set for us an exam pie which we have followed for 200 years-an example which must con- tinue to guide us in our government. if this gfand development of Con necticut is to go forward to its high est possibilities. We must keep our foundations solid and build for the future. We must grow better as we grow older.
 "Our law makers must be sincere and serious men. They must be re- presentatiye in the deepest meaning of the word. for the whole happiness of our people depends upon the mak- ing and the administration of laws that are enacted in the interest of all the people of our state. and our repre- sentatives should be held responsible for their acts at the polls. The rights of the people are sacred and must be kept inviolate. and no law should be placed on the statute book that will be a burden to the people. or tha; takes from the people any rights that belongs to them all. Let there be ee nasty. 'inconsiderate or careless leeds Iafion that robs them of their own. Great privileges should never be giv- en away to private interests, and every mans property should be pro- tectsd throughout the state. We ire 0ently learn what we have lost when ifis too late l do not mean to alarm you, but do mean 10 warn you that you may keep guard over your right against oppression. which fs sure to come when the people lose in- tsrest ia their own affairs.
 -W'bat an advancemenf yoa have made ia two hundred years The counfry towns to-day share with the large rites all modern advantages your czffirsn have mafchiezs chaneps f>r ez1cation and Tour eomnercisI