Springfield 1636-1886, History of Town and City, by Mason A. Green ...

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560 SPRINGFIELD, 1636-1886.
What wonder, then, that we observe the accorapUshments of to-day? Why,
from that class of men and from that character flowed inevitably the current of
life that has marked the development of American freedom ;
just as naturally as
the breath in the living human body came the great advance in our history. It
would have been impossible that there should have been no Lexington, no
Bunker Hill, no Concord. It would have been impossible that whenever the cry
to arms came the people should fail. It could not have been that when the
Union itself was endangered and liberty threatened, that the young men, valiant
and strong, would skulk in their homes. It is not surprising that yonder monu-
ment points to heaven, and points also to the character and inspiration of the
men who, true to the deeds of the fathers, were willing to save for the future
what had been guaranteed to them. Massachusetts would fail to express the
force of her presence if she did not recognize her obligation to be here, and to
express her full, cordial, and abundant salutation to Springfield. Wherever the
good people of the State come together, to greet each otlier eye to eye, grasp
each other in friendly hand ; wherever the town and city and the people are
striving and uplifting the whole ; wherever human rights are regarded ; wherever
the people are vigilant that none, even the humblest and weakest, shall suffer,
there is the inspiration of Massachusetts, true to her past, and tliero should be
her presence in full i^ower.
What shall be written of the next two hundred and fiftj' years? We shall not
be here to witness their close. A few more mounds by the hillside will testify of
us. One after another is gathered to tlie dust of the valley; but pity, indeed, it
is if that is all we leave for testimony. Though we may not be present, Spring-
field will be here; Massachusetts assuredly will come, and the great Union of
America in benignity and prosperity will regard with glorious benediction the
triumphs won. It shall be for you, as far as lies in your power, to write the page
of history, and it is your duty to make it now. The present is all we can touch,
and doing our duty properly in the present hour, seeing to it that we set as high
an appreciation on private and public virtue as our fathers did ; regarding per-
sonal character as of the highest importance in the estimate of citizenship;
remembering that the country will ever set a high value on purity, honesty,
cleanness and squareness of demeanor and conduct, and that truthfulness to
one's word, fidelity to man and to God, are yet a power, and are yet of saving
influence, and constitute the abundant guaranty of the future.
Judge Knowlton. — Springfield, like many another matron, is proud of her
grown-up daughters. This is her day of thanksgiving, and gathered around her
hearthstone she sees them all —-West Springfield, Westfield, Agawam, South-