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

SPRINGFIELD, 1636-1886. 593
Mk. Lathrop. — In the early days, when the wise men of the East in Massa-
chusetts were projecting their political plans and purposes of state, they never
decided important affairs until the " River Gods " of the Connecticut valley were
consulted and heard from. Massachusetts has returned to her early custom.
The " river gods" are yet here, and potent in the politics and the material con-
cerns of the Commonwealth. In response to our call, our friend, neighbor, and
governor graces our occasion.
Governor Robinson. — Mr. President and Gentlemen, —In behalf of Massa-
chusetts, whom you delight so cordially to honor, I receive your testimonial, and
shall bear it with me as your tribute. It comes not to me personally, for what-
ever is accorded to the Governor of the State is official, and goes to the people
as a whole and the government of wliich he is so justly proud. My friend and
neighbor on my left has spoken so eloquently of the whole United States of
America that he has taken in the domain of Massachusetts, and still more closely
the little A'illage of Chicopee. Indeed, there is little left for me to say, and
perhaps it will be all the more grateful to your ears and patience, for I know
you are already advanced two hundred and fifty years, with all the feebleness
that comes with it, so you cannot bear very much at this hour, and 1 sliall part
with you with only a brief delay. Fortunately no one person present speaks for
Massachusetts. She has voices in every town and city and at every point of her
borders. For the time being one man stands officially for her, but everywhere
her voice is heard. You have here at this board a long array of men, armed
and equipped, impatient at the delay, to speak for the good old Commonwealth.
It will be my gratification, therefore, to give them that opportunity, having
already said in another place to-day something in her behalf. The toast-master
has alluded to the place of my home, and it may not be out of place for me to
speak of Chicopee ; to speak of her quietude, her good-fellowship, and her good
citizenship. Her mark in life has not been made in this year, but far back,
before she was separated from the good old town of Springfield. In fact, her
attachment is so strong that she has drawn many others within the borders of
her first settlement. My friend Stearns and myself, while we could not woo the
mother, have loved her daughter, and we love her still. Though we live on the
opposite sides of the street we are never jealous of our attachment to her, and
never dare to say which thinks more of her. It is the home and the place
of men who this year and in many other years that are gone have made their
mark on the business, the mercantile, and the governmental prosperity of the
Commonwealth. Do you need to be told in Springfield that your great man who
led the way of transportation in western Massachusetts found his birth in