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

594 SPRINGFIELD, 1636-1886.
CMcopee? So it is not alone in the present year that the men of Chicopee have
been in the front and have gone into all parts of the State and country. Do you
say that because Chicopee isn't a good place to live in? No, Chicopee is apt to
say that they have gone because their presence was needed elsewhere, and they
have gone where their strength was wanted. [Applause.] You may go north-
ward from here, but you will find no natural line between Springfield and
Chicopee. There is no actual separation between the two. Man may have tried
to put them asunder, but God has joined them indissolubly, and there they stand,
city and town, close together. She on the north has sought no other alliance
since she parted with you temporarily, and she will not seek another. But if
she does, it will be a reunion with the good old town of Springfield. AVliatever
makes for the advancement of the city of Springfield contributes to the glory of
Chicopee, and in everything that shows her prosperity rejoices our hearts. I
thank you for your indulgence, and gladly give way to others who are to follow.
Ex-Mayor William H. Haile, respoudiug to the toast "The
City of Springfield," said : —
I am asked to respond to a toast which has been assigned to another, and to
whom we should have all gladly listened ; but, at the same time, I have the
feeling that any citizen who at such a time as this should refuse to respond to
a call to appear in behalf of Sprnigfield, even at the eleventh hour, would
be a subject for i)roper discipline. This city may be pardoned if she seem
to-night to be a little boastful. Our cup of joy is nearly full, and if we could
have been made a port of delivery. I think it would have overflowed. Let us
hope that our senior senator and the representative from this district in Con-
gress may yet persuade our President that for once he has made a mistake. This
is Springfield's day, and she is proud of it. We do not wish to detract from the
history of other towns, but we claim in various ways a somewhat remarkable
record for ourselves, as regards growth, sound finances, and intellectual develop-
ment, and we are surrounded by a galaxy of beautiful daughters. We believe
that Springfield has a promising future. Relying on an overruling Providence,
our people have but to do their duty, and we shall advance to a point of eminence
which we can scarcely realize to-night. Thus we look into the future thankfully
and hopefully.
President A. E. Pillsbury, responding to the toast " The Massa-
chusetts Senate," said :
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