the Light Infantry company. Went to the north meeting house. Francis Blake, Esq. delivered an Oration. They The proceedings were secret, and at the initiation of the members, an address, which formed part of the constitution of the society, was made by the president, explaining the principles upon which the society was founded, and closing as follows:-"Whilst the illustrious Washington was at the head of the Administration of the Federal Government our unparalleled prosperity proved that our national affairs were conducted with purity and wisdom. Then the Constitution was strictly and sacredly regarded, and the rights and privileges of the people not only acknowledged, but constantly cherished and promoted. But, since that period, we believe our Constitution has been violated, publick sentiment has been corrupted, virtue & talents have been proscribed, and the rights and interests of the people have been made the sport of unprincipled ambition . . . Having, with deep regret, observed the baneful effects produced by combinations against the morals and politicks of our fellow-Citizens; having marked the dangerous influence of ambitious and designing men uniting to obtain by means of popular deception every honourable and profitable Office under the Government; and being convinced that very many of those who are loudest in their professions of love of the people, love of liberty and equality, have no other object than the attainment of power and the building of fortunes upon the ruin of their Country;-We have adopted as our Motto 'By their fruits ye shall know them.'-When bad men combine, good men must unite." The members were then made to swear that they were firmly attached to the Constitution of the United States, and would use their exertions to preserve and defend it against the inroads and contaminations of Aristocracy, Monarchy and Despotism in every form; to divest themselves of all partiality for foreign Nations, more especially when such partiality will interfere with the interests of the United States; to use their endeavors to have the Government administered upon the principles of our beloved Washington; and to exercise their privileges as Citizens, and vote, at all elections, for such men as they conscientiously believed would be faithful to the Constitution, and were attached to the political principle which distinguished the glorious Administration of Washington; and that they would never communicate anything said or done, in this Society, unless it be to a member, or when compelled by process of law. The Democrats claimed that the forming of these societies at this time was a trick on the part of the Federalists to influence the April elections. "We pretend not," says the National Ægis of 25 March, 1812, "in these days of plots and conspiracies, either to charge Secret Societies with wrong intentions, or to acquit them of the charge. There is something singular, however, in secret schemes of benevolence, and secret modes of paying respect to WASHINGTON.” The Worcester society soon took up the cause of temperance, and 1 December, 1813, issued a circular, calling attention to the mischief daily arising from the distillation of grain in Massachusetts, the magnitude and alarming consequences of the evil, threatening the country with famine and distress, accompanied by the horrid mischiefe of drunkeness and vice," and asked for co-operation in lessening It stated that as much grain could be consumed by one distillery in a month it. dined in a large booth on Frost's hill.' Republican procession, about 300 escorted by the Artillery Com3. had an Oration at the So. Meeting house, by Enoch Lincoln 2 as would probably be used by two hundred families in a year; and suggested the propriety of presenting a petition to Congress, to lay such a tax on domestic spirits, as would afford a rational prospect of diminishing their consumption. In the political excitement which prevailed during the war, great activity was shown, and the societies multiplied rapidly, but they disappeared with the downfall of Federalism. The last regular meeting of the Worcester society was held 3 May, 1820; and at a special meeting, 31 August, 1836, it was voted, that as the occasion for which the funds of the society were collected had ceased to exist, and as there was no necessity of their being longer retained to answer any purpose originally contemplated in the formation of the association, they should be appropriated to some public charity; and the Worcester Agricultural Society was chosen, as being “one of peculiar interest to the citizens of Worcester, as dispensing continually its advantages to every class and portion of our Community; and towards which, almost every individual entertains the most favorable regards." 1 1 This hill, upon which the State Insane Asylum stands, on Summer street, received its name from the execution of Samuel Frost, of Princeton, near the spot 31 October, 1793. It was also known at this time as Federal hill. To the northeast, extending across the present Mulberry street, was a large chestnut grove, which was used for many years for public celebrations and picnics. 2 Enoch Lincoln, the fourth son of Levi and Martha Waldo Lincoln, entered the sophomore class at Harvard in 1806, but withdrew in 1808, during his senior year. He studied law with his brother Levi, was admitted to the bar in Worcester County, in 1811, and began to practise in Salem. In 1812 he returned to Worcester, and in the following year removed to Fryeburg, Me., where he devoted himself to his profession and to literature. In 1815 he was appointed deputy by William P. Preble, then district attorney of the United States, and from 1818 to 1826 represented the district of Oxford in Congress. In 1819 he removed to Paris, the county seat, where he continued to practise his profession. He was elected governor of Maine in 1826, by an almost unanimous vote of both parties, and was re-elected the two succeeding years without opposition, but declined to be a candidate in 1829. As governor of the state he was zealously devoted to its interests, and his state papers were noted for their scholarly character, and his messages for their suggestiveness, brevity and good taste. One of his Thanksgiving proclamations was so brief and comprehensive, that it was printed on satin by his admirers. When, during his administration the question of the northeastern boundary of the state arose, he took a strong ground for state sovereignty, and boldly and decidedly, but unsuccessfully, denied the right of the national government to cede any portion of its territory without its consent. He also gave much attention to public improvements and education. In the autumn of 1829, while suffering from severe illness, he went to Augusta to address the Female Academy there, and the effort so exhausted his strength, that he was carried to the house of a friend, where he dined on the Common in a booth. Each party had a band of Music. Fireworks in the Evening.1 died three days later. Governor Lincoln never married. He published while in Fryeburg, "The Village," a poem descriptive of that town and the surrounding country, and left in manuscript an unfinished work on the history and resources of Maine. [Born, Worcester, 28 December, 1788. Died, Augusta, 11 October, 1829.] According to the account of the Federal celebration of the day, in the Massachusetts Spy. its arrival was announced by a salute of cannon and the ringing of bells, which, with the beauty of the morning and the conviction that we were yet an independent nation, dispelled the gloom which has for a few weeks past, beclouded the countenance of almost every individual." The procession started from Court hill at eleven o'clock, and returned to Dr. Bancroft's church, where the exercises were opened by Rev. Dr. Thayer, of Lancaster, "in a pathetick and appropriate address to the Almighty Ruler of nations, giving thanks for the happiness which yet remained to us, and imploring his protection under the trials which awaited us. An Oration was delivered by the Hon. FRANCIS BLAKE, which is now in the press, and on which comment or encomium would be lost in the celebrity which will accompany it." The National Ægis of 17 June, announces that the very motive which some had flattered themselves would prevent the Republicans from celebrating the day in Worcester-the fact that the most unprecedented exertions are making by our political antagonists, for a mighty display of the strength and splendour of Worcester County Federalism and Washingtonian Benevolence," was the principal reason for their doing so. "It has been supposed that Republicans would hide themselves from the spectacle! That they would not dare to shew their heads before fifteen hundred federalists, with flags flying, trumpets blowing, together with all the finery of pictures, medals, and blue ribands, &c. &c. But FELLOW REPUBLICANS, this is not our character. We know the real motives of the enemies of government in this hypocritical parade. We shall feel proudly conscious that we are paying a more sincere and heart-felt respect to the glorious occasion. Let us then assemble and present an honorable contrast of Republican dignity and simplicity to federal folly and foppery." "The Republicans of Worcester County," says the same paper of 8 July, "never fail to greet with appropriate solemnities and festivities, the Anniversary of the Day, which dissolved the connection of their country with a base, corrupted Government, and gave it its rank among the Nations of the Earth. The Second Declaration of Independence gave a new impulse to their patriotism, the present year; and a holy zeal animated every heart, and roused every latent feeling of devotion to their country's cause. The Crisis had arrived and they felt without fearing it." The procession, consisting of eight hundred and seventy-two citizens, was escorted 5. Went to Chh. twice. Mr. Soper came again from Boston. 6. Mr. & Mrs. Soper returned to Boston. 8. Attended all day at the Bank; New Bank accepted, and subscribed for Shares. I subscribed for 127 Shares. by the Worcester Artillery. Abraham Lincoln acted as president of the day, and Major Estes Howe and Adjutant Reuben Monroe were the marshals. Rev. Mr. Leonard, of Sturbridge, offered a prayer, "devout, patriotick and eloquent an Address to the Throne of Grace, which led the hearts of the hearers to the only source of support, in times of national emergency, and made a fervent appeal to, while it placed the hopes of the nation on, the GOD OF JUSTICE. A judicious selection of appropriate passages from the incomparable Message of the President, recommending War, was then read, with classical elegance, by WILLIAM C. WHITE, Esquire. The ORATION followed, impressively and eloquently pronounced by ENOCH LINCOLN, Esq. Reiterated and spontaneous bursts of applause, testified the warm approbation of a crowded audience and the Editor, for himself, can only express his opinion by saying, that the production, in profundity of political views, in correctness of patriotick sentiment, in classical purity and energy of stile, transcended even his highly-raised expectation. The mind of the writer had soared above the ordinary topicks of party cavil, and exhibited a lucid epitome of the principles of the Revolution and an unexceptional code of a freeman's duty. After the singing of Billing's Hymn to Independence, an ode was sung with taste and elegance by Mr. GEORGE WARREN, while the audience joined, heart and voice, in the Chorus. This animating emanation of patriotick genius is from the pen of EDWARD D. BANGS, Esq. of this town." During the dinners which followed the exercises, these toasts were reciprocated by the two parties: "The Company assembled on Federal Hill, to celebrate American Independence, have sent their Committee to the Company assembled for the same object, near the South Meeting House, to congratulate them upon the return of this glorious Anniversary to wish many happy returns of it-and to reciprocate with them the following sentiment:-The American Family-While we partake of the Blessings of our Birth right, may we not forget that we are Brethren. "The Republican Citizens assembled on the Common, for the celebration of the Anniversary of their Country's Independence, most cordially receive and reciprocate the fraternal and patriotic sentiment expressed by their Brethren of the American family assembled on Federal Hill, and propose to them the following Toast-The union of all honest men, when honest men are for the Union." This was a Stockholders' meeting. Mr. Whipple came this evening from Walpole. The following were among the toasts given at the tables:- FEDERAL. The President of the United States-May the States soon be united in another. Governor Strong-He has already been "tried seven times in the fire." Another trial exhibits new proof of the purity of his patriotism, and the lustre of his virtues. Mr. Jefferson-We consent that the surplus he left in the Treasury be appropriated to the erection of his own monument. REPUBLICAN. JAMES MADISON, President of the His Excellency CALEB STRONG.-The name; thanks for his services; and The late Governor Gerry-Before he be- ELBRIDGE GERRY- foes? "Thanks to his "He owes to their unkindest, bitterest spite His kindest fortune." The WASHINGTON BENEVOLENT Washington Benevolent Societies-"They SOCIETIES and friends of Washington and their name do no more adhere, and policy throughout the United States-keep together than the hundreth psalm May they preserve the "unity of the and the tune of green sleeves." Spirit" in the Bond of Peace. The original charter of the Worcester Bank was granted for a period of eight years from 1 October, 1804; and 15 May, 1811, the stockholders voted to apply for its renewal, with the liberty of increasing the capital to a sum not exceeding four hundred thousand dollars, and Levi Lincoln, Jr., was appointed their agent to support the application, and to take whatever steps were necessary. Petitions were presented to the General Court in May, 1811, and January, 1812, but "the conflicting interests of the members of the Legislature," due without doubt to the exertions of the Boston banks, caused their rejection. In May, 1812, the directors presented a third petition, in which they say that "in the interior of a country greatly enterprising, and extensively engaged in all the variety of useful occupation, they would view with anxiety the allotted period for its termination, but from a confidence in the provident wisdom of the Legislature which assures to them its renewal. Nearly eight years of fortunate experiment have tested the utility of the Institution. Since the incorporation of the Bank, its accommodations have been fairly and liberally extended to the industrious and deserving applicant in every class of society. It has cherished and encouraged the manufactures of the country; it has contributed to improvements in Agriculture; it has supported the credit of trade; it has multiplied the resources of business; it has diminished the number of lawsuits. The County of Worcester justly boasts of her mechanics |