CHAPTER XIX

THE TOWN HALL

The old Town Hall was built in 1821, and served its purpose for more than forty years. The town was growing in the meantime and its social activities were multiplying. The need of a larger and more commodious building was beginning to be felt. As early as 1860 measures were taken to meet this larger need. Plans for a new building were drawn at that time; but before any definite action was taken the Civil War broke out. That put an end to all expenditures that were not absolutely essential. As soon as the war was over, however, the matter was revived, and under date of March 5, 1866, we read in the Town Records that it was, "Voted, that the Selectmen be instructed to obtain the refusal of a suitable lot for a town hall, and report."

The Selectmen lost no time in attending to the duty assigned them and two weeks later reported that "they had examined two lots; and that a lot where the Northborough Hotel now stands is offered for $1500." But the town was not as expeditious as were the Selectmen and the latter were asked to make further investigations. This, they did, and made another report on April 2. Their second report was accepted and it was "Voted, that the Selectmen be instructed to purchase a lot suitable for a town hall as soon as convenient." They were also instructed to have plans drawn.

In November of that year the land had been purchased, a Building Committee appointed with instructions to "locate and build such a house as they may see fit;" but with the further instructions "to build the town hall of brick and stone," and that "it be completed within 11 months."

But these were days immediately following a great and costly war; and, as always happens at such times prices of everything were very high. In view of this fact, the Committee in a lengthy report March 18, 1867, recommended "that the town rescind the vote whereby they instructed them to complete the building in 11 months, that the committee may take advantage of the market for the purchase of the lumber, or make the contract based upon a much lower price than the present, which they feel confident they can do when the new lumber comes into the market."

The recommendation of the committee was accepted and the restriction removed.

The new Town Hall was built during the summer and winter of 1867, and was dedicated on Tuesday, February 25, 1868, with the following program:

ORDER OF EXERCISES

Music: By the Band

1. Invocation: By Rev. Mr. Myrick.

2. Remarks: By the President, Geo. C. Davis, Esq.

3. Statement from the Building Committee: By their chairman, Wilder Bush, Esq.

4. Reading Scriptures: By Rev. Mr. Lamson.

5. Original Hymn: By F. M. Chesbro.

6. Address: By Rev. Dr. Allen.

Anthem: "Great is the Lord."

7. Dedicatory Prayer: By Rev. Mr. Sanborn.

8. Poem: By Thomas W. Valentine, Brooklyn, N. Y. Music: By the Band.

9. Addresses: By Citizens and Invited Guests.

10. “Old Hundred": By the Audience.

At the March meeting, 1868, the Building Committee made its final report, as follows:

"Your committee chosen at the November meeting of 1866 to build your town hall, having attended to the duty assigned them, ask leave to make the following report:

"After several consultations in committee, in which we found some differences of opinion, as to plans, etc. (though no more perhaps than might be expected in a committee of that number), we decided almost unanimously to adopt the plan furnished by A. R. Esty, Esq., and directed him to complete plans and specifications for the building, from which we now have the pleasure to present for your inspection, this building substantially completed. For some cause unknown to your committee, early in our proceeding, one of their number who doubtless was selected on account of his practical experience and skill in building, withdrew from their meeting, and we have been obliged to proceed without his aid and assistance.

"Your building has been done mostly by contract, and we have the pleasure to say to you that there has been a disposition manifested by the contractors and their employees generally to do their work in a satisfactory manner, and that they have

building,

a whole, a good, substantial and thoroughly finished Which we trust will, with small repairs, last as long as us remain here to use it, and do good service to those who may come after us.

any of

"The stone work, including cellar wall, was done by Messrs. S. A. Wheeler & Son, and Mr. D. Damen, of Fitchburg, with granite brought from that place. Your building (except stone work) has been built by Mr. J. C. French, of Worcester. The mason work was done by E. and W. Ames, of Worcester. All the work has been superintended by Isaac B. Crosby, a man we think fully qualified for the charge assigned him.

"Your committee have agreed with Mr. J. H. McIntire for an exchange of land on the north end of your lot which will give you more room on your easterly front, and would recommend that you authorize some person to make and execute suitable papers for the exchange.

"There are a few small things not yet finished-the fence on the west side, and some grading on the north end of the lot we were prevented from doing by winter setting in; and there may be some other small things wanting, which we will finish, if you desire, when the spring opens.

"Your committee having very nearly completed the duties assigned them, will take this opportunity to say that it has been no small task to perform; that it has necessarily taken considerable time as well as some expense, for which we have made no charge. The committee in undertaking their duties had not the vanity to expect they could give entire satisfaction in every particular, and will be content if we have succeeded as a whole. We have endeavored to carry out your wishes so far as expressed, and to give you a building not only for present use but for future use.

"Your committee has received from town treasurer, $35,550.00 "Bills paid,

"Leaving cash on hand,

"WILDER BUSH

G. G. VALENTINE

MILO HILDRETH

34,892.72

$657.28

Committee.

ABRAHAM W. SEAVER

"NORTHBOROUGH, 2nd March, 1868."

The "extras" which the committee promised to do in the spring, were done during the summer, and on November 3, 1868, the committee made a supplementary report saying that the

entire cost of the building, including fitting up of stores, was $37,672.43.

The committee in their excellent report, neglected to say that the bricks used in the construction of the building were made by Alonzo Howe, who at that time conducted a brickyard on his farm, on the Marlborough Road (the farm now owned by Mr. Shutte).

Rev. Dr. Allen, in his dedicatory address very finely outlined the uses to which the new building should be put. He said:

"But to what uses shall we appropriate and to what objects shall we dedicate and consecrate this spacious and beautiful hall? It is to the town what the State House is to the Commonwealth what the Capitol at Washington is to the Nationthe hall of legislation, the place where the people assemble in their sovereign capacity to exercise their rights as free citizens. Every incorporated town or district is a little republic whose prerogative it is, within certain prescribed limits, to make rules and regulations for their own guidance and protection and improvement. These primary assemblies, these meetings of the people in their sovereign capacity as the original sources of political power, are indeed pure democracies, and the best specimens of the kind that the world has known.

"This Hall, then, is to be our Senate Chamber, our House of Representatives, our Congress. Let it be dedicated then, to the cause of civil liberty and popular rights. And let those who from time to time shall meet here discharge their duties, exercise their rights as citizens and free men, intelligently, honestly, conscientiously, independently, with a single regard to the public good.

"We dedicate it, moreover, to the cause of popular education. Hither will come up we trust as the seasons revolve, crowds of eager listeners to be instructed, entertained, made wiser and better by what falls from the lips of the learned and eloquent who, from time to time shall occupy this platform. We dedicate and devote this Town Hall to this important object-the education of the people."

The oil painting of Daniel Webster which hangs on the front wall of the hall was given to the town by Thomas W. Valentine, at the time the hall was dedicated. That of Isaac Davis which also hangs on the front wall, belongs to the Northborough Free Library, being merely loaned to the hall.

CHAPTER XX

NORTHBOROUGH'S ATTITUDE TOWARD SLAVERY We have shown in another place that Northborough distinguished herself during the Revolutionary period of our country's history. Her zeal for freedom and liberty cannot be gainsaid by anyone who is familiar with her patriotic devotion during those momentous days. We shall endeavor to show in this chapter that her zeal for freedom extended to the black man as well as to the white man. The United States Constitution was a compromise on the negro question-a solution of the problem that satisfied no one; and which sowed the seeds of generations of trouble which terminated only after four years of unprecedented civil war. The truth of Lincoln's epigram, "this country cannot exist half free and half slave," was fully realized throughout the north many years before Lincoln uttered it.

Slavery brought on the Civil War in the spring of 1861. But for nearly thirty years before that event the people of Northborough sensed it, and began to discuss ways and means for averting it. The earliest record we can find dates back to 1834. There was in the town at that time an organization known as the "Northborough Lyceum." That organization was a very active one. It started as early as 1827 in a series of lectures on astronomy by Dr. Allen. Its purpose in the beginning was purely educational. The townspeople were quick to catch its inspiration however, and within a short time it had broadened its scope until it became a veritable forum for the discussion of all moral questions which affected not only the life of the community, but of the state and nation as well. Speakers were imported from abroad; and during its existence of more than half a century many of the best public speakers in the country spoke from its platform.*

It was from the platform of this organization that the question of slavery was first discussed in Northborough. The early records of the Lyceum are not known to be in existence. But we learn from a private diary kept by one who attended its meetings, that on January 14, 1834, "Mr. Russell of West Boylston gave a lecture on Slavery." The people were evidently interested in the subject, for one week later, January 21, we read that "Mr. Keith gave a lecture on slavery; how to remove *See chapter, "The Old Town Hall."