would be more of "wearing out," and less of "rusting out." I might name many other noble men of that day, whose descendants are still with us, such as the Allens, the Davises, the Grinnells, the Hathaways, the Rodmans, the Russells, the Spooners, the Tabers, the Thorntons, &c., &c., not omitting some who still live amongst us, and who, by the even tenor of their lives, and the excellent example which they set us, command the admiration and respect of all, and who, I hope, may yet be spared to us for years to come. When I look over our city, and see the improvements which have taken place within my time, and over the territory represented by you, my fellow-citizens and neighbors, and then go further and embrace our whole country, I sometimes ask myself the question, Can these improvements continue? and will science and art make the same rapid strides for the next fifty or one hundred years, as for the past? The only answer I can make to the query is the real Yankee one; Why not? What reason have we to suppose that we have reached the ne plus ultra in anything? Although the steam engine in all its various appliances on the land and on the water, the magnificent clipper ship, the electric telegraph, and the photographic art, are attainments the origin of which is within the recollection of many of us, and which seem, each in itself, to have arrived at a high state of perfection, who of us can say the end has yet been reached? I for one do not think it has; when this wicked rebellion which now presses upon us like an incubus, paralyzing our energies, or forcing us into unwonted chan nels, shall be ended, and peace shall again smile over our beloved and undivided country, may we not hope to go on improving in all that is real, in all that is enduring, until we shall have reached the highest position to which any country can attain, honorable, dignified, exalted, on a foundation like adamant, with a superstructure of truth and righteousness? AT a meeting of the committee of arrangements, Sept. 15th, 1864, it was Voted, That the thanks of the committee be communicated to William W. Crapo, Esq., for his highly interesting, valuable, and appropriate address delivered on the 14th instant, on the day set apart for the commemoration of the two hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Dartmouth, and that he be requested to furnish the municipal authorities with a copy for the press. GEORGE HOWLAND, Jr., Chairman. NEW BEDFORD, Oct. 1, 1864. Hon. GEORGE HOWLAND, Jr., Chairman, &c.: MY DEAR SIR, Yours of the 17th ult., accompanying the vote of the committee on the Centennial Celebration, has been received. Herewith I inclose to you for publication a copy of the address delivered by me, as requested by your committee. Yours, very truly, WILLIAM W. CRAPO. |