ours, if their plans prevailed. They saw the human race rising to its highest perfection in an atmosphere of liberty and of opportunity. Yet their most daring fancy could not have pictured this surprising scene of to-day. They were rough and rude men two hundred years ago. And they were determined men, and their lives were the serious lives of hardship and peril. What they wanted was freedom and a government that would keep them free. They wanted to do what was right—justice to all men was the motive that inspired them. They had faith in themselves and believed that the real government was that which came from the people; and they made their laws to last for all time, trusting to the people the responsibility of taking care of themselves. They were the fathers of freedom in its truest sense, and intended to leave their children a house that was built upon a rock.
“In all this, they gave evidence of the very noblest patriotism, and they have set for us an example which we have followed for two hundred years—an example which must continue to guide us in our government, if this grand development of Connecticut is to go forward to its highest possibilities. We must keep our foundations solid and build for the future. We must grow better as we grow older. Our lawmakers must be sincere and serious men. They must be representative in the deepest meaning of the word, for the whole happiness of our people depends upon the making and the administration of laws that are enacted in the interest of all the people of our State, and our representatives should be held responsible for their acts at the polls. The rights of the people are sacred and must be kept inviolate, and no law should be placed upon the statute book that will be a burden to the people, or that takes from the people any right that belongs to them all. Let there be no hasty, inconsiderate, or careless legislation that robs them of their own. Great privileges should never be given away to private interests, and every man’s property should be protected throughout the State. We frequently learn what we have lost, when it is too late. I do not mean to alarm you, but I do mean to warn you that you may keep guard over your right against oppression, which is sure to come when the people lose interest in their own affairs.
“What an advancement you have made in two hundred years! The country towns of to-day share with the large cities all modern advantages. Your children have matchless chances for education, and your commercial conditions offer every opportunity for success in life. The farmer of to-day is a prince among farmers and lives in the surroundings of comfort and luxury: with vast systems of water supply; a high sanitary arrangement protecting health; gas and electricity for light, heat, and power; the telegraph in every village, and the telephone in every home where it is required; the best facilities for travel at your doors—a prosperity in business never known in the history of mankind. All men are educated by the affairs of the hour, and all men think. You are better equipped to govern yourselves than any people in the world. Contrast all these comforts with the inconveniences of your ancestors, and tell me have we not reason to rejoice at this Bi-Centennial of New Milford?
“In my position as Governor of this State I have kept steadily in view the general prosperity of all the people, and I have always believed in an educated public sentiment as the safeguard of law and order in our Commonwealth. I believe in the people of Connecticut and in the future of the State; and I believe that the more interest you take in public matters the better your government will become. I want to congratulate you upon the growth of New Milford, and thank you sincerely for the privilege of joining in this triumphant Celebration.”
Mr. Beach next presented Rev. Watson L. Phillips, D. D., saying:
“At this time it is in my power to speak a word of welcome to my comrades of the Foot Guard. They have been connected with the history of Connecticut since 1775, when the Company marched out to Lexington and Concord. It has not been my privilege to be as close to the armory as I should have liked, but I am proud to belong to that old organization which has done so much for the honor of Connecticut, and I will simply ask the Chaplain of the Company to speak to you more fluently than I can.”
Chaplain Phillips delivered an eloquent eulogy of the Foot Guard. Among other things, he said:
“The Second Company of Governor’s Foot Guards was born in that strenuous time when ideas were crystallizing, opinions taking shape, men beginning to realize something of the struggle that was before them; something of the real significance of the Mayflower, of the Colonial forms of government, and of those acts of protest by which the colonies had lifted their voices against the usurpations of the mother country. In 1775, when the clouds were beginning to gather, when men’s hearts were beginning to tremble within them for fear, this company was born. On the first roster, you will find the names of the leading citizens of old New Haven town. The first men of the town were its sponsors. Back of them was a patriotic and humane purpose, and, having that purpose in view, I am able to declare that we are the oldest military organization of the sort in the State.