massachusetts

"Here, on this rock, and on this sterile soil, Began the kingdom not of kings, but men: Began the making of the world again. Here centuries sank, and from the hither brink A new world reached and raised an old-world link, When English hands, by wider vision taught, Threw down the feudal bars the Normans brought, And here revived, in spite of sword and stake, Their ancient freedom of the Wapentake! Here struck the seed—the Pilgrims' roofless town, Where equal rights and equal bonds were set, Where all the people equal-franchised met; Where doom was writ of privilege and crown; Where human breath blew all the idols down; Where crests were nought, where vulture flags were furled, And common men began to own the world."

"Let it not be grievous unto you that you have been instruments to break the ice for others who come after with less difficulty; the honor shall be yours to the world’s end."

"I deem it a great thing for a nation, in all the periods of its fortunes, to be able to look back to a race of founders and a principle of institution in which it might seem to see the realized idea of true heroism. That felicity, that pride, that help, is ours."

"The compact signed in the cabin of the "Mayflower" tells the story of their coming hither. A band of exiles, three thousand miles of ocean separating them from the land of their nativity, and the unknown and unexplored wilds of New England to be from thence and forevermore their home, they declare the purpose of their coming "to plant a colony for the glory of God, the advancement of the Christian faith, and the honor of their king." No sordid purpose is here disclosed. In these words and lofty sentiments we read their future history."

"One righteous word for Law—the common will; One living truth of Faith—God regnant still; One primal test of Freedom—all combined; One sacred Revolution—change of mind; One trust unfailing for the night and need— The tyrant-flower shall cast the freedom-seed. So held they firm, the Fathers aye to be, From Home to Holland, Holland to the sea— Pilgrims for manhood, in their little ship, Hope in each heart and prayer on every lip. They could not live by king-made codes and creeds; They chose the path where every footstep bleeds. Protesting, not rebelling; scorned and banned; Through pains and prisons harried from the land; Through double exile,—till at last they stand Apart from all,—unique, unworldly, true, Selected grain to sow the earth anew; A winnowed part—a saving remnant they; Dreamers who work—adventurers who pray!"

"I charge you before God ... that you follow me no farther than you have seen me follow the Lord Jesus Christ. If God reveal anything to you by any other instrument of His, be as ready to receive it as ever you were to receive any truth by my ministry; for I am verily persuaded, I am very confident, the Lord has more truths yet to break forth out of His holy word."

"In the name of God, Amen; We, ... the loyall subjects of our dread soveraigne King James, ... haveing undertaken, for the glorie of God, and advancemente of the Christian faith and honor of our king and countrie, a voyage to plant the first colonie in the Northerne parte of Virginia, doe, by these presents, solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civill body politick, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and, by vertue heareof, to enacte, constitute, and frame, such just and equall laws, ordenanrcs, acts, constitutions and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meete and convenient for the generall good of the Colonie."

"The hospitals [of England] are full of the ancient ... the almshouses are filled with old laborers. Many there are who get their living with bearing burdens; but more are fain to burden the land with their whole bodies. Neither come these straits upon men always through intemperance, ill-husbandry, indiscretion, etc.; but even the most wise, sober, and discreet men go often to the wall when they have done their best. ... The rent-taker lives on sweet morsels, but the rent-payer eats a dry crust often with watery eyes."

"We are all freeholders; the rent day doth not trouble us."

"It is a splendid work, which might in the days of yore, have done honor to the enterprize of an emperor."

"The viaduct or railroad bridge, over one of the ponds and river at this point is conceded to be the most elegant and massive structure of masonry in the United States."

"The viaduct at Canton, by the way, the bold conception and fine construction of which exited so much admiration in the minds of the excursionists, really was a most creditable piece of work. When they did build, they built better in those days than they now do, and the passage of forty years of constant use has developed no greater need for repairs on the Canton Viaduct that it has on the pyramids of Egypt."

"The Viaduct at Canton, though yet unfinished, is a stupendous work. A view of it, many times repays the trouble of passing around. The excavation and embankments in Canton are also worthy of minute attention; they testify in strong language to man's domination over nature, and his ability to overcome any obstacle to any undertaking that is not morally or physically absurd. The project of cutting through these rocky heights and crossing the valley of the river by the Viaduct was a very bold one. A hesitating mind would have surmounted this by a stationary engine or some less formidable way. But any other would have detracted very much from the facilities which give value to such a road. The road has been constructed under the direction of Major McNeill, and it will stand for ages an enduring monument of the high talents and high attainments of its accomplished engineer."