HISTORY OF THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION,

AT

WATERLOO, N. Y., SEPTEMBER 3d, 1879.

"Amid these scenes of calm repose, that no signs of conflict show,
We're met to hear the tale rehearsed of Sullivan and his foe,
And fight the battles o'er again of a hundred years ago."

The last four years have been distinguished for Centennial and patriotic celebrations. The first, in memory of the Declaration of American Independence, was opened on the Fourth of July, 1876, and was one of the most imposing memorial exhibitions known in the history of the world. Five years previous to that date, the President of the United States had suggested the fitness of such commemoration on the one hundredth anniversary of this bold and patriotic declaration. The place proposed was Philadelphia, inasmuch as here stood the memorable Hall in which the declaration was voted, and in which the first Colonial Congress was held.

The ground set apart for the Celebration, was dedicated on the Fourth of July, 1873. Invitations were cordially extended to other governments to share in the exhibition and to enter into friendly competition with the United States in the arts of peace. These governments as cordially accepted the invitation, and, through their authorized commissioners, sent specimens of their arts, products and manufactures, reflecting great honor upon their respect

ive nations, while our own people, in measuring the progress of an hundred years, found occasion to rejoice. in the achievements they had made, and in their successful rivalry of older nationalities.

As this national commemoration related to the declared purpose of America to be free, others have quite naturally followed, in celebrating events contributing to the fulfilment of the purpose. Thus, in our own State, after an appropriate celebration of the Centennial of the formation of our State government, at Kingston, July thirtieth, 1877, on the sixth of August, 1877, salutes, at early dawn, were fired along the valley of the Mohawk, inviting the people to the commemoration of the battle of Oriskany, fought just one hundred years before. On the 19th of September following, was observed the Centennial anniversary of the battle of Bemis Heights, or Stillwater; and on the seventeenth of the next month, (October) was commemorated at Schuylerville, N. Y., the termination of the brilliant campaign of Saratoga, with the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne and his army, an event, the way for which was essentially prepared by the two previous battles. The ceremonies attending these anniversaries enlisted some of the first talent of the State, and were conducted with joy and gladness, echoing the feelings which the victories inspired in the hearts of those who achieved them, and in the hearts of the American people.

The year 1879 had been distinguished as the one hundredth anniversary of the incursion of Major-General John Sullivan into the territory of the Six Nations *; and it seemed proper, that a campaign contributing so much to the success of the American Colonies in their struggle with Great Britain, should be commemorated,

*See Historical Address of Rev. I avid Craft, giving full history of this Campaign, published herewith.

especially by those now living in the very track of this memorable and devastating march. Hence, as Seneca County lying in the line of this incursion, shared in the general punishment inflicted, and was thereby opened to the settlement of a race capable of proving the value of the soil and of introducing the arts of a Christian civilization, it seemed especially fitting that the anniversary should be marked by some suitable memorial observance.

In the historical sketch of the Waterloo Library and Historical Society printed herewith, reference has been already made to the fact, that the honor of suggesting a local Centennial Commemoration of Gen. Sullivan's campaign against the Indians of Western New York and his march across the territory of Seneca County, is due to the Secretary of that Society, who, as early as November twenty-seventh, 1877, in a historical paper read before the Society, proposed that the people of Seneca County should unite in commemorating, in 1879, with appropriate ceremonies, the services of the brave men of the revolution who served in Gen. Sullivan's campaign.

ACTION OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

On the sixth day of February, 1879, this matter was formally presented to the board of trustees of the Historical Society for consideration. At this meeting, at which the following persons were in attendance :-Rev. Dr. Samuel H. Gridley, Dr. Samuel R. Welles, Edward Fatzinger, Walter Quinby, Col. Horace F. Gustin, Hon, Daniel S. Kendig, J. C Hallsted, and T. A. McIntyre, a resolution was adopted declaring that, in the opinion of said board of trustees, a celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of the Campaign of Gen. Sullivan was appropriate and expedient, and a committee of three was appointed, consisting of Rev. Dr. Gridley, Dr. Welles, and C. D. Morgan, which was authorized to call

a meeting of citizens to consider the feasibility of the proposed celebration, and, (if approved), to request said meeting to appoint a committee to co-operate with the committee from the Library and Historical Society, in perfecting the arrangements for such celebration.

CITIZENS' MEETING.

In pursuance of such recommendation, a public meeting of citizens of Waterloo was held at the Academy of Music in Waterloo, on Thursday, February twentieth, 1879, at which meeting Hon. S. G. Hadley presided, and James Ivers acted as secretary.

After appropriate remarks by Dr. Welles, Rev. Dr. Gridley, and Hon. Albert L. Childs, in favor of a commemorative celebration, it was resolved to appoint a committee of five citizens to act with the committee of three already appointed, forming a joint committee of eight, in perfecting arrangements for a centennial celebration of Gen. Sullivan's march across Seneca County and the destruction of the Indian villages located within its borders.

In pursuance of the action of this meeting, the following gentlemen were appointed a committee of five on behalf of the town of Waterloo: Hon. S. G. Hadley, Mr. James Joyes, Hon. A. L. Childs, Messrs. Benjamin Bacon and Gideon Bowdish.

JOINT COMMITTEE MEETING.

The joint committee of eight on the part of the Waterloo Library and Historical Society and the citizens of Wat erloo, met on the anniversary of Washington's Birthday, February twenty second, 1879-at which meeting, Messrs. Hadley, Welles, Bacon, Joyes, and Bowdish were in attendance--and adopted the following resolution :