The Ties That Bind: George Peabody Visits the Peabody Institute for First Time

Traveling in an elegant barouche drawn by six horses, George Peabody was treated to a very beautiful scene. "The spire of the (Old South) church and private buildings were gaily dressed with flags and streamers, and in full view was an elegant threefold arch spanning the wide street, the center arch rising above the others and being adorned with evergreens, wreaths, medallions, flowers and flags.

Just below the arch there were two cavalcades waiting to greet Mr. Peabody. They were dressed for the occasion and the ladies threw their bouquets of flowers into Mr. Peabody's carriage as it passed. Each of the men in the cavalcade carried an American Flag.

A brass band with eighteen pieces proceeded the cavalcade with cortege marches in a lively and animating manner. “The streets were thronged with a moving multitude on foot and in carriages, eager to obtain a first sight of their benefactor and friend.”

The number present was estimated from 20 to 30,000 persons; hundreds of people from distant cities. Dancing plumes, the waving banners, the martial music, the floating pennons and triumphal arches, Mr. Peabody bows to the shouts and salutations of the people on either side.

When the procession reached the location of the old Pine Tree in Wilson Square, Mr. Peabody's barouche passed the lines of Military and Fireman. As he passed under the arch at the head of the street, a band struck up “Home Sweet Home” and then another band chimed in with “God Save the Queen.” Now the students of Holten School came into view, each student alternately waving an American or British flag.

Many firemen and school children participated in the procession, which “was extended to the Salem line and countermarched at the Elm tree on Boston Street.” The parade route was more than a mile long.

Women provided the poems of welcome read or sung on such occasions. In 1856, it was the verse of Anne L. Page, who later was involved in the movement to create kindergartens:

"Welcome home! Welcome Home!
From a foreign shore;
And Oh! it fills our souls with joy,
That you are here once more.

Though face and form to us are strange,
We love the heart of truth,
Whose years of absence could not dim,
The memories of its youth.

“Looking warm and dusty from his long ride, Mr. Peabody quite tall and stout, delivered his address from a platform in front of the Peabody Institute. He appeared very much affected and his hand trembled very much.

"Mr. Abbott and Fellow Townsmen,” George Peabody began. “My heart tells me that this is no common occasion. This vast gathering, comprised of many old associates, their children and their grandchildren, to welcome me to the home of my childhood, almost unmans me. Though Providence has granted me an unvaried and unusual success in the pursuit of fortune in other lands, I am still in
heart the humble boy who left yonder unpretending dwelling many, very many
years ago.

“I have felt it necessary to decline many proffered hospitalities; but I could not resist the impulse which prompted me to accept yours, and to revisit the scenes once so familiar; to take you again by the hand, and to tell you how it rejoices my
heart to see you.

“You can scarcely imagine how the changes to which you have referred impress me. You have yourselves grown up with them, and have gradually become familiarized with all; but to me, who have been so long away, the effect is almost astounding.

It is gratifying to find, however, that these transformations have gone hand in hand with your prosperity and improvement.

“The solitary fields which were the scenes of my boyish sports now resound with the hum of busy labor; and the spirit of improvement, not content with triumph on land, have even converted Foster's mill-pond (Foster Street) into solid ground, and made it the scene of active enterprise.

“But time has also wrought changes of a painful nature. Of those I left, the old are all gone. A few of the middle-ages remain, but old and infirm; while the active
population consists almost entirely of a new generation.

“I now revert to a more pleasing theme, and call your attention to the brightest portion of the picture of the day.

“One of the most pleasing and touching incidents of this morning is the large number of scholars who have come forth to bid me welcome, and who now surround me. In addressing a few words to you, my dear young friends, I would bid you will occupy the same position towards your own children which your parents now hold towards yourselves. The training you are now receiving is a precious talent, for the use or abuse of which each will, on a future day, be called upon to give a severe account. May you then be ready to render up that talent with 'usury!' There is not a youth within the sound of my voice whose early opportunities and advantages are not very much greater than were my own; and I have since achieved nothing that is impossible to the most humble boy among you. I hope many a great and good man may arise from among the ranks of Danvers boys assembled here today. Bear in mind, however, that, to be truly great, it is not necessary that you should gain wealth and importance. Every boy may become a great man in whatever sphere Providence may call him to move.

“Steadfast and undeviating truth, fearless and straight forward integrity, and an honor ever unsullied by an unworthy word or action, make their possessor greater than worldly success or prosperity. These qualities constitute greatness: without them you will never enjoy the good opinion of others, or the approbation of a good conscience.

“To my young female friends I would say, Remember that there have been, and are, great women as well as great men; great in their domestic graces, as daughters, as wives and as mothers; and I trust that future times may record many a name so distinguished, whose seeds of good were sown within this town, and allow me to hope that my eye now rests upon some of them.”

“May the advice I have given you be impressed upon your young hearts! It is given with great sincerity by one who has had much experience in the world; and, although Providence has smiled upon all his labors, he has never ceased to feel and lament the want of that early education which is now so freely offered to each one of you. This is the first time we have met; it may prove the last: but, while I live, I shall ever feel a warm interest in your welfare. God bless you all!”