Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1817-12-30

On the Attn OF Dec INST company consisting
OF between 80 and 60 principally natives Of New
England celebrated the anniversary of this festival
at the Cincinnati Hotel. The festivities of the
evening were opened by the following addres,
from NATHANIEL WRIGHT, Esq. which called
forth recohectons the most affecting 10 the heart
and filled his audience with an enthusiasm which
eloquence only can inspire
Ny CoUNTRYMEN,
We are assembled in commemoration OF an
interesting anniversary. Indulge me few
moments in reminding you of the origin of the
institution, and the motives which occasion
our present notice Of it.
Our pious foreiathers of New England led
lives Of privaton and suffering They had
been compelled to forsake their native land,
had braved all the pers Of the ocean, and
wilderness peopled by savages ; endured the
multiplied hardships ola cold, uncultivated,
lnhospitable coast, relying only on the pro
lection OF heaven. They were blessed in their
efforts. They perseyered till they saw peace,
plenty and happiness spread around them
the forest where the wild beast had prowIed
at midday, transformed 10 cultivated fields !;
the valleys, where The savage had held his
war songs and his bloody banquets, become
the pleasant abodes Of innocence and festivity.
ln pious remembrance of the tavors of Prov-
deace, they appointed this anniversary TO ex-
press their gratitude, both Tor the blessings
that had followed them through all their tolls,
and the bounties that were yearly bestowed.
When the husbandman's harvest labors were
completed, and his granaries stored with plen-
ty TO spread cheelfulness through the year,
with overlooking heart he returned thanks to
his Maker. The parent saw assembled round
his festive board all the family, however dis
persed, that bad once been the objects of his
care, enjoying all the delight that long sepa-
ration gives to the interview OF friends, recoun-
ting TO each other the incidents of the past and
the prospects of the future, and exchanging
all those endearments, that render home lit
tie heauen on earth. Such is the festival we
celebrate. In this manner our friends are now
employed, perhaps at this moment passing
our names around their happy circles. Many
OF US, no doubt, can see in imagination the
social group at the domestic fre-side, almost
realize the smiles that glistens in their eyes,
and hear the laugh, the jest, and the song that
enliven the hour.
Is II weakness TO indulge these fond recol-
lectlons No, my friends; our feelings are
not the homes longings of boyish discon-
tent the waiings Of child that pines and
droops beyend its mothers arms: No, they
spring from true manly affections, such as
may cling TO the frmest heart, without enfee-
bling lis energies; for the woodbine with its
tender bloom may Irvine around column Of
adamant. We cherish the remembrance of
New-Engand to perpetuate our yeneration
tor IFS virtues, and confirm our attachment 10
our common country. We are members of
the same Union the same banner of freedom
waves over US and should public wrongs ever
call US 10 the field, the sword that is drawn
Tor our country here, is executing vengeance
Tor our brothers in the east. In one word, we
are all .ameracans, name now arising among
nations like The morning star over creation.
the brightest and noblest of all the host Of
heaven
Neither do we cherish these recoIlections
OF the place of our nativity, through indif1er-