Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-01-02
THE PILGRIMS.


srims'' at Plymouth Rock, was celebrated on Fri
day last by the New EnslsndeTs of this city, with
a becoming reverence. We attended the exercises
in the Brick Church, and intend to say word or
two about the Grafton, after we shall have briefly
expressed our respect for the Pilgrims themselves
II has been said a thousand times, that they were
stern and high hear ed band, who fled from the
despotism of the Old World TO find an asylum and
independence in the Kew. Theirs an intense
and abiding love Of freedom, which admitted ne-
Their Of compromise nor obeyance. They were
resolved to submit TO outward control except
that Of the law, aud they enlig ened enough
10 know that laws, to be binding, must originate
with themselves. They became law unto them
selves. They imposed upon their passions, feel
ings and movements, the most nfexibie res,ric-
lions. They were people of pure will. In En-
gland the pilgrims, and their puritan brethren, were
above all temptation and all fear. Over them,
power was as feeble persuasion. With a ster-
ling good sense, they remained interrupted by the
gorgeous bibles, and unbroken by the prosecuting
intolerance OF all-poweriui Hierarchy. They
bowed TO God alone in worship, and they had
sworn TO bow 10 him feiieIiess and free. Theirs
was the solitary distinction OF preieIring to live
through the violence OF the storm, rather than of
winning a vain martyrdom by unproftsbly dying.
They shook the dust from their feet against the
shores of England and breasted all the great per
lis of an unknown ocean, and the still greater per-
lis OF n wild and savage peopled land. OF the
doubt, and danger, and agony of their early strug
giles, our national history records the tale All
this they did, out Of an unbendng attachment for
liberty and religion. 1t is one noble distinction of
the pilgrims that they moulded their loves for rel-
sious and political freedom into single passion.
Theirs was the protesaiion, not of a sect, but of
human nature itself OF some repeling and ludi-
crous pecuiiarities, it is unkind speak, since
they vs. ere entirely swallowed up in their patience
frmness, simplicity, Zeal, energy and truth. Most
of their virtues, with many oil their faults, have
been inhe tied by their descendants, and even with
such qualification, may point out the character
of the New -Englanders with pride for the admra-
ton of the world.
Whether Mr.. Fessenden, the orator of the
present Anniversary, be descendant of the pill
grns not, neither know At any
rate he has inherited all their excusiveness, and we
have yet learn whether they have bequesthed 10
him any of their public virtues. Judging from
his Grafton (Which being public, is matter Tor pub
lie criticism, his creed excessively bgoed, his
opinions singularly narrow, his judgment weak
and his taste very bad. Ii he believed as we do
ourselves) thai the people OF New England were
surprisingly wise, temperate, orderly, viruous
and religious, he might have contented himself
with such high distinction, and not have scattered
about so pIofusely his and sarcasms against
the other portions Of the union. II the New
Englanders be much better than are, let them
in their charity pray for ameloratioD, and not
in their intolerance cast US into outer daTkness
where there is weeping and wailing aud gnasbing
of teeth" Why talk so contemporary Of the
people Of this goodly city, as being worsbipPers of
Mammou and professors Of a." the science of FL
nance :" Why call John Randolph, TN zane, a
maIevolent and bitter assailant of the New-Eng-
land character? Why deDounce as " ferocious
malienity" the feelings OF the Southern States,
against any rash and sudden emancipation of their
slaves Why abuse Kentucky and It's laws
Why single out for reprobation the grand iufes Of
Tennessee? Why vituperae actors and drama
tists2 Why insnuate that those who 90 to an
Italian Opera would willingly sacrifice the indie
pendence of America? Why hurl this little thunder
bolt, feium mbeHej against the public press Of
New York;
One may ask about orstorY, as Audrey does Of
poetry 4" Is It true th,ng!' Verify, we answer
no II it is to be perverted in this way, 1t is a.
false and wicked thisg. II is fomenter Of dis
cord, and a creator OF national discussion. What
business has Mr.. Orator Fessenden TO congregae
together some hundreds OF both sexes, and amid
all the solemnites OF religious FORMS pronounce
such eulosies on them aud their connexion-, and
such Incorporate denunciations against the of
bis counfrymen DO not the fires Of political
hostility burn with sufficient ferceness, that they
must b. thus raised 10 more consuming heat, by
the appliances OF commemorative speeches, hymns,
puIpts and prayersl 1t argues In the orator great
lack of moral taste--a great Observation-Disclosures OF
heart he wishes 10 cbaunt his jGbiIate over his
own manifold blessings, there is no good reason
ghy he should mix up with an crate against Us
II ne will do iaese things, let bino :" locate" him
self elsewhere. Matters have indeed come to
fine pass, when every willing from New England
is to perk his praises Of himself, and bis censufes
IA in cftrs
we DO not accuse The committee oi any share 10