Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-07-13


city, which, it says, was not surpassed by any
they have had there for IA number OF years.
/ The Grafton by Col. Rivers "was full OF elo-
quent patriotism and sound principles" AT
ter the services at the Church, s,mptuous
dinner was prepared at the Franklin House,
at which The Mayor presided, and Of which
large number of invited guests and citizens
partook. A number of appropriate toasts and
sentiments were given. We have only room
for the following:
| Mr. J. l.. Tilinghast being called upon,
rose, and (so far Ms n hasty and impe rfcct re-
port can do Justice to his remarks) said as
follows:
Mr.. PresideRt-The sentiment | now pro
pose arises from the recollection that when
ever and wherever aii occasion like The pres
cnt rccurs, when men who were themselves
actors meet together 10 commemorate the
past transactions and events that constitute
the common glory Of our Country, the name
OF the State of Rhode Island-thc names of
the sons of X. lsland-so many-so conspic-
uOus-and so true-cOntrlbuting so unspar-
ngly and efficiently to the great results, s,must
necessarily be amongst the first that arise to
memory, and receive the just tribute of pa
trlotlsm and honor. Small as is our territory,
and whaicrer niay be our political right, this
beautiful little region, blessed by Divine
Providence with more natural advantages
than are comprised in any region Of equal
limits on the globe, has also been marked by
the productions of sagacious and energetic
minds, and large hearts aud liberal spirits,
ever ready aud devoted in times of trial and
OF peril, and not to be forgotten in times of
OmmemoratiOn.
On such an occasion as this it is but Justice
to remember that in all that pertains to rclig-
ious and civil liberty, in the great cause of
National Independence, in the stern pursuits
of military and naval warfare, in the council,
III the field, on the lake and on the ocean,
Rhode Island has furnished examples Of
which not only she, but the whole human
race, may justly he proud. The names of
her lllnslrlous dead are now living in the old
honest hearts around me, and ] need not
speak them.
We have been told to day that great and
fatal danger to free governments arises from
an undue encouragement and extension Of
military spirit. The sentiment as it was ex-
pressed, is just. All experience proves lis
truth, as it Is applied to that military spirit
which is cngendcrcd in wrong motives and
directed to wrong objects; prompted and fos-
tered by personal ambition, and corrupted or
employed for the assumption Of personal pow
or. But, Sir, there is q military spirit to-
which Republics have owed their foundation
and their preservation. Ii kindles under the
keen sense Of high-scated and hieh-handed
wrong. ii is fed and purified at the altars oi
Religion. II burns with the inexlnguishablc
] Eras, IL
and elevated by the charm and the smile OF
beanty.and il is touched and cxaltt d by every
recollected cndearment of domestic love. Ii
devotes itself. in the perfect spirit of self-in'-
notation, to the vindicallon and protection of
all that is valuable and lovely in life.
Such is the military spirit which has ever
been manifested by the Soldiers of Rhode-Is.
land. OF this characteristic military spirit i,
was my intention when rose, merely to re-
late an anccdotc-a fact which has not yc,
received an adequate notice in history, but
one OF those critical facts upon which, for the
moment, hung tho cause oi American liber-
ty.
/ IN that dark portion Of the year I77G whicI,
cnsncd after the disasters a; New York and
the retreat from Long Island, the commander
IN chief was left in the midst of the enemy,
with weary and suffering remnant Of an ar
my, and the periods for which those who re.
maincd with him had enlisted, were expired
or about TO expire. Enlistmcnts for short
terms. it is well known, had caused tho most
anxious rcmonstrance from the Commanding
General TO Congress, and were many times
during The contest the occasion OF imminent
peril To the cause. Never was that peril
more pressing than at this time. Winter was
approaching, the men were worn down with
hardshlps and their countenances begun to-
brighten with the thoughts OF returning, as
they had perfect right to do, to the repose
and enjoyments Of home. Under such cir
cumstancns they were now called out and
arraycd FOR service. In those lines were the
men of Rhode lsland-they loved those pleas
ant homes from which sprung the Greene Of
Red Bank, and the Greene Of Eutaw and
Guilford; and other Greenes who are yet
green and flourishing upon their native soil
there was an interruption from applause
which Mr.. j. noticed by sayDg, ] know Mr..
President that this compliment is not for me,
but for those of that honored name who are
now amongst us, and to none is il more jusily
due than to him who sits by my side, who
was especially in my thought.) Some of you
who arc now in this hall ] believe were in
those times; one face that now see before
inc, am sure was there. Along the lines
of these X. Island men rode an officer depu-
ted to address them. After stating the con-
dition Of the army and the consequences that
must probably ensue TO the country if they
should now avail themselves Of their right
10 their discharge, he closed by striking that
chord which in true Rhode Island heart is
never struck in vain. "Men," said he, twill
you now abandon your General? ] have
IN
one word as to the consequences to your
selves. You will be dispersed aud ndividu-
ally powerless. There will be no armed and
laisai E..ca hot MI