Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1846-01-17

This is a day dear to the sons of New
England, and ever held by them in sa-
red remembrance. On this day, from
Very quarter of the globe, they gather
ii spirit around the Rock of Plymouth,
nd hang upon the urns of their Pilgrim
Fathers the garands of fIial gratitude
ND affection. We have assembled for
Ne purpose OF participating in this hon
6rabIe dhy; Of performing this pious pill
grimage. To-day we will visit that men,
prable spot. We will gaze upon the place
where a feeble band of prosecuted exiles
founded mighty nation; and our hearts
will exult with proud qualification as we
Remember that on that barren shore our
ancesters planted not only empire but
Freedom. We will mediate upon their
ipils, their suderings and their virtues,
md tomorrow return TO our daily ayoca-
IONS with minds refreshed and improved
IN the contemplation of their high prin
cples and noble purposes.
Al The human mind cannot be contented
With the present. lis ever journeyins
through the trodden regions of the pas:
Or making adventurous excursions into
The mysterious realms Of the future. He
who lives only in the present, is but
brute, and has not attained the human
dignity. OF the future but little is known
clouds and darkness rest upon it; we year,
10 become acquainted with its hidden Sc
crets; we stretch out our arms toward
rs shadowy inhabitants; we invoke gu
posterity, but they answer us not. w
wander in its dim precincts ill reason be
Zones confused, and at last start back i
fear like mariners who have entered a
unknown ocean, Of whose winds, tides
currents and qucksands they are who'll
ignorant. Then it is we turn for relic
10 the past, that mighty reservoir Of me
and things. There we haYe somethln
tangible TO which our sympathies can a
Zach; upon which we can lean for support
from whence we can gather knowledg
and learn wisdom. There we are Intro
duced into Natures vast laboratory an
witness her elementary labors. We mar
with interest the changes in continent
and oceans by which she has notched IN
Centuries. But our attention is still NOR
deeply aroused by the great moral events
which have controlled the fortunes
Chose who have preceded US, and still II
fuence our own With curious wonde
we gaze down the long aisles of the past
upon the generations that are gone
We behold, as in a magic glass, men
form and feature like ourselves, actuate
by the same mo iv- :, urged by the sam
passions, busiIy engaged in shaping Q!
both their own dest.ies and our. W
approach them and they refuse not OF
invocation. We hold converse with I'll
wise philosophers, the s-ge legislator
&and the divine poets. We enter the lei
ot the general and partake of his mo
Secret counsels. We 90 forth with hi
TO the battle field, and behold him plat
his glittering squadrons; then we llstc
# with pleasing lear to the trumpet al
the drum, or the still more terrible m
sic OF the booming cannon and the elias
ing arms. But most of all, among Il
III numerous who people the past, we seek OF
ia own ancestors, drawn towards them by
@ irresistible sympathy. Indeed they we
our own selees. With reverent solicltu
we examine into their character and
IN tons, and as we find them worthy or U