Litchfield enquirer., 1847-05-06
FOR THE ENQUIRER. THE JUDGES CAVE.

The composuiest of the former description aged II, this day visited the Cave in which Whalley and Goffe, two ofthe Judges of Charles lst. had been residents, with MT. Hezekiah Thomas, a youth of intelligence and promise. In his presence, Mr. Durre, of New Haven, gentleman from Hartford, and a delegate to the Episcopal Convention, recently held in said New Haven. (whose name is not recollecled) he ascended to the spot, and, in their hearing read aloud the inscription. The face of the rock is of a reddish hue. The line is cut thus: Opposition to tyrants is obedience to Isaac Jones. God" The name is immediately under the con- mencement of the line, on the left, and the first. There is no inscription of the name of Merliwether, who visited it with the writer in 1903. Tho name of William H. Jones, and Algernon S. Jones, brothers and descendants from the same venerated ancestor, William Jones, Esq, (the protector ot Whalley and Goffe in their retired place ot seclusion) are there and still lsgble A space of 43 yea,s had not obliterated the inscription. It has been said, that the British Congregational de.- egales from England tothe United States, few years since, Mathewson and Reed. on their re- turn. in published statement mentioned that the inter- ption was placed there by the Judges themselves. Y so, the declaration is without foundation. These clerical gentlemen were undoubtedly misinformed.
 In work which has recently appeared, en- titled " Littel's Living Age. No. 152, April 10. ls47," there is a selection from |" Blackwood's Magazine" in relation to 1.-the Cave of the Regicides, and how .hree of them fared in New England" He unh sitatingly styles him (Blackwood) "this malignant writer" He mentions this British manuralists visit to the Judges Cave about three miles iron, New Ha- ven, and represents him as uttering the follow ing contemptuous and abusive untruths. among others of similar character: 's- {. }f-,0 "On the sloae which 1 climbed found en- grsven great number of names and initials, with dates of different years. Apparently they
 have been left there by visitors fromthe Uni versity. In more than Tone place, some ardent youth. in his first love with democracy. had taken pains to renew the inscription. which tradition says GofFe and Whslley placed over their retreat. "Opposition to tyrants is obe- dience to God" suppose there will always be fresh men to do Old Moriaity's office for this inscription, for the maxim is one which has long been popular among patriotic declaim. CTS How long it will continue generally pop ular, may indeed be doubted, since the aboli- tiOnsts have lately adopted it, and in their mouths it becomes an incendarv watchword, which the supporters of slavery have no little reason to dread, !, myself, saw this motto on an anti: slavery placard set up in the streets of New York;" D. 72.
 Az an offset to this statement, the respondent and undersigned declares, that he has thrice visited the Judges Cave. that in 1903, he cut out the above inscription in the rock that none anterior had ever been placed there; that it was n # c. renewed in more than one place." by '" some ardent youth in his first love with de- mocracy," fo perpefuate what " tradition says Grffn md all sNlac tl =. ,,
 The assertions are unfounded and false That the maxim is popular among the young. all sorts and conditions of men. and millions in the United States. is as equally true. Cicero. the Roman orator. remarked. "Maxma est verit. us, et prevalebit," great is the truth, and it will prevail: whether its inhabitants are eall- cd abolitionists. or anti-abolitionists.. The i'm press of this maxim on the American mind is more and more v;sible-more and more popu- lar. and will so continue every day. uatl all shall unite in one universal anthem of praise to the great Author and bestower of all good. in honor of freedom. In the words of a young American orator, "They shall yet worship lib- erty in a temple. whose pillows shall be the mountains of their country, and its dome the skies"t 7
 In hne, the remarks of this writer, in rela- tion to the Judges, .'the excellent of the earth" in their day, (he imperfectons of humanity accepted) are ill-iimed. insulting and sarcastic. The remarks in relation % the venerated Pre- sidenls. Stiles and Day-,he commencement ot Yale Colege-iis edifces, and the Congrega- tionalists when he sarcasically insults in his work under the name of Puritans, are unkind, uncharliable. and unchistisn. Its author may rest assured that it IS destined 10 an ephemeral existence; and, like Paines "Age of Reasen.'' to bc covered with the dust of oblivion. On the other hand. the inscription, |" Opposition 10 tyrants is obedience to God" cut out for the first time on the Judges Cave coeval with cre- ation itself, by the undersigned, and "in con. stant love" with an elective and representative democracy from tie days of his youth to the present. contains in it a sentiment that ia law full and right. and which the virsuous and pa- triotic in all succeeding generations will rev. erence anc admire; and, that it will become one all-pervading and universal maxim of be- lief and acknowledgement, till Gabriel with inc last trumpet. sonorous az immortal breath can blow" shall proclaim that time shall be- no more; and. that celestial freedom. exempt from all the eegradations of tyranny and on. prsssion, shall commence reign that is glori. "us. and which, in the unerring wisdem of God shall honor no end. q, IsAAc JoNrs.
 Litchheld. April l2, ls47.5
 = Published in the Litehfield Enquirer, G.. March g. ls46.
 An Grafton delivered before the nsmh.,.