The Daily spy., 1849-11-16
Reception of Elihu Burritt at Worcester
Peace Celebration, Nov Is, 1s49.
Sneech of ELIHII RIIR RITT


Mr. Chairman, Frieq4s and Fstio,o Citisens
can assure you that | feel deeply affected at all
the kind words and tokens OF estee em with which
you have this evening welcomed me back into
your midst, alter somswhlt prolonged absence
IN the Fatherland. (cheers) thank you, with
heart iul OF grateful emotions, Tor this dstin.
gulsned and unexpected reception. AS you all
can easily conceive, no testimonial from any
source could be more gratifying to me Than
greeting like this ttom my own fellow citizens,
on my return from that distant field OF labor, in
which, have sojourned TO the last three years.
During this period, haveitlt it TO be an honor
and privilege to live ant labor as citizen OF
the world But whilst occupied with such
thoughts aud labors as that sentiment should in
spire, have ever felt it aprvege to be and TO
be recognized citizen OF Wore ester (appause)
For it is city which may, more appropriately
than ever, be called 'sthe Heart of the Common
wealth. not merely tor its central position, but
Tor those high moral virtues and generous SYM
pathies which have ever distinguished its ntelli-
gent and independent population. And it en-
hances to me the pleasure Of this occasion, TO
know and feel that these virtues aOd geneI Gus
sympathies have grown with the surprising
grow III OF Worcester, and streng thened with its
strength; that, at every stage of its expansion,
becomes more and more the centre and source OF
great moral movem ents, organized to secure the
inaliena5le rights OF man and TO promote the well
being Ut universal humanity. believe this fact
is clearly proved by the character and object Of
this meeting, which has been convened to ex-
press its sympathy with cause with which my
poor abors have been associated for the last few
years. And ain sure, friends and fellow ciii
zens, that you will permit me to transfer to that
cause all the warm and hatterns expressions Of
your good will and appreciation, which you have
cd IN mi AL
are temporary, but principles are immortal and
Interchangeable; and no testimonial on the part OF
the citizens OF Worcester could be more CRATE
ful to my feelings, than one which indicated
their increasing interest in the principles OF
peace aud human brotherhood, which have
sought to Promulgate, TO the best of my ability,
OIL both SIDES of the Atlantic (Warm applause.)
During my stay, drew up the constitution or
pledge OF the League of Universal Brotherhood,
which intended TO present for signatures, in all
the little upper room meetings or conversational
circles which | might meet in passing through
the small country towns and villages ON my way
| thOugh il L could obtain thousand signatures
to such bond of brotherhood, during my
journ in Engl land, should return to America
well satisfied with the result of my labois and
travels abroad had mot then, as it were, felt
the pulse OF the popular heart TO ascertain its
sympathy with the ideas and principles which |
tuition; and | conceived that should be con-
strained to contine my operations entirely to the
laborug classes, and look to them only for sue
cess.
With these views and expectations, lett old |
Worcester on the 2Sth of July, 1876, and on the |
following. evening l met circle of twenty indi.
shore, OH my way to London. | deyeloped 10 |
them my plan for League oil Universal Broth.
erhood, and after conference of two hours. II
oi the company signed the pledge, which were
the first signatures attached O it in England
(Cheers) pursued this course Tor two or three
months, going from town TO town, holding con.
versational meetings at private houses and form
Ing little League circles or societies. was sur
pIised TO find the public mind SO well prepared
ior such movement, especially those classes
from which had expected little or no sympathy
or cooperation. Some of the most Influential
men in the country entered readily and heartily
into the scheme, not only giving their uanes TO
the pledge, but circulating it for signatures
among their friends and Onneetions, residing in
different parts OF the Kingdom. was soon con-
strained to attend large public meetings, which
received with interest and sympathy my exposi-
tlon OF the principles, spirit and objects OF the
League OF Brotherhood. During the first year
OF my sojcurn in Eng land, about 100 local League
societies were formed, varying from Il to 1000
members each. On the 18th OF July, I847, a
meeunS Oh Inc secretaries or delegates oil these
societies was held in London, at which Nation.
al Association was organized under the name OF
the British Branch OF the League OF Universal
Brotherhood. (much enthusiasm
Our operations the next year were on larger
scale. Great public meetings were held in all
the large towns in the Kingdom, at which all
classes OF the commCnity listened with lively de-
monstra;ions OF sympathy to the principles of
peace and brotherhood Many persons came in
IRON adjoining towns to attend these meetings.
and carried back with them ideas which the
propagated in their own communities But there
was one feature which gave these meetings a
peculiar interest and importance. That was. a
new application OF that popular diplomacy which
was invented and carried on with such beauti.
ful result between the people OF EngIan and the
people of the United States during the Oregon
Controversy. 1t was resolved to try this eWly
discovered diplomacy between the French and
English, WHO had been educated in the wicked
delusion that they were born natural enemies
1t was one OF the most pleasant incidents of NV
experience while abroad, to be the bearer of the
hrst OF these fraternal greetings from England to
France. (Cheers)
While on my way TO Paris, in Aug ls47, at.
tended meeting III Southampton, at which |
proposed that they should send Friendly Ad-
dress to their French neighbors in Hsvre, across