The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-01-09
LETTER FROM CINCINNATI.
New Year Consratuations-Hon. j. p. Hale in Gin
cinnaii-New England Socety-Compi lime tary
Party-Library Lecture-Am Bey.
CRcisraTr, January /, 1851.

Party-Library Lecture-Amin Bey.
CINCINNATI, January /, 1851.
To The Editor of The National Era:
A happy New Year to you, and each and all o.
your fifty thousand readers The HOLIDAY fes
tivities are nearly over, and for two weeks pas,
we have had, as city, merry time of it. If we
have few holydays in our busy age and money
making nation, these Christmas times are gen.
orally observed, for evil or good. Christmas and
New Year Eve balls, public and private, concerts
fairs for three different Orphan Asylums, schoo
festivals, lectures and every conceivable kind Of
recreation which can be thought Of among th,
various classes of mind congregated in larg,
city, have been the order of the day. doubt i
any two weeks in the history of our city has wit
messed so many scenes of rejoicing or pleasure
seeking as those just passing away. Many hav,
met the advent of the New Year amid scenes o.
thoughtless merriment and dissipation many in
the merry dance and others, in more than TWEEN
ty of our churches open day and night, in the
watch-night prayer meeting. The German par!
of our population, both Romanist and Lutheran
universally keep both these days and their
churches have been open, and the bells ringing
many merry peal.
The generosity Of our people has been called
into exercise by the wants of the suffering and
the genial influence of the season. A fair for the
benefit of a new Orphan Asylum, now building
by the German Lutherans, realized five thousand
dollars, and one for the Cincinnati Orphan Asy-
lum twelve hundred wealthy banker, well
known through the city, has given two hundred
dollars to each of our FIVE Orphan Asylums-one
of which is the excellent institution for colored
orphans-and five hundred dollars to the Asylum
for INDECENT Aged Women, all of which, as is
usual, is heralded to the world-in this instance,
presume, to encourage others having the means
to go and do likewise"
ought before this time to have sent you some
suitable notice of the lectures of Senator Hale,
and his generous reception by our citizens, but
the festivities of the season and "sundry and va
riousn engagements seemed to compel me to defer
it week later than | intended In this case
however, the old maxim, better late than never,D
will apply with more than usual force, and will
attempt at least a sketch Of the visit among US Of
one endeared TO every sincere friend of Freedom
by his noble defence of free principles, his unwa-
vering devotion to the RIGHT, in disregard Of the
maxims of political expediency, and his unblem-
ished integrity as public servant.
Mr. Hale's visit to Cincinnati was made by in
vitation of the New England Society, TO deliver
the grafton at the anniversary celebration Of
Pilgrims day. The Directors of the Mercan-
IL haau -. ~ Il IL
visit to the city, invited him to deliver one ia
their winter course of lectures, and number Of
his political friends, in testimony Of their respect
for his character and public services, gave him a
teaparty for the purpose, in part, Of introducing
him TO our citizens To make way for this, the
New England Society gave up their intention Of
having their usual supper-the Hale festival TAX
ing its place
The Pilgrim celebration was observed on Mon
day, December 23l. The Constitutional Con-
vention, having adjourned for the purpose, joined
in procession with the New England Society to
the Second Presbyterian church, where the cere-
monies took place before q crowded audience
Mr.. Hale was seated on the platform between the
venerable Dr. Beecher and MIR Medill, President
OF the Convention. After the opening exercises,
part Of which consisted Of the singing Of an
original ode, written for the occasion by Mr. l.. J.
Cist, Of this place, Mr.. Hale was introduced to
the assembly, and delivered bis address, occupy
ing an hour and a quarter. II was an able and
interesting revi-w Of the rise and progress of
Partanism from the times of WickliAe-advert-
ing to the prosecutions to which 1t had been SUBJ
lected by the combined Influences Of church and
State, and the disabilities under which the non
conformists labored, even under the nominally
Protestant reigns Of Edward the Sixth, Elizabeth,
and James the First. The necessity of their
seeking new country for the enjoyment of the
religious freedom they were denied in their own,
and the great principles Of action which lay at
the foundation OF this enterprise, were we'll DOR
trayed, and some useful lessons suited 10 our owa
ftn>s, and various happy illusions In regard 10
the progressive march Of religious federation and
freedom Of opinion, were drawn from the subject
His historical sketches were finely drawn. and
his appreciation Of the circumstances and motives
under which the Pilgrims acted was lust what
might have been expected from an impartial stu
dent of history. Mr.. Hale 10 an engaging and
forcible speaker, his voice loud and distinct and
bis style easy, and well calculated to hold the
attention and interest popular sudienoe. His
grafton gave great satisfaction, and Is generally
considered one Of the very best-by some the
w have had.