The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-01-09
LETTER FROM CINCINNATI.
New Year Cong tons-lion. J. p. Hale In Gin
cinnati-New England Society-Compi imentary
Pariy-Library Lecture-Amin Bey.

New Year Congratula tons-IIon. J. p. Hale In Gin
cinnati-New England Society-Compiime ntary
Party-Library Lecture-Amin Bey.
CINCINNATI, January l. 1851.
To the Editor of The National Era:
A happy New Year to you, and each and all of
your fifty thousand readers The HOLIDAY fes-
tivities are nearly over, and for two weeks past
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, school
festivals, lectures, and every conceivable kind of
recreation which can be thought of among the
various classes of mind congregated in large
city, have been the order Of the day | doubt il
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 have
met the advent of the New Year amid scenes of
thoughtless merriment and dissipation many in
the merry dance; and others, in more than twen-
ty of our churches, open day and night, in the
watch-night prayer meeting. The German part
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 new Orphan Asylum, now building
by the German Luthersns, realized five thousand
dollars and one for the Cincinnati Orphan Asy-
lum twelve hundred A wealthy banker, well
known through the city, has given two hundred
dollars to each of cur 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 lie
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 a week later than | intended. In this case
however, the old maxim, better late than never,n
will apply with more than usual force, and will
attempt at least sketch of the visit among US Of
one endeared TO every sincere friend Of Freedom
by his noble defence of free principles, his unwa-
verng devotion to the RIGHT, in disregard Of the
ma1ims 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-
tile Library Association, hearing of his expected
visit to the city, invited him TO deliver one in
their winter course of lectures, and a number Of
his political friends in testimony Of their respect
for his character and public services gave him a
tea-party 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 231. 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 crowded audience.
Mr.. Hale was seated on the platform between the
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 his address, occupy
ing an hour and a quarter. II was an able and
Interesting revi-w Of the rise and progress Of
Poritanism from the times Of Wcklifs-advert-
ing to the prosecutions to which it had been sub
Jected by the combined influences Of church and
State, and the disabilities under which the non
conformists laborcd, 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 oun
ttnps, and various happy illusions in regard to
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 IL an engaging and
forcible speaker, his voice loud and distinct. and
his style easy, and well calculated to hold the
attention and interest . popular audience His
GRAFTON gave great satisfaction, and Ia generally
considered one Of the very best-by some the
best-that We have had.