The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-08-19
LETTER OF HON. r.. c. WINTHROP.

4 LII En- oE tONs hs v. WIFTHhOf.
Mr.. Winthrop received an inytation to be
present at the pilgrim celebration at Plymouth
on the LIST inst being unable to comply he
addressed the following letter in reply we
would that our public men would more gener-
ally speak and act on the lofty sentiments
advanced in the letter and learn to plant their
faith firmly upon the "ROck Of Ages, "if they
would excel. Let them remember that
righteousness exalteth nation,' g. in proper.
ton as her leaders are as Mr.. Winthrop hopes
they may be, SO will her prosperity be.
NIAGARA FALLS, July 2s 1859.
My DEAR Sir: Your obliging communi.
cation Of last month, inviting me TO unite
with the Pilgrim Society in celebrating the
anniversary Of the Embarcation of the Pill.
grims at Delft Haven on the first of August
was duly received.
thank you for il sincerely, and still more
for the very kind and complimentary terms in
which it was conveyed. have deferred Civ
ing it formal and final answer until this late
day from a real reluctance to Say no, and from
the hope that might still see my way clear
to be present on the occasion. But | am
journeying in this region with my family for
their health as well as my own, and there is |
no longer the slightest prospect OF nv being
within striking distance of Plymouth for some !
weeks to come.
| have united heretofore in commemoratinp |
the virtues and heroism Of our Pilgrim Fathers,
both on the 22d day of December and on the |
18th day of September, and should cordially |
join in consecrating still! another day to their
memory. They cannot be remembered too
often or reverend too deeply; and that not as
a mere matter Of respect and gratitude to the
dead, but for the improvement and instruction
of the living.
Rarely, indeed, has there been a moment
in our history when it was more important
than at this moment that the American peo-
pie should remember not merely the rock on
which the Pilgrims landed, but the Rock in {
which they trusted, & should cherish and hold ,
fast to the principles which fitted them to be- a
come the fathers and founders of a great coun- a
Try.
We are rushing along in The path of nation d
Al development and extension with a velocity :
of which the rapids at this moment in my c
view hardly furnish an exaggerated emblem;
and there is too much cause for apprehension I
that the roar Of the torrent, and its sparkling s
spray, and its many-colored mist may deafen
and dazzle and blind us to the dangers which
always beset an impulsive and precipitate ca
reer. 1t viii be we'll if we do not forget that
the only safe'and sure progress is the Pilgrims
Progress; progress begun, continued, and {
ended in the fear'of God, in respect for Gov ,
ernment, in the love offreedom, and in Justice
10 all mankind.
The descendants Of the Pilgrims e. the sons
Of New England are now scattered far and
wide oyera vast continent, and their enter
prise and influence are upon every plain and
hillside and river of our land. Let them see
% il that their lives and practice are in keep
ng with the origin of which they are so just
y proud. and let them prove their title to hail 7
rom Plymouth Rock, not merely by geneal-
'gies and pedigrees, but by emblazoning the .
'irtues and principles of the Pilgrims upon a
heir own character aud conduct. Then will .
'ur country be secure.
Accept once more, my dear sir, my cordial 1
hanks for your friendly and iattering invita- /
ion, with an assurance ofmy sincere regret at 8
eing unable to be with you; and allow me a
o place at your disposal for the occasion the n
ubioined sentiment, which has been suggest Il
d by the scene before me: t
plymouth Rock-May it never become o
Fable Rock upon whose crumbling platform Il
he descendants of the Pilgrims shall assem- il
,le to contemplate the decline and fall of ii
he American Union" lB
Believe me, very faithfully, yours, v
RORT. C. WINTHROP. r,