The daily comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1850-1856, 1853-12-22

IuStlIii CatHcrS. III connection Win
| the Star Spangled Banner II has
for the past half century, been a stand
ing point to start from, in "Fourth OF
July orations'' and other patriotic
speeches on other oocasions---is some
times very beautifully interviewer in a
legislative speech, and is occasionally
fonnd useful in a Congressional ora
ton. This is all very well, and is as
good subject to make the 'poetry
part" ont of, as anything else; but
| what are the substantial historical
facts in reference to the pilgrim
Fathers"-the Rocks at Plymouth, and
other kindred subjects ? The Rev
THEODORE CLApP, bold and viyor-
Gus writer-and eloquent orator, and
an Independent christian theologian,
has contributed some facts for the vim
dication Of the truth of history" fro m
which we take the following extract !:
"The fathers of New England have
been euloguized by our mos. eloquent
orators and clergymen. We should
be thankful that what was admirable
in their character has been rescued
from oblivion, and embalmed in lit.
erature so just and beautiful that it can
never die. Let their memories fresh.
en- with tears of gratitude and rever-
ence, grow, and flourish, and spread
through every succeeding age Bat
| cannot subscribe to the position that
they are vastly superior, in all respects
to any of their defendants. | think
that better men than they were, now
living upon the very soil where sleep
their ashes"
''lt is necessary, though painful to
advert to this subject, to correct the
judgement of those who think that we
are on the road to ruin, because We do
not follow in all particulars the GUS
toms Of onr fathers, and the good old
times 1t is well that VIC have r,,u.
t.latpd some Of these customs. L
could fill volume with instancrss of
error and Ignorance, folly and super.
slition prevailing then, upon which the
hand Of time, in its sublime narcb
through two centuries, has set the seal
of utter reprobation. The arc gone /
never to return. For example, NC
are told in the most authentic records
of that day, that at the funeral of u
lady in Boston, ofthc highest standing,
the widow Of u distinguished clergy.
nan, ifty-one gallons a1d half Of
the best wine were consumed bv the !
The fact is mentioned by +
the historian inciden'ly, not as being
anything disrcputabIo. From tbe
same authorities we learn that the
practice of drinking rum and wine at
was quite universal, and on
the occasion of burying paupcrs, the
expenses of the entertainments were
dcfrayed by the public treasury"
Bear with me moment longer,
while mention few facts Illustrative
Of another feature in the character Of
these remarkable people. The mntu-
Al hatred and and prosecutions Of re-
Ilgous denominations is the most mel
page in the history of our
world In about eleven years after
he landing Of the first colonies at Ply.
mouth, man who had become obnoy.
Gus to the ruling powers, was fined
orty pounds, whipped on the naked
pack, had both of his ears cut off and
hen banished from their settlements
or saying he did not like the manage
nent Of the church where he lived
Unfortunate offender. What right
lad he to criticize sacred things Yes
he magistrates in that time could in
bet the severest punishment upon ,
hose who ventured to speak against
be performances Of the pulpit How
afely can this be done now, amongst .
Is, They could whip the most respec- !
able woman through the streets for
deity to their concicnce, they could
ne man heavily, pull down his honse !
nd drive him into the wilderness for ,
arryipp rnfrcsh,neotc In . moor e,,F