The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-12-29
MONDAY MORNING, DECEMBER "a, 1856.
The New England Festival.


The New England Festival.
This event in commemoration of the land
ing of the Pilgrims at Plymoth Rock on the
the 22d of December, 1920, was celebrated
at the Winslow House, on Saturday even
ing, by large number of our citizens, both
ladies and gentlemen, from st. Anthony and
St. Paul in commendable manner. The
evening was cold and stormy, and served to
remind the guests of the memorable occa-
sion which history represents the debarka-
tion of the Pilgrims to have been.
At o'clock the large dining hall was
thrown open, into which over 100 guests
were Immediately seated around their well
arranged and well filled tables.
The President of the evening, E. RICE;
Esq, made few Introductory remarks az
propriate to the occasion, at the conclusion
of which, on his invitation, Rev. Mr.. Barnes
addressed the Throne of Grace.
The repast having been concluded, the
first regular toast was read and responded
to in an appropriate manner by NJ. E. Ames,
Esq, who felt proud of his New England
ancestry and happy to meet his fellow citi-
zens on convivial occasions of this kind
Upwards of two centuries since, 101 men
had debarked on a barren coast in a cold
and dreary winters night, amid unfriendy
savages. They had been prosecuted in the
Old World for their principles, and had
ca, come to this continent in expectation of en-
.oying their religious opinions without mo-
station from any one. They were stern
mon with fixed purposes in view. They
came here for their principles, they fought for
them, and right gloriously had they sustain
ed them. The blessings of civilization-the
arts, science, agriculture, commerce and the
common school, had been nourished by these
old Puritans. Little did the bigot who
ruled over the destinies of the British EN-
=. pire at that time imagine what an empire he
had given away, when he gave these men
: the privilege of settling upon this continent.
Pot the great consequences that had already
flown from this act were scarcely an index
of the future. The speaker concluded by
paying just compliment tc the intellectual
appearance of the gentlemen and the beauty
of the ladies who were seated around the
tables before him.
The popular national hymn of s'America'
was then most admirably sung, in which the
whole audience joined.
The second regular toast-New England
Character-was responded to by M. w
Hayward, Esq, in a peculiarly happy and
original manner His remarks were well
received.
The Third toast-Pionecr Clergy of Min.
nesota-was responded to by Rev. Mr.
Neill. Mr.. N. preceded his remarks by Civ
ing humorous description of Dutch skip
per who visited this Continent few years
after its settlement by the Pilgrims, and
traded with the settlers along the coast as
far south as Virginia. The remarks present
ed as near as could be in the identical Ian
guage of the honest and simple-minded
skipper, as he had occasion to note his trans.
actions with the people, and his impressions
of New England and Virginia character as
it had then begun to be developed, excited
much mirth among the audience. Mr.
Neill's remarks in response to the sentiments
of the toast fellcitous and appropriate.
Fourth toast-PHmouth Rock and Bunk.
er Hill-was appropriately responded to by
Dir. Gotten. Mr.. C's. remarks were con-
ceived in good taste, aud were happily receiv
ed by the audience
The fifth toast-Women Of New Eng
land-was responded to by Mr.. French, in ;
most happy vein. The speaker closed by
paying just tribute to good old Puritan
mothers.
This speech was followed by a song
'sOld Folks at Home"-in which the abdi
ence Joined.
The sixth toast-Plymouth Rock ant
Manhattan IslandLfound an appropriate re
sponse from Aid. Becker, who claimed hi
descent from both the Puritans and tn,
Hollanders. His remarks were principally
historical and added much to the interest o
the OCCASION
Seventh toast-New Hampshire-De
scendants of the Pilgrim sires. Respons
from Mr.. Sanborn.
Eighth toast-Pennsylvania Respons
by Mr.. Horn.
The ninth and last regular toast-Minne
-sota-a home for all-was responded to b,