The Nevada Democrat., 1859-02-02
The Rurns Festival.

In accordance with previous arrangements,
the centennial anniversary of the birth of Rob
ert Burns was appropriately celebrated, in this
city, by the Scotchmen of Nevada county, on
Tuesday evening, January 25th. The festivi-
ties we're held at the Hotel de Paris, and about
seventy-five gentlemen, and nearly as many
ladies, were present. We noticed, also, num-
Der of specimens of young" Scotland, neatly
rugged out iu the tasteful garb of the Highland
er. The celebration ives got up under the aus
pces of the countrymen of the distinguished
poet and with the exception of representatives
of the press, was confined exclusively to that
people. About half-past eight o'clock the as
sembled guests sat down to an excellent supper
which had been prepared at the hotel, Mr.. r,
B. Moyes, of Orleans Flat, being elected to
preside. After doing ample justice to the ex.
eelent viands prepared for the occasion, Mr.
Moyes arose, and after few preliminary re-
marks, said:
The history of nations has been compared to
the life of man, aud is said to have its seasons
ofyouth, manhood. and old age; or to the "trick-
ling rill,' flowing from the mountain side, soon
becoming the swollen river, and at last lost in
in the ocean depths. If not ito be brought up
but dragged up" better fits the child for the
stern realities of life, Scotland. by its dark days
of trial, its sacrifices, and its suiferngs, was
fitted for the enjoyment of happy era of civ
ilizaton aud constitutional liberty.
If we except the contest of petty chiefs and
mountain clansmen, its FIRST great contest was
for national eXstance, against foe blind to
every sense of justice, or moral rights, and
seeking alone the destruction of q supposed
enemy, whose only crime was its determination
to be free and independent of foreign dictation
With tenacity aud self-sacrifce, generation af
ter generation arose, clung TO the independence
of their country and finally triumphcd. Chief
tains-a Wallace and Bruce oame--besdes
others of less renown, to lead a willing people
to the contest, and the plains of Bannockburn
testify to the martial valOr of the race, that at
Waterloo aud in India nobly sustained the repu-
tation of their sires.
One dark cloud rests upon this page of our
country IS history-one black stain upon Eug-
lands boasted escutcbeOn. He who from the
people came, not like Macbcth--in blood and
crime to seek throne-but by heroism mar
tial valor, and private virtue, 10 struggle for
happiness, glory. and independence of bis coun-
try, bought by English gold was given fell
on's death. For what? for treason. that exist
ed and was invented alone for the sacratice of
the ndomitable spirit, that on the battle field
or in single combat they could moi conquer
We readily concede, judging from the pres
ent age, that but few men are gifted with this
dsinterested spirit. But yet in the past age
and we venture to believe in the future-men
have appeared willing by sclfsacrifcc if need
be of themselves, to benefit their country, and
defend her with their lives. Such a man was
Wallace, and from him was demanded the sac
rfce he paid, of hero's life and martyrs
death. A death of ignominious desert but
history has vindicated his memory from the
charge, and the respect of n free people, amid
his own race. and wherever virtue and heroism
is loved, has embamed his name among the
immortal "brave and good
Allow for the diiferance of the age and the
comparison between Washington and Wallace
we believe TO be complete. Personal ambition,
selfaggrandiscment, appear to have but little
Influenced the motives Of either aud their servl-
ces were rendered but for their cOuntry's veal.
I'm their lives there is much of similarity, and
the parallel might have been complete had the
opportunity for the display Of the science of
Government been afforded to Wallace.
But with the years of action the parallel ceas-
es. Washington. twice elected 10y the sulira.
ges of those he had assiste to make free, hon
0rcd by his country, surrounded by the respect
of the wise and good Of every land, was at last
borne to his long home amid the tears of an ai-
fectionate people. His grave became shrine,
to which the Pilgrim travels, where the love OF
constitutional liberty finds Mecca his name
a watch-word for the preservation OF the liberty
of the people, and his memory the strongest
bulwark of the country. For in the dark hour
of danger. it is not upon written constitutions,
sworn oaths, or fanatcal appeals, the nation
will depend; but upon the loyalty OF the people,
the historical antecedents OF the past, the great
names and lessons of American history.
But to Wallace was destined a not less noble,
but severer fate. Betrayed by those he had
trusted weakened by those "noblemen," 80
called who feared yet hated the peasant war
ior." torn from his own home and country, amid
a race dissimlar in language and habits, his
body dismembered, no spot is known to mark
his grave. His monument is in the history OF
his country, the gratitude OF the people he low
ed so well ; and wherever Scotchmen nave
home. a monument on the tablets of the heart
will to his memory rise. In the hatred and de-
tpstatiou of tyranny the love of constitutional
liberty. and respect for the rights OF others,
portrayed upon the page Of history, and In that
martial spirit which sbOne forth so brilliantly
afterwards. can be traced the genius and influ-
encc Of the memory Of Wallace.
with Wallace's death ceased not the exertiOn
for the Independence Of his country. To its
rescue, and for its guide. came one who by his
historical antecedents. and the blood that flowed
in his veins, was capable of satisfying the most
rigid believer in "divine right" to rule. He
came to marshal its armies, and after years Of
severe contest and trial. the Thistle triumphed
over the Rose, and Bruce ascended the throne
of his fathers.
The speaker then briefly reviewed subsequent
events in Scottish history, the religious and
civil vars the conflicts of opinion, of their in
fuence 10 forming national character and Of
the final establishment of permanent peace af-
ter the battle of Culloden, in l74i, and conclu-
ded as follows:
Fourteen years after the battle of Culloden.
came he who was to discharge duties to bis
as yet left uoperformed. The SOD,
like gift of genius" the "mantle OF poetry"
desoended upon the peasant bard and in Burns
came forth one who was to embalm 10 immor-
tai song the sufferngs, trials, endurance and