Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1860-01-12
ldence Of Hse Enquire1..

stimulation and diffusion of his materials the reso
luton Of them into principles the ablest think.
or also amongst our publicists bold, strong
scholar whose ignorance, SO ardent is his love of
learning, seems but domain of knowledge, SUI
Ject to his will. The people value this style of
man. They remember the cost of study right
well, and Mr.. Marsh might have been Justly fiat.
tered the other evening, by seeing almost a Com
mencement audience, gathered in select numbers
e from many towns, to hear one whose fame rose
rom his own labor and was re-acting upon the
honor Of his country. Women particularly of
marked character for intelligence and appear
ance, were distinguished in the assembly, whose
interest as strangers no doubt was commanded
not more by the occasion, than by sympathy in
the sacrifices that make men great. A meeting
OF the State Temperance Society had also left
its residue of intelligent gentlemen to be mingled
in the audience, but the occasion also tells. and
Mr. Marsh is in Addison county, removed from
observation though he has been, popular man.
We had the celebration in the evening the ex-
erclses being commenced early, so as to give all
possible opportunity for the festivities which fol-
low,-to be concluded within the day. which
your editorship knows if you have not always
slept through this portion of it, is little of the
shortest. The exercises were held in the line
Congregational Church at Middebury, built in
1909, and still without rival in beauty in the in
terror design. They were conducted by printed
programme, and sustained by select sacred music,
prayer, and the usual order of religious worship
The leading devotional part was led on this occa-
sion by the venerable missionary, the Rev. Doc
tor Perkins of Oroomiah, whose connection with
Middlebury was formed many years ago by mar
riage, and associates him habitually with the SYM
pathies of the people. In the Address which
followed this exercise, the orator expressed the
highest eulogy on the great moral and religious
charities of the English and American people.
as the means by which their principles and polit-
ical civilization were being difused, while their
governments in either country were often turned
to the exertion of influences at war with the true
public feeling, and in derogation of their prevail
ing public character. The missionary and the
warm incidental testimony to labors however
humble, the impression of which is so widely sa-
lutary. The address described at first that indi-
viduality, which constitutes the essential charac-
ter of the northern in distinction from the south
ern and central European races the develope-
meut of this individuality in the exercise of con-
science and personal judgment, as swayed by the
agitations of opinion attending the great period
Of religious reform; that in this period the prog
ress in civilization and special nationality of
the English and New English people, was
dated; and whatever notifications circum-
stances had imposed, had proceeded with
versatility of spirit. The philosophy of the dis
course developed itself as the orator proceeded.
If by individual character our national work is to
be advanced, what are the principles by which
its security may be maintained, the action by
which it may be promoted? If the individuality
Of few pilgrims were the germinal power of
that illustrious company in their place of honor,
what is ours but the same essentially and chiefly
in that stage of national progress to which few
generations have brought us? The more moral
lesson was not dwelt upon; the political one was
made practical in relation to certain antagonistc
influences, Of political bearings, which the orator
specified.
The closest attention was given to this disser
tation, profound as it would seem, so full was il
rf ov;danoos of 1oarn;np oouoIly +r,,a fo tho foot
and genial to an earnest and patriotic spirit
This is an advantage of celebration of the kind
that it opens the sensibilites to the most earnest
views of patriotism or morals, and places the or
ator in sympathy with that deeper nature which
is moved by the occasion. The mere lecturer is
called to entertain, the Independence orator tt
conciliate and crafty. A responsibility is felt OF
Forefathers' day to the principles and destiny
which the Fathers represented. The social ban
quet succeeding has another character. Here {
pleasant feast is prepared. Music and wit, and {
lighter expression of sentiment are mingled
The room was richly decorated with evergreen:
and tasteful engravmgs, the tables seating a hun
dred and fifty or more of guests, the sexes ming
led in nearly equal numbers, and representing the
beauty and talent of pure New England com
munity. The music, with which the sentiments
were introduced, was song appropriate to tn,
occasion, written in le49, and frequently perfor
med as now by a semi-chorus of young ladies
clustering near the head of the table, led by pi
ano. Behind them " the Declaration" was enclo
sed, against a window, in a broad wreath )" Wei
ster," full length, had the first loop of festoo
on the wall at the left, the landing of the Pi
grims" from Lentre's picture next, the monumer
beyond, and beautiful pieces, scarcely less signif
cant, on the opposite wall. The course of sent
ments and impromptu speeches filed up tn
scene Of this festive tableau with life and meal
ing. The beloved missionary answered for "Ne
England" every eye resting upon that "angelica
presence-the angel of missionary service, not
the schools-and every witness listening wit
personal sympathy, as he expressed the grattud
Of his mission, for the protection which the or
tor of the evening, in his public station at Coz
stantinople, had extended to missionaries cor
plste in Turkey and measurably so in Persia
a,,d al renornirnd with nlaas,lre the k;ndrod