The hydraulic press., 1860-07-07
ARAErH. or GRAFTON,
DELIVERED AT WELSH EIsTEDDFoD IN THE
METHODIST CHURCH, NORTH SAN JUAN, ON
TEE 4TH or JtJLY BY THOMAS G. PRICE

DELIVERED At WELSH EIsTEDDFOD, IN THE
| METHODIST CHURCH, NORTH SAN JUAN, ON
TEE 4TH OF JULY, BY THOMAS G.. PRICE.
| Mr.. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN -
This meeting has two distinct objects first,
! to celebrate AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE Sec
ondiy, to call to mind the ancient usages of
eur native coantry-to as nearly represent
an EIsrEDDfoD as we possibly can. We can
not but be perfect in making glorious our
first object, for we possess the patriotism and
enthusiasm necessary: but in our endeavors
to represent an Eisteddfod.w I'VE shall fall short,
for we lack the requisite material. We are
not inspired by the presence of bards of eel
ebrity, nor with the melodious sounds of
soul-inspiring harp; but, notwithstanding
the absence of these much-covefed requis-
ties, we will endeavor to give those unac-
quaiuted with our customs, faint idea of
what an Eisteddfod is.
! An Eisteddfod in Wales, takes the place of
your theatrical performances, political meet
ings, and ball and picnic parties. Indeed,
Mr.. President, the people of that country are
far more enthusiastic in their attachment to
their Eisteddfodan, than the American people
are to politics and pleasure. This ia saying
great deal but when tell you that have
known fair, intelligent and-moraly speak
ing-highly respectable Welsh maidens, go
ten miles on foot to attend their national
meetings, you will admit that am not deal
ing with fctieu- Yes, Mr.. President, have
known aged and penniless minstrels to walk
over hundred miles, to compete for small
prize at an Eisteddfod
Some of my audience now, sir, will uatur-
ally ask, what does an Esteddfod signify?'
1t signifies public session of persons form
ally convoked at stated periods, for the
enjoyment ofintellectual intercourse, for the
exercise of mutual emulation, and for the
promotion of Cymric literature, rhetoric,
poetry, music, and all ingenioas and useful
arts within each specified district; that dis
trict extending, in the days of the native
princes, throughout the four provinces of
Wales and the Marches. Such periodical
meetings have their historic records from the
sixth century of the Khan era, and appear to
have been held among the Cymry from i'm
memmor1al tine, sometimes encouraged by
the auspicious countenance and liberal pat
ronagc OF sovereign princes and wealthy
mobiles, and at others solely sustained among
the commonalty, by the irrepressible energy
of native genius.
Having given you the outlines of faint
picture of an Eisteddfod, ask your indul-
gence while treat upon the early history of
the Cymry.
There is something SO extraordinary ia our
race, from its earliest history, that whoever
considers it, must be struck with its singu-
larity. At what time the character of ma
tions was given, | know not; whether like
their language, the characteristic feature of
nations was impressed upon the Welsh, by
an instantaneous fiat, or acquired by gradual
progress; whether at the great dispersion on
the plains of Shinar, the various tribes of the
world were severally stamped with an indel-
ibls impression, and, like the metal from the
forge, tempered at once to that state of moral
and physical character which they were ever
after to bear or whether the distinguishing
characteristic of each was a result of sue
cessive and fortuitous causes, | canno. take
upon me to determine; but this will ven
ture to assert, that,in whatever cause it NAV
have originated, our race of the Cymry have,
from the earliest dawn of their history, man
ifested a character no less decided than their
destinies have been various and extraordi-
nary.
1t is now approaching to two thousand
years since the authentic records of our race
commenced, and yet we remain, nationally
speaking, the same unchanged people. Dur
ing that long PERIOD what various tribes
have appeared in Europe, and vanished for
ever! By what different nations have the
lands of the European continent been occu-
pied during the vicisitudes of two thousand
years! Through that long period, what
various languages have been heard in every
country, from the Danube to the Atlantic J.
and yet, our race in all probability possesses
the self-same mountains that it occupied two
thousand years ago, and speaks the same
language that then reused our forefathers to
patriotism and deeds of valor Even this
fact alone must lead US to acknowledge, that
the fate and fortunes of our people have been
marked and singular, to have preserved their
territory and language unchanged, while the
rest of the world has undergone such mighty
revolutions.
The struggles of our nation against the
Roman power, are too well known to require
anything further than bare allusion to
them. At least it may be sufficient to OBJ
serve, that such was the fame of their valor
and determined resistance, that the reduction
of the natives of Wales was thought an OBJ
ject of such interest and importance, as to
occupy the pen of one of the most elegant
of classic historians; while it called for
triumph among the Roman people, and gave
occasion to one Of the most splendid acts of
one of the greatest Roman Emperors and
when Tacitus records the reduction Of the
natives BY the Roman arms he cannot with
hold from them the tribute of applause which
their valor demanded. Even in their reduc-
ton, he calls them "the brave and warlike
nation of the Silurians. Halidam ct pugna-
Gem Sslurem gentem."
Again; during the terrors of the Saxon
invasion, their character appeared no less
conspicuous; for though during the exist
ence of the Roman dominion they had been
reduced and exceedingly weakened, by that
great power, which had been destined to
subdue the nations, yet their energetic spirit
was not destroyed, for the moment the weight
was removed by the departure of the Roman
legions, the spirit Of the people-like tenn
| pered steel-sprung back to its place, and
sustained them in most arduous struggle