St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1861-01-10
BEECHER IN PHILADELPHIA.

Below we give the peroration ot
Henry Ward Becchcr's address il
Philadelphia, before the Society of the
Sons Of New England, on the 2lst ult
1t appears that the announcement that
Mr.. Bccchcr was to deliver the annual
address before this Society, created
considerable excitement among the Tn.
ion saving and niger driving Philadcl.
phians, and Concert Hall was at first
denied to the Society for Mr.. Beech
er's use. Indeed, efforts were made
to induce the Society to recall the in.
vitation to Mr.. Beeclcr to lecture but
they simply wrote him, asking the
title of his address and advising a
conciliatory tone. Mr.. b. replied that
he should be on hand at the appoint
ed time, and his theme would be one
which he deemed appropriate to the
occasion. Finally, Prof. b Frank
Palmer, President of the Society, and
thoroughgoing New Hampshire
Yankee, succeeded in engaging Con-
cert Hall-riot or no riot-and at
the hour appointed Mr.. Beccher ap-
peared and delivered his address to
one of the largest and most intelli-
gent of Philadelphia audiences. There
was no disturbance. Mr.. Bcccher's
closing remarks were as follows:
But, why do defend Why do
interpret? Their work is the best
eulogy. Do you ask for their snccri-
ty? Go with them to their cxiIcs
Toss with them upon the deep. Land
with them on this December day upon
the bleak New England shore On
this, the 2lst of December, the short
est day Of the calendar, but the long
est day Of American history, and most
honorcd.
They brought no gold-thcy found
none. They found no dwellings-no
sunny cline chccrcd the weary voya-
gcrs-no sweet fields sent forth sa-
vor such as, even in winter, the south
of England knows. The hills were
forestcd, but lcahess, except the Pine.
That stood green and hopeful, even in
midwintcr. That tree they marked.
They chose it for their banner. 1t yet
stands upon the seal of Massachusetts.
No symbol in heaven, or on earth, was
half so fit. What other tree so we'll
can stand for the principle of liberty !?
1t grows without culture it flourish
es on soil that would starve another
tree. Sand or rocks are quite alike
to it. Every root is an engineer. 1t
rises straight up to God. 1t spreads
out its branches to the North, the
South, the East, or West, and spires
up in symmetry like apinnacle of Il
Cathedral. 1t dcfies the storm-it is
not afraid of heat or cold. 1t is CRATE
full to culture, but thrives bravcly ev-
en- in neglect. 1t adorns the habita-
ton of men, but is just as much the
glory of the wilderness. And when
all the other trees have yielded to the
frosts, the evergreen Pine lets not go
leaf, but holds up its plumed head
like warrior, and hopes and chants
to the winds all winter long, just as
it murmured aud sang all summer.
Is not that The tree Of liberty! The Pill
grims chose it-placed it on their ban
ncr All hail to the Pilgrims Pine
the tree of Liberty !!
When they left, no one missed them
No King sat easier. No Prime Min
lister, Richlicu, Mazarin or Villiers,
felt their care lighter. They were too
mean. Gone or present they were
dcspised. Their doctrine was a pesti-
lent heresy. The whole world scorn-
ed it. Its conlessors had exiled them
selves upon distant continent-and
that, wise men doubtless thought,
would end the impertinence
Two hundred and forty years and
what says the world now? England
confesses that to the Puritan she owes
her liberty Their name is honorcd.
Men grow famous by merely praising
them. Their principles, silently work.
ing, have ameliorated or changed laws
and customs, until now, England is the
finest nation Oh the globe. Nowhere
else is conscience more sacred from
tyranny The Press is free as the
winds, and like them, brings health
by blowing. The tongue is looscd.
Indeed, were the old Puritan suddenly
to come to life again in Old England,
so far has practice outrun even his
own utmost notions, that he would be
in danger Of holding back in conser-
vatism. And, upon the Continent, a
complete revolution is Effected Those
nations that have refused the Puritan
principles are in their dotage Spain,
Portugal, ltaly-where are they