The Grand Haven news., 1865-02-08
Birthday Festival at Eastmanvill'
Sentiment presented BY NJ Garrison,
Esq.

=
commemorate il as the eth birthday Of
one Of our villagers, who now presides at
our festive board, and who gave birth,
name and patronage TO our present busy,
prosperous little town--Dr. I. Eastman
who, also, thirty years ago, entered our
then entire wilderness county as its second
pioueer--cyer esteemed in his profession
while in practice, often honored with posts
Of trust and confidence by his fellow-citi-
gems, still respected, reverenced and loved
by all who knew him, we award him the
motto, "v;ve le bon homnae," (may he
long live--the good man,
Followed by POEM, by Mrs. H. Niles,
and read by the DR..
YOUTH.
Happy the birthday of the young and joyous,
Whose carly life is like the new born spring
When fragrant flowers to field and wood decoy
us,
And all the groves with merry bird songs ring.
When on each milestone planted by the way
! side
Marking the years as tardily they roll
Hope, crowned with flowers, sits smiling like
gay bride,
Pointing her finger to the distant goal.
MIDDLE AGE.
Happy tho birthdays when the pulse beats
steady
With full tide life and power of manhood
When the strong arm and will are ever ready
To work out what the fertile thoughts design.
When the full autumn days nre just beginning
Ere killing frost has touched one power of life,
When worth is need Of fame and praise is win
ming,
And honor greets the hero of the strife.
AGE.
Happier the birthdays of the ripe and hoary-
OF him whose head with snow-clad wreath il
crowned
Revercd-beloved--hi children's pride and
glory
To honor such we here to-day are found.
See mother earth without so calm and easeiul
Now resting from her active labors done
: So he, the heat and burden borne, waits peaceful
~ L., oft
4 Upon each milestone where the bright rays lin
ger,
: Shedding golden halo round her head,
. Hope still sits pointing with prophetic finger
}, Along the path way yet his feet must tread
d While mom'ry bathed in the same beams Q
beauty,
> Points backwards thro' the vista of long years
: Joy swells the heart although Of fulfilled duty
y For loved ones gone, the eye is dimmcd wit
l. tears.
Long--long may he be spared to walk bcfor
= The milestones yet be many on his road
l. Good Angels him guard as they hover DER us,
And peace be with him from our Father, God
q With heart too full for utterance Ii
f DR.. responded in substance:
- My friends will allow me to acknow
: edge with feelings of sincere gratitud
d these kindly and complimentary testim'
q. mails on this occasion. They seem TO me
y y unmerited as they are unexpected. Son
ID allowance may be given to the partial O.
preston Of friends and neighbors whe
harmony aud concord have ever bee
maintained; as also for those rendered
t. poetic language-whicb, as pastime G
n fort, would do credit 10 the genius
many an American poetess, or even
such as Longfelow or Whittier, or eve
2. the premier Of american poets-aBryar
2. Such occasional effusions, both 10 pro
and poetry, have heretofore lighted I,
l. her obscure pathway--henceforward m'
the periods between them be shorter, al
)l her theme nobler. You, my friends, ha
assembled to-day, not alone to show J
spect 10 an old pioneer, ono who is {
cr down on The sunset slope of the bill
re- life, but also to enjoy the social conver,
M "the feast Of reason and flow Of sou
m- and ramble in "reminiscences pleasant, Al
nd even painful perhaps--to renew the inn
g. and outer man and trust that il has be
'' enjoyed as such by all present. These nc'
,b. ings and greetings are very pleasant, a