Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1874-01-01
Meeting Of the Ncvv England society
speech Of Senator Sumner.

NEW YORK, December 22.-The sixty
eighth annual dinner of the New England
Society was held this evening, Elliott &.
Cowdcn presiding. Among those present
were Senator Sumner, Gen. Sherman, Rev.
II. w. Becchcr. Judge Brady and Judge Da-
Wis. The President delivered the annual ad-
dress, at the conclusion of which the first
toast was arnounccu-"T The Senate of the
United States" Senator Sumner, in respond
ing said:
You bid me speak for tho Senate of the
United States, but feel that the least Shall
say is the best daughter and THAT'S
good, The Senate is but a componcn, part
Of the Government Ct the United States:
bu, here wc speak on an event which marks
an epoch in the history of mankind. Gap
plausc.)
After referring 10 the history OF colonies
ton Dy ancient and modern nations, he said:
"These were prompted 10y the conquest of
commerce, but on the day we celebrate the
sun looked down on a sight never before wit
messed. \ few conscientious En.lishmen,
| listening TO the promptngs within to worship
God according to their conscience. sought by
| sea the distant wilds Of the North American
continent in the Maytiower, with liberty at
! her PROV and conscience eS at her helm. Tie
ruuotcl the words of the Chaplain of the
will to the colonists rs 4 recognition of the
great law Of human progress Miles Stand
ish, a soldier, sent back to England to raise
funds, brought back ESQ which he raised at
| 80 per cent. So much for soldier on IL
| financial expedition. NIaughter) That
company of men, taking little beyond their
breath from the old country, are become ia
nous beyond the lot of men, showing that
the truest greatness is that which proceeds
from Tie soul cf man. Monarchs and SOL
d;.rs fade away, bat the pioneers OF progress
who secure the rights OF man SO that gov
ernmcnt Of the people, for the people and by
the people shall never fadc-these harbinsers
of progress shall never die. (Applause
What were King. or Pope, or Duke. or Land.
grove beside that humble company that sailed
in the Mavfowcr: But the Pilgrims had an
inboyn powcr in themselves, and their land.
ing on plymouth Rock was an epoch.s Who
can speak of cotemporary rulers, save Gus
tavus Adolphus, except with contempt! Oul
forefa;hers have asccnded into a tirmamen
cf eycr-increasing light, while m0narchs are
ever descending into darkness. Thus mora
triumphs, though retarded for a time, show
forth in the end with ever-increasing strength
The principles of the Pilgrims-equal law!
and government by q ma jority Of the people
have begun to leaven the whole continent
and in the end will leaven the who world
(Applause) Liberty is a plant which flour
shcs by the side of Justice. DO not forge
that where there is the highest NOR
aity there is the greatest liberty. (Applausc.
\ great poet, speaking of liberty. says
But who loves that must he wise and good
If liberty is failing anywhere on this cont
ncnt, perhaps in the South American repub
lies. if is because they had no Pilgrims tt
teach them moral lesson. | cannot forge
the courage and cOnstancy OF the Pilgrims
If they had failed know not what wou!o
have happencd; but 4 great lesson woult
have been lost But they belonged to thu
same heroic company as Columbus ant
Was,.incton-,hcy failed not. They pcrsc
vcrc,l. and their memory is forever prcciou:
to us.
The next toast, ''The President OF tht
United States; he says let us have peace ant
the people all say amen was received will
enthusiasm
"The army and navy" was responded te
by Gen. Sherman.
Rey. Mr.. Bcccher, replying briefly to tue
toast ''Rclisious freedom" paid warn
tribute to the late Prof. Agassiz.
Speeches were also made by Judges Davis
and Brady, Gov. Howard, OF Rhode Island
Jos. r. Choate, Gen. Woodford, and others
The festivities closed with the installation OF
the officers of the society for the ensuing
| vpar