National Republican., 1874-05-15

ole; all the hrst explorers OF Canada-of the East
and the West-were Catholics and wherever they
went they raised the glorious standard OF the
cross.
The reverend speaker then read from the diary
Of Rev. Father Andrew White, who accompanied
the hrst pilgrims Of Maryland, to show what
Catholics G had done by planting the cross on 'n'
In the great West there we're many memorials
OF the early Jesuit explorers, and IN EIoo .onri.s
rev Mexico and other States ana Ierrlt0Ites
there we're Catholic records dating back tsTee
hundred years. even before the p3igrlms las9ea
Sn PymGT;h rock Tssre wspe as far bsek as
three ceaturies age, and now Catholics were
robbed Of their rights in the indian cou1try 10
suit the Nyhims of politicians OF the day.
Father Magufro then read testimony from Pro-
testant authorties-Justice Story, the historian
Bancroft, and others-to the principles Of civil
this land and closed by praising the memories
OF Lord Baltimore and his associates who had, on
the shores of Maryland, planted the spotless ban
ner Of civil and religious liberty-thus assuring
US that we may worship God according to the die
tStes circumstance.
RECESS AND REPAsr,
Upon the conclusion of Father Mauuire's dis
course, the crowds scattered over the grounds and
partook of the bountiful collation. which had been
prepared for the occasion. The city and country
ladies We'd with one another in their efforts to
provide for all; and. though the members were
unexpectedly large, ample provision was made for
all In both solids and liquids, 1nothlng stronger,
however, than lager being supplied to the thirsty)
THE SHRINE OF THE VIRGIN.
At $50 procession, composed OF the reverend
generally, was formed near the church. and
marched with banners and music. to the statue oil
the Blessed Virgin, at Rock spring, only q lew
hundred yards distant. Here, In q niche cut in
the massive rock, is small statue Of Ma ary, bear
ing In her arms the infant Saviour. A stream OF
pure and sparkling water gushes from the base Of
the rock An iron rail protects the spring from
intrusion, and near 1t are several beautiful trees
whose oyerhanging branches thros around IL a
to the spring was embellIshed with three ever
green archwaya, tasteiully trimmed with flowers
and q handsome floral cross surmounted the cen
trail one. The statue and the rock were also
neatly decorated with flowers. On the base OF the
rock, deeply cut into It, are the words All You
that thirst, come to the waters OF lie"
SCENES AT THE STATUE.
On reaching the spring, Father wIgst took
position on one Of the lodges of the rock. and
briefly addressed the Assem- blage, successfully in
English and German, from the text. A. All nations
shall call me blessed He claimed that this
prophesy, in regard to the Blessed Virgin Mary,
had been fully verified, and that its tulfllment
was illustrated on this occasion, for here were
men Of all nations paying homaSe at her humble
shrine The Reverend Father went on at some
length to speak Of the virtues and blessings of
Mary, and at the conclusion Of his remarks the
whole company knelt aud Joined him in recitfnS
the I.itany Of the Blessed Virgin. An appropriate
hymn was then sung by the clergy and laity, and
the ceremonies of the day we're concluded.
Hundreds of persons then gathered around the
spring. partook OF its refreshing aters. and many
took with them to their homes . liberal supply in
bottles. The water Is strongly impregnated with
iron, there being an iron mountain in the inme-
diate neighborhood, which has never been worked.
No miraculous power is claimed for the water,
although, combined with prayer, many remarks-
bic cures have been effected by its use
HoMEwARD BOUND.
The excursionists, we'll pleased with all the fH-
cidents of the day. Except the excessive hcat.)
returned in the and $50 special trains not SIM
gle mishap having occurred TO cast 4 shadow upon
the bright recollectons Of the first pilgrimage to
the ancient seat OF Catholicity in Maryland.