The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-04-03
Original @ntion.
ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS.
Delirered at Me Seueah Aanirersary Of The
I,eing Literary Society, Of Western Ma.
College, Friday Ereniag, April mn, 1871.
BY JAMES II. DIFFENBAuGn.

at the shrine of Mecca, the birthplace of their
Prophet, so we tonight with profound respect
and deepened awe, yet with solemn pride, are
here to pay a tribute TO the memory and
merits Of Washington Irving, the Father of
American Literature. Not with pomp and
ostentation do we come to tow low here that
custom alone may sanction our action, but
with the deeply-stirred feelings of Americans
who inherit rich legacy in the name and
works of him whom we yenerate and honor,
and who behold constant example in the
pure and simple beauty Of his life.
The Society before you which bears his
honored name, needs no eulogium As you
have known it in the past, it still continues to
exist 1t was an organized body before the
cornerstone of the college was laid. 1t has
seen the beginning Of all the societies, and
feel no assurance that any of them is destined
to survive it.
ltwas great and respected before the Brown
ing was dreamed of, before an idea Of the
Webster had entered even the misty verge of
imagination. Steadily il has marched onward
and now numbers among its members every
male alummist Of the college. 1t has watched
with pride and qualification the progress of
the Browning, and extends to it warm wei.
como tonight, with congratulations for its pre-
sent prosperity and its promises Of future
prominence.
II has looked with intense interest upon the
growth Of the Webster from its shadowy in.
cipiency to its present colossal proportions,
and is proud Of the talent, intellect and worth
which make it so formidable rival at this
time. II has been decreed in the councils of
this society that should inaugurate the ex-
ercies Of its Seventh Anniversary with an ad-
dress upon its great Exemplar.
Every nation that has decked with swelling
white sails Of prosperity the ocean Of history,
has rejoieed in It's greatest liter.ry nlagnate.
Homer touched his Tyre and the melodies Of
Greece, telling of her war heroes, her bold
Archilles and cunning Ulysses, have stirred to
action in battle, and lulled to quiet enter
iainment in peace ever since. Arma yir-
unique" Virgil sang, and nations heard en-
tranced.
The enlivening fire Of Goethe's flowing
numbers still quickens the pulse Of the dwell.
Ter by the storied Rhine, and the Scotch peas.
ant of to-day proudly tells Of Robert Burns's
dazzling glory. But whom, naughty Albion
shall we choose for thee? Shall Shake
speare's myriad minded muse our thoughts
engage, or Milton's Harping symphonies
and hallelujahs' call us to contemplation
"0fman's first disobedience?' We turn from
all, and over the broad, green belt of the bill.
lowy Atlantic we speed to catch glimpse of
free lands best beloved son, and hask for
moment in the sunshine and genial warmth
which radiates from the life and position of
Washington Irving, upon whose infant head
our noble Washington, in tender blessing, once
laid his loving hands. Who then ras Wash
ington Irving? He was born in the city of
New York, on the Sd of April, 1888, and
passed his childhood and youth under the
guidance of conscientious, God-fearing pa.
rents. His delicate health was an excuse for
his dullness at school, and confined him much
to the house, in consequence of which he had
ample opportunity to enrich his mind with
choice selections from the storehouse of the
old British classics. Anon he was moved
and melted by the exquisite tenderness Of
Chaucer, or reveled in the gorgeous imagery
of the Fairy Queen, or wandered with Mil
ton amid the delights Of the primal paradise,
or took in with glowing lips the polished ele.
gance of Addison. At the age of nineteen he
brought forth the first fruits of his genius in
series of contributions to the Morning
Chronicle. These showed that he was on the
right track and even then " felt his spirit rise
kindling within him" Again, at twenty-five
New York felt the lash Of his humor as il de.
scsnded in Salmagundi," in the form of
The Whimwhams and Opinions of Launce.
lot Langstaii, Esq
American literature at this time was scarce.
ly more than an empty name Beyond I" The
Columbiad," by Joel Barlow,-which nobody
read, and the songs of Philip Freneau-of
high character indeed, but political in their
nature and local in their interest-we had
naught to boast of except, perhaps, the heavy
political columns of Tbe Esd,rar;.t O. a.
tire was the death Of original worts of mai,
in this country, that the g Edinburc Review,
was justified in its singing taunt of "Who
ever reads an American book ~
Not only the standard literature hu, evo,
the critical opinions of The New World were
exclusively Of Trans. atlantic origin But with
the advent Of Irving the scene changed Ho
caught iuspira,iop from the founta;n, wb;.h
fed his early imagination. and turning ,ba
food Of his qeniops mon The barr.D solJ. ~
his native land. soon made them vcraant with
the magnificent creation, Of his own .roon
world Of ,bopobt w;,bout dwsll;n. n,,o.
his famous and intensely humorous q H;s,o-
nv of New York from The Creation of n.
World. by Diedrich Kn;ckertoeLer ), ,,h;oh
gained for him the life long and ,erv;coohla
friendship ofsir Walter Scot, = who.a ssr,;,,,
il was read with absolute r;ot of .r;ovr,o,:
we follow him 10 England wb;,hsr ~ .an, ).
engage IN mercon,;ls l;ss w;,h II. h~e,I.N ~ "