New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-22
HENRY WARD BEECHER's ADDRESS,

"The Pilgrim Fathers" was the next toast Mr..
Beecher was requested to respond. He was greeted
with tremendous cheers and applause, and spoke as
follows
GESTLENEN: The theme that am asked to speak TO
is great deal larger than you have time to hear un-
folded. Our Pilgrim Fathers be discussed really
and fully without having general reference to the
unfolding Of the human race itself. lApplausel They
not in the volcanic country, shut up bc-
the walls Of the rock, vein of gold and vein
OF silver; their coming to the stage marks
a distinct geological epoch-not convul.
sion but great transition. The world had been sum-
beripg for great many hundred years. or swoomng In
ignorance and superson; the arts lost learning
lost. and manhood was substantially lost. Then
g. neral revva! which Is called tho Renaissance
To that general movement OF the whole human race
within the bounds Of Chrstendom the Puritan belongs.
Tho development of new life and intellectual
took place the Latin nations after the manner of
the Greek; the development OF men toward intelec-
tua activity took place in the Germsnic and the Eng
lish people after the Semitic type.
There nowhere else more development, more
marked activity than In the great Italian cities as 20
literature. philosophy, music, architecture, painting,
sculpture but not OF manhood In the North the devel
opment took the old Israeitish type II the
direction OF the larger manhood. In the South they
built outside OF men in the North, inside OF mon
Iapplausel; and TO this great movement
come all the credit but nearly oil the discredt and
inconvenience when took place the pushing up OF
this Development In the history OF time Nov, the
OF the movement that resulted in Purtanism wac
utter contempt for the low state Of humanity in
themselves and round about them The radical idea OF
Purtanism that men not largo enough, aud In
the attempt make them larger they found themselves
hindered by the church. hindered by philosophy, him
dered by government bindcred by prejudice ignor
unce The Puritan was thrown therefore IN the very
beginning IN the attitude OF sefdefence. Nevertheless
their purpose was " build up q deeper, q stronger.
noblcr humanity.
II differed this respect FROM the attempt that was
going contemporaneousiy. There many a noble
held In cares trying 10 overcome ain by living
alcne hut know that he who seeps with himself mas
the devil all tho for bedellow iLaughtcr There
safety women In converts and nunneries strv-
ing for q better and higher life. But the Puritan
stood apart from these II IA impossible FOR Us, almost
10 conceive how populous the whole world with in
1uepces maiign. and yenom0us even. You may be
certain the prince OF the power Of the air had
perfect supremacy In the imaainat,ons OF men.
TIE heavens were full or sprites aud demops
aud witches and storms aud pestience all OF the devils
make II B said that these men harsh and rude.
We uso feathers when We want 10 decorate beauty;
feathers do not mako good chisels or tools work
WITH No who not strong and hard could have
gone step upward In the age in which hey lived Yet
they were pugnaoious. but like the ugiander
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