New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-12-23
SPEECH OF w. +. Villas.

ponse TO the sentiment: "The Freemon OF the
! Pr, sent time-The Fathers Legacy risks no dis.
| honor in their hands" He SAID:
| Mr.. Chairman, and Gentlemen OF this goodly com
panv OF -Eugland's With you "a son OF New
England, but nViDg on that Mario" noDon ufaWh
across continent, which tine Chartered land of
and returning thousand miles il palmer to tne
Pilgrims nOnOr ain nee but TO itcrate tner story ana
renew devotion to the genns OF land Ana Dow In
reyerent memory of the deed and virtues OF the Fathers
How graudiy, now in clear hlstOry, STANDS ont ther
heroic action heading the mighty future swelling from
The 81 of November two hundred and sxty-two years
ago-whie the lonely Mayfower was breasdng tine ohg
and weary seasthe wilderness they sought from ocean
to ocran was granted by KING to corporation to own
hundred and sixty-twO years ago today the Pilgrim
Fathers stepping tuose SHORES Ia apparent weakness
of oq' the E,'H continent by the Grant OF Cod in
trust TO the Of ler;y fOreveri II was tue birth
hour Of an empire in which Emperor shall over be-
Tne Star the again stood still, marking the epid
of heaven ubscurely born! TIE daring expeditions in
pursuit OF tabled fountain of youth, the painful
forts coonze for me- doninons SAKE the finding of
hemisphere even, Heaven mas refused 10 signaze az
the origin OF the new Creation by which man was - be
regenerate in lberty. To the little handful VINO came
in pOverty In wintry storm, In mortal peril In every
outward crcuIns ,ance OF nnnnan weaKness, but who
came N the name Coo Tor tho rec ON OF men, ne mas
decree s"A' ''D ''''''' ''' '-'
excellence escape the barnacles Of error
PILGRIMS could hope for, and have found no
numan not divine. Their haid bigotry, the focus
hostile censure sincerity, arrogantiy over-co-
seious aud actions natural arm0r, necessary
tneir time; the coarsely corrugated bark when do
tends the heart OF OaS from external corruption 10
have then contemplated, In the atmosphere which
centuries have requ sire to clear all tae purity and
per. cctOD Of hbert3 nelr previH0n should nave been
divine, no. Their mperfectlOns are like the
ana breaks upon enc mountain side which. though
open every view. deain not the eye sranns Tor the
lofty summit ana ON tde mountain range OF the great
events OF nunan progress over wdlch the sunshine OF
Gods favor breaks upon men. It's earliest ana latest
CLEANS touch win gnt and oranty the peak up ted by
Pilgrim Fathers iApplauseI
But disparaging tue merits OF the past, osn
mold he inspiration OF example, you rgnuy claim.
in virtue ami dcYOt0n an equd place AT least Tor tue
present age its Advancement IN doctrine, as well IN
telhgence' GOhtenphaiy events, GonIueeu with
Details and feeling, are rarely seen 50
Tying the past, to Lament the present and despOhd be-
fore the unknown mture. Ana there arc some who,
tfust III the living nor hope in coming men aud some
there De-as always have Decn-who speak but c-1dk
1eanul productions OF disaster 70 betall Tue true
despair of the Republic =! He reads worse tnaD
valnl looks around him with jaundiced eye, VINO
the lesson OF the present. both rightly 90 to animate
courage 10 inspire nope 10 assure confidence Thougn
the problems wultiply upon efforts shall say
tnat intelligence and learning have not greater camel
We sec, lis true. our millions swelling yearly
now by as many as all VINO dehed
Bat they have cnanchised a0or OF It's curse ana pa.
crown upon the god OF TO-: In return he has filed
comfort wnen and where mas sucn mul ituu6 gen
erOusy eniOyed. IN sach common diffusion. tie eleya-
pleasures OF the arts. the endcarmenis Of home and
friends unlimited expansion ana vanity OF religious
tlmeut ana ali sweets hbertyf We See 'ts rue
n panse rpenng clvzatiOn with bewIldering
rapidly. But science led Invention faster
our dictionary changes meaning every Neigh
bornood Is now u continents Dreadtn space, the neid
the stars rove ILL., and time an interruption OF electric
mOtlon-DefOre dinner; and after dunor the glory of
mhlions must DO seated IN ten minutes. Who
near In New York his neighbours voice
from Boston, resonant with magnetic melody, and
extension or the area or freedOnl lAppausel
And oannO. We more confidently repOse that skllul
device Tor IandlnK states, now llod and prOyed-the
scheme OF local seIi-g"yerDment-lnan our fathers
tne experiment Of Is not the cable stronger with
tnat the quck nyentiOn, which hastens TO ply
material exdoGOns will not fail us IN the problems Of
law ana government
He does not know countrymen who distrusts their
intelligent understanding OF the principles OF tner
liberty. 1t has cleared and widened ana sill increases
with every year. the source and mansprIng
pride OF citizenship. Quick. penetrating. Jealous, yet
cam, cunseryadse and resOlute, tue wisuOm or the
people has proven SAFER stay OF COVE nInent.
sanction Of law truser guardian OF rights than any
throne ever painted on the necks OF men.
II from Intellect To cafac eT-the higher safe
guard-our trust must be undimnisned. The fruit Of
heroic iaDor, tnis people was birth-marked with the
religion whether he has another or not. Look tae
isry TO tIe puissant of life Day and night.
keeny CONSCIOUS OF their trusts they cohfrodt death
herOsm tnan our common me- ias the great heart OF
the nation lost from It's birthright OF character. It's
Grafton. now so swiftly passing, mas momentously
answered All unprepared Tor sIriie It was walked like
liberty. Did our freeen eyade the debt OF inherit
ance by stunning oeah for their posterityi Let him
who thinks The virtues OF the fathers faded
repair TO he Nations hallowed ground at. Airing
ton. Among the :" frail memorials" in that bIyouac
OF the dead" AS he shall read the fire.
quent inscription Unknown" let him kneel before
mat sefsaclfcIng patriotism which no roll-call OF
glory distinguish honor, until the Adutant Of
Heaven criesrst Tor eternal reward-tne names OF the
blessed who died country and fellow men. (Con-
tlnued applause.
Though by them disputed, stand here for a King
aom.u OF western Pilgrims from Old Hew-England.
whose hearts Inrll with al tenderness for the
wellrenembered Land OF youth. The peaceful OF
peyhocd before their eyes again. Tho rugged land
scape the spring the hillside. vine above door,
the old hsarthstone And again their sweet
as dream OF Heaven her memory Her helpful teach
Ing unforgotten swes the heart again 5harers your
pleasing meditation, hudiina your respiration,
your brethren by birthplace join from quarter OF
our common land In the honorable sentiment which
you pedgs your fellow-oountrymeB tonight, afrmin
the manly faith that poserity shall bettered