Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-10-24
WILLIAM PENN.
The Bi-Centennial Of the Landing OF the
Quaker Philanthropist and States.
man at Chester, Pa,
Celebrated by the Friends OF That State
Letter and Poem From John
G.. Whittier.

CHEsTER, Pa, October 23-The Friends
assembled in the mee'inghouse in this city
yesterday afternoon 10 Commemorate the
landing OF William Penn at this place 200
years ago. 80 many people responded to
the invitation that large number were un.
able TO gain admittsnce.
John ID. Broomall, of Media, o., opened
the exercises with an eulogy of Penn, char
acterizing him as a sound, practical states-
man and representative of the Friends.
Ella Hood read the following letter and
poem from John G. Whittier:
DAWES. MASS, October :, 1882.
To Sarah B. Flitcrzft, Chester Pa:
Ny DEAR FRIESD-It is well that the Friends
should commemorate the landing of the founder
Of pennsylvania and the great apostle of their
event 80 picturesque in its surroundings. i'm
portant In It's results and Influences, is subject
worthy OF poets pen painters pencil. I should
be glad, If II were possible for to put into fit
ing metrlcaI form the thoughts and emotions
winch II awskens, bat the burden OF years begins
rest heavily upon me, and shrink from the effort
Of handing such theme In spite Of the en-
oeayOrs OF the historian, more regardful OF the
display of mis- rhetoric and than historical
accuracy and justice, the memory of william Penn
and VIII forever stand with sages, statesmen
and philant pists, OF whom the world fstheir
day was not worthy. He lived and thought CEN
turtles in advance of his cotem poraries and slowly
but surely the generations since have been APP
be set upon the shores Of the Delaware. LOOKING
over some old papers recently. found some verses
years ago. OF course the circumstan, es under
which they were penned alone entftle them to no
tice, but venture to send them the only re-
Spouse to thy request which 1 can make. 1 am
truly thy friend, JOHN g. WHITTIER.
The poem dated 1924 is as follows:
WILLIAM PENN.
The tyrant on his golden throne,
The warrior in his battle dress,
The holier triumph neer have known
OF justice and of righteousness.
Founder of Pennsylvania, thou
Didst feel ii when thy words of peace
Smoothed the stern chieftain's s1arthy brow
And bade the dreadful war-dance cease
On schuylkilTs banks no fortress frowned-
The peaceful cot, alone was there
No beacon fires the hill ops crowned,
No death-shot swept the Delaware.
In manners meek. in precepts mild,
Thou and thy friends serenely taught
The savage huntsman, fierce and wild, i ,
To raise to heaven his every thought
How all unlike the bloody band
That unrelenting Cortez led
To princely Montezumas land,
And ruin round his pathway shed.
With hearts that knew not how to spare,
Dlsdaining mil'er means to try,
The crimson sword alone was there,
The Inaians' choice to yield or die.
But thou meek Pennsylvania sire
Unarmed, alone, from terror free,
Taught by toe heather councilfre
The lessons of Christianity.
Founder of Pennsylvania,s State,
Not on the blood-wet rolls of fame,
But with the wise, the good the great,
The world shall place thy sainted name
Poems were read by Mrs. Sarah L Ober-
holtzer and Mary p. Fawkles, of Chester
county, snd Henry S. Kent, of Philsdel phia.
Addresses we're also made by Alfred H.
Lane, president of The Pennsylvania Peace
Society; Samuel J. Levick, of PhiladeI phia,
and others. Services in all churches IN this
city yesterday were in keeping with the oc
casion. To-Day the bi-centennisl of the
landing of Penn will be fittingly celebrated.
= GRAND SUCCESS.
The bicentennIal celebration to-day is 3
grand success. Nearly every building is re-
splendent with flags, bunting and various APP
pirate decorations, giving the city holiday
appearance. At least 100000 visitors are
present, and the streets are so thropged as to
be almost impossible. Among the guests are
large number OF distinguished gentlemen,
including Gov. Hoyt and Attorney General
Latta, the mayors OF cities in this Stale,
Delaware and New Jersey, and large num-
Der of representative gentlemen from Phila-
delphia and New York. The day was
ushered in by the ringing of all the bells in
the city, each bell tolling 200 strokes.
The exercises proper of the day begun at
$50 O'Clock this morning with representa-
ZION of the landing of William Penn and his
party from an old-fashioned yaw-lboat at the
foot of Penn street, the exact spot where
Penn first touched soil In this State 200 years
ago. The principal characters were William
Penn" John Hare; "Lieut. Mackham," Will
liam P Ladomus; Robert Wade" W. III.
Schureman; Robert Piersen," j. A. Martin;
Chief Taminent," Arthur Martin; Bears
Meat" II. Greenwood, John Sharpless, J. +.
Wright, and Quakers, Swedes and Indians IN
the costumes OF the period. As the boat
hnI III nd cd
and were greeted by Mackham, Wade and
Piersop. A long talk ensoed, and then
little further from shore Penn-me the
Indians, with whom he conversed freely.
When Penn landed large feet of all kinds
vessels lying in the river blew their
whistles, thousands of people on shore APP
plauded and the bells throughout the city
rang out the tidings, and all was excitement.
The landing was great success. At 1880
o'clock meeting was organized at the grand
stand at Second street and Concord avenue,
where $4,000 people were packed.
On the grand stand were a number OF
.repres -ntative men. The meeting was called
to order by Msj Barton, who made q few
remarks congratuiating the people on the
importance oil the occasion, dwelling espe-
ciaily on the fact that it was the first land
ing place in this State of that exemplary
statesman Penn. His remarks were loudly
cheered. The Rev. Henry Brown, of st.
PagPs Episcopal church, offered a prayer,
after which over 1000 children sang "My
Country IT'S of Thee" Gov. Hoyt then
made short and interesting speech, which
was well received. He congratulated the as
sembage on being able TO participate IN SO
import ant an epoch in the city's history,
alluded TO the appropriateness OF historic
Chester opening Lhe bI-centennial exercises,
and then referred to the progress of the
State which he attributed 10 the influence OF
the Quakers and English, Scoth, Dutch and
Irish blood in its people. The Rev. Mr..
Psncoast read an original poem, which was
followed by more singing by children. John
NJ. Broomsll, the orator Of the day, next
delivered eulogy of Penn and his peace
policy, denouncing war and its results, and
in eloquent language gave a historical
sketch of Penn and Chester City, which,
prior to he arrival of Penn, was called Up
land. The meeting closed with music. This
afternoon there was grand civic, military
and Industrial parade, in which 5000 people
grand display of 6reworks.
The Exercises at Philadelphia.
PHILADELPHIA, October 23.-The celebra-
ton OF the 200Lh anniversary OF the found-
ing of Pennsylvania by William Penn
opened yesterday with religious services in
the churches OF all denominations. To-
Independence Hall and sang appropriate
songs. At midnight the Staiehouse bell an
nouuced the landing day. Preparations for
it's observation have been made on an elab-
crate scale. Wednesday will be given to
parade of the industries of the city and
State. In the evening there will be street
represent alton of scenes in the life and career
OF Penn. A reception at the Academy OF
Music will close the ceremonies of that day.
Thursday is Knight Templar" day, and
Friday military Day" Several thousand
Templars ard 10000 troops are expected.
Parades, regsttas, chorus songs, the meet OF
bicycliste, the unwilling OF statutes, ETC.,
make OPP the other exercises.
MEETING OF THE PEACE UNION.
The Universal Peace Union and Pennsyl-
vania Peace Society held commemorative
exercises at franklin Institute Hall this
morning in honor OF the landing of William
Penn and the founding of the commonwealth
of Pennsylvania. The meeting was presided
over by Mayor King. The opening prayer
ssSie " James Spear, vino invoked e
blessing on peace and its advocates. Letters
of regret were read from De Lesseps, Her
bert Spencer, s. G. Lay, the president of the
Seneca Nation OF New York IndiaEs, and