Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1884-10-25
WHITTIER.
Mis Birthday Celebrated in New
England.

PROVIDENCE, X. l., Oct. 2i.--At the Board
ing School of New England yesterday there
was the annual meeting OF the Society Of
Friends on the occasion OF whitters birth
day. A portrait of the poet was presented
present, but sent the following letter:
OAK KNOLL, DANvERs. Mass, 10, q, a.
Augustine Jones. Principal Friends School,
MY DEAR Sin: I have received the kind
invitation to be with you on the oath inst,
but 1t Is hardly possible that can avail my
self of 1t otherwise than by proxy
My double, my counterfeit presentment,"
win of course be there, and, as the party
more interested, may fully supply my place,
the position assigned between the crests Of
the great English friend and statesman and
the noble woman who, like the Master, visit
ed spirit in prison" seems so far beyond
the desert Of its original, that II the portrait
had the miraculous power OF locomotfon at
e @ss L. To%d se sa es
seek an humber place. ! have reach
ed the period when hsttery ceases to
deceive and notoriety Is burden and the
faint i shadow Of literary reputation fails to
token OF love and good will has no limita
tions Of time and Is never out OF place.
scarcely need. therefore. to say highly ap-
preciate the generous compliment paid by q
In an old and honored institution. Iconfess
] heard the first intimation OF his purpose
with some surprise and misgiving as
looked back upon. my life not indeed
without honest endeavor, "yet marked by
many weaknesses and errors" II, however,
this gift OF my friend shall testify to our
common interest in the friends school and
faith In the principles and testimonies OF
the founders and 1t shall serve to remind
those who see Ii that whatever may seem
worthy of commendation In the life OF its
original Is due, not to himself. but To Divine
Providence which surrounded his youth
and strengthened his manhood, ] shall be
more than satisfied. need not say to thee,
my dear friend, that although | am a
Quaker by birthrightand sincere reflections,
lam no seetarian In the strict sense OF the
church OF humanity. Nevertheless. II one
has TO be hung In efiigy he may have some
choice as to the place OF execution, and II
goes far In reconciling me to my own fate
must be passive participant
win be performed In the hall OF
learning OF the Society of Friends
] am very truly thy friend.
John Bright, British statesman. in his let
ter. writes: "rhe Virginia slave Mathers
Lament has often brought tears 10 my eyes
1t Is short but IL is worth a volume on the
great question was settled twenty years age
by your great, conflict, In which so much
lTthtuIt anu bibbl NuH tAFthttt
10 make freedom the heritage o.
your continent. Those few lines
were enough TO raise your whole
nation to expel from amongst you the odiou
crime and guilt of slavery. In the poem o
ssnow Bonpd" there are lines on the dea;i
of the poets sister. which have nothing su
perior to them IN beauty and pathos In ou
language. have read them often, with al
ways increasing admiration. have sui
fered from the loss Of those dear and nea
to me. and can apply the lines to my owl
case and feel as III they were written for me
The Eternal Goodness" IL anothe
poem which is worth crowds q
sermons which are spoken from
pulpits, our sects and churches, and whicl
do not wish TO undervalue. Il Is a>grea
@1ft TO mankind when poet Is raised anon
us who deyotes his great powers to the sub
1iue purpose Of spreading among men tn
principles Of mercy and Justice and freedom
This our friend Whittier has, In adegree un
surpassed bs any other poet who has spokel
10 the world IN our noble tongue. ! feel II !
great honor ihat my bust should stand II
your hall near the portrait OF your grea
poet"