New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-12-19
FoREFATHERs' DAY.
up RI.AryE TO SPEAK IN BOSTON.
kAprous PLANS FOR CELEBRATING THE ANNIyER-
sARY IN MEMORY OF THE PILGRIMS.

8lsine will speak upon the subject OF the Pilgrim
Hsthersr before the Congregational Club has
treated an especial interest 10 the celebration Of
rsForefathers Day." Many urgent requests have
boen made Mr.. Blaine to appear before Boston
Audience at political rallies aud at club festivals,
but arrangements could not be made to bring about
The desired event. and the disappointment of delay
has made the public more eager to hear the disln-
Ruished speaker. The Rev. Dr. Webb, former
pastor and for long time close friend of MIR.
Blaine, extended the invitation from the club and
was fortunate in making arrangements convenient
to all Mr.. Blaine will be the last speaker Gov
ernor Robinson will make the first address, and he
will be followed, 1t is expected, by the Rev.
Walcoft Cailxns, of Newton; President +. G..
Robinson, of Brown University; and Pro-
fessor Lincoln, of Newton Theological
Seminary. DR.. Webb will preside and ithc enter
talnment Of the supper at Music Hall will be
varied by music from the Germania Orchestra and
from the choir of the Shawmut Avenue Congrega-
tional Church the addresses will follow the recep
ton and feast 1t Is not an unexpected result OF
the announcement of Mr. Blaine as principal
speaker that the demand for tickets has exceeded
the supply. About 900 will be present at the ia
bies and the festival will be one of the most i'm
portant commentators of the forefathers ever
gwen in the city. When the luxurious programme
designed by Ipsen shall be presented the members
of the club will find that the tertainment in out
line is as attractive as it promises to be, for
antique lettering, illuminated borders and the
vignette of the Mayhower make an appropriate
souvenir The last feature Of the celebration will
be singing in chorus of Mrs. Hemanss we-known
hymn, 1.-The Breaking Waves Dashed High"
The chief remembrance of Forefathers' Day
is given each year by the Conerega-
tional clubs in different cities. Eight towns
will celebrate the day by these clubs, and Salem
and Brockton especial efforts will be made to make
the event interesting. At Philadelphia and some
other places proposals will be made to con tribute to
the completion of the National Monument at
Plymouth. which remains constant object of char
liable effort In Boston the ladies night" on
FOrefathers' Day has been one Of the most enjoyed
festivals of the year at the Congregational Club in
interest ecpsing lately the May Festival of time
worn nature 1t was established in 1873, when
Mr.. Henry d. Hyde was president of the club and
the Hon. Alexander Rice Governor of the Common
wealth Its first meetings were held in Horticult-
ural Hail. before the club had increased in size to
demand q larger space and some of its early speak
crs are among its earnest supporters to-day. At the
first celebration addresses were made by DR.. Alex
ander Mckenzie, the Rev. DR.. Meredith and the
Rev. NJ. G. Clark. all Of whom have spoken elo-
quently and often on the phases OF the theme
Pilgrim Fathers" and will probably be present at
the next celebration to listen TO Mr.. Balne's and
the other speakers exposition OF the favorte sub
ject.
The Oldest society which will celebrate this year
is the welknown Pilgrim Society. whose many
meetings on the day of remembrance have been
far-famed occasions of oratory and digni6ed feast
ing. 1t is the custom of the society to give grand
festival every five years, the last one Of which took
place last December. when ex-Minister Lowell
made graceful afterdInner speech. IN which he
casually mentioned the moral of the day, THAT
we celebrate aud commend the virtues of our an
cestOrs it lays us under the obligation to emulate
and. if possible to initiate them" Judge Russell,
the president OF the society. says that in
quence of the great celebration last year. there |
will be only informal celebration this year at |
Plymouth. On Sunday. the 10th, the clergy of the |
town, six ministers in all, will hold union SER
vice. at which speeches will be made and pilgrim |
hymns will he sung. 1--WE are always careful to
bring out the old historic songs at our celebra-
TONS" said Judge Russell. For illus
tration. we have sung hymns like HALL |
Pilgrim Fathers of Our Race TO the
tune of old Hundred Sons of Renowned Sires,'
20 God Save the King and Behold they come, the
Sacred Forms.'' Ii is expected that Dr. Everett.
Of Quincy, viii make an address Heis descend
ant of the Rowland family and always speaks at
the celebration of the day. On the 21st larger
festIvIty will take place, 10 which the fremen ln-
tend 10 take prominent part and OF which bali
in the evening will be a prominent feature. In
Plymouth II Is the custom for individuals 10 cele-
brate the day by decoration OF their houses and by
small dinners; 1t Is legend of this society how
every decorated his house in the great ceebra-
ton OF 1885 with notices displaying loyalty and
such as August, 1885, Forefathers'
Day. lhawed out" and the unique motto erected
BY an eccentric sea-eaptaln, Times amt now as
hey used 10 was" his year there will be many
private dinners, according to the popular custom.
Before 1920 the PIgr IN Fathers were remembered
~ occasional celebrations OF Old Colony cubs; but
hot nCuv INN Qfneyy QlV nv hA
ion of the Pilgrim Society and by its
''niiqne festival at ,rS which Daniel Webster
White pitcher which had been used at the dinner
vas sold for $50 on account of its rarity and
unique association IL belonged TO the famous SER
ice of bue CHINA made at Liverpool especially for
he celebration, and has been sold by pieces since
hen, until it has BECOME exceedingly rare. The
ear in which Charles Sumner and Edward
Everett spoke at the celebration was a memorable
ear In the society's annals, ana an interesting
leetlng was that IN which the Hon. Robert G.
inthr0p was the orator
Since it was first decided that celebration of
he anniversary of the embarkation of the PIlgr inns
RON Delft Harbor in 1920 take place" speakers
ave been discussing the subject of the Pilgrim
athers IN all Its conditions 1 he theme has been
sually the same, and when once the COngrega
onal Club made change and discussed 81 he In
ian Question" the president explained the choice
subject IN its relation 10 the Pilgrims by refer
Dg to the appropriateness of discussing the rela-
rest. In all the discussions every detail of the
,lonizatiOn has been treated historically; every
ature of the early government has
zen compared to modern, development; I
,ery trait Of the first settlers has been
udled IN ITS effect upon posterlty. great quick
ling of historical interest has been the result and
e preservation of historical relics, of family his
res and interesting historical material has been
tected The mission OF ceebl alton viii not be 0
nsldered over until all town records are pre- I
rye with care and until the early history OF the
Onies Is known by all VINO enjoying the fruits q
the industry of the pioneers That the subject !
Il not been worn threadbare must be attributed :
the increasing uierest taken by people of Boston
I'd other cary founded colonies in old things. | =,
interest has lately received many Illustrations
0 many lectures on Old Boston, the celebrations :,
anniversaries by towns, colleges and churches. :,
iring the last week the enthusiasm for remem- -
ance OF ancestors has been shown by the refined ~
d charming celebration of the 2OOth anniversary -
the founding of Kings Chapel :,
~ Il
cEA Oilers, ASSOCIA 10Y ENTERLAINMENE bl