The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1888-08-18
CHESHIRE,S OFFERING.
History Of a Cheese Presented to
President Jefferson.

History Of a Choose Presented to
President Jefferson.
Good Elder Leland's Interest in PolitIcs
and the Results Following TIA Token
of Good VIII Which Was Unique
in Every Respect.
The town of Cheshire, situated among the
Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts, is one Of
the pleasantest places in all the country,
says the Boston Transcript. The pasturage
Of this region is excellent. The land is very
productive, and the dairy farms have al
ways been noted for the quality Of their
butter and cheese. And here, about eighty
seven years ago, was made the enormous
cheese whose fame went abroad through
out the United States, crossed the water,
and even spread into foreign countries.
Elder John Leland, a celebrated preacher Of
his time, was pastor Of the village church.
He was a vigorous and original thinker,
noted for his exposition of the Scriptures.
People came from far and near to listen to
his sermons. In those days q minister's
views upon all public questions were re-
ceived with respectful attention, and Elder
Leland did not contine his labors to paro-
chial affairs. Any delinquency among the
selectmen OF the town, any failure in rigid
adherence to duty, was boldly attacked ~
him in the pulpit, and names were mentioned
with startling directness.
Thomas Jefferson was nominated for the
Presidency OF the United States in the fall
Of 1900. He was believed by many to be
an intidel, and the feeling Of New England
the stronghold of orthodoxy-was severe
against him. Eldor John Leland held no
share in this public opinion. He haa been
preacher in Virginia, where he often met
Mr. Jefferson.
The two men were mutually attracted
and held long conversations together.
! Elder Leland became an ardent aamirer of
Jefferson. he recognized his Christian
character in spite Of a natural reticence,
| and he believed in his republican, principles.
When Jefferson was nominated he began to
! work for him. 1t was said that che elder
stood alone, but the sturdy opposition be-
came his inspiration. Re preached politics
In the pulpit On Sunday; be rode to neigh
! boring towns through the week; he was
! ready always with an argument. So great
! was the influence that he exerted that when
| election day came there Was not member
| Of the whole county who Sailed to vote for
| Jefferson. Great was Elder Leland's de-
| light over the victory, and OF the close OF
T.! the afternoon service On the paxb Sabbath
| he proposed that, as people, they should
prepare token Of their good will to be
sent to Washington after the new Pres1-
| dent had taken his place at the White
Eouse. Iii should be something in which
women as well SIS men could participate,
and he suggested an enormous cheese, as
the natural product Of their industry.
| Every rnsn in the county who had voted for
Jefferson should bring all che curd he felt
able to give. a. committee OF farmers'
| wives, who were skilled, should bs aE-
pointed for the mixing. Every body was
pleased with the idea Captain John Brown,
who was known as the man to irst suspect
| and denonnce Benedict Arncla Is traitor,
was member Of this village Ee offered
! his cider mill as the best and largest in the
town. They had it thoroughly cleaned, q
new bottom of wood set in, surrounded with
an iron hoop, and thus converted into q
huge cheese-presa. It YVES fine afternoon
when the crowd cane pouring in from all
quarters Of the county to Captain Browns
farm. Some wealthy farmers brought
quantities Of curd, others only pailful, but
| the offerings were poured into the cider
press. The 1natrons then came forward:
mixed aud favored it. The men stood
ready for the pressing.
| When the cheese was ready to be re"
moved, it was found to weigh sixteen hum
bred pounds. The parish requested their
minister to convey it III person to the fresh
dent. It was a journey Of five hundred
miles, but the sleighipg at the appointed
time was excellent, and he started. He was
three weeks on the road The people
thronged to meet him in every town and
village through which he passed. for the
news Of the gift had spread, and such a
cheese was never seen before. When
Elder Leland arrived in Washington, he
sent note to jefferson, who suggested
that the members of his Cabinet and o. Con-
| gress, together with the foreign Ministers
and other inguished guests, should be
invited to attend and witness the presenta
| ton. In the midst Of this gathering Eide,
Leland arose with great dignity and prof"
fered the huge Cheshire cheese as token
of the deep respect of his county. The
President closed his courteous reply with
these words:
! civil cause this suspicious event to be
placed upon the records of our Nation, and
| it will ever shine amid it's glorious archives.
| I shall ever esteem it among the
most happy incidents Of my life: aud
now my much respected reverend friend,
I will, by the consent and in the presence
of my most honored council, have the
cheese cut, and you will take back with you
a portion Of it, with my hearty thanks, and
present it to your people, that they all may
have taste. Tell them never to falter in
the principles they have so nobly defended
they have successfully come to the rescue
OF our beloved country in the time of her
great peril. Ivish them health and pros
perity, and may milk in abundance never
! cease to flow to the latest posterity"
As arran gements had previously been
made, the steward Of the White House
came forward and cut the cheese. slice
was presented to each guest. Every one
tasted and declared it to be as near per
lection as it was possible for cheese to be.
Elder Leland was greatly delighted with
the whole enterprise. He spent few days
in Washington and then left fer home.
Another large meeting was held at Captain
John Browns The Elder gave the whole
account Of his trip, and the reception OF
their present at the Capitol. One can
imagine the eagerness and delight with
which the people listened. Each one re.