The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-12-22
CLEVELAND AT A BANQUET.
The Ex-President Speaks Before G
Brooklyn Society.

brooklyn society.
BROOKLYN, N. Y, Dec 2L.-The New
England Society Of brooklyn gave its
annual dinner tonight In the assembly
rooms Of the Academy Of Music in cou-
memoration of its 18th anniversary and the
27Ist Of the landing Of the pilgrims. The
rooms were appropriately decorated for the
occasion. Covers were laid for 275 guests
Hon. Calvin e. Pratt, president Of the
society, presided.
At the conclusion of the dinner President
Pratt made brief address, after which the
following coasts, "The President of the
United States" and ''In Memory Of Gen.
Sherman" were drunk In silence.
Just at this moment ex-President Cleve-
land entered the banquet room amid storm
of applause.
The following toasts were responded to:
"The veteran" Gen. Horace Porter;
vermont Hon. Roswell G. Horr; "New
England's past in education - Rev. Charles
IL. Hall, ID. D.; "The City of Brook
lyn," Hon. David A. Boody; "The day we
celebrate was to have been responded
to by Hon. J. O. Burrows. and "The essen
tial triumphs Of puritanismn by Rev. II. L.
Waylnnd, d. D., but both gentlemen sent
letters of regret stating that they could
not be present.
EA4AND bfEECd.
Following are extracts from ex-President
Cleve.and's speech:
I think all OF US are old enough to remember
the prophetic words put opposite certain dates
in the old almanacs. About these days look
out for snow" IL almanacs were now made M
as they used to be, it would not be amiss TO set
opposite the letter days OF December, About
these days look out for giorihcation of the PHI
grims. This would be notice 10 those consult
ing the almanac that time was foretod when
the people OF the country would be reminded
that there We're Pilgrims who came to New
England and there set IN motion the forces
which created our wondrous nation.
No one will deny that the Pilgrims TO New
England were well worthy Of all that is done or
can be done TO keep them in remembrance.
But we cannot recall their history and what
they did and established and what they taught,
without also recalling that there have been
Pilgrims from New England who findin their
way to every part Of the land, have taken with
them those habits, opinions and sentiments
which, having an early origin 10 American soil,
should be best suited TO American life every
where, and should be the, best guarantees In
every situation, OF the preservation, In their
integrity and purity, Of American Institutions.
We have heard much Of abandoned lands in
New England. II farms have been abandoned
there, we know that larger and more produc-
tive farms have been developed In newer states
by the Pilgrims from New England II the
population OF New England has suffered
drain, we shall find that the vigorous activity
lost to her has built up new cities aud towns on
distant and unbroken soil and impressed upon
these new creations the truesS and best features
OF American civilization.
DISTINCTIVE AMERIoANrsM.
While all will admit the debt our great eoun-
try owes to New England Influences aud while
none OF us should be unmindful OF the benefits
TO De reasonably expected from the maintenance
and spread Of these Influences, q thought is
suggested which has further relation 20 the
mission and duty Of the Pilgrims from New
England and their descendants. wherever they
may be scattered throughout r4Ie land II they
are at all true to their teachings hd their trndi
tions they will naturally illustrate In prac-
teal way the value Of education and moral
sentiment in the foundations of social
life and the value Of industry and econ
omy as conditions of thrift and contentment
But these Pilgrims and their descendants aud
all those who, with sincere enthusiasm, cele-
brate Forefathers' day, will fail IN the discharge
of their highest duty IL, yielding to the tempta-
ton OF any un-American tendency, they neg
lect TO teach persistently that ia the early DAYS
there was, and that there still ought TO be,
such q thing as true ard distinctive American.
ism, or IL they neglect TO give it just ihterpre
tation,
This certainly does not mean that a spirit of
narfowness or prescription should be encoIr-
aged. nor that there should be created or kept
alive fear concerning such additions 10 our
population from other lands as promise assfnai-
lation with our conditions and co-operation
In our ain9 and purposes. 1t does. however,
mean the fnsfstence that every transfer of ale
glance from another go7ernment to our own
should signify the takiug on az the same time
of an aggressive and Affirmative devotion to
the spirit Of American institutions II means
that with us, a love Of our government for its
own sake and for what II is, is an essential factor
Of citizenship, and that il is only made full and
complete by the adoption Of the ideas and habits
OF thought which underie our plan Of popular
rule. 10 means that one fills place Ia our citi-
zenship unworthiiy who regefds 1t solely as
vantage ground where be may All hfs nurea and
better bis condiSon. It means that our govern
ment is not suited to selfish, sordid people,
and that in their hands 1t s not safe.
NEEDS FOR THEIR ENFORCEMENT.
This is a time when there is pressing need
for the earnest enforcement of these truths:
and occasions like this caunot be better i'm
proved than by leading us to sucn self-examina
uou ana ser correction as shall 1t US to illustrate
and teach the lesson OF true Americanism.
When we here recall the landing OF the Pill
grims, let us remember that they not only
sought Freedom to worship God, = but they
also sought to establish the freedom and liberty
OF MANHOOD. When we dwell upon their stern
and sturdy traits let us remember that
these nurtured the spirit which achieved Amer
lean Independence and that in such soil alone
can its fruits ripen to bless our people, When
we contemplate how Completely conscience
guided their lives and conduct, let Us resolve
that conscience shall find place In every phase
of our citizenship; and when we learn Of their
solicitude and care for their new-found home,
let us acknowledge that unselflsh love OF coun-
try can alone show US the path Of political duty
With such preparation as this-leaving no
place for the ignoble thought that our govern
ment can, without perversion, hold out unequal
rewards and encourage selfish designs-we shall
teach taat this heritage of ours has been con-
hded from generation to generation to the
patriotic keeping and loving care of true Ameri-
canism, and that this alone can preserye It: to
shelter Tree and happy people-protecting all,