Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-22


The fact that I first saw the light in the
State of New Jersey have never regarded
| as working forfeiture of any right may
have derived from my New England lin
cage, nor as making me an intruder or
merely tolerated guest in an assemblage of
ing spirit the imputat1on that my birth in
New Jersey constitutes ME a foreigner and
an alien; and l have never been able to
see any humor in the suggestion that my
native State is not within the Union. To
my mind the regularity with which she votes
the Democratic ticket entities her to Il high
rank among the States that are really useful.
At any rate, 1 shall always insist that New
Jersey is a good State to be born in and
point to the fact that after an absence of
more than 80 years have returned to find a
temporary home within her limits, as fully
demonstrating that my very early love for
her is not extinguished.
Assuming that you agree with me that my
birth in New Jersey has not stamped me
with indelible ineligibility. and anticipating
your demand for affirmative support of my
qualification to mingle with those who cele-
brate Forefathers' Day and sing the praises
OF the men who first settled in New England,
the statement that Bean Hill in the town of
Norwich, and State of Connecticut, was the
birthplace of my father. 1 hope that in
making this statement shall not remind
you OF the man who loudly boasted of his
patriotic sacrifice in the defense of his coun-
try on the ground that he had permitted his
wife's relatives to join the army.
Love for the Land Of the Pilgrims.
at any rate, it seems to me that the claim
make is entirely valid, with no embarrass-
ment connected with it, except the ad-
mission by inference that for some purposes
and on some occasions fathers birthplace
may be of more value to a man than his own.
1have nothing further to urge on the SUBJ
ject of my eligibility except to mention, as
something which should be credited to me
upon my own account, the fact that I have
lately demonstrated my preference for New
England and my love for that section of our
country where my ancestors lived and died,
ny establishing summer home In the State
of Massachusetts
think all ofus are old enough to remem-
Der the prophetic words put opposite cer-
tain dates in the old almanacs, ABOUT these
now made up as they used to be, it would
not he amiss to set opposite the latter days
Of December, "About these days look out
for glorification Of the Pilgrims" This
almanac that a time was foretold when the
people of the country would be reminded
that there were 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 remem-
brance. 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 Eng
the land have taken with them those hab-
it's opinions and sentiments which, having
an early origin on American soil, should be
best suited to American life everywhere,
and should be the best guarantees in every
situation of the preservation, in their integ
rity and purity, of American institutions.
Farms Not Abandoned in VAIN,
We have heard much of abandoned lands
in New England. If farms have been apan-
doned there. we know that larger and more
productive farms have been developed in
newer States by the Pilgrims from New
England. If the population of New England
has suffered a drain, we shall find that the
vigorous activity lost to her has built UP
new cities les, and ad towns on distant t,as and un-
creations the truest and best features of
American civilization.
While all will admit the debt our great
country owes to New England influences,
and while none of US should be unmindful
Of the benefits to be reasonably expected
from the maintenance and spread of these
further relation to the mission and duty of
the Pilgrims from New England and their
descendants, wherever they may be scat
tered throughout the land. II they are at
all true to their teachings and their tradi-
tions they will naturally illustrate in a
practical way the value of education and
moral sentiment in the foundations of
social life and the value OF industry and
economy IS conditions of thrift and content
ment. But these Pilgrims and their descend
ants and all those who, with sincere enthus-
iasm, celebrate Forefathers' Day, will fail in
the discharge of their highest duty if, YIELD
ing to the temptation OF any un-American
tendency, they neglect to teach persistentiy
that in the early days there was, and that
and distinctive w Americanism; I s or if f. theV ee
neg. ect to givQ it just Interpretation. in
This certainly does not mean that spirit
of narrowness or prescription should be en-
couraged, nor that there should be created
OF kept alive fear concerning such addi-
tfons to our population from other lands as
promise assimilation with our conditions
and cooperation in our aims and purposes
It does. however, mean the insistence that
every transfer OF allegiance from another
Government to our own, should signify the
taking on at the same time of an aggressive
and affirmative devotion to the spirit of
American institutions.
A Lesson OF Pure Patriotism.
1t means that with us, a love of our Gov.
eminent for it's own sake and for what it is,
is an essential factor of citizenship, and that
it is only made full! and complete by the
adoption of the ideas and habits of thought
which underlie our plan of popular rule 1t
means that one fills place in our citizen
ship unworthily who regards it solely as
vantage ground where he may fill his purse
and better his condition. Itmeans that our
Government is not suited to selfish, sordid
people, and that in their hands it is not safe.
This is a time when there is pressing need
for the earnest enforcement of these truths:
and occasions like this cannot be better i'm
proved than by leading US to such self ex-
animation and self-correction as shall fit us |
to illustrate and teach the lessons of true |
When we here recall the |
landing OF the Pilgrims, let us remember !
that they not only sought Freedom to wor.
ship Cod" 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. |
ican independence, and that in sucn soil |
alone can its fruits ripen TO bless our people. |
When we contemplate how completely con- |
science guided their lives and conduct, let |
US resolve that conscience shall find a place |
in every phase of our citizenship; and when |
we learn of their solicitude and care for their |
home, let us acknowledge that |
unselflsh love Of country can alone show us |
the path of political duty.
With such preparation as this-leaving no |
place for the ignoble thought that our Gov
can, without perversion, hold out |
unequal rewards and encourage selfish de-
,iSns-we shall teach that this heritage of |
ours has been confided from generation, to
generation to the patriotic keeping and |
owing care of true Americanism and that
his alone can preserve it: to shelter free |
md happy ypeople...protecting all. defending