The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-21

a race uniting In themselves almost
every condition of physical. inteliectu-
al, and political development, race
which made new and mighty element
of power In the history of our nation
challenging the attention and com
manding the respect of the world. Their
stern Puritanic mother had thrown
them off each in turn, as the northern
eagle soaring from his lofty eyrie
shakes in mid-air her frightened fledg-
llngs from her back to try for them
selves their new-grown pinions In the
upward flight, and dare alone the splen-
dor and danger of the sky. we see
them among the earliest settlers or the
west and northwest as soldiers in ITS
defense. and as pioneers in It's develop
ment reaching at early periods prom
inent official positions; their strong
character and natural ability swayed
to their own views the principles ana
the actions of the people among whom
they lived. In the. halls of legislature
they are soon heard and looked upon as
the political champions, and leaders OF
public opinion. What lustre this
strong race of men from old New Eng
land stock has shed ON the history of
our nation. What great common
wealths of the west and northwest
where they chiefly settled. have they
given to the union! Their history Is
the history of the states In which they
have lived. -"~
.n Truly Self Made Men.
BY study of their character we iind
they were truly self made men, shaped
in giant mould: of intense convictions
resistless will, and untiring perseVer-
ence; rough, rudely-cut diamonds, un-
polished by culture of schools or graces
of fashionable society," In strength
massive; in sense, surprising; In men
tai force, subduing; in fidelity. stead
fast; in patriotism, loyal and true; and
in straightforward honesty, as trans
parent as the crystal which from every
angle reflects the liquid light. Little
did they care for theories-this all the
speeches of their ablest representatives
will show Their history tells us how
they toiled in the early years of their
lives, and who. when the time came
wove their own personalities into the
web of the national fabric. Their argu-
ments were living things. their sent
ences We're catapults. In everything
they went straight to the core. and
dealt with marrow, while flesh and bone
were left to decay. They believed there
was no true greatness, no greatness
worthy of being perennially remem-
bered, except that which embodied
noble thoughts working towards q
worthy end. recognizing at once the
dignity of humanity and the worship
fulness of God, and endeavoring to CO.
entwine in the execution of some. pur-
pose both of these elements of con-
temptation. both Of these incen'
tive to action. AS a political
force they may be classed among
Arr, ne htctn
The Norsemen would enroll then
among the great and heroic in the halls
of ValhalIa. The Romans would asso
ciate them with Vulcan, who made the
earth tremble under the weight of his
strokes.
1t Is a Glorious Inheritance.
What glorious inheritance they have
left us! An inheritance won by theil
toll, watered by their tears. saddenet
but fertilized by their blood, and rem
dered glorious by their deeds of valor
] plead this evening for n revival OF
the spirit which has made New Eng
land. Let not the blood that was the in
spiration at Lexington, Concord. Bunk
er Hill and Trenton ebb away, or course
lifeless through the arteries of the ma
ton. Our country stands today on the
threshold of a war with n powerful ma
tion over question of principle-G
principle that Is as vital to our nationa
honor as any in the constitution. lap,
peal to the sons of New England. IL wal
should come. let us prove ourselves
worthy SOUS, of our noble sires," anC
preserve the honor of the nation in tn,
spirit and virtue of our illustrious an
cestors, having for our watchword-
America for Americans--now and for
ever! If we do this we cannot fail
Then will another Molly Stark avail
amid tears of anxious pride the new.
from another Bennington. Women vii
once more give their sons and hus
bands to war for the honor of tn,
nation, saying, you belonged to Goo
before you belonged to me-" Anothe
army of Boys in Blue will march int,
history and immortal fame; another
Sheridan, another Sherman, and an
other Grant leading then on to victory
another Lincoln, dying n martyr, shai
bequeath a resplendent memory to q re
deemed and regenerate nation.
This Century Had the IIonr
IT was given to the nineteenth centur,
to teach the world that republic coul,
be founded and established upon tn
principles Of justice, liberty and equal
ity, and the intelligence of the people,
1t will be the duty of the twentieth cen
tury to show how it can be preserve,
against plutocracy. anarchism and an,
violation of the Monroe doctrine b,
any foreign power.
Let us then be Americans. He Is no
an American who Is one outwardly ac
cordlng to nativity or adoption merely
America Is the new world OF opportu
nifty for all that is best in humanity
Americanism Is Il spirit and sentmen
not badge of locality or form OF gov
ernment. Amerlcanism Is faith in TIL
people. a sense of brotherhood. the rul
of perfect justice, loyalty to reason an,
conscience. and conservation to all TIL
high ends of civilization. Americanisn
is patriotism that gees in the nation
civil glory the highest hope and iofties
inspiration, and In the nations flag j;
symbol of order and union.
Beautiful colors. oh, raise them on high
Let us fight for them, tho fighting we die
Forty-four stars OH the bright field o
blue;
Forty-four statcs-rnay they ever be true
May each endeavor to stand for the right
May all together in friendship unite,
Then tho adversities round US may curl
Let US our beautiful banner unfurl;
And may 1t float from ocean to sea,
If these things be in us and abound
we are Americans; the man who lack
them is a foreigner and stranger t.
this great republic, though he shoul,
boast of birth on Plymouth Rock or O
baptism in the Mississippi river.
Poem by Theron G. Asborne.
An original poem by Theron G.. Os
borne, Of Greenwood. was recited by tn
author In response to the toas. "Nev
England in Our Poetry" The poem
was as follows
one solace have as at your decree
/ touch with reverent hand the charmc
lute:
My heart is full aitho' my lips be mute
A song of singers! surely 1t should be
A master skill to wake the minstrelsy.
New England bards. not mine to striv
to tell
Their faults. or place their worth be
yond compare.
d.,