The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-10-15


ed within this State. The Master Mason
has already placed the stone. We have
witnessed the ceremony, and we have lis
tened to the beautiful and imposing rit-
ual which has been handed down from
great antiquity. The rule and the level
pronounced square and plumb and
true. 1t is massive and firm, fit to be
builded upon. The. fair structure, de-
signed with SO much skill, will now rise
in all Its beautiful proportions, and in
due time will be the fitting home for the
life of tho State.
The people of ths State have ordered
this building. The architects have given
it shape and form. Between the people
and the architects stanos the Commis-
sion. the mouth-piece Of the people.
While we admire the generosity of the
people and the genius OF the architects,
et not fail to recognize the important
work which this Commission has per-
formed. \
Five years have been consumed in ac-
quiring the site, In studying plans, ar
ranging details OF use and occupancy, Sc
lecting materials and awarding con-
tracts. The labor has been immense and
without remuneration. The State House
Com mission we'll deserves the thanks OF
the people for the patience, perseverance,
and ability with which this labor has
been performed
On an occasion which thus marks an
era in our growth, 1t is well to look back
ward over the way by which we have
come. This spot where we now are Is
well suited to such a retrospect. An OBJ
server standing here 260 years ago would
have beheld the planting OF Providence.
At that time broad cove stretched over
the space now filed with a net twork OF
ailway tracks. 1t extended from the base
OF this hill' to very near where Westmin-
ster street now is. Into this cove the
clear waters of the Moosbassuc came
down from the ortheast, and the Woon-
asquatucket from the west. On the east
ern side of the cove rose the steep sides
of Prospect HUI, then clothed with prim-
eval forest. Every W here there was the ST.
ience of the wilderness.
In June, 1886, the boat containing Rog-
er Williams and his companions could
have been seen making its way mp the
river from Fox Point. Tie party had pre-
viously landed at Slate Rock, ana re-
ceived the historic salutation, "What
cheer. Netop." Reem barking they de-
rcended the Seekonk, rounded the point,
and proceeded up the river. Going back
over the 260 years, we can picture the
scene. From this very place we can see
the placid cove, the forest -clad hills, the
clear winding rivers, the shining bay,
and over all the soft light OF June
morning. We can see the boat as IL slowly
comes onward along the eastern shore
OF the cove. Its occupants are seeking
a suitable place to land. They proceed
northward, enter the Moos hassuc, and
near its mouth, just across the valley
from where we now are, fine spring of
pure water attracts their attention. There
they land, and there they thank God for
His guiding Providence, and Roger Will
liams gives the name OF Providence to
this new plantation, in token OF his
gratitude.
Roger Williams was sentenced to BAN
ishment from Massac husetts in the fall OF
1856. 1t was at first promised that the
execution OF this sentence should be de-
layed until the following spring, but in
January, 1886, tais promise was with
drawn, and 1t was proposed TO send him
back TO England. Hearing of this, and
undeierrcd by the inclement season, vii
liams set forth into the wilderness. In
describing this journey he says: ~ was
sorely tossed for one fourteen weeks in
q bitter winter season, not knowing what
bread or bed did mean"
This Is no place 20 give sn exhaustive
account of the On uses which led to Roger
williams banishment. They have becn
fully given by others more able than my
self. Judge Thomas Durfoe, IN his ae-
dress delivered ON TIRE 25Oth anniversary
% the planting of Providence, has treated
tho whole matter In a most thorough
manner, and the lsmented Professor Di-
man, at the unveiling Of the statue OF
Roger Williams in 1877, has given us
picture which must live In tn memories
Of all VITO have read that mssterls ora
tion. Suffice now II TO say, that whatever