The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1897-07-01
Our Philadelphia Letter.
[ Correspondence of The Journa

Correspondence of The journal.
PHILADELPHIA, PA. June 10, 1897
Since my last letter to The journal bust
ness matters have again called me to Ken
nett Square, famous tie world over as the
home of Bayard Taylor. During my stay
were holding their yearly meeting at Long
wood, three miles north of kennett, and
as on Friday, the 4th inst, the program
included addresses by Rev. Merle st. c.
] Wright of New York city on "Religion
and Science" and Nolney B. Gushing of
Maine, on the Liquor Problem | ar
ranged to be present and enjoy the after
noon services. l was indeed glad to meet
friend Cushing, whom | have known for a
number of years. and also to make the
acquaintance Of Rev. Mr.. Wright At
80 o clock we took a carriage and were
driven over the beautiful hills to historic
Longwood.
One cannot go amss for fine scenery in
this varying and most attractive section
of Pennsylvania. Here you will find
wealth, refinement and beautiful homes
on every side. How swiftly the horses
carry us over the broad highway. How
refreshing the smell of grass and green
leaves My heart is stirred within me, and
as | look at Mr.. Cushing, who has come
all the way from Name my mind wanders
back to the State of the pine tree. All.
dear old Maine, how | love you. Your
mountains your skies and cool waves of
ocean are ever dear to me. When | shall
have got through with life here, let me be
laid to rest by the side of the one who
bore me by the banks of the kennebec
Dear old Maine
Are not your mountains, waves and skies
part
I OF me, and OF my soul, as l of them?
Is not the love of THESE deep in my heart
! With pure passion?
But away with summer reveries. We have
arrived at Longwood, where so many of
the great reforms which have stirred the
nation have been heard. There stands
the famous church whose sacred walls
have rung with the eloquence of Wendell
Phillips, Garrison, Frederick Douglass,
Theodore Parker and other eminent ora
tors in the days Of slavery. AT the left
of the church, with it's shaded walks, is
Longwood cemetery, where rest the ashes
of Bayard Taylor. AS l stood by the side
of his monument on this lovely summers
day the thought came to me: Here lies
the remains of celebrated novelist and
poet who touched the life of his times
with power and ability; but alas, his
brilliant pen is laid aside, his voice for
ever stilled, for he met the common fate
of man while United States minister at
Berlin, in 1887. There is much in the life
of Bayard Taylor from which poor boy
can gather inspiration. His early struggles
with poverty, his earnest efforts to gain
az education and to better his condition.
led him at the early age of - to set out
for Europe with only $40 in his pocket,
and he wrote his ''Views Afoot' in Eu-
rope, which has been widely read. His
''Story of Kenneth" his poems of the
Orient; in fact, his entire works, are
worthy to be found in the choicest of
libraries. Long will his name live. Long
will it stand among the brightest stars as
lover of America and our free institu-
lions.
A few minutes before o'clock we en-
tered the meeting house and were shown
to seats in front, where we shook hands
with several prominent temperance and
religious workers. As looked around l
felt that sort of sanctity prevailed about
the place because of freedom of thought
that has held place here. The great
est poets Of the nation have been here,
as well as our greatest orators. Noble
Whittier scorned and spurned the slave
oligarchy from Longwood platform, and
found love and recognition among the
Friends. Lowell came, in radiant youth,
soul of fixed endeavor. Oh. historic
place, the air we breath this afternoon is
as full of the great questions to be met
and to be settled as ever in the days of
Phillips Garrison and Whittier. At 2
o'clock the clerk Of the meeting raped
for order and after the singing, which was
very fine, Rev. Mr.. Wright was introduce
ed He congratulated his hearers upon
the work that had emanated from the Or
ganization. He specially pointed out the
Importance of separating religion from the