The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-12-28
ROGER WILLIAMS.
Rev. MI. Bunage Discusses Reasons
for His Banishmpnt.
His Paper Read Before the American His.
tOTical Association.

Boston, Dec. 2S.-The American His.
ioilcai association opened its annual
meeting In the South congregational
church yesterday. President James
rord Rhodes occupied the chair. and
'here was a large attendance.
iresident Rhodes addressed the gath
srihs' calling attention TO a new gavel
presented To the association by Samuel
ldcauiey jackson of Boston. The
saN@' he said lis made of five woods.
lour oi which. forming the head, con-
ash nhe maple OF Connecticut. the
! ~, enhsylVania, the red birch or
NrH Hampshire and the oak OF New
YORK state. The gold band. which is
ensraEed, Is from California Upon the
SWo sllVef bands are the words. From
Nevada. The handle is made of the
Veriniilon of Kentucky" In the name
~ me association President Rhodes
thanked Mr.. Jackson for the useful
present
In the unavoidable absence OF Mayor
quincy Rev. Edward Everett Hale
spohe oilelly Tor the city II Boston. II
am sure the city OF Boston" said he,
VIII cordially welcome you. and more
','1 uor1laly man any other city because
~. leei me necessity Of the proper !
"oIhlng up or our own history"
AT che afternoon session Rev. II
hurrage OF Portland Me. delivered an |
address on Why Was Roger Williams |
bdhlshed DIR. Burrage referred at
some iength to the proceedings connect
Vu win tne punishment of Roger Will
mans, and called attention 10 The ar
tempt Of the late Rev. DR. Henry NJ.
Dexter. IN his 'As to Roger Williams"
10 show that the banishment of Mr. |
Williams took place for reasons pure
~ political and having no relation 20
ms views upon liberation or upon any
suDJect othef than those which I'm their
pearlng upon the common rights OF
property, upon the sanctions of the |
oath and upon due subordination 10 the |
powers that he i'm the state made him !
a subVerter or the very foundations OF |
the government, with all IFS worthiness
or character and general soundness or
uoct1ne' a nuisance which II seemed
- them they had no alternative but
TO ahate in some way safe 20 them and
undest 10 him. This position was
'irenuously combatted II was not de-
lied the members of the general court,
n their Punishment OF Roger Williams.
we're influenced by other cons siderations
nan ms unyieiding attitude with refer
nee TO soul liberty
Mr. Winthrop. i'm his account OF the !
lrOceedinFs NJ the court and Roger /,
Williams himself i'm his recital NJ the
tdtement made by Gov. HAYNES in |
'ronounclng the sentence Of hanish-
nent made II clear that other matters |
we're before the court. and doubtless |
ld enter into its decision. Rut the
cry same testimony is equally valid ,
ROOF that Mr. Williams doctrine Of G
oul liberty was also before the court
I was there In the form in which he
leld Y all through his career. Nor is 4
his all 1t was expressly mentioned by \
ioN HAYNES as one Of the causes that
"a 20 the punishment The only new
ocument bearing upon this matter Is
hat which records the action OF the
ouncil ~ the Bay Colony I'm 1876 Of n
ering Roger Williams an asylum In
ONE one OF the Massachusetts towns
ur'ng the Indian troubles. IT, as DIR.
'eNter saws the ban'shrnent was for ID
'nSons purely political. and had no re- T.
tion to Mr. Williams notions unon toI y
ation u would seem that IN tho ac- /!
)n or fhn council in 1875 we should find L.
NE lndlcations nf that fact These Il
q not To Ia found rT-rtrr1- 7Yf t,,e X
sssac husetts council Is delightful evi r
nee or the kindly feeling that was en- +
rtained for Roeer Williams by tho +
'Hers OF tho Puritan colony ana II
NE II must have awakened memories M
~ were not altosether pleasing ~ "
uld hardlv have failed n have reach Il
and touched his heart" X