The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-09-10

| nave a pVptldllpH less indl hnOdC lSldnu
| and OF those IL one has not one-tenth
her population Therefore In popula-
/ tion. she Is very far from the smallest
| In the intelligence and enterprise OF
her people, in her resources, wealth. i'm
| dustries. manufactures-in part illustra :
| ted by her exhibits at this Exposition
Rhode Island Justly ranks high among
the great states OF the Union.
But she Is especially rich and great
In her glorious history: the patriotism
OF her people: her great men, her heroes
and her patriots; their deeds and achieve
ments. These have made her great
WILLIAMS APOSTLE or FREEDOM
our state was peculiarly fortunate in
her founder, Roger Williams and in the
conditions which. under his wise direc-
ton.attended the first settlement az
Providence. Williams was a man of
strong character and positive convic-
tons sirreconciliably opposed 10 the in
huential dogmas and superstitions which
then almost universally dominated the
minds and consciences Of men
He was the apostle OF freedom OF con
science. soul liberty. and upon that
cardinal principle. novel experiment
thcn but subsequently recognized and
universally adopted by our sister states,
the government Of the colony was estab-
lished. a Just man, he recognized the
' lkNiH ti tne dDoflflneS or the soil. ana,
Influenced by his counsel and example
the lands upon which the colony Of
Rhode Island and Providence Planta-
tions was established were acquired by
friendly purchase from their Indian pro-
prietors. Therefore TO the little colony
Of Rhode Island must be conceded the
distinction OF having been the leader
under Roger Williams I'm the practical
applica tion of those vital PRINCIPLES OF
Justice and liberty-recognitio OF the
rights OF men. even Of an inferior race
and the still more important right 81
absolute freedom OF conscience
So limited Is the grasp of human in
telligence that through the course OF
ages, the wisdom OF each genera ton
has questioned or discarded much OF
that which it's predecessors had decided
was absolute truth; and 10 hut few has
been given the clesrness Of mental Vision
to distinguish truth from error and 10
intellieentlv recognize the lights that
mark the hesdlands of progress fnd
civilization Vet the beacon light IF
soul libertv." erected by Roger WI
l'ams in the Providence Plantations in
1856 has ever since continued to shed
It's illumination IN -widenine circles
and stands unchalleneed pc the emilo,1
NJ vitality important truth. whirn ran
never die while Intelligence, liberty ana
civilization survive
PART IN THE REVOLUTION.
In the patriotic struggles leading up
TO the Revolution. and in the Revolut on
itself, our colony took most conspicu-
Gus part. which. IL Ia surprising 10 say,
has never received ,he popular recogni-
tion II deserves. Events familiar 10 stu.
dents of Rhode Island history seem to DC
but little known or Appreciated and TIE
foremost part taken by her heroic sons
in the contest for liberty is not believe.
generally understood.
May he pardoned then II. on this day
dedicated 10 Rhode Island, I recall the
recollection?
That the first overt act Of violence re-
sistance 10 British authority I'm the Amsri-
can colonies was the destruction Of British
sloop Liberty a. Newport R. T.. I'm 1859.
over seven months prior 10 the famous
Boston Massacre"
That the British eight-gun schooner
Gaspee was captured and burned In the
Providence river. June no. l772 almost
three years before the Battle OF Lex
ton
That the first naval engagement of the
Revolution was fought on Narrassnsett
bay when our own Capt Abraham Whip
pie destroyed British-armed vessel June
II, i715. two DAYS prior to the Battle OF
Bunker Hill. which latter great event
I'erhaps diverted attention from the dar-
ing act ot capt Nhipple.
That the general assembly Of Rhode ISL
and renounced allegiance 70 the British
crown and practically declared the In
1ependence OF the colony on the tth OF
May, l776 two months before the colonial
congress made It's famous Declaration OF
independence
That the building of and equipment ~
navy for the protection OF the colonies !
VAS at the instigstion of Rhode Island I
hat the first continental navy had its /
,irth I'm our Narracansett BAY. that it's !
'ommsuder-ln-chief.o or admiral. was Esek !
hopkins of Rhode Island. and that OF its 4
our captains. two were Rhode Islanders !
Is also were seven Of its ten lieutensnts I
NUCLEUS OF THE NAVY.
This was the beginning of that navy
which has now attained such magnificent /
which has ioated our flag
With honor and distinction on every sea.
nd 10 the making ~ whose success and |
enowu officers and men from our state
ave so largely contributed.
Scarcely less IN deserved fame than the |
brilliant officer. whose victory we today /
ommemorate was his Younger brother.
he distinguished Rhode Island commo.
ore. Matthew Calbraith Perry whose |
onspicuous service and rare diplomacy
10 successfully opening Japan 10 our COM
1crce prepared the way for the acquisi-
ion by that nation of the high clyillzs ton
nd power. which n has since attained.
nd eutitlc him IN the highest credit |
moug his own countrvmen as well as 10
he grateful appreciation which has been
recently bv japan in erecting
pon her own soil r monument % his
lcmprv II
on tho walls " tho Rhode Island room
! the New EuC,sud building on these
rounds hang four psintiuFs one is the
ori~ait ~ oliver lIs7ard Perry the hero
Tho Battle ~ Lake Erie. loaned Nv
rown university. ono rrrrcaeufs tho
urulng OF the Cqspee. ~ which have re-
'~~ed ioared bv fhe Rhode leland VIE
fricpf sorleiv' s~ofher atso toanod ~
rrc-n urfvcreit'. fr fhA no~'roif 20 chat
ari~e tntr'1f 60 w'ifWa~, ps.tnb --sn
..-i~g ft~ Wa~ ~ 'h~ psvolufiat, holdiv
1ir~01 fNa er"r'v'e lires cantu~4d the
ritisb Mai. Gen. Prescott In his own