The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-09-05
ELEVENTH ANNUAL REUNION
OF THE WILLIAMS FAMILY.

President Roosevelt. he said: I'VE meet
hero today like one great family. Elo-
quent. indeed, OF home and health and
happiness are all these surroundings.
How eloquent are these harmonies OF ma
ture." Continuing the speaker dwelt upon
tho significance and grandeur OF our
American institutions. the principles OF
human equality and free speech, Great
Is the heritage" ne said, which comes
down to this family OF Roger Williams.
Continuing he compared our chief ma
Glstrate OF the nation with the founder
or Phode Island. declaring the two men
Williams and Roosevelt-alike In the
streI rousness OF their lives, In liberty or
speech and thought and action. Re-
ferring to the presidents speech In this
city and his attitude on trusts. the
speaker said:
"our president seems to think that
trusts can be controlled. There are good
trusts and bad trusts.
I'VE thank God for Roosevelt spirit,
type OF Roger Williams endowed with the
courage OF his own convictions"
At the close of Mr.. Littlefelds speech
tho Lieutenant governor appeared on the
scene and was warmly welcomed.
a duet was finely rendered at this point
by Mrs Burdick and Mr.. J. Irving Davis.
after which Lieut.. Gov. Shepley was pre-
sented by the POSTMASTER. He said:
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SPEAKS.
1T is a matter OF great privilege and
| great Pleasure TO me TO represent the
| state on this occasion
"In December. 1900 President, then
| Professor Woodrow Wilson, delivered an
address before the New England society
at its celebration OF Forefathers' Day,
| and in the course OF his address he re-
| fCrIed IN very witty and sarcastis man.
ne- 10 the first dwellers I'm Rhode Island
r..1 49, 20 slAaA lls.xa
in the Cave OF Adullsm, just outside OF
| Jerusalem. where dwelt the discontented.
| distressed and those IN debt; and several
| times in the course OF his remarks he
referred TO those Adullamites," meaning
| OF course, our Rhode Island people; but
II my memory serves me correctly there
| were good things that came out OF the
cave. notably, King David, who made In
| s.e course OF his career a deep grove In
| the pages of Jewish history. and whose
praises are sung by the Hebrew race to
this day.
Likewise here I'm Rhode Island. there
| came out OF this cave OF Adullam equally
| as bright a character in the person OF
our founder, Roger Williams. His work
in establishing the unique provisions OF
| our charter In which he was given royal
sanction 10 hold forth a lively expert
ment with full liberty in religious con-
cernments True piety rightly ground
|
best and greatest security 10 sovereignty
| and will lay in the hearts OF men the
| strongest obligations TO true loyalty
needs no endorsement
Compare these sentiments OF the year
OF our Lord 1863 with the amendments to
| the enunciation Of faith at recent Sy-
! nod In New York city. Is there anything
| doubtful I'm the ring OF true metal In the
language in our charter. and Is there not
extreme doubt as 10 what Is meant by
the amended declarations OF our deeply
religious friends elsowhere7 Is Il not bet
ter 10 be an Adullamite OF the character
OF Roger Williams than TO have the
doubtful reputation OF those who will go
down 20 history az his persecutors7
"Ex-Governor Dyer is credited with
saying I'm reply TO a criticism that Rhode
Island was n very small state when COM
pared with Pennsylvania. that perchance
Il was true. but Rhode Island was not
measured by It's feet but by It's men,
May the sturdy principles Of your an
cester ever remain 20 encourage us. and
may the influence OF our little common
wealth ever exert Itself In the paths OF
Industry. conservatism, honor and pru-
dence."
At the close Of the lieutenant govern
or's address Mrs. Ruth Williams Hill
gave n recitation entitled. "A Good Joke
on Mariah." and after n baritone solo by
Mr. Davis Mr. Daniel A. Cook was intro
duced and spoke In n witty and reminis-
cent strain on Rhode Island history and
its Institutions
Another solo by Mrs Purdick and an
original poem bv Miss Mildred Williams
closed the formal programme.
BUSINESS MEETING.
A business meeting followed the enter