The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-12-23
NEW YORK MUCH IN
DEBT TO NEW
ENGLAND
Society Holds Annual Celebra-
ton at Waldorf-Ast0ria
GUESTS MUM Erred 500
Opening Address Made by President
John M. Thomas Of Middlebury
College.

New York, Dec. 2S.--Just what the
nation and New York city in particu-
lar, owes to the New England spirit
was told to some 500 members of the
New England Society in the City of
New York at their one hundredth and
fifth annual celebration of Forefath-
ers' Day at the Waldorf-Astoria last
night. Descendants Of those who
made the Nation and who are now
largely making city and National his
tory were present, representing many
professions and enterprises.
With Seth Low, the retiring Presi-
dent of the society, sat at the speak
ers' table the four speakers of the oc-
casion-President John NJ. Thomas
of Middlebury College, Controller
William A. Pendergast, Darwin p
Kingsley, president OF the New York
Life Insurance Company, and ex-Con-
gresham James Thompson McCleary
of Minnesota.
Before the speaking began, presi-
dent Low proposed standing toast
to the President of the United States,
which was followed by a standing
toast of all present in silent memory
Of the New England dead
Before introducing the first speak
er, the Rev. Dr.. Thomas, President
Low described briefly just what the
mission of the New Englander in New
York was He told of one New Eng
lander who, when asked by a New
Yorker why New Englanders came TO
this city, replied I'VE of New Eng
land, have come, sir, to marry your
daughters and administer your es-
tates," boast which the character
of the men who formed the gathering
last night seemed to substantiate-
DIR Thomas spoke as follows:
The Pilgrim in the cabin of the
Mayfower was not the Yankee who
has put his stamp on every worthy
American institution. The New Eng
lander who has given his character "a
American life is the result Of the evo
luton of the pilgrim colonist through
long process of adaptation to New
England soil. The great pines of the
forest nourished his stature. The
stony fields bred his endurance anC
grit. The red men taught him Gun
ming, strategy, the shrewd use o.
rude means to accomplish needed
end. The cold winds OF the noun
tain bronzed his cheek. The hills
over which he followed trails anC
built roads gave him heart like Z
lions.
The exigencies of pioneer lif,
taught him inventivoness and patti
ence.
What a difference between the pic
lures of the Departure and LANDING
of the Pilgrim Fathers, which huns
ON the parlors of our childhood, an,
the conventional Uncle Sam Boil
are only mildly guilty OF exaggeratiol
The New Englander who sowed tn,
town meeting over the prairies an,
plains was not a psalm-singing dea
con. II took more than Calyinism 4
make a Yankee. The New Englan,
sod had somewhat to do with tina
product.
There was the Drawn Of the Eng
llsh yeoman to build on; his theolog
set him free to work out his destin
uncontrolled by king or prelate; an
then the rocky hillsides got in thei
work. and there came forth New Eng
land manhood.
This is the man, Puritan in bloc
but reared and nourished by IN
harsh soil of the six Yankee common
wealths, who has taught industry an
thrift, free government and reason
able religion, to the American nation
In rural New England the manhoo
has been forged which has furnishe
the states Of the north with thOs
elements which have brought stabi
ity to their institutions and worth I
their manhood.
Up in the northland, in the narro
valleys by the torrent rivers and b.
meath the shaggy hills, we guard III
tlre-side of the American home. Their
American manhood came TO self-col
! seriousness. There the nation lear
ed the resolute independence an
self.reliance, the habit OF reasonir
about things, the knack Of doir
things in the easiest way. the love
iuoAiNt lOl VAntio do wei 40 Abi w
selves, that stand before the wor
as American traits.
IL is a sad day for any man whC
the old homestead no longer shelte
q the piety and worth which gave
standing In the neighborhood. III
! gods have ever been attached to
callties. Spiritual treasures are n
the same when they are lost in q
homeland which gave them Dirt
Kansas may be Gods country In Tin
but never in all the milleniums "
n she be Massachusetts,. Every fai
reckons beyond price the possessl
OF It's shrine and II IL no mistak
instinct.
II we're a sad day for America VIII
New England. rural New England, {
shrine of American worth loses I
manhood II has furnished as the sy
in Dol OF the national character. 7
unttns. ranae thn unan Whn will