The Monte Vista journal., 1912-06-01
SHOW KINDLY FEELING
GNolISHMEN MAKE GIFT Tc
NEW ENGLAND TOWN.
hssldsnts Of bingham Have Sent oh
Stepping Stone to Massachusetts
Namssaks-Prsssntsd by the
Drltlsh Ambassador.

Tho old stepping stone which fos
700 years stood in the public square
at bingham. England. was presented
to bingham. in this state, ON behalf
OF the citizens OF the English village
by James Bryce. the English ambas
sador. the Springfield (Mass.) Repub
ncan says. Tho stone is to be used
as corner stone for . bell tower tt
commemorate the landing at Hing
ham 276 years ago OF band of pn
grims from bingham, England
Mr.. Bryce said that he was glad t
be privileged to express on behalf oi
the people Of old bingham In Eng
land, whence came the settlers OF the
new bingham here. the sentiments
with which they had sent this stone
from their village green to the do
scendants Of their common Norfoli
ancestors. Used as q mounting bloch
for riders in the old country, 1t spoke
OF time when riding on horseback
was practically the only means Of
travel. 1t spoke not only Of its origin
but OF all the changes that had passed
In 300 years and OF the warm good
will and affection which those OF the
old town felt for those OF the new
town after all that lapse of time.
Looking through the list OF settlers
who had crossed the sea to this Mas
sachusetts town in 1888 to 1883, hs
found many Of the best known New
England names. Among them was one
name especially interesting, because
g. O.. hay
the ancestor OF tho greatest Ameri
can OF tho nineteenth century. Abra,
ham Lincoln. There was, however
something more and something deep
or than . mere continuity Of families.
There was q continuity of institutions
and traditions.
Tho settlers" said Mr.. Bryce, who
came from Norfolk to Massachusetts
bay to escape tho oppressive rule OF
King Charles !. and Archbishop Laud,
brought with them ideas and beliefs
and habits already deeply rooted
among the Englishmen of East Anglia,
one Of the most truly Teutonic parts
OF England. Tho love Of freedom in
the state. the love Of freedom in 70
ligion. the sense of duty to God and
to conscience. 1t was for the sake
OF these things that they left their
quiet Norfolk homes to face tho stern
winters Of . new and almost unknown
land. in whose forests lurked un.
known dangers from wild beasts and
wild men. And 1t was on the founda.
tion OF these principles that they built
up their institutions here, set up
their self-governing towns, legislated
in the general court OF their self-gov.
erning colony and in due time Joined
in framing the constitution Of their
state and OF the federal republic.
That the American people have
grown to = greatness and prosperity
undrsamed Of by the little band who
came from Old bingham nearly three
centuries ago is due partly to the
sturdy spirit OF the old race, but large
ly also to the faith that has never
faltered in the principles and belief
which the early settlers OF the Bay
state brought with them, and in their
loyalty to which they and their de-
scendants have never faltered. The
history OF American freedom Is con.
tinuation Of the history OF English
freedom and both countries have alike
given an example to the world OF
what these principles can accom-.
plish."