The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1912-06-21
SHOW KINDLY FEELING
EN0llSHMEN MAKE GIFT TO
NEW ENGLAND TOWN..
Easidents OF bingham Have Sent Old
Stepping Stone to Massachusetts
Namesake-Present by tho
British Ambassador.

The old stepping stone which for
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-
lican says. The stone Is to be used
as a corner stone for bell tower to
commemorate the landing at Hing
ham 275 years ago OF band OF pill
grims from bingham, England.
Mr.. Bryce said that he was glad to
be privileged to express on behalf OF
the people of old bingham in Eng
new bingham here, the sentiments
with which they had sent this stone
from their village green to the de-
scendants of their common Norfolk
ancestors. Used as mounting block
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 it's 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 1889, he
found many of the best known New
England names. Among them was one
name especially interesting, because
its bearer Is believed to have been
the ancestor of the greatest Amer1-
can of the nineteenth century, Abra-
ham Lincoln. There was, however,
something more and something deep
There was continuity of institutions
and traditions.
THE settlers" said Mr.. Bryce, who
came from Norfolk to Massachusetts
King Charles I. 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. The love OF freedom in
the state, the love Of freedom in re-
lig1on, 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 the stern
winters Of new and almost unknown
land, in whose forests lurked un-
kn0yuY, MT
wild men. And 1t was on the founda-
ton of these principles that they built
up their institutions here, set up
their self-governlng 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 a greatness and prosperity
undreamed 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-
nlich