Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-08-01
SHOW KINDLY FEELING
ENoLIsHMEN MAKE GIFT TO
NEW ENGLAND TOWN.
Residents % bingham Have Sent oid
Stepping Stone to Massachusetts,
acknowledgements by tho
HrItIsh Ambassador.

The old stepping stone which for
TOO 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-
iican 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
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 de-
scendants of their common Norfolk
ancestors. Used as a mounting block
for riders In the old country, 1t spoke
of q 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 tho warm good
will and affection which those OF the
old town felt for those OF tho 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, he
found many Of the best known New
England names. Among them was one
name especially interesting. because
its bearer IL believed to have been
the ancestor Of the greatest Ameri-
can OF the nineteenth century, Abra-
ham Lincoln. There was, however,
something more and something deep
er than a mere continuity OF families.
There was q continuity Of institutions
and traditions.
THE settlers" said Mr.. Bryce, who
came from Norfolk TO Massachusetts,
bay to escape the 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. The love OF freedom IN
the state, the love Of freedom in re-
lgion, the sense Of duty to God and
to conscience. It was for the sake
Of these things that they LETT their
quiet Norfolk homes TO face the stern
winters OF q new and almost unknown
land. In whose forests lurked UNI
known dangers from wild beasts and
wild men. And It was on the foundsd
ton OF these principles that they built
I'D 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 q 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-
soendants have never faltered. The
history of American freedom Is a 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-"