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//;k ./^ ^#('^ ^t.^^ti>'^rynyi^ 
 
 THE VISION OF THE x^ILGRlM FATHERS. 
 
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 Ix . 
 
 \ 
 
 m 
 
 ORATION. 
 
 SPOKEN BEFORE THE NEW ENGLAND SOCIETY OF 
 
 MONTREAL, IN THE AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN 
 
 CHURCH, ON 22nd DECEMBER, 1836. 
 
 BY REV. JOHN CORDNER. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY REQUEST OF THE SOCIETY. 
 
 WITH THE 
 
 PROCEEDINGS AT THE DINNER. 
 
 MONTREAL: 
 HENRY ROSE, GREAT ST. JAMBS STREET. 
 
i 
 
 1 
 
~ 
 
 Montreal, 23rd December, 1856. 
 
 Dea.ii Sir, 
 
 The Committee of the New England Society beg to return 
 their best thanks for the able and cl<^queiit Oration delivered before the 
 Society on the 22nd inst., and request that they may be allowed the 
 use of the Manuscript for publication. 
 
 I rem, .n, 
 
 Your most obdt. servant, 
 
 H. ARCHBALD, 
 
 Secretary, 
 RbV. J. CORDNKR. '- N. E. S. 
 
 Montreal, December 24, 1856. 
 
 My Dear Sir, 
 
 I thank you for your note, and have to say in reply that 
 you may consider the M.S. at the disposal of your Committee. 
 
 Very truly yours, 
 
 J. CORDNER. 
 
 H. Arohbaid, Esq., 
 
 Secy. N. E. Society. 
 
\ 
 
 It 
 
 4. 
 
 r 
 
It 
 
 f 
 
 H 4 T 1 N . 
 
 ; 
 
 Gentlemen of the New England Society; — 
 
 You have lately eliected an organization in this city of 
 a kindred spirit and purpose to that of the other national 
 societies which have so long existed here. In the pream- 
 ble to your Constitution and By-laws you state that " in 
 view of the fact that the number of persons of American 
 [i. e. United States] origin has become comparatively 
 large, and is constantly increasing in this Province, it has 
 been thought advisable to form a Society in this city to 
 be called the New England Society, to be composed of all 
 such persons and their descendants as may be disposed to 
 unite for the purpose of promoting kmdly feelings amongst 
 its members ; for assisting those of their fellow-country- 
 men who may be in need, and of cherishing the traditions 
 and remembrances of the country of their birth." The 
 three objects of your Society here specified, are proper 
 and honorable objects : to promote kindliness of feeling 
 to aid the destitute, and to cherish the traditions and re- 
 membrances of your native land. 
 
This is IX duy sacred in the romcmbranco of New Ktig- 
 Innd. Old England, Old Jrchuid, Old ScoMuiid, have nil 
 their Saint's days, when the buniKr.s of Maint (Jcurj^e, 
 Saint Patrick, S^aint Andrew, are oiirnrd lu the 
 l)reeze. All the.s(? ancient landsi liav(j liuiitirahle and 
 stirrini^ associations for their ciiildreu to hold us cherished 
 treasures. Bnt on this day, so sacred in the reniemhrance 
 oi New England, yon call on the name of no canonized 
 Saint. It is " Forefathers' ilay." Here, in the name, 
 may we find un indication that we approach a new his- 
 toric i)eriod — a fresh nnfolding of the Divine Order in 
 God's dealings with the nations. Of the Patron Saints of 
 the eld lands wo have bnt indistinct traditions. The Fore- 
 fathers of New England hland fairly revealed in the light 
 of history, and we can trace their motives and their 
 deeds. The St. Ge(;rge of " merrie England," the St. 
 Patrick of my own Ireland, and the St. Andrew of 
 "bonnie Scotland," stand too remote for any criticism on 
 their person and character. Legend has its halo and its 
 mist, and while the one lights np their excellencies, the 
 other obscures their defects. The Fathers and Founders 
 ofNew England lie more within the scope of our historic 
 vision, and the angularities of their character have been 
 criticised both by friend and foe. We see that they were 
 men like ourselves, with human weaknesses ; and though 
 rising above their age in some respects were quite on a 
 level with it in others. 
 
 This is a day deservedly sacred in the remembrance of 
 New England. For it is the anniversary of that cold and 
 wintry day on which the first Fathers and Founders of 
 New England made their permanent landing on the rock 
 of Plymouth. The remembrance of this event is one of 
 
 ^ 
 
those which it is the object of your Society to cherish, 
 unci the commemoration thereof is the cull which has 
 now brought us togetht-r. it is concerning this event 
 that I am expected to speak. And us 1 know no reason 
 why you should have honored me with the request to 
 address you on this occasion, luiless it Was that you sup- 
 posed me to have a respect lor those first Fathers of New 
 England, and some sympathy with their spirit, I may here 
 state that in this you were not mistaken. For those men 
 I have a sincere respect. With their spirit I have a sin- 
 cere sympathy. I regard them as lights and helpers of 
 our common race, and I honor tliein accordingly. 
 
 i> 
 
 i 
 
 Men of New England: — 
 
 It is written in that sacred and vcnerablu Book which 
 your fathers loved, and from which they drew their high- 
 est guidance and hope — in that J3ook which they valued 
 beyond treasures of gold and silver — it is written in the 
 Bible that " where there is no vision the people perish." 
 (Prov. xxix. 18 ) This saying was ii proverb in Israel in 
 times remote, and it stands true iu all nations and in all 
 times. There is a tendency in our humanity as a 
 whole to gravitate to a dead level of uniformity, where 
 mere tradition or conventionalism holds sway, and first 
 truths and duties become lost to sight. This tendency 
 intrudes into every domain of our being, mental, moral, 
 and religious. It touches all the relations of society — 
 affecting politics, ecclesiastical affairs, and the whole 
 manner of life. It conducts to social inertia, the re- 
 sult whereof in a nation is national deterioration and de- 
 cay. When the proper vigor of a people is thus impaired 
 — when the divine ligl^its of reason and faith are obscured 
 
8 
 
 by the prevailing shadows ot mere traditional authority, 
 and conventional usage — then is the time for kingcraft 
 and priestcraft to come into fidl play. Absohitism 
 lengthens its sceptre, and hierarchism strengthens its 
 seat. Their traditional authority is asserted as of divine 
 right, and their conventional usage,« as of the divine or- 
 der. God becomes hidden from man, only so far as he is 
 seen in royal crown or priestly robe. 
 
 Herein will a deteriorated people acquiesce. That 
 which is traditional and conventional has become practi- 
 cable and easy for lliem. Ueligion, politics, society, have 
 fallen into the ruts of custom and fashion, and indolence 
 shrinks from the e(lc)rt to put them on a fairer track, 
 though glimpses thereof should appear. Timidity holds 
 by the skirts of uidolencc, fearing for its conventional 
 standing and reputation. Is a new view presented by 
 some brave and clear-sighted man? The question does 
 not rise before them in the open light of first principles, 
 but under the obscuring haze of conventionalism. They 
 do not venture into the core of the matter, and judge for 
 themselves whether it be right and divinely true ; but as 
 of old, they enquire whether " any oC the rulers have 
 believed ] " They do not wish to have the 
 easy tenor of their life disturbed by new theories of 
 society, of government, or of religion. They are practi- 
 cal in their way. They have faith in that which they 
 see and possess. They know what they have, but they 
 know not what new views may bring upon them. They 
 dislike visions, and abhor visionaries. They cling to 
 what is traditional and conventional, through love of ease, 
 through narrow self-interest, and sometimes through a 
 blind but generous sentiment of loyalty. 
 
 
 t 
 
9 
 
 I 
 
 Thoitj were dark I'-ys tor Israel when there was" no 
 open vision." And verily they are dark days for any 
 land when God becomes hidden behind the form of priest 
 or king, or behind any jjrevailing custom or mode. In 
 the Providential Order the Ideal hath its high use^. In 
 all departments it is the forerunner and parent of that 
 which is actual. Before the creative act, the universe 
 lay in the mind of the creator. And, descending from 
 the Infinite to the finite, we find events tlisposed in a 
 like order. The man Columbus discovered a new world. 
 What led to this achievement? What, but the idea 
 which hud sprung up within him, and which he cherish- 
 ed by meditation until it rose belbre him us a vision, clear 
 and distinct, burning into his soul like fire, until he knelt 
 upon the strange shore, thanking (jod for its realization. 
 Jt was this vision of Columbus which opened a highway 
 to this Western Continent. Here we see the use of vision 
 in the sphere of material achievement. In the higher 
 spheres of achievement — in that which is moral and 
 spiritual — vision hath its use also, rising with the rising 
 dignity of its purpose. If the true landmarks of 
 social order are obliterated, and the highest interests of 
 humanity are likely lo become sacrificed by the growing 
 usurpation of a class, then vision is needed to penetrate 
 the chaos which usurpation has produced, to discern the 
 lost landmarks, and to lift the primal rights of man into 
 proper prominence and place. Lacking such vision, these 
 rights are disregarded, and " the people perish." 
 
 Come with me now to England, and glance at the con- 
 dition of that realm at the opening of the seventeenth 
 century. Let us note its social and political order in its 
 relation to the primal rights of man. The great wave of 
 
10 
 
 free thought in matters religions, which the theses o 
 Luther had raised on the continent of Europe, had swept 
 across the channel and touched the British Island. The 
 eighth Henry, on behalf of himself and the nation, re- 
 nounced the supremacy of the Pope, and by this act for- 
 mally cut off the Church in England from communion 
 with the Roman See. But, as a man, Henry was neither 
 thoughtful nor religious; he lived under Ihe sway of his 
 passions, and was not cap .ble of entering into the proper 
 heart of the controversy between the Reformers and 
 Rome. He was not a Trotestant, except in so far as his 
 mere rejection of the Papn' authority entitled him to the 
 name. If he set aside the supremacy of the Roman Pope, 
 It was only to make way for the assertion of his own 
 supremacy as Pope in England. In matters of Christian 
 doctrine and practice, it is difficult to decide wherein he 
 differed materially from Rome. He brought Protestants 
 and Catholics, alike, to death upon the same hurdle, for 
 presuming to deny his ecclesiastical supremacy, and dis- 
 criminated between them by putting the Catholics on the 
 callows, and the Protestants in the fire.* After him upon 
 the English throne came the youthful Edward. In his 
 brief reign Protestantism was formally established, and the 
 Anglican Church assumed more distinct form through 
 simplification of its service in the vernacular tongue, and 
 the adoption of articles of faith. But, on the death of 
 Edward, Mary came, and with Mary came the Pope once 
 more. Protestantism was abolished, and Catholicism 
 was restored to its former place of power. Then cameEliza- 
 beth, and the Pope's supremacy again fell, and Catholic- 
 ism had to make way for Protestantism with the Queen's 
 • Nwil's History of the PuritaDS.— Chap. 1. 
 
 t 
 
11 
 
 tK^ 
 
 i 
 
 4* 
 
 flupremacy. Elizabeth had a good deal of the mind o 
 her father with respect to the Pope and the Church. She 
 did not like interfcronce fiom Rome, but was resolved 
 that the Church should have direction from herself. Her 
 Protestantism was not of the genuine sort. Iler leanings 
 were strong towards Pvome. She preferred the Church 
 of Luther to that of Calvin or Zwingle, because it depart- 
 ed less from the Roman landmarks.* Her Protestantism 
 was a compromise, not a clear declaration of principle. 
 Her Church wasbuiltU)on a compromise, the fruits where- 
 of remain and are visible to this day in the conflicting 
 elements which unhappily disturb its peace. 
 
 Observe now the character of the fluctuations of the 
 national thought in the matter of religion. Religion does 
 not appear as a fixed verity in the national mind, but as 
 a. fluctuating formula, changing with the changes of the 
 crown. It is one thing under Henry, and another thing 
 under Edward. Mary changes its complexion totally to 
 suit her own feelings, and Elizabeth works another change 
 to satisfy her peculiar views. Where are the national 
 bishops— men of learning and religion] They are 
 changing too. Kings change, and the bishops change wit 
 them. Where are the priests and clergy generally 1 In 
 their comfortable livings, holding on by them amid these 
 fluctuations of the national faith. Where are the body 
 of the people ] They are darkly following the shadow of 
 the crown and the mitre. . 
 
 But all the people were not darkly following this 
 shadow ; all the clergy were not tied to their livings, and 
 loose to that which ought to be dearer to man than life. 
 In this chaos of the social order brought on by kingly and 
 
 • Hallatn's Constitutioaal History, Chap. \r. 
 
12 
 
 priestly usurpation, wherein the rights ol the individual 
 conscience had no place nor respect, there was a light 
 burning, and a force gathering, which was to show the na- 
 tion a better way, and help the people to vindicate their na- 
 tural rights against the encroachments of High Com- 
 mission and Star-chamber. Visions were held and 
 cherished of religion as a fixed verity, and u dread and 
 vital concern between the soul and God alone. In the 
 presence of visions like these, crowns 'ind mitres, with 
 their iiuctuating formulas, became as chaff and stubble. 
 In the presence of visions like these, nothing could be 
 conceded to regal or sacerdotal authority. In the presence 
 of visions like these, enactments and precedents were 
 ruled out, and men fell back on the Word of God revealed 
 in the Bible, as upon the grand rule of faith and the great 
 charter of the soul's rights. 
 
 These were the visions of the Puritans. These were 
 the visions which have made Old England what she is 
 to-day — a land of Constitutional Liberty. The spirit of 
 the Tudors could never have done this. The Spirit of 
 the Stuarts could never have done this. The Court of High 
 Commission could never have done this. Through much 
 persecution and obloquy, through exile and death, through 
 battles fought by the sword of the Spirit and by the arm 
 of the flesh, the Puritans fought and conquered a way for 
 the natural rights of mau, and secured constitutional free- 
 dom for England, and constitutional freedom for us all. 
 
 Aibitrary power begat the Puritans, and the Pilgrims 
 were of the Puritans. When the Tudors ceased in Eng- 
 land, the Stuarts came te the throne. The first James 
 was Scottish, and the Presbyterian Puritans looked with 
 some hope to his accession for mitigation of the rigors of 
 
 ^ 
 
 t 
 
 t 
 
I 
 
 13 
 
 Episcopacy. Bat the Hampton Court Conlerence quench- 
 ed this hope. It was there that the King told the Puri- 
 tans he would " make them conform, or he would harry 
 them out of the land, or else worse." And, as Neal 
 quaintly adds, " be was as good as his word." This was 
 in the year 1603. It was about this time, and while the 
 Kingdom was in this condition, that a body of people in 
 the North of England, where the Counties of York, Not- 
 tingham, and Lincoln, unite their borders, •' siiooke off 
 this yoake of anti-Christian bondage, and as y^ Lord's free 
 people, joyned them selves (by a covenant of the Lord) 
 into a Church estate, in y*^ fellowship of y« gospell, to 
 walke in all his wayes, made known, or to be made 
 known unto them, according to their best endeavours, 
 whatsoever it should cost them, the Lord assisting them." 
 This is the account as written by Bradford,* one of them 
 selves. Mark the words :--' ' Whatsoever it&houldcost them,'''' 
 Mark these words, for it was the power of the principle 
 which dictated these words which freighted the May- 
 flower, and sent her across the ocean. For the sake of 
 convenience in assembling, this body of people became 
 two distinct churches, of one of which John Robinson was 
 pastor, and William Brewster was elder. Now let us 
 keep our eye on this Church, and we shall be brought to 
 the occasion of this anniversary day. Here was a small 
 company of obscure men in the North of England, who, 
 while regal and ecclesiastical tyranny trampled on the 
 rights of conscience, had a vision of freedom for the soul. 
 They had a clear and fixed faith in God, and wished to 
 worship him in spirit and in truth, but they could not do 
 
 *See Chap. 1, of "History of Plymouth Plantation, by William 
 Bradford, the second Governor of the Colony — now first printed from 
 the Original M.S." Edited by Charlts Deane, Esq., of Boston. 
 
14 
 
 so through the prescribed forms of the King. The ques- 
 tion, ** Whether it is right to obey God or men'?" was 
 irrevocably settled in their minds. They would obey 
 God iit any rute. They would walk in his ways " what- 
 soever it should cost them." And they had a strong con- 
 viction that, if denied freedom in their native land, there 
 was yet some spot on earth wbere they might enjoy 
 liberty of worship. This was the Vision which they 
 sought to realize. 
 
 Penalties fell upon them apace. Persecutions came 
 thick and various. They were imprisoned, and when 
 they were not imprisoned they were watched and harass- 
 ed by th' emissaries of tyrannous power. So that most 
 of them were compelled to fly from their habitations, and 
 abandon their means of livelihood. But still the fire of 
 their living faith burned, — still their Vision shone clear 
 in their souls, — on earth there was surely some spot 
 where they might in freedom worship God. 
 
 By sore experience they learned that that spot was not 
 to be found in their native England. They heard, how- 
 ever, that in Holland there '' was freedom of religion for 
 all men." AndtoHol'ind they resolved to go. Now 
 they are finding out how much their fidelity to their 
 Vision is going to cost them. Do they not waver 1 Do 
 they not quietly conform'? Do they not fall back on the 
 counsels of expediency, and enquire among themselves 
 what is the use of all this? No. There is no wavering, 
 nor desire for quiet conformity. Mo counsels of expedi- 
 ency are heard. All these things belong to another and 
 different order of men, — sequacious and servile persons, 
 who are to be found everywhere, clad in russet and 
 in superfine, plenty as grass in the summer meadows. 
 
 ' 
 
15 
 
 Such things do not belong to her;ic and prophetic men, 
 who are the lights and leaders of the race. This handful 
 of obscure Puritans have the light of faith in their souls 
 and they hold to their Vision. Their native land had 
 become to them a Innd of Egypt and house of bondage ; 
 and so like Moses of old, " by faith they forsook it, not 
 fearing the wrath of the King, for they endured as seeing 
 him who is invisible."— (fleb. xi, 27.) Tn going to Holland 
 they must acquire a new language, they must abar.don 
 their familiar calling of husbandry, and learn some city 
 handicrafts. Be it so, they were not dismayed. They 
 would go to Holland, and meet all the hardships of the 
 case for the sake of what they sought. 
 
 Let them go, says the Monarch. No, the Monarch 
 says no such thing. He will " harry them out of the land, 
 or else worse.^^ They shall not realise their Vision so 
 easily as by taking quiet passage to Holland. He will 
 not let them stay in peace, nor will be suffer them to go 
 away. They are forbidden to leave England, and the 
 ports are closed to ships that would convey them from its 
 coasts. But they are resolved to go, and they make secret 
 engagements with ships and shipmasters. In these 
 secret engagements they are often betrayed and inter- 
 cepted, and " put to great trouble and charge." After 
 much anxiety they get on board a ship, with the darkness 
 of the night to cover them ; but it is only to find that they 
 , are in a government trap^ from which they are taken 
 ashore and lodged in prison. They find a Dutchman at 
 Hull, however, who is more irieudly and reliable. He 
 comes to a convenient and :duded place to take them 
 in ; but as the company are getting on board, the pursuing 
 hosts of Pharoah appear — a crowding troop of horse and 
 
" '|i ' )i' ' ! " !»!!iW t WP m '» 
 
 16 
 
 foot, — and the master quickly weighs anchor, hoists sail, 
 and is ofF: thus separating husbands and wives, tearing 
 families asunder, and causing most grievous anxiety and 
 distress. Tears now flowed from the eyes of women and 
 children, and sorrow wrun^' strong men's hearts. Those 
 left behind, however, after struggle and delay, found a 
 way of escape, and in due time Holland became the home 
 of this Puritan band. 
 
 Twelve years in Holland wrought a change in Iheir 
 condition, and circumstances began to press hard upon 
 them. Old age came stealing upon their strong men, 
 ivarnmg them that they should not always endure ; and 
 their children v/ere falling into foreign and unpromising 
 ways. In such tokens they saw the prospective disper- 
 sion of their company, and in the scattering of their 
 church they saw the failure of their great hope for spirit- 
 ual freedom, and the furtherance of the Gospel. Men of 
 their stamp could not think lightly of scattering or fail- 
 ure. Their Vision for freedom had a missionary zeal 
 burning along with it. They wished to lay some good 
 foundation for propagating the Kingdom of Christ in other 
 and remote parts. If they could do no more, they would 
 be even as stepping stones unto others, as they said, for 
 doing so great a work. 
 
 With these thoughts in their minds they boldly looked 
 to America. It required souls of noble daring thus to 
 look across the Atlantic ocean in those days. For how 
 different was the America of their day from the America 
 of ours ! To them it was a region of vast countries un- 
 peopled by civilization — a continent of savage races, 
 lying on the other side of a boisterous ocean, which would 
 require three months' weary sailing to cross. They had 
 
17 
 
 no swift and com mod ions steamships at comniaiid, but 
 the little sail-rigged " Speedwell" of sixty tons, which 
 broke down at starting, and the large " Mayflower," 
 which made the voyage — reckoned large because her 
 capacity was one hundred and eighty tons. Tt was a 
 bold thought, that of moving to wild and distant America, 
 and no wonder some argued against it. For the perils 
 and uncertainties of the undertaking were great, and 
 could not easily be magnified. But the strong-hearted 
 among them answered on this wise : " That all great and 
 honourable actions are accompanied with great difficulties, 
 and must be enterprised with answerable courage. It 
 was granted y* dangers were great, but not desperate; 
 the difficulties were many, but not invincible. For 
 though their were many of them likely, yet they were 
 not certaine ; it might be sundrie of y^ things feared 
 might never befale ; others by providente care, and y* use 
 of good means, might in a great measure be prevented ; 
 and all of them through the help of God, by fortitude and 
 
 patience might either be borne or overcome Yea 
 
 though they shoul I loose their lives in this action, yet 
 might they have comfort in the same, and their en- 
 deavors would be honorable."* 
 
 The strong-hearted counsels prevailed. To America 
 they resolved to go, and seek some spot in its wild places 
 where they might have freedom of worship. But here, 
 again, the rights of patent holders and the will of the 
 sovereign stood between them and their Vision. Surely, 
 thought many persons, the King will not deny them free- 
 dom of religion on the other side of the Atlantic. But 
 the royal sanction could not be obtained. If, according 
 * Cited (Voiri Bradford's History, Ohap. IV. 
 
18 
 
 to his notions, Ihey conducted themselves peaceably in 
 the wilderness, he would connive ut their existence 
 there ; and this was the most thit could be got from the 
 King. Then they were poor, and had to make a league 
 with certain merchants before they could make such a voy- 
 age. The merchants, true to their commercial instincts, 
 looked lor commercial profits, and they rated each emigrant 
 in the enterprise at the commercial value of ten pounds. 
 A joint-stock company was formed, wherein a merchant 
 living cosily at home, by investing one hundred pounds, 
 would derive as much profit from the fish, furs, or other 
 merchantable commodities which the emigrants might 
 secure, as ten of the men who actually crossed the sea, and 
 enteved on the toils and privations of the wilderness. An 
 arrangement like this could not but lead to farther em- 
 barrassment, but the emigrants could not go without the 
 help of the merchants' capital, and they still adhered to 
 their resolution. They still sought to realize their Vision. 
 But elements so diverse could not but come into conflict. 
 There were baitings and misunderstandings between them 
 and the merchants. The merchants did not fnrnish ade- 
 quate supplies for the undertaking, and the emigrants 
 were reduced to such straits just before sailing that they 
 were compelled to sell a part of their provisions in order 
 to clear the port ; nor had they as much leather with 
 them on this voyage to the woods and wilds of America 
 as would renew a sole on a shoe. 
 
 But it was not with them '' as with other men whom 
 small things can discourage, or small discontentments 
 cause to wish themselves at home again.*'* They sailed, 
 a well winnowed company of a hundred souls. What- 
 
 • Joint Letter of Robinson and Brewster. 
 
19 
 
 ever chafFof faiutlieartediiess, or mere mipiilse, hud beeiir 
 among Lliem at the beginning was thoroughly sifted out by 
 this time, and they sailed. The fainthearted persons had 
 found out some easier way of being faithful ; and the im- 
 pulsive persons, when a lew years had exhausted the 
 strength of their impulse, had perhaps sought, like Brown, 
 one of the most prominent and clamorous of the Turitan 
 leaders, a resting place by slinking into Conformity. But 
 the men of faith and courage here still clave to their pur- 
 pose, resolved to endure to Ihe end. The leaky con- 
 dition of the Speedwell gave the last shake to the 
 sieve, and the sound grain was cast into the Mayflower 
 
 in measure about a hundred souls, counting men, 
 
 women, and children — the divinely ordained seed-corn 
 of New England. "They sailed, and as they sailed," 
 writes Bradford, " they knew that they were Pilgrims, 
 . . . and lift up their eyes to y« heavens, their dearest 
 countrie, and quieted their spirits." (lieb. xi. 13.) With 
 quieted spirits, thus trusting in their God, these Pilgrims 
 put out upon the broad and uncertain sea. The winds 
 came, and the waves rolled ; the clouds grew black above, 
 and the storms thickened around them ; their small ship 
 strained under the pressure of the elements until even the 
 seamen felt doubtful of her ability. But still their course 
 was onward, and in due time the shores of America heave 
 in sight. After much delay and trouble, on a coast un- 
 known and perilous, they cast their anchor and prepare to 
 land. There was nothing genial or hospitable in their 
 landing-place — no houses, no hearths, no homes. There 
 were rocks, and pines, and frozen soil. But they land, 
 Bradford comes ashore lonely-hearted, for his wife has 
 fallen overboard, and perished in the waters of the bay. 
 
 I 
 
20 
 
 One man beurs in his arms his feeble but faithful help- 
 mate, a Pilgrim like iiimsell, and sadly worn by the long 
 and tryinjj voyage. Another carries a pale, sick child — 
 sadly worn, too, by three months' tossing on the waves. 
 They land, all of them, thanking their God for having 
 given them a resting-place. They raise what shelter 
 they can to screen them from the searching winds of 
 Uecember,and here they find a home. 
 
 By the margin of the glacier of the Rhone I once saw 
 a tiny wild flower blooming. Standing on that sea of 
 ice, whose melting drops give birth to a river, I saw this 
 fair blue token of life and hope. Amid that high and 
 sublime solitude of the Alps its existence told a tale preg- 
 nant with meaning. It showed that the seed of life and 
 hope could strike root, and grow, and bloom in the margin 
 of dreariness and cold desolation. It was on a clear day 
 at the close of summer, that once in my wanderings I 
 passed by that place, and saw this thing. 
 
 Come back with me somewhat more than two cen- 
 turies, and I will show you another token of fresh life 
 standing between sea and land on the margin of a wild- 
 erness — I will show you another flower, carrying a seed 
 of hope and promise, destined to strike its roots and blos- 
 som, and give a new character to a continent. Quickly 
 as I may speak, you anticipate my allusion here, when I 
 say that I refer to that little ship hanging by her moorings 
 off Plymouth Ilock. As she dropped her anchor there, 
 she carried a seed of life in her narrow cabin, and as the 
 Pilgrims landed one by one — men, women, and children 
 — the seed was cast upon the shore. Yea, a blessed seed- 
 vessel was that little ship, carrying as she did some of the 
 
31 
 
 holiest Ihotight nnc! noblest purpose of the old continent 
 to give fresh live fo the new. Not more anomalous could 
 an actual mayflower in December appear, than did that 
 Mayilower ship with her living freight of Christian 
 civilization, on that savage coast on that distant Decem- 
 ber day. 
 
 The Vision of the Pilgrims was realized. We have 
 seen the covenant which they made many years before 
 to walk in the ways of God, rather than by the ways of 
 men, " whatsoever it should cost them." We have seen 
 something of what it did cost them. We have seen that 
 fidelity to this covenant has cost them their native home 
 with all its dear associations. We have seen that they 
 had a Vision of some spot on earth where they should be 
 free to serve their Cod in their own way ; and that 
 obedience to this Vision has cost them much suffering, 
 and many perils — ' many nights and days on the deep, 
 journeyings often, perils of waters, perils of robbers, perils 
 by their own countrymen, perils by the heathen, perils in 
 the city, and perils in the wilderness.' Apostles as they 
 were, they had a large apostolic experience of perils. Nor 
 have these ceased on their landing. * Weariness and 
 painfulness' await them, * watchings often, hunger and 
 thirst, fasting often, cold and nakedness.' It could not 
 be otherwise in the landing of that precious freight of 
 civilized life on that savage cost in winter. In three 
 months from their arrival graves had been opened for 
 half their company. The hill beside them receives their 
 dead to its cold repose. The living still live beneath the 
 shadow of the pines, and beside the sea. The rude log 
 cabin shelters them, and the open log fire warms them. 
 They build a meeting-house which serves also as a fort. 
 
33 
 
 They construct a common Btore-house for their common 
 stores. They have put the ocean between themselves 
 and civilization, and here in the wilderness they cast 
 their lot with their first faith strong, and their patience 
 unbroken. They have realized their Vision. They have 
 found a spot on earth where they shall be free to worship 
 God. 
 
 The Pilgrims are settled. The seed of the Pilgrim ship 
 
 takes root on that savage coast, and spreads. The Pilgrim 
 
 ideas become organized into institutions which carry a 
 
 civilizingand Christianizing influence there and all around. 
 
 God " prepared room for it, and caused it to take deep 
 
 root and fill the land." Here their Vision becomes fact 
 
 — their ideal becomes actual. Keeping our eye on this, 
 
 we observe, in the development of American history, how 
 
 the providential use of the ideal rises grandly into view. 
 
 For it is through her institutions, which give body and 
 
 form and working force to the Pilgrim ideas, that New 
 
 England has become what New England is to-day. 
 
 One fundamental idea took strong possession of the 
 Pilgrim mind. This was the idea of Liberty. Like 
 Love, the fundamental sentimeut of Religion, this funda- 
 mental idea of Liberty finds a point of separation where 
 it passes into two branches : 1st, In view of God, and to- 
 wards Him ; and 2nd, In view of man, and towards him ; 
 i. «., into Religious Liberty and Civil Liberty. These 
 both came in distinct form in the Mayflower. They 
 came, as we have seen, nourished and upheld by a faith 
 which removed moimtains of difliculty. Robinson was 
 the central figure, n not the 'reforming soul, of the Puri- 
 tan Church at L^^ydesi. tie was a calm, wise, clear- 
 
'2.1 
 
 miiultid, and large-hearted man. it' there \>e any ^>er9uns 
 who suppose that because he was a Calvinistic Pwritaii, he 
 was, therefore, narrow in his views, and unprogressive in 
 his spirit, they are griovously mistaken. "None did 
 more oflend him," says Bradford, •* than those that were 
 close and cleaving to themselves, and retired from the 
 common good ; as also such as would be still" and rigid in 
 matters of outward order," while they themselves did 
 not walk consistently. And consider that parting address 
 of his to his Pilgrim Hock before they weighed aiiehor 
 from Deflhaven. Sayd Winslow, " he charged us before 
 God and His blessed angels, to follow him no further than 
 he followed Christ ; and if God should reveal anything to 
 us by any other instrument of His, to be as ready to re- 
 ceive it, as ever we were to receive any truth 
 of His ministry ; for he was very confident the 
 Lord had more truth and light yet to break forth 
 out of His holy word. He took occasion, also, miserably 
 to bewail the state and condition of the Reformed Churches, 
 which were come to a period in religion, and would go 
 no further than the instruments of the Reformation. As, 
 for example, the Lutherans, they could not be drawn to 
 go beyond what Luther saw ; for whatever part of God's 
 will he had farther imparted and revealed to Calvin, they 
 will rather die than embrace it. And so, also, saith he, 
 you see Calvinists, they stick where he left them ; a misery 
 much to be lamented ; for though they were precious 
 shining lights in their times, yet God had not revealed 
 His whole will to them, and were they now living, saith 
 he, they would be as ready and willing to embrace further 
 light as that they had received. Here, also, he put us in 
 mind of our church covenant, at least that part of it where- 
 
24 
 
 by we promise and covenant with God and witli one 
 another, to receive whatsoever light or trnth shall be 
 made known to us through His written word ; but, withal , 
 exhorted us to take heed what we received for truth, and 
 well to examine and compare it and weigh it with other 
 scriptures of truth before we received it. For, saith he, it 
 is not possible the Christian world should come so lately 
 out of such thick, and anti-Christian darkness, and that 
 full perfection of knowledge should break forth at once."* 
 Here was the seed of Religious Liberty, and its rightful 
 companion, Religious Progress, which was brought out in 
 
 the Mayflower. 
 
 In the mind of the Pilgrim, Religions Liberty stood first 
 HI order, inasmuch as his eye was toward God as first 
 object of reverence and regard. Rut Civil Liberty sprung 
 from it, and grew with it, as natumlly as the stem of the 
 rosebush from its root. The Gleat and Sovereign God, 
 whom the PiL-rim served, was no respecter of the out- 
 ward persons of men. In the eye of Heaven all men 
 were seen on their natural level, and seized of certain 
 natural rights. No man, therefore, could have a right to 
 assume an arbitrary or undelegated authority over others. 
 The legitimate source of power, civil and political, lay in 
 the popular will. This doctrine was the proper outgrowth 
 of the fundamental postulate of the Puritans. The cabin 
 of the Mayflower was the womb where it took form, and 
 whence it came forth a living birth on the rock of Ply- 
 mouth. The Pilgrims had sailed without warrant or 
 patent from the King. They were voluntary exiles, and 
 carried with them no rudiment of legally constituted 
 authority. Rut they would not land in this loose way. 
 • Wmslo^^•'s Brief Narration, in Young's Chronicles, page 396, 
 
 
25 
 
 f 
 
 They must have civil order and constituted authorities in 
 their new nnd strange abode. They fell back on first 
 principles, and mtxle a voluntary compact for the main- 
 tenance of authority and order. Here it is: "In the 
 name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten, 
 the loyal subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord, King 
 .Tames, by the Grace of (iod, of Great Britain, Trance 
 and Ireland, King, defender of the faith. Sec, having 
 undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the 
 Christian faith, and honour of our King and Country, a 
 voyage to plant the first Colony in iho l^.H'theru parts of 
 Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually in 
 theVesencecf God, and of one another, covenant and 
 combine ourselves together into a civil body politic, for 
 our better ordering and preservation, and furtherance of 
 the ends aforesaid ; and by virtue hereof to enact, consti- 
 tute and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, 
 constitutions, and offices, from time to time, as shall be 
 thought most meet, and convenient for the general good 
 of the Colony, unto which we promise all due submission 
 and obedience." This compact was signed by all the men 
 in the Mayflower before they landed, and they came upon 
 the shore a legally organized body. Here was the seed 
 of Civil Liberty which was brought out in the Mayflower. 
 This original New England compact, in the views of 
 Society and Government which it assumes and embodies, 
 is far in advance of the Old England of its time. Indeed, 
 Old England ever since has been but following in the 
 wake of" these Puritan ideas. Her revolutions, her re- 
 ligious relief bills, her representative reform bills, have 
 all been pointing in this direction — to give increased 
 respect to the popular will, and greater extension to the 
 popular power. 
 
26 
 
 In the study of history we must give intelligent heed 
 to the characteristics of the different periods of historic 
 development. Failing in this, confusion ensues, and out 
 of the confusion evil is born. As commercial firms 
 hange by the introduction of new partners, the accounts 
 cf each co-partnership are kept distinct, and the failures 
 and mistakes of each trading company are charged to it- 
 self. Smith, Brown &; Co, are dealers in ])roduce, let us 
 say. Smith retires or dies. Now, equity and commercial 
 convenience alike demand that the liabilities of that con- 
 cern be kept by themselves, and not charged to the ac- 
 count of Brown, Jones & Co., who come after to carry on 
 the same business with the same helpers in the same 
 place. In like manner, we must charge the mistakes of 
 each historic period to itself. If I had not presumed on 
 the intelligence of my present hearers to do this, I should 
 have spoken no word of the regal and ecclesiastical tyranny 
 of England in former times. The history of such tyranny, 
 and the struggles made against it, we are bound to sUidy, 
 bat without such intelligent and liberal discrimination we 
 may pervert such study to the worst purposes, and make 
 it a breeder of strife and ill-will among men. If we do 
 not duly discriminate between the England of the seven- 
 teenth century and the England of the nineteenth century, 
 we must iall into monstrous mistakes. If we associate 
 the regal and sacerdotal pretensions put forth by Eliza- 
 beth or James and Archbishop Whitgift, with Queen 
 Victoriii anil Archbishop Sumner, we fall into an error 
 \vhicli could scarcely be called grave, because simply 
 ridiculous. The basis of the English throne has been 
 essentially changed since tliose early struggles of the 
 I'nritans; and the Government of Englniul, as now uni- 
 
S7 
 
 versally conceded, is not a government of Will, but a 
 government of Law — a government wherein the crown 
 is strictly and sacredly bound by constitutional limits. 
 The Tudors and the Stuarts are no more. New families 
 have been brought to rule, and these have come as the 
 representatives of new ideas of ruling. Never was a 
 crown more firmly fixed than that which is worn by the 
 present sovereign of the British realm, and this because 
 it is rooted in the affections, not of any special class, eccle- 
 siastical or otherwise, but in the hearts of the whole peo- 
 ple. Though by law the head of the National Episcopal 
 Church, Queen Victoria finds her way betimes to a rural 
 Presbyterian Kirk, and has the good sense and Christian 
 feeling to show to the world that she and her family can 
 worship God without mitre or surplice near. By her 
 royal command a sermon is published, not because it 
 treats of the divine right of kings, or the divine order of 
 bishops, but of the divine art of blending religion with 
 
 common life. 
 
 Another consideration ought here to be noted. In the 
 development of historical phenomena, there are elements 
 which are transient and elements which are per- 
 manent. Forms change, but principles are eternal. 
 The value of the changing governmental forms is 
 to be judged by the respect and effect which they give 
 to the principles which change not. My discourse has 
 had reference to the primal rights of man as put in jeo- 
 pardy by the encroachments of class usurpation. These 
 natural rights of man to life, to liberty, and the control 
 of himself, are fixed and inalienable, and if we find our- 
 selves swayed by blind partialities for this or that form of 
 administering a national government without reference 
 
28 
 
 to the claims of these, we are false to tlie fuiulainental 
 ideas of the Puritans. If your preferences cling to the 
 form of republicanism, or tu the form of monarchy, with- 
 out full and just reference to the claims of Ihcsc natural 
 rigiits, then I make bold to say that vou arc not the proper 
 children of the Pilgrims, though yon should be sprung 
 from their loins. The stranger, who, through faith in 
 these ideas and rights, is loyal thereto, justly enters on 
 the inheritance. The Gentile lawfully comes into the 
 promise. 
 
 In view of the other arrangements which await your 
 presence T feel that I am under bonds of honur not to pro- 
 long this discourse. Men of New England, you have 
 come across the Canadian frontier to find a home under 
 the sway of another government. In coming here you 
 forfeit no natural right. Liberty of worship is secured to 
 you. Liberty of person is secured. These are secured, 
 not by mere parchment statutes, but by laws which I am 
 wel'. persuaded have their root fixed in an enlightened 
 public opinion. Free speech and a free vote are secured 
 to you, so that you can control your rulers here in the 
 land of your adoption as effectually as in the land of your 
 birth. No government unsustained by the popular will 
 can exercise functions in Canada. Speaking through the 
 polls we can at once command any administration to re- 
 sign place and power. Continue to come, and help us by 
 your characteristic enterprise and energy. Continue to 
 come, and build your factories, and open your stores, and 
 devise new channels of industrial activity. Let us have 
 the best men of all lands here, to construct our social and 
 civil fabric. The man of New England and the man of Old 
 England, the native Canadian, French and British, the 
 
29 
 
 :. 
 
 Irishman with his warm lieart and swarthy arm, the 
 Scotchman with his cool sagacity and forethoiigiit, and 
 the patient, thrifty German from old historic Dentsch- 
 land. Let us have them all here ; and though differing 
 in origin let us feel that we are one in jairpose as regards 
 Canada — brother men and fellow-citizens — striving to 
 build up a fairer nationality than iiiiy which yet exists on 
 the face of the earth. Ts this too bold a thought? He- 
 member that '• never too high is the Kebla in the mosque 
 of the true Moslem." Fvcmember that withcut an ideal 
 bold and lofty, nothing grand in the s|ihere of the actual 
 was ever accomplished. Remember the words of llobin- 
 son, just before the Pilgrims sailed, when he told them 
 that even Luther and Calvin had not exhausted the foun- 
 tains of religious truth, and in the same spirit may we 
 say that even Great Britain and the United States have 
 not exhausted the fountains of political wisdom. Continue 
 to come, I say, and join with us in common work toward 
 this common object. But, in coming, whatever you may 
 bring besides, be sure to bring that fear of God which 
 marked your Fathers, and that faith in God which was 
 the brightest jewel in their lives. 'J^vo hundred years 
 ago, it was said of the men of New England that they 
 were " often propoui:ded for an example " On which the 
 Pilgrim Winslow writes: " If any will take us for a pre- 
 cedent, 1 assure myself that none will ever be 
 
 losers by following us so far as we follow Christ. ; Which 
 that we may do, and our posterities after us, the Father 
 of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Father, accept in Christ 
 what is according to him ; discover, pardon, and reform 
 what is amiss amongst us; and guide us and them by the 
 assistance of the Holy Ghost, for time to come till time 
 
 I 
 
30 
 
 shall be no more.'** So prayed Winslow on behalfof self 
 and brethren. And so pray I on behalf of self and all.— 
 
 Amen. 
 
 I 
 
 •Young's Chronicles, page 408, 
 
 i ' 
 
 i 
 

 THE DINNER, &c 
 
 (From Report of " The Montreal Gazette.") 
 
 . 
 
 In the evening the Society dined together at the St. Lawrence Hall, 
 Mr. Harrison Stephens, the Presid:.'nt of the Society, filling the Chair, 
 having near him Mr Sanborn, M.P.P., Mr. DeWitt, M.P.P., Mr. 
 Palmer, of Plattsbiirg, Member of Congress, U. S., Rev. Mr. Cordner, 
 Mr. Whitney, M.P.i'., President of the St. George's Society, Mr. Wm. 
 Murray, President of the St. Andrew's Society, Dr. Howard, President 
 of the St. Patrick's Society, Mr. W. Lyman, and Mr. I. Gould, — Mr. C. 
 Dorvviii and Mr. N. S. Whitney, Vico Presidents, acting us croupiers. 
 A blessing was asked by the Rev. Mr. Curdner. The dinner was, 
 like all banquets provided by mine hosts of the St. Lawrence, excel- 
 lent ; and in the exclusion of wines the teetotallers won a triumph. 
 The dinner went off admirably, with great spirit and enthusiasm, 
 though wines were tabooed. The roof was adorned with flags and 
 banners; the columns being surmounted with wreaths and the names 
 of "Franklin," "Adams," " VVinthrop," "Bradford,' "Webster," 
 " Standish," and " Channing." At the upper end of the room, behind 
 the President's chair, was a trophy consisting of a model of the monu- 
 ment now being erected on Plymouth Rock. On the pedestal is en- 
 graved " 1(320. ' The piincipal figure surmounting this is emblematic 
 of Faith and Truth, being a female holding an open book in one hand, 
 and pointing with the other to Heaven. At the base were other 
 figures sitting, the whole trophy being draped with the British and 
 American fings intertwined. At the other end was a monumental 
 trophy, representing on the pedestal " The Landing," bearing the in- 
 scription " Plymouth Rock ;" this being surmounted by the shield of 
 the United States and draped as the other. On side of one of the com- 
 partments of the ceiling were emblasoned the lines — " Call it holy 
 ground, the spot where first they trod." The coup dceil was altogether 
 very tine. Prince's Band was in attendance. 
 
 In the early part of the evening the President sent the following 
 message to the New England Society, dining together at New York : — 
 " The New England Society of Montreal present their cordial and 
 friendly regards to their brethren in the Empire City, and be;^ to otier 
 as a sentiment — ' May wo ever cherish and venerate the virtues and 
 the memory of our Pilgrim Fathers, in common with our Sist«r So- 
 cieties of New York.' " 
 
32 
 
 After a dun portion of the edibles had been disposed of, the Presi- 
 dent rose and said : — 
 
 I nin hi^lily gratilicd to observe so lurge and respectable! an atten- 
 dance of the nicmbor.-i of the New Hiifriainl Sociely on this occasion to 
 celebrate their annual festival. Tiiis bein<,' the tliird anniversary of 
 our Society since it3 organization, I believe tha benefits orijiinally con- 
 templated by itri formation have been fully and fairly realized by pro- 
 moting a kind arui frientlly feeling between its nienibers, and, at tlic 
 same time, extending tlie liand of beuevdlence to those entitled to re- 
 ceive its aid. We may, tlierefore, safely congratulate ourselves upon 
 the successful condition and harmony that has thus far prevailed. As 
 our Society is tiie first established beyond the limits of the United 
 Slates, I most sincerely trust tliat its whole iuliuencc will he devoted, 
 so far as its humble efforts may be permitted to extend, in promoting 
 a cordial feeling between our native and adopted countries, and I ven- 
 ture to hope that every member of tliis Society will share those senti- 
 ments in common witli me. I will not tax your patience witli any 
 further remarks, but will proceed with the regular toasts of the even- 
 ing, which will, doubtless, meet with a cordial reception. 
 
 The first toast I have to propose is that of — 
 
 "The day we Celebrate— Ever dear to the hearts of all true Sons of 
 New England." 
 
 Air — " Pilgrim Fathers." 
 
 Mil. Sanborn responded as follows : — 
 
 Mu. President, — The sentiment that has just been read finds a 
 sincere response in my heart, however imperfectly I may succeed in ex- 
 pressing it. Canada, from its circumstances and colonial position, has 
 no national events to commemorate, and being composed of men of 
 various origins, they naturally seek to cherish the memory and tradi- 
 tions of their father lands. The conception that gave rise to the New 
 England Society here was a noble one. While it is the first duty of 
 descendants of the Pilgrims who, like myself, have made this then- 
 adopted home, to maintain fidelity to the laws by which they are pro- 
 tected, and to seek the advancement of our common country, it will 
 never make us less ready or cheerful in the pcrlbrmanco of this duty 
 to clicrish the memory and venerate the virtues of the Forefatiiers of 
 New England. It is fitting that the New England Society should have 
 an existence in Canada. The Englishman, the Scotchman, the Irish- 
 man, and the French Canadian, have each its associations — not, it 
 is to be hoped, to perpetuate the pride and prejudice of race and clan, 
 but to cherish in hallowed remembrance the noble achievements and 
 higher principles that are identified with the name and glory of their 
 
 J 
 
J 
 
 33 
 
 aticestrul liome:4. With these motives they may fill the h«art with 
 high aims iind noble aspiratioiifl. It is litting then tliat the Sons of 
 New Enghuid should not forget the examples of worth and patterns of 
 character to be found in the history of thoir fathers. The Sister So- 
 cieties ouglit to extend to them the friendly hand of recognition. The 
 disciples ot St. George slionld do it, for tlio Now England forefathers 
 had true Englisii hearts. Those of .*<t. Patrick Avill do il, for the hearts 
 of Irislinien are large enough to embrace all origins. Those of St. 
 Andrew should do it, for the grave and strict character of Scotcimien 
 is not unlike our ideal of the Puritans ; and surely those of St. Jean 
 Baptisle sliould do it, fur this day and its memories reminds us of " the 
 Toice of one crying in tlie wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord." 
 Some writer has said " that an event of real magnitude in human his- 
 tory is never seen in all its importance and grandeur til) some time 
 after its occurance. In proportion as the memory of small men and 
 small things is lost, that of tlio truly great becomes more bright." 
 Achievements of military prowess awaken entliusiasm because they 
 evince courage, but deeds that recpiirc fortitude and heroic endurance 
 command our admiration when seen in their just proportions. The 
 day we celebrate, the 22nd December, 1G20, becomes more memorable, 
 as from generation to generation we recede from it. It was not merely 
 an epoch in the history of New England, it was not merely an f]ioch 
 in tl'.e iiistory of America, but a marked epoch in the liistory of the 
 world. Frimi it dates a new and grand idea, it was the opening of 
 nev/ light and larger vision to tlie world. It marks with a monument 
 a stage of tlie world's advancement. It was a day pregnant with 
 momentous results to human progress and Christian civilization. It 
 may almost be said that tlie Mayjlowcr was freiglited with the liopes 
 and destinies of the new world. A handful of emigrants landing upon 
 " the ice clad rock of Plymouth "' in the dead of winter, surrounded by 
 savages, provided witii scanty provisions, menaced with every obstacle 
 that could make the stoutest heart quail, were the germ of a great 
 nation. To use the language of one of their most gifted sons, " Prime- 
 val forests, a winter's sea and a winter's sky circled them about and 
 excluded them from every sympathizing human eye. To play the part 
 of heroism in its high places, in its theatre, is not so very difficult; to 
 do it alone, as seeing him that is invisible, was the stupendous trial of 
 Pilgrim heroism." These men not only possessed courage to dare, but 
 indomitable jierseverauce to achieve great things. They defied the 
 very elements of nature, and enough of tliem outlived and overcame 
 cold, famine, and pestilence, and the tortures of the tomahawk and 
 scalping knife, to leave their mark indelibly impressed ujion the 
 American people, that Avill endure as long as their posterity shall last. 
 They were then of no ordinary qualities. Whoever fails to sympathize 
 -with their rigid principles, their aust?rity of life, and tlipir quaint and 
 
34 
 
 forhiddintc manrierg, cnnnot hut admire their Binglenesa of purijost;, 
 their sterling honesty, and their unfaltoring, unflinching energy of 
 character. There are tlioao who liave delighted to defame the Puritan, 
 but they are men subject to the infirmity of a weak mind's projiulice. 
 Errors they committed, faidts tliey had. It must be admitted that in 
 an hour of darkness and bewilderment they were guilty of the sin that 
 drove them from the land of their birth, and i)cr3ecutcd for conscii-nce 
 sake. Judge them by the age in which they lived, and let the mantle 
 of charity cover their errors. Let no one he guilty of the meanness of 
 looking down from the eminence to which the thoughts and deeds of 
 these men have exhalted them, to sully the character of men 'whose 
 shoe's latchets they are miworthy to unloose." To me the faults of 
 the New Rni?land Forefathers are like spots in the sun, invisible, by 
 reason of the light that surrounds them. To the Sons of New England 
 I would say, as they tell us, we have quaint, stiff manners, uncouthness 
 of expression, nasal accent, and oddity of lang-uage, derived from our 
 ancestry, we can l)ear this meekly, if with it we have the sound views, 
 sterling honesty, and undying energy of our Pilgrim Fathers. Let us 
 see to it that in commemorating tli • virtues of our fathers, we not only 
 admire but imitate them. Let the sublimity of their lives not suggest 
 a painful contrast with ours. While the Fathers were brave men and 
 wise men, let tl.cir posterity be worthy of them. Let us not bear 
 about us their blemishes, while we are destitute of their virtues. If 
 our object in this association be not merely to applaud but imitate, the 
 ends of our organization will be answered. We shall be urged onward 
 and upward to a hig-her rnd holier life, and our hearts will he cheered 
 and our hands nerved Tor our sterner duties, as men, as chri.nians, and 
 as citizens in this our adopted home. The Sons of New England may 
 be proud, and justly proud, ot their remote descent from Englishmen ; 
 but I never could bring myself to believe that English blood suffered 
 any taint or dilution by having coursed through the veins of the P\iri- 
 tan Fathers of New England. 
 
 The second toast was — 
 '■ Her Majesty the Queen." 
 Air—" God Save the Queen." 
 the cnmpary, Mr. Gould leading 
 The Prksident then proposed — 
 The President of the United States 
 Air — "Hail Columbia." 
 
 Tlie words were afterwards sung by 
 
 Mr. C: DoRwiN, U. S. Consul, replied :— Mr. Prbsujent I rise with 
 much pleasure to acknowledge the high mark of respect just paid to 
 the President of the United State.=i. Jn doing so 1 Avould crave the in- 
 dulgence of this large and brilliant assemblage, composed chiefly of na- 
 
 "^ 
 
 f 
 
35 
 
 ;? 
 
 i 
 
 \ 
 
 iirc9 of the IJnilod States and their deacendanlH, including our dislin- 
 guislied guostg, while I refer briefly to the suhject of your toast, the 
 present chief mugistrate of the land of our birth. It is too much the 
 habit in tlie jiresent day — nay, doubtless it Iiim been in all days — for 
 men to turn from the setting sun in the politicHJ lirmanent to worship 
 the advent of the rising sun — so men to-day, wiitn President Tierce 
 has sent down his last annual message, wiien the patronage in- 
 cidental to his position is about to pass away from him, turn their 
 smiles rather upon the President elect than upon the President 
 in possession. We see this witnessed in the daily affairs of our lives, 
 in our o«vn country, and in our own city. A Mayor serves our city 
 faithfully and well — perchance exposes his body to hardships, and 
 his life to peril in warding off the dread effects of pestilence— yet, 
 when his term is up, we forget all this in our restless love of 
 change, and choose another man — I will not say a worse one — but 
 I must esteem hini very good, indeed, ere I can call him better. We 
 celebrate the comjiletion of a <,ngantic work, conferring vvidesjiread 
 blessing ou the country, and in toasting tlie men of to-day we forget 
 the benefactors of yesterday— those who first planned and projected 
 the vast scheme. When we must confess ourselves, therefore, thus for- 
 getful and changeful, we need not be suri)rised that onr neighbors 
 change their rulers as often as the Constitution gives them ijovvers. 
 Nor should it bo argued as a reproach, or be referred to the demerits 
 of the outgoing President, that the people put another man in his place. 
 It is the popular whim and caprice and desire of novelty with them 
 as with us that makes them thus greedy of new things. It is not fitting 
 that I should choose this time or i)laceto pronounce a studied eulogium 
 on President Pierce, but this much I may be peinjilled to say, that I 
 do sincerely believe that when the heats of party conflict shall have 
 passed away, and men can judge his course dispassionatley, mucn of the 
 obloquy which some have seen fit to heap upon him will be for- 
 gotten — much now said in his praise will be remembered, and the 
 page of the history of his country, on which his name is written, will 
 not seem the least fair or bright. For ourselves iu Canada we 
 should remember that it has been by his administration that filibustring 
 expeditions against Cuba were checked, and so peace preserved ; by 
 his administration, that the Ceutnil American difficulty luis been 
 brought to a happy termination, and so peace again preserved ; and 
 by his administration, that the Riciprocity Treaty has been consum- 
 mated, and .so peace and unity between our native and adopted lands 
 cemented, and new and increased prosperity made to dawn upon Can- 
 ada. And so, Sir, I cannot but think that we, in Canada, have more 
 cause to let President Pierce retire with our blessings, than to heap on 
 him our maledictions ; that we have, after all, good reason to he grate- 
 ful to him. With respect to the presiilcnf pleet, I know some distrust 
 
 1 
 
HG 
 
 U li'lt with respect lo hid foreign policy, Itiit I hdieve without reason. 
 I hnve fiiith to believe him ft wise and just man, too Conservative in 
 in his opinion), loo sincerely th'siroits to promote hJH coiintry'ri pros- 
 perity to iuvolv„' iier uiinccesHiirily in wiir, nioie espccinllv with a, 
 people of kindred race. If, indeed, circiimstunces which he cannot 
 control, a destiny he cannot stay, makes it neee8.snry that he should 
 extend tiic free hut abidin<f instifitions of the (ireat Hcpuhlic tonei«h- 
 boririi; hind), now cnisiii'd by dt-fpoti-^in, or cur.4cd by anarchy, why 
 should we sijfh that the earth is so much improved, and the power of 
 our nice so much further cxlen<led. Dees not IJritain thus save Indian 
 nations frotii endless wrontr:^ am) unheard of cruelties from being perpe- 
 trated liy native rulers! And are we not longing to-day to annex tlio 
 Iludson'.s Bay Territory to our own. For ourselves, in Canada, we 
 iiftve notiiing to apprehend, l)Ut everything to gain, from the develop- 
 ment of the resources with wliich Providence has blessed the American 
 peoi)le. As their brethren, knit to them by all social ties, and by 
 the more endearing and sarrcd ties of kindred, and ties of blood, 
 we should rejoi<-e in all thai adds to their greatness, and so in- 
 crease the intliicnce of our own race upon the destinies of mankind. 
 The policy of President Pierce, with which, as I have shown, we have 
 good rci .,on to be content, will, I doubt not, be carried out by hi3 
 successor. It is the ptdicy of the party to which they both belong, a 
 party wiih the career of which, .since its fuurulation by Jederson, 
 [lanhui me I'or saying, (I sny it bi'ca'ise I believe it ami it in an 
 historical ;iiid uncontrovertcd tact) not tlio least of the glories of 
 the (jreut Union have been linked. liut I will dwell im longer 
 on matters of a personal or jMrly n.'ilure. lest you deem that I 
 make too large a demand ujion your kind lorbearance. J know it was 
 not personal considerations which dictated the enthusiasm with which 
 the toast was received. It was a tribute to the office as much as the 
 man, to the sovereignty of the nation rather than to either, and it 
 marked the kind feelin,^^s with which we turn our regards to the land 
 which gave us birth, and the people among whom many of us once 
 dwelt, and wc know that what we leel, oliiers in Canada feel too. 
 Tiial, notwithstanding jiassing jars and fierce diatribes by vapid jour- 
 nalists on both sides of the lines, there is a hearty good feeling prevailing 
 between the ]»eople of the United States .md of Canada, and it is a fact 
 at which we have most reason of any to rejoice. It is upon us that 
 the sundernig of amicable relations between the two countries would 
 fill, as the iieavlest and direst calamity. It is our part therefore to 
 pray for and promote peace and good will. And when it is con- 
 sidered thai Great liritain and the United States are of one origin 
 and religion ; speak.^ the same language and governed by similar 
 laws and interests, acknowledged to be the two most intelligent 
 nations on tlie face of the globe, should it surprise us that an ardent 
 
17 
 
 Ijopp in clierisheJ in tho honrl of every lover of civilization that the flngj 
 of Knulanii and the Uuitcil Htutt's sliiiil wave hHnnonioiisly toj^otlier till 
 time siiali l)e no more. I have said that (}ieat Kiilaiii antl t!io I'liitfd 
 
 States weroucknowU'djrod to I.e tho two mo.-jt iiitelligcnt and eiiliglitiMicd 
 nali'iiis ill tin- wuilil, hut strictly spealciiii,' tlii^y are one iiufiuii, for at 
 tlli.^ iiiomeiit llioy arc ahoiit l)"iii;,' jfjinvd ti)-cther, !)y tin- salmiarino 
 cable, the j,'oidian knot which iioiiylit but tlie warrior'^ sword can .sever, 
 beiii},' lied by Professor Morse. Long may tiiey remain so united, i-iid 
 Ion;,' may Xcw .'Minlamlers, living; in peace, plenty iind [nosperity here on 
 Canadian soil, toast with loyal heart.; the good Queen of the land in 
 which they dwell, and the chief MagLstrate of that people whence they 
 are sprung, 
 
 Tlie PnKsiDKNT gave " His Kscelicncy tho Governor General, the ru- 
 preaeiitalivo of her Majesty," for whom he odkod an enlLusiu3tic rc- 
 
 BponaC. 
 
 Song — " The fine old English Gentleman." 
 
 Tlie PiiKsroKNT then again rose, and said that the next toa.st brought 
 them nearer lu-me, and one in which a d^ep interest must bo taken by 
 all who iiail made Canada tiieir home. It wa.-^, — 
 
 "Trosperity to Canada, their adopted Home." 
 
 Air — " Vive La Ganadienne." 
 
 Mr. Dewitt, iM. V. P., responded. He said : 
 
 In speaking to lliis sentiment — Pro,=perity to Canada, our adopted 
 Home — you will permit me to call to mind the former .stale of our 
 country, with some of lis pajt events, and contrast some of the past 
 with the [.resent, saving aLso something of the prospects of the future. 
 It is now more than fifty years .since I came to this country. At that 
 time we had no landn.ads between tliis Lower Canada and Uie Limited 
 States, on eiiher side of Lake Chnmplain. I have worked veiv hard, 
 with risk of life, lo go from this city to Swanton, in two days. Tho 
 same can now be performed in two hours, without f^-.tigiie. Then, we 
 had no wliurfs at our Maibonr, nothing but a mud-bank, lo land 'our 
 goods on or ship our pioduce from, into the very few ve.s.sels which 
 visited oui vhoies. Then a month was not considered an extraordinary 
 long passage for a vessel, from Quebec to tlii-^, ))ort ; now we think 24 
 hours a long lime to be on the same voyage; from our city westwuKl, 
 a journey which then required months to perform, can now'be perform-! 
 ed in a I(mv days, so that we can now do in a day, what formerly re- 
 quired a mouth or 30 times as long ; formerly we had no steamers on 
 our waters, now nearly all our trade is moved by steam. The late 
 Hon. John Molson built the f.rst steamer, and was building a second 
 which did not c(ane above his Brewery, because the reeeivcMl opinion 
 was, that we could not build a steamer that could overcome tLe cur- 
 rent St. Mary below the city, much less one which could navigate the 
 
38 
 
 St. Liuvreuce to Lal'rairie. Tlie price of freight from Quebec to 
 Montreal in the lirst stefirac, was char{j;ed at one penny per lb., or 
 £9 6 8 per ton, the pa3sar;T §1'.; ''wn and $14 up ; the lirst steamer 
 was a great improvement, hut she rorpiired two days to go down and 
 throe days to come up. In the month of June, 181-1, I went to my 
 neighbors and we subscribed to build the third boat, -which was the 
 first that plied res'darly l,'.;tAfen our harbour and Quebec; the price 
 of freight in our Sleiinier the " Car of Commerce" was reduced to oOs up 
 — some thought that nothini; — now we have our freight from Quebec 
 for sliilliug? >iiitead of dollars — is not this prosperity. Then, we had 
 no railways. 1 rLiTiombcr wl.i u the bill was before the House of As- 
 sembly, uuliiDviziug a cjuiimuy to build the first railway in Canada, 
 between LaPrairi- and iSi. Johns, of sending messengers througli Que- 
 bec, to call monbors from liieir beds on a cold stormy night, to come 
 and sujtport the Bill, 1 v.-a^; very desirous that the Road should be 
 made as an examidj to the peoj.le of Canada. That Road of 14^ miles, 
 was the first that we had in Canada — now we have 1400 miles, or 
 more than one hundred times as much Railroad as we had 20 years 
 ago, is not that prosperity '/ 
 
 The people of New lOuglaud are somewhat celebrated for enterprize. 
 Shall v.-e be less so liere iu this our adopted country ? Tiiey have their 
 Common Schools and thoir higher Seminaries of learning up to their 
 renowned Harvard and Yale. Forty years ago, we hardly had a school 
 or seminary ot learning ; iicw from one to two millions of dollars are 
 annuallv paid lor hislruciion; does not that declare that we arc in-o- 
 gressing? Our whole country is dotted with the school houses. 1 re- 
 gret that circumstances have kept back our McGill College ; but I trust 
 that Institution will soon be able to take its proper stand among the 
 Institutions on this Continent ; and, in due time, vie with Harvard 
 and Yale. The rescourres of this country are scarcely known. We 
 must have the power that knowledge gives. We must have intellect 
 enlightened and expanded. Sir, the other day we saw a very little 
 ofouriniu,hty St. Lawrence taken from the proud stream, and apart 
 of it fo-cing another portion of it up to the Reservoir, overlooking our 
 city, and from that position, we saw it forcing a stream over the tops 
 of our highest houses. All this was done without any artificial power, 
 beyond v.-hat the water all'orded, being applied by the science of a 
 Kecfer, a native Canadian, assisted by an Englishman, a Republican 
 from the States, and supported by the indomitable energy and per- 
 severance of our citizen E. Atwater, Esquire. I consider great praise 
 is duo to the Contractors, for the very able manner in which they 
 completed their ^^ ork under the great difficulties, with which they 
 had to contend, by the rise of Provisions,. Wages, &c., after they 
 entered into their contract, which could not have been foreseen. It is 
 impossible to calculate the benefits which these Water Works will 
 
 J 
 
39 
 
 J 
 
 <i 
 
 confer on our citizens, whenall the jiipes, &c., are completed. Shall 
 we stop here? And as you, Sir, liave kindly permitted me to say 
 something of our future, prospects, I will licre remark that I think that 
 our country is about to take a longer stride onward that she has ever 
 done. Shall our educntional establishments not go on faster? I feel 
 confident they will. If two water wliecls can do '■"i much as we have 
 seen they liave done in our water v,x:'k3, ■^\■ly siuill v/o not take i-ore 
 of tliat power, that has hitherto run jdly ', ■ >.m rocks, even a thous- 
 and fold more, and use it fur all the purp:-:;. j for which power is re- 
 quired. I think we should no longer sleep but catcli that power, and 
 make it work. If we do, it will afford us untold weallli. Sir, let us 
 catch some of that gold. Why wh, it advantage is it to us. to liavo a 
 mine of gold, if we will not .vork it I AVlua was the Viilueof California 
 and Australia before their mines were worked ? Ustf iil only f jr a habita 
 tion for those who leave their country for their C">un try's good. A 
 few months since, I saw machinery moved l)y one water wheel, tho 
 nett profit of which 1 estimated to be equal to the iniereril on half a 
 million of dollars, or equal to the nett prolll on fljly good cultivated 
 fprms. There is a vast grain growiiig country on cur west. Europe 
 is the greatest market for this grain, especially Great Bi'itain. We 
 know the climate of Britain is very wet and damp, consequently, much 
 of their grain is not sufficiently hard or dry to be ground alone ; so 
 that they require some hard grain to mi.K with tlieirs to grind well. 
 Now, our grain, if sent there in its best estate, is just what they want. 
 Now, to accomplish this we miisi take tiie best means. The same 
 craft is not well adapted to oui' navigation from the west, and at the 
 same time the most advantageous from this port across the ocean to 
 a British port. To use the vessels most suitable lor the inland and 
 ocean navigation involves a tranahipmcnt here or at Quebec, also, that 
 this transhipment should be don& with the least expense of time and 
 money, and in the beast manner. It is didicult to deliver grain in good 
 drj' condition after a long voyage, therefore, let us employ vessels well 
 adapted to the navigation froja the west. Let them drop down here 
 and be immediately discharged at tlio rate, say of two thousand 
 bnshrds per hour, by elevators, when the vessel will be able at once to 
 take in a return cargo for the west. Tlie grain being in store is per- 
 pared for Khi])ping by extractin;; from i: the dust, smut, bad seed.-', and 
 being put in a dry state. TIici: i\y a .;')0'iit ff. ni the mil'-', ihe grain is 
 put on board a good ship, b.'i::.: 1 ■■•uli'd at ouco, n;;'.;,- cs.. ect to reach 
 her destined port, and be al !>■ to dciivcr her cargo of grain in the 
 highest and most perfect condisi^.n; tlie puri-- hard grain commanding 
 the inust ready sale at the liigl; -st top of the market. It is best to 
 employ large vessels on the c.'C'n, which CLinnot navigate all our 
 waters of the West ; it wou'd rcquir- ll.reo or four ve,<.;t'l3 which are 
 adapted for our Western trade, to bring a cargo to one o!" our yea-going 
 
40 
 
 ships; transbipment here would obviate the objection of a long voy- 
 age. Another matter is of the highest importance to Canada, espociallv 
 the cistern portion of it, and the Ottawa. It is a CONTINUOUS 
 NAVIGATION fiom Georgian Bay, on Lake Ilnron, to \ho Ottawa 
 River and the St. Lawrence. I tiiink every friend to Canada should 
 use all their efforts to accomplish thai grand object; it will shotten 
 the ror.te from Lake Michigan 500 or (JOi') miles, and by continuing the 
 route tin-ough the Straits oflkdleisle, will be about 1000 miles loss than 
 the p -esi nt route from the far West, whore the grain is grown to the 
 place where it is consumed, passing by our own doors. Let these things 
 be done. Let us have the right men in the right places, and so r.se 
 the I'cst means to impro'se our great sfPKitroi!, natural adva.ntages, 
 
 AND NONE CAN DEriUVK US OF A LARGK SUAHE OF THIS MOST MAGNIFICENT 
 
 Trade. It will reclaim another colony from the wilderness. None 
 need be jealous of us, for it will injure no one, but will benefit all : for 
 before it can be accomplished, another colony will be wanted for the 
 increased population of this country. And now, one more subject 
 {iresses on my mind, it is lliis : as the telegraph lines a,re about to be laid 
 in the ocean, from the Irish Coast to Newfoundland, by which news 
 must pass through British possessions in North America, and probably 
 by our door, who can say that the American Government will not re- 
 ceive intelligence through our grand distributing station at Montreal : — 
 so that we receive the news from London three hours in advance of the 
 Earth's motion, say that we get the London news of noon, at nine 
 o'clock, preceding morning. With these views who can sot bounds 
 to our ]irogress. I hope all will unite with me in those momentous 
 anticipations, and let no one retard our destiny for they cannot pre- 
 vent it. 
 
 The Pkesident then proposed,— 
 
 " The Mayor and Corporation of Montreal." 
 Air: — Jolly Old Alderman. 
 
 Mr. J. J. Day returned thanks. He spoke of the importance of well- 
 regulated iriunicipal Institutions— he said that the well-being and pros- 
 perity of a Community depended on them. That he need not, however, 
 point out their advantages to the sons of New England, who knew so 
 well how to appreciate them. That to be convinced of them we 
 need only go to that model city of the New England States- 
 Boston, a.iid to that Beautiful little City of Elms, Newhaven, 
 where both the intellectual and material interests of the citizens 
 were so well cared for in their educational Institutes, as well as in the 
 management of their civic, charitable, and •'"formatory Institutions, and 
 which might, with much benefit to ourselves, be copied in many res- 
 peetfl. That he did not, in thus favorably noticing the Institutions of 
 
 1: 
 
41 
 
 New England, intended to disregard Old England. On'^the contrary, 
 he was free to admit that sucli institutions had, to a larg-e extent, their 
 origin there, and spoke cnthudiastically of t'lem — hut said, that from 
 the jiroxi.iiity of tliose in the New England States we had better op- 
 portunities of judi^Hig of liicir fitness for the purpose they were intended 
 fur, and we sliouhl not only admire but imitate them if we desired the 
 welfare of tlie Community. On behalf of the Civic Body, he expressed 
 thanks for the honor done them in pi'iposing their healths. Tliat it 
 implied, at least, that they were not altogetiier undeserving of n.)ticc. 
 That although much more might pcriiaps be expected from the Corpo- 
 ration as a Body, he thouglit moat, if not all of the members luid been 
 faithful to their trust, although perliaps not all jiossessed the amount 
 of talent and ability required for the proper discliarge of the important 
 duties confided to them. But he would appeal to the strudy sons of 
 tlie Pilgrim Fathers there present ^'iu'thcr lliey might not, as citizens, 
 take to tliemsclves some share of the censure and blame, if any attach- 
 ed, for the want of such fit and able men at the Council Board as ho 
 would take the liberty to say he know fhey could r«adily find in this 
 community willing to fill a seat there, if their fellow citizens took a 
 proper interest in Civic affairs. That such men would tiien, if called 
 upoO; feel it their duty to sacrifice a portion of their time to the ad- 
 vancement of our Civic interests. He made a passing relerence to 
 what had been done by the City Council, alluding-, amongst otiier things, 
 to tlie new Water Works, eulogizing Alderman Atwater as the City 
 Member to whom he said we were principally indebted for that great 
 boon, '"'marking, that as Alderman Atwater was a son of New Eng- 
 land, and a descendant of the Pilgrim Fatliers, wliose ancestral name 
 could be found inscribed so frequently on tlie tomb-stones of many a 
 Cemetery in New England, we need not be surprised that the untiring 
 energy and perseverance of his ancestors should shew iLsclf in him, 
 thereby securing for us that supply and ^brce of water of which our 
 jet cTeau, by a singular coincidence, in front of the Church of the Pil- 
 grim Fathers in the Hay Market, was the best evidence he could point 
 out. Alderman Day then spoke of the want of im[U'ovcments in the 
 City of a sanitary nature, such as Drainage, &c., and dwelt with much 
 force on the crying necessity for the immediate establishing of Houses 
 of Industry and Reformation in Montrtal, recommending the Institutions 
 existing on Deer Island, near Boston, under the City management there 
 as models, and pointing out that it was unreasonable to expect the 
 Citizens of Montreal should bear all the burden and expense of institut- 
 ing them, having foisted upon them, as they have annually, so largo a 
 number of vagrant youths and paupers from the other side of tlie At- 
 lantic and elsewlipve, giving ns a legitimate claim on the general go- 
 Ternment for aid in establishing them. He added that he could not 
 permit that oj portunity to passs without offering to his worthy friend 
 
42 
 
 Dr Nelson, tho Ex-Mavor, that tribute of resj.ect duo to him for the 
 exertions he had made with hi3 (Mr. Day's) humble assistance, whilst 
 the worthy Doctor hlled the Civic Chair, to obtain a transler t„ the 
 City by 'ict of tho L(""-i,4atme of the munificienl boqiK'st of tho laic Mr. 
 Maistellcr made for the purpose of a House of Industry. That in thus 
 noticin- the Ex-Mayor, he had no intention to overlook his Worslup tho 
 present^Mnyor, whom he would uo the justice to say had thus far dis- 
 charged his onerous dnlies fearlessly, faithfully and well, and was 
 richly enlitlcrl to the thanks of this comn.munity therefor. But from the 
 deep'iuterest he (Dr. N.) has ever evinced in such institutions, and the 
 acknowledged iUuess of the Doctor-as witness his good management 
 of the Kingston Penitentiary-not only to superintend the establishing 
 of such institutions, but to supervise them when so established he 
 thought, that had Dr. Nelson remained in the Civic Chair he might have 
 been innrumental ere this in inducing the government to assist us m 
 their establishment. In conclusion, he made a very happy reference to 
 what had fallen from Mr. Sanborn, the member for Sherbrooke, respec - 
 ino- the several national societies which had set the example so l.tly fol- 
 lowed by the formation of that of New England's f^ons, and said that 
 whilst it was commendable in itself that each nationality should, fo,- its 
 works of bcuevolencc, have separate existence, that the culmimatmg 
 pointwith ns now should be to endeavour to form thusc societies, or at 
 least such of their leading and inlluential men as are disposed to encou- 
 ra"-. its formation, into a glorioi,s Canadian Nanonality, having for its 
 object tho uniting of all the different nationalities for the advancement 
 of our common interest., and taking for its motto, " E i)lunbus untnn " 
 That by so doing, we wcndd mateiialy and intellectually strengthen the 
 tics that now bind us together as a people, destined to become a great 
 nation. 
 
 The Presidf.nt then read the Message sent by the New England 
 Society, of New York, by telegraph, to the following effect :— 
 
 " The New England Society of New York cordially greet the New 
 F--ir.:..: Kv^ciety of Montreal, and returns the following sentiment in 
 answer to its generous and friendly message : — 
 
 "The Birthday of New England, honored always and everywhere 
 by her not degenerate offspring." 
 
 The Pro-^idenl said the next toast was complimentary to the gentle- 
 man who had given the Oration that day. He (tli President) wished 
 he could convey to that gentleman the sentiments of gratitude which 
 he and the Society felt towards him. We could do no more tl'an re- 
 turn our heart-felt thanks, fur the generous aid given by the delivery 
 of lie address In which they had that day listened. 
 
 He propo.sed :■— 
 
 " The Orator of the Day." 
 
 . 
 
43 
 
 
 Rev. Mr. Cohoneu said, that once when ho attended a festival at 
 Fancuil Hall, a friend of liia sitting near him was called upon to speak. 
 Having finished his speech he sat down and e.xclaimed, " Now I'v? got 
 it over, thi.s sjpocch lias weighed upon me like a niglitmare for hours : 
 now I am delivered of it, 1 can rest in peace." Wlien he (.Mr. C.) came 
 across the threshold 1l:iit evcnini? he felt that the lot which his friend 
 had rejoiced in shouhl he his lot also. He had delivered himself of liis 
 speecli beibrc lie canio into that room, and should be p( rmitled to rest 
 in ])cacc. He had hoped to enjoy that, wliich, in his less mature and 
 more ambitious days, he sliould have called olium cum ilignitule, but 
 which, in liis more mature and less ambitious days, being content with 
 the vernac\ilar, he should call sitting at ease with tlio goodly viands 
 before him provided by their hosts of the St. Lawrence Hall, and in 
 dignity, being placed so near to the Chairman. But when the toast 
 list was presented to him on taking his seat, and he saw there " The Ora- 
 tor of the day, " he did not know any one to whom it more directly ap- 
 plied, or wlio had a better right to respond, than himself. So he found 
 himself standing before them once more . He was standing before them, 
 but not for any set form of speech. He felt bound to acknowledge, 
 with great gratitude, ilie manner in which his name had been proposed 
 and received. It liad been his object in addressing them that day to 
 bring out in the sinice of an hour or so, the salient points of that 
 peiiod of English history — he might say of human history — with 
 which the remeinbrauces of the event which they were then celebrat- 
 ing were conuectod, and to exhibit the ideas at the bottom of this 
 Pilgrim movement, to show the value of ideas, in order that what .nre 
 styled practical men might duly note that the wiiole progress of the 
 universe did not rest with them — that the pale men of tluuight in the 
 cloister, or perchance in the garret, by their patient thinking, or some 
 "pinched fanatics" of Leyden or elsewhere, exiling themselves for 
 abstractions, brought ideas into birth and being, which entered into 
 the corrupt and confused mass of society, and worked there with 
 volcanic force, disturbing the principalities and powers of the earth, 
 and up-heavin? the super-incumbent masses of passion and prejudice, 
 and vulgar conventionalism, and projecting iirst principles clear into 
 the light for the help and guidance of men. Such had been his simple 
 aim, and he was glad to think it had been appreciated, for surely it 
 was but an empty show to return after dinner thanks to an orator, if 
 his purpose was not intelligently apprehended. He v,-as glad to tliink 
 that it was, and in that thought the orator had, verily, his reward. 
 The Society had walked through the stieets with their banner, on 
 which was inscribed, "We defend sanctity of conscience." It was 
 adherence to that principle that had made New England w^hat she is. 
 Any principle that was worth anything was worth carrying out. It 
 was a fine characteristic of the Puritans that they had principles, and 
 
44 
 
 did not shrink from carrying 
 of conscience " was good for 
 
 them out. If the principle of " sanctity 
 tliem it waa good for us. This principle 
 
 should be .acred, not to the .ons o 
 
 ,f thi^ I'ilgiim Fathers aloue, but to 
 
 all men 
 jld 
 
 He saw there the reprc 
 
 sentatives ot the national societies 
 
 of 
 
 the men of Old England suffer and endure in 
 
 the old world. Dul nci u.e uk. ..v.... .. ^^^ ^^^^ 
 
 volunlaiN exiit oi »>iio , .,,,,,,,1 ,,,,t th"V ur ze it, when 
 
 *• . <.v,.ni.io- J And the Scotchmen, should no' uuy pi , 
 
 tnate\enuig. /^"" p .i„„. i,...l seen the Covenr.nters hunt- 
 
 ^"^ r ;tUl "i t '. ; : C:::emuuc.. or CathoUc. .., should 
 "" T;he!a ct '; the conscience as a sacred thing. (Applause ) All, 
 regard the .ar.aitj 01 u puntan, or Catholic, should care- 
 
 .vhetherEpiscoijaiai.l^=^-^ was all this after dinner 
 
 "'^ "" trm^^r^ ywore afraid to carry out the principles 
 applause but mocU ), it i J ^^^^^^^^^ ^ ^^^ 
 
 ,,;ai they ^^1^:;^^ j^, :„ l.:\.t. and conduct 1 If any of 
 ""'■^ ' T ; our u a social di.tUvor, or n.anite.t towards an- 
 T ^'" utiU n Un. because of a conscientious dili;.ence 
 
 other any ll-^MU m . ^^^^^.^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^.^^^ ^,^.,^^,^,1, ,t 
 
 ophiion, they wee^ -.by a y^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^^.^^^ ^^ .^ ^^^^^. ^^^^^ 
 
 B-^^^'^V ,;■ r 01^ violon'ceforthe same end, though perhaps 
 
 political ^"^.^';^;"^" ;3\ ,,, i,,,,,i, ,,oniiueuee which was given to 
 their act might no hav ^th^ 1 1= 1^^^^^^^_ ^^^^^^^ ^,^^_^^,^^^^.^ 
 
 that he who b eakcth '"^^ ' ^ themselves to iidelity to its 
 
 ^.raisiugthatboru..^^ oreb^ .^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^ 
 insenption-d tKj ^^^^^^ ^^_^^^^^ ^^,.,^^,. ^^ ^ 
 
 '"^T^''^ r to whlttl- IH-omotes a perfect freedom of conscience, 
 '''iT'hi Popa advaicement of a nation. He knew no beUer 
 tends to the nope ^^^ ^^^^.^^_ ^^^ ^^^,^, ,,^^^^,,,1 
 
 s,andaid -h-eby <> J-t ^^^ .^^ ^.^ discou.se, they should aim 
 
 ""'"?T'n^^ U> a airer nationality than was to beloundany- 
 bere ^^^^-^^l! ;;^^; ^,, ,eliind other lauds in many kinds of pro- 
 "'"^'^U.^w a when they went to England and saw her great 
 
 a ancient ^^^ ^^^^^ ,, \,, ,.|.ees and mansions and park, 
 admiration, and ttiey » cultivation which we had not. 
 
 everywhere around Im 1 " . ,,,„,racturing Lowell, and 
 
 Andin thene^h cm ng^;t-\^^^^ -cl marking a development of 
 
 
45 
 
 1 
 
 they looked on the coininercinl enterprise oC a Liverpool on one side 
 or the Atlantic, and of a Xew Vorl< on the other, which we find it ini- 
 possihle to match ; and we I'elt compelled to acknowledge ourselves 
 behind the t\v(/ j^'real nations of our race in these regards. That was 
 one side of the account. He was addressing commercial men, and 
 would employ a fashionable and favorite formula of llicirs, and one 
 which be believed was considered quite conclusive — he meant the 
 debit and credit account. They had on one side of the accoiUit these 
 marks of high cnltun', of matcnal development and commercial enter- 
 prise ; Ijut going behind mate rial development, anil glancing back to 
 fu-st princiides, he found two items on the credit side of the account 
 which he would mention. And first, here in Canada, enjoying the fidl 
 measure of reli^hus liberty, no man was called upon by the state to 
 contribute a farthing towards the mainteuauci of a form of religion in 
 which ho did not believe. And next, enjoying the full measure of rivil 
 liberty, be would note th's item, that in Canada no man could be bold 
 in bondage by statute. Ho should say no more, but 'et any of his com- 
 mercial hearers, complete the account, and strike the balance, and lie 
 would abide by the result. Yet another word and he should ?it down. It 
 was ii law, he believed, in the workiii? of the preciou.'s metals, that none 
 of them was fitted for circulation or common r.se nnkss nii.Ked with 
 some portion of metal of a baser sort. Now when people were met 
 together .1 such an occasion rs this, to celebrate the glories of the 
 race from which they sprung, it was quite pardonable tliat they should 
 regard their own race as the pure gold. So for to-night they might 
 regaid the Pniitan Pibirim stock as the pure gold, and when the sons 
 of St. George mec together they too should indulge in the pleasant be- 
 lief that their stock was fbe pure gold ; when the St. Andrew's Society 
 met they might indulge in the same flattering notion respecting the 
 race of Scotchmen, and on St. Patrick's Day tbe Irishmen might regard 
 the children of their own country —his own fellow countrymen — as the 
 only pure and unadulterated gold, and so each would be jdeased, as 
 they had a right to be pleased, when met for such rejoicings. But 
 they should all remember that the pure gold of each race must be 
 mixed with alloy before it was fit for common circulation. If any one 
 of these races were planted here in its purity, it might prove too per- 
 fect a race to live, and thus pass aw.ay without leaving any adequate 
 mark. But here, in this Canada, they would put all together 'n. one 
 national crucible, and produce a national metal, more useful, more 
 beautiful, and more durable than any other. Again returning them 
 thanks for their kind reception of bis name, he should sit down by 
 wishing them all '' Happy homes and altars free'." 
 
 The Chairman next proposed the eiirhth toast. He was sure it would 
 appeal sufficiently to their feelings from whatever side of the line they 
 rame, to secure for it a cordial reception . 
 
4tf 
 
 He gave them, therefore, without any speech :— 
 " The Meteor Flag of Kiiffland, tlie Guardian of Freedom in Enrop« 
 and tlie Star Spangled Banner of the Republic, the Symbol of Liberty 
 in AiLcrica. May Ihoy ever lioat in harmony." 
 Music.—" Jeaunctto and Jcaanot." 
 Dr. Nelsou &aid : — 
 
 Mr. President,— ! certainly hud no idea of being called upon to res- 
 pond to a toast Ihis evening, but, nevertheless, in obedience to your 
 hummons 1 shall strive to ninko a few remarks that may not be totally 
 unwortiiy of ilio toa^t I am called upon to reply to. Let ns hope, gen- 
 tlemen, for the luve of order, for the good of all mankind, and the per- 
 petuiition and exten;4ou of civil and religious liberty, that Old Knglanu 
 and "lew En!j,Uind, together with all the descendants of Englishmen, 
 in the Tiiitcd^ State?, niiiy ever be united in the indissoluble bonds of 
 one cotnni./i. iiiiere?t, one commcm lamily of feelinji, and this common 
 interest be concon'raled in tlie holy and immntiible laws of right and 
 justice. Let (his harmony be consolidated, and then the lovers of 
 human liberty, the world over, need have no fears of the intrigues of the 
 of the gigantic power.? of Russia and other despotic nations, which faith- 
 ful to their ol<l hal)it3 and Iraditions, would aim at suppressing the 
 very instincls of freedon\ wherever manifested, as if their own existence 
 depended thereon. If n-wjpaper gossip was to be relied upon, we 
 might have some reason to apprehend that England's late, and it is to be 
 hoped, permanent and wurni ally, the present Emperor of the French, 
 evinced a tendency to lend rather a willing ear to the wily and treach- 
 erous insinuations'of Russian craft, to curb whose unhallowed attempt 
 to invade and crush a neighbouring power, but a few months since, 
 Louis Xapoleou him,elf so noldy co-operated with our own gracious 
 Sovereign. The p.itriot's heari repels with horror the idea of so unna- 
 tural and so suicidal a league, and we cannot but pray that a beneficent 
 and walchlul Providence will continue to shield the civilized world 
 from such a direcalamity as the consummation of this wicked plot must 
 pro ye to be. But still, should the fates decree it otherwise, what 
 would remain for England to do but to buckle on her armour and call 
 upop !.er legions to enter into the arena and combat with their wonted 
 and invincible ardour the unholy attempt to crush freedom to the 
 earth { And would its oiispring on this side of the sea stand indifferent 
 and passive spectators of the scene? No, Irom one extremity of the 
 United States and Canada to the other, a cry would arise and thousands 
 upon thoui.^ands of freemen would throng around the standard of hu- 
 man rights, and their hearts would wariTi towards the only upholder of 
 them in the European contest. The struggle would be a fearful one, 
 should it ever arise, but from the antecedents of both parent and chil- 
 dren wo have the intuitive knowledge of their ultmaate glorious vindi- 
 
 I 
 
 1 
 
I 
 
 1 
 
 i7 
 
 •ation of the outrnped rights of civilization. It would be fi noble and 
 most cheei ,ig spectacle to see the ouly two nations wi:ica enjoy un- 
 trammellftu constitutional freedom battling ngainst tyranny and dea- 
 polisin with all their prodigious means of (({.'fressivin and golf-dt'fencc. 
 But '' God would defend the right," and the inalionablo claims of en- 
 lightonod men, to the enjoyment of rational, civ;!, religion-^, and politi- 
 cal liberty, would be maintained, and tyiants forced to lick the dust. 
 Knowing as I do the spirit of British subjects in Ciiu;;!), I believe I 
 can safely predict that they would most juyfuUy contribute tleir lair 
 quota ot defenders in the strife, aud would nui li'-riilato to hazard life 
 and comfort in support of a cause so congenial with those princi|)Ie3 
 of honor and patriotism which they cherish so anion lly. 1 bog to re- 
 turn my most sincere thanks to my wortliy fii.'ud, .Mr. Dorwin, the 
 American Consul, for inviting me to be pnsnit on this most agreeable 
 reunion ; but pleasant as it is to be seated at this sumptuous board, 
 and much as I prize the honor of participating in the commemoration 
 of so distinguished an event, yet I must be pornulled to say that it was 
 not less gratifying to me to enjoy the opportunity of listening to the 
 eloquent, polished and most truthful discourse delivered this afternoon 
 by our talented aud reverend friend, xMr. Corduer, who was not lesa 
 forcible and convincing on this occasion than on tlie many others 
 where ho has had the opportunity of expressing his sentiments— senti- 
 ments which do honor to human nature, boc^usc ii.ised upon the broad, 
 everlasting principles of Christianity. Our much valued friend points 
 out the way which would lead to benevolence and love of each other, 
 and that cherished opinions aud exalted views founded upon the sa- 
 cred record of Christianity must have a direct tendency to make us 
 all better men and bet'cr able to appreciate and enjoy the gifts of a 
 bountiful Providence—Gentlemen of New England, you have good 
 leason to be proud of your ancestry, and you of Old England, you 
 have equally good cause to be proud of your descendants. May the 
 parent and child forget their former differences and diiHculties, and 
 ever recollect the solemn ties by which both should be united, for 
 their own welfare and self-preservation, and for the common g-ood and 
 advancement of all mankind. 
 
 Mr. 3. H. PiULLiPs, of Salem, Massachusetts, in responding to the 
 American part of the toast, said he felt honored by the being selected, 
 but, at the same time, chagrined that so humble a person as himself 
 had been chosen. He was always ready, however, to stand by the 
 colors of his nation when called upon. The A mei ican flag could speak for 
 itself. Something must be pardoned to tlie enthusiasm of an enthusi- 
 astic representative of Young America ; and he ask .1 i- h'lgence for 
 saying that that flag, whether planted by the adventurer h\ uont— the 
 enthasiastic reception of whose nameheap; i-ciated— upon the loftiest 
 pinnacle of tha rocky mountains, or guided by another daring explorer 
 
48 
 
 l.eyo/ d tlie iiuillicin liiiiiu ut polar icu, wliellicr llualiii},' ovit tliu coni- 
 iiieic (jf two grcul ocean?", iioilli or rfoiitli, eastor west, Im W(i.s ^me 
 that tliat Hag could Bjieak for itself, liiit tlie grandest lelloction was 
 lliiiL tlic fiaj; oIKiinlaiid ami AriiiMica could lioal to;j;cilicr in iiamiony 
 Let liy-^aiiics lie Ly-gonOo. Two great iiation.>^, witli ccmnion intcifsts, 
 a common language, and lirst in war and (irsl in peace, would lorever 
 disgrace themselves il'they permitted any temporary exeileinenl, or 
 petty iueitation, to disluib the liarnuuiious relationa wliicli now exist. 
 lie alludeil to tliL' answer ola di^liugui.slied ollicer in the American army 
 to a hrollicr ollicer who clialleuged him to mortal combat, that lie i cmem- 
 bered some battle lields in which both liad been engaged, and he knew 
 that another exchange of shots would not add to the reputation of eith- 
 er, luigland and America might maiie .similar answers to each other, 
 should oi'her provoke llic other. Now that the two nations had giown 
 80 nearly equal — now mor<i than ever there should be harmony be- 
 tween them. When the I'lymouth Colony was weak the C(jloiiial seal 
 bore the humble motto " Come ovei and help us." Now the sons of the 
 Pilgrims are strong and need pray tor help no longer. They celebrate 
 this day in distant States and,foreign lands. Oiiulent merchants and 
 distinguished citizens in all places relied lionoron tiie land of their ex- 
 traction; Let, peace and modeiation mari; their course. In conclusion, 
 Mr. P. said he would i>ropose a sentiment— not his own ; luit one which 
 was ofl'ercd by a distingidshci scholar of iMassachusctts on a festive occa- 
 sion in tlie University in which he was educated, w liich was liono"ed by 
 the presence of Lord Ashburton, immediately after the vatitication of tliat 
 treaty which has tended more than anything else to conlirm iho good 
 feeling between the two countries:—" The relations between the Unit- 
 ed States and England. May tlieii friendships be as enduring as the 
 rocks which bind their coasts, and iheir diHerences as evanescent as 
 the bubbles which break along their beaches." 
 
 The President next proposed : — 
 
 " The Press "— 
 
 Prefering the toast with a few apiuopriate remarks. 
 
 Received with all honors. 
 
 Band " Cheer boys, Cheer." 
 
 Mr. Penny .-^aid he w is in a position, which he found to bo invari- 
 ably that of gentlemen called on to make speeches. He had not had 
 the slijjhtest expectation of being called on to do any Guch duty; 
 but having been told that it had been arranged between some of the 
 managers of the cereuiouies, and some of his professional brethern, that 
 he was to respond to the lonst, and being, though not quite the oldest 
 in years, tlie oldest member of the profession, he felt that he mus^ com- 
 ply. Hut in truth, there was no occasion when any man connected with 
 
 « 
 
 4 
 
4S» 
 
 4 
 
 tlio ProsshaJ iiiorii reaBon to respond eheert'uUy and wnrnily, ihun wlitii 
 the Press wm proposed at a New Kns;limd celebration ; for in no coun- 
 try liad the Press been more linnoiued. One of tlie earliest of tlie New 
 England inslituiionj^-. was llie i)rinliiig I'ress. So soon hs men begun to 
 live there ihey wanted to read and to teach, and Ik nee they early set up 
 that nmchine which was necessary for b(Hh reading and teaching. 
 Tla- Press had soiretiines been n»rd for diifereut objects. l\n had 
 heard of military comnmudcrs selling out on e.\iitditions of con- 
 quest and sp<diution, and conveying a piiming press in their train 
 that their riiliiless orders ndgiit be given with more si>eed and precision, 
 and the mischief ihey could do might thus he rendered more complete. 
 It waa not so in New Kiigland. There the j.ress was no engine of 
 cruelty or despotism, but one calculated t;) dilluse throughout society 
 onlightenment, relinement and civilization. It was one of the jiarts 
 ot that system for which New England hud to thank her clergy — one 
 of tfie means by wliich llicy had sought to combine intelleciual en- 
 largement with Christian fervour, and to raise the people at once to 
 their own standard of intelligence as well as devotion. The church 
 and the printing press there went together ; but in order that the pi lut- 
 ing press sliould be useful, men muot read and think, and hence schools 
 and colleges rose on every side. Nothing was more remarkable ui the 
 history of those colonies than to see how early institutions of that kind 
 b^;gan to be estiiblL^hed — how iutelleclual cullivalion was at (iiice 
 marked out as the concomitant, not the mere successor of nnaterial 
 improvement. And whal had been the result ? He was about to re- 
 peat a verse of one ot their New Kngland poels thai expressed in 
 b-iiiutiful language the cfl'ect wliicii tho system had had on s^ocicty. 
 Bui at the niumenl the precise words escaped his memory. The senti- 
 ment remained, however, and was very good in prose. It was to the 
 effect that New England need fear no mental despotism, because the 
 school stood by the church ; nor any vain philosoiihy, because a church 
 spire rose beside every school. And what was true of New Kuglaiul, 
 had by New Eugland's inlluence been, to a great extent, nuide true 
 throughout the vast territories of the United hiales. Everywhere the 
 leaders of intellectual movements were natives of New I'.ugland. It 
 was of course out of place iheio to say a word of any klv.d of politics, 
 and there migiit be [iresent uien who licld very different view.s upon 
 questions whk-h had lately much agiialed the i)ublic luind of the 
 United States. But he might be allowed to make a non-j.olitical ob- 
 servation, even upon Nebraska and Kansas. It was that whatever 
 other dilierences of opinion might exist, every one acknowledged that 
 New England was providing ail tUe intellect and science for ihat 
 country. In reading the books of current li'erature upon the terri- 
 lones, it was very reiuaikable how many men of high educalion were 
 10 be found among the very pioneers of settlement. On all hands you 
 
50 
 
 found College bred rnen, nnd men thoroughly imburd with ncientifle 
 knowledge. In taking the wpiuk' and the axe they hiul not forgotten 
 tilher llic refinement or tiie knowletltro tliey had at(niired, and hence 
 elegance was combined even witli tlie roughness of n, backwoods' life, 
 while every natural rosoiuco of the country was ininiediulely dis- 
 covereil and made avadablo. On belialf of his prol'tsiional brethren 
 ho returned thanks (or the loast. 
 
 Mr. Hhistow also responded at some length. After the just nnd 
 eloquent remarks of the gentleman who ))recedcd him, there was little 
 left for him to say. 'I hey fell gratitude for the niiiuuer, in which on 
 this and otiier such occasions tiie press was complinicuted They re- 
 garded it as a high honor, not paid the conductors of the press individ- 
 ually, but to that enliglitening spirit of tiie age which found expression 
 through the iiress. And from no iieojde couhl a compliment to the 
 press, the guardian of cosmopolitan piiiiciples, come willi better graco 
 than from the people of New England, when they remembered the 
 circumstances under wliicli that country was founded. There was 
 much worthy of considenitiou in the as^embhigc there. What would 
 the Pilgrim Fathers have thought, could they have for.seeii that after 
 fleeing from Britain to avoid persecution, their descendants should 
 come hero again to take up their abode on British soil, enjoying hero 
 the fullest measure of civil and religious liberty, and gathering round 
 the festive b^ard here to celebiate their Forefathers' virtues. Both the 
 Pilgrim Fathers and those they left behind them in England — both 
 Brit'ain and the Uuitcd States — had committed faull.i; there were 
 blots on the escutcheons of both, wldch both would desire to see oblit- 
 erated. Yet amidst all lliey had progressed together, and grown great 
 together. It was despotism kept them apart ; liberty brings them to- 
 gc"ther again. Their only strife should hereafter be, who slioiild pio- 
 l)agate tiie principles of iiberty with greater fervor, lie believed the 
 press of Canada, was generally true to the principles of civil and re- 
 ligious liberty, and desired to promote harmony among men of all races 
 and creeds. The public should spurn those papers from their midst, 
 which attempted to overturn such feelings, or to awaken jealousies or 
 persecutions. 
 
 The President next gave : — 
 
 "Our Sister Societies." 
 
 Band — " We've lived and lov°d together." 
 
 Mu. Whitney, M.P.P., returned thanks for the St. George's Society. 
 Hig hon. friend the member for Compton, whom he had occasion to 
 meet tlsewheio, and was glad to meet here, had said he hoi)cd to see 
 the St. George's and other nationiil societies lend a helping hand to 
 their younger sister the New England. His presence there on behalf 
 of St. George's Societv was an evidence of the interest felt by himself 
 
 
 ! 
 

 51 
 
 and the St. George's Society In tluit ot New England. It had been re- 
 maikfcl to him that night that it was somewhat strancc that one of 
 the Vice Presidents of the New England Society should be the brother 
 of the President of the St. George'."* Society. That was true. For 
 him.self hid prcjudice-i wore perhai^ atrongcr than hid brollier'd ; ho 
 embraced any caii.'^o in i)olitics or otiicrwi.se more lorwardly. He had 
 always admired cverytliing English, had joined the St. George's So- 
 ciety long ere the New England Society was tiionght of, as being a 
 desccnd'int of Ent;lishmcn, ami aflcr hlliiig 'lie various otliccs of tlio 
 Society, had ui length come to till, liowever unworthily, the position of 
 its President. It gave him great pleasure to be there in behalf of the 
 St. George's Socaity, as the guest of the New England !^ocicty, of 
 which his brother was an olHce bearer, as it seemed to show him very 
 closely the two wore linked together. He thanked them for the honor 
 done the Society which he represented, and should not fail to convey- 
 to the St. George's Society, the very llattcriiig manner in which they 
 had been rcimmbered by the New England Society. 
 
 Mr. W. MiitHAV returned his hearttVIt thanks for the honor and 
 pleasure conferred upon him as President of the St. Andrew's Society 
 in participating in that bantpiet. He congratulated the New England 
 Society upon the .success which had ultonded their organization, and 
 be bad also to congratulate them upon thn success which had attended 
 the banquet got up upon teetotal principles. He could not have be- 
 lieved so much real convivhility — so much real jollity and good feel- 
 ing could have been got up over cold water. He could compare it to 
 noUiing l)ut those jolly meetings in their own old country, where no 
 liquid was to be obtained — not even water — except " mountain dew." 
 It Avas fortunate that this 'oast was lait so low down on tlie list, as it 
 saved a spcecii. The wind had been fuiriy taken out of his sails, and 
 many things which he had desired to say had already been better said 
 than he could say it. He would conclude by wishing the Now Eng- 
 land Society all prosperity. That assembly was a proof that it repre- 
 sented not only great wealth, but also a huge shaie of the respecta- 
 bility and intelligence of the city. 
 
 Da. IlowAHD responded on behalf of the St. Patrick's Society. He 
 felt highly honored in being called on to return thanks for the St. 
 Patrick's Society there. One of the speakers had said that Irishmen 
 had hearts large enough to lake in all other nationalities. If any men 
 had good reason to say this they were the Americans. He was ever 
 ready to acknowledge the obligations Irishmen were under to the New 
 World. They had been well received here. Nor did those who re- 
 ceived them have any reason to com['lain that they found them bad 
 citizens, and when Americans wanted men to light for their indepen- 
 dence, Irishmen were not found backward in the fight. They had like 
 
52 
 
 llie Puritans left tlie laiui of their birth to seek a land where they 
 might better their fortunes. Being: now thrown side by side in a 
 country, tliou:|h not, iierhapsi, possessing the same activity of th ^ money 
 gettinij and trading spirit as the New Englanders, yet tliej might 
 pride liiemselves upon qualities as valuable. It must be remembered, 
 that if others had desigrned schemes of puidic improvement, it was yet 
 the strong arms and busy hands o<' the Irish laborer, which had laid 
 the rails and placed the stones for the beiielit of all. All should unite 
 heartily, with all striving earnestly for the good of all, and that of their 
 common country. He thanked them on behalf of the St. Patrick's 
 Society for the honor done it. And ere lie sat down, b.c might be per- 
 mitted to say tliat he felt nut a little proud that the orator of the day 
 was a son of old Ireland. (Applause.) 
 
 The Pui:siDENT called upon the Secretary to read letters of excuse 
 from some of the parties invited lo be present. 
 
 Letters were aeeordmiily road from Colonel Stone, of Plattsburgh, 
 N.Y.; Recorder Smith, of i*iew York; Hon. Geo. Ashmnn, of Si)ringlield, 
 Mass.; and Josiah S. Little, Esq., of Portland Me., expressing their re- 
 gret at their inability to be present. From the Hon. G. S. Hillaid, 
 Boston, -with the following sentiment: — 
 
 " Old England and New England, — Sisters of the same blood, speak- 
 ing the same tongue, reading the same books, with a common religion 
 and kindred laws, with the electric energy of freedom in their veins, 
 — May there be no other strife between them than as to which shall 
 snrpass the other in subduing tlic wilderness, educating the ignorant, 
 christianizing the lieatlior., and scallering the darkness of despotism 
 with the dayspring of liberly."' 
 From Dr. ^V . 0. Holmes, Boston, with the f()nowing: — 
 " The Pilgrim's Progress — not of English allegory — but of Ameri- 
 can history; may its path keep, in full faith, to the national highway, 
 and avoid the local barrier on which our ■' Christian" and " Hopeful" 
 fathers have written, *' over this stile i'; ihe way to Doubting Castle, 
 which is kept by GianL Despair." 
 
 From Governor Clarke, of New York, a letter concluding thus: — 
 " It is the toast of Old England that tlie sun never sets on her do- 
 minions : New England may claim with almost equal certainty that 
 the sun rises upon no state or nation within whose borders her own 
 sons have not made a home. Your Society is certainly an evidence 
 that Canada is no exception to this expression. May its members ever 
 cherish the virtues of their country, and suffer no blemish to dim the 
 escutcheon of their national renown.'' 
 
 From II. Slociim, Esq., Mayor of Troy., with the following: — 
 "The Pilgrims that landed on Plymouth Rock, — may their rcmem- 
 Itrance be cherished by their descendant.^ in all lands : may th "r jirin- 
 
53 
 
 oipks be as vigorous and as enauring in the Queen's dominion? ai in 
 
 the States." , , ,, 
 
 From L. J. A. I'ai.ineau, Esq, Protl.onotary, with tl>e following — 
 " The PiliiTims,- What Columbus di.l for the iihysical, they have 
 done for the moral and political discovery and foundation of a new 
 world They have ceased to be the Fathers exclusively ol New Eng- 
 land. Hunanity at large claims them as its Representatives and 
 Benefactor.. All race, and creeds honor them, and .hould join m 
 common to celebrate the day." 
 The President then gave :— 
 '• Our Guests." 
 
 Which was received with all the honors. 
 IUno— " Anld Lang Syne." 
 
 Jilt. Palmer, M. C, returned thanks. He said :- 
 Mr Piesideutaml (lentlemen,- TM. call takes me altogether by 
 surprise Arriving at Montreal only an hour ngo, 1 had received no 
 intimation that 1 would be expected to i.ke any other than a silent 
 part in the fbslivhies oi th- occa^h.n. Not hein.: in the habit of making 
 public speeches, I should certa.i.ly shrink from attempting to address 
 the larn-b and intelligent assembly of gentlemen 1 see before me, with- 
 out at kast, having given some refleciion as to what would be proper 
 for 'me to say. l' shall, therefore, with your permission, resume my 
 seat, simply adding that it affords me great p.leasure to be with you 
 this evening, and to witness the very handsome manner in which jou 
 have celebrated the Anniversary of your Society. It is gratifying to 
 ,ee that the descemlents of New England, resident in Canada, hold in 
 such honoured remembrance the virtues of their Pilgrim ancestors. 
 The memory of the Hrst settlers of New England deserves to be cher- 
 ished and perpetuated ; and it is full of promise to the future to know 
 that the same sterling qualities which characterized them, have been 
 transmitted uuimpared to their descendants, wherever they "i'^. ''«' " 
 nmkin- their character and illustrating their career. But, bir, it is 
 not necessary for me to eulogize the memory of the Pilgrims, or to 
 ,,oh,t to thoialluence which iheir example and history have exerted 
 over the destinies of America. That influence has left its mark on all 
 the great enterprises and achievements of the country, -no less m its 
 n^aterial than in Us moral and intellectual advancement. Does com- 
 merce flourish under the iuiiu.lse of new enterprise and novel adven- 
 ture? -do manufactures, in their various forms, crude and rough they 
 n-.av be hut ^'ill ingenious and useful, follow close upon the lied of 
 advancing civilization !- is p.aciie.l agriculture improved /- are 
 i,,tUutions fur the ditr,K.ion of useful knowledge, as well as those for 
 the luoie elevaied pur.uts .f U .uni„;r, e.tabl.hed lu a tree ami liberal 
 •rit^-ar. charitv, benevolence and Christianity fostered as tl.oy 
 
54 
 
 should be? -in a word, is the country pro^resdve in the element- 
 w'lW'h gc. to make np a perfect civilization and a large humanity ? He 
 assurd, Sir, Pilgrim ideas and Pilgrim descendants have contributed 
 Ihoir full share in giving it such a character. But I will not delam 
 you f.u-tlier. I thank you, Mr. President and gentlemen of the New 
 En-land Society of Montreal, for your invitation to meet you here this 
 evening, und for the complimentaiv manner in ^vhich I have been re- 
 ceived. 
 
 The President in rising to propose the last toast, said he was surfe 
 that it needed no eloquence in the proposer to secure for it a warm 
 and heariy response. 
 
 He gave " The Ladies.' (Received with enthusiasm.) 
 Eana _ " Here's a health," &c. 
 
 Mr ^1 ATTiCE responded. He regretted that the ladies were not there 
 to respond Cor themselves ; hrst, on account of their own dcarsakes; 
 ne^t on account of the gentlemen present ; and lastly, he would plead 
 guilty to so much sellishness, on his own account. Seeing they were 
 not there, he wished that he, who was called upon to speak on their 
 behalf were endowed with some of the elocpicnce which the ladies 
 wer. kuo-.vn to possess. In looking to the past they found that 
 nations took a high position m tlie ranks of civilization, just m propor- 
 tion to the position which they assigned to woman. In our own 
 du- when it requires great talent to command attention, and great 
 worth to command respect, who were the gre.at stars in the firmament? 
 Was not our own good Queen among the foremost? and did we not all 
 feel that it was of good augury .o Britain in the recent European 
 stru.-de, that she, who had always won most glory under a Queens 
 ruhCiiad then a Queen up(m the Ihnmc. Was it not of good augury 
 too ' in the midst of dark clouds on the political horizon, that that 
 Queen's name was Victoria (ai-planse.) What name was brighter, 
 what name more honored now than that of Florence Nightingale 
 (cheers), one of natures true noblewomen, who for days and months 
 stood beside the beds of Britain's sulfering and dying soldiers, brmging 
 cmufoit to their hearts when Uiey had no other kind woman's face to 
 smile upon them in their weariness or soothe them in their last agony. 
 He mi'^ht mention a long list of other noble women, in these our days, 
 amon " whom should not be forgotten Mrs. Stowe. But he would not 
 detain ihem longer, for though gentlemen might like speeches, ladies 
 did not — they much preferred addresses. — (Laughter.) On behalt 
 of the ladies he heuiiily thanked them. 
 
 Thus ended the proceedings of tlie banquet, and satisfactorily ter- 
 minated the third annual celebration of the landing of the Pilgrim 
 Fathers by the New England Society of Montreal. 
 
A