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we can rise up and call our mother blessed, and rejoice in her smile. As I see this bright parterre be- ' fore me now, I should not wonder if some young men, in describing this festival to distant friends, should quote the words of Governor Winslow's letter, more than two centuries ago, which named among the native products of the new colony, "Abundance of roses, white, red, and damask; single, but very sweet indeed." Some happy men here present know very well that the roses of Plymouth do not cease to be sweet when they cease to be single, and their fragrance is the charm of the Pilgrim's home wherever he dwells. How many of you have come back to New England to find the light of your eyes; and if perchance any wanderer has fallen a victim to some fair maiden of Dutch lineage, or some brilliant damsel of the Old Dominion, he accounts for the fact by saying that she had a New England look, and secures to him a New England home! Common joys, common trials, we all have shared. Almost all of us have sometimes had to struggle with hard fortune; and we have all found, if we have only kept a firm hold, the wrestler that has for a time lamed us has left with us a blessing, that has proved him to be a good angel in disguise. Peace, our peace, Heaven's peace, be with this Old Colony and our loved New England! We cannot render or pray for any greater blessing for our common country, than for the progress of those principles and institutions that have given the Pilgrim Fathers their name among the founders of states and the exemplars of religion.

I close, Mr. President, by giving a sentiment that sums up the friendly thoughts that I have so poorly tried to set forth in my cursory words:

"Let us all say from Plymouth Rock: God's blessing on our young America! — the mingled blood of all nations flows in her veins; no drops of that blood should be more generous, more loyal, more youthful, than the drops that descend from the old Pilgrim heart."

The President then gave the following toast, which was much applauded:

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"New York, the Emporium of Foreign and Domestic Trade, — With one hand she grasps the commerce of the West, and with the other, like Venice, espouses the everlasting sea."

The next toast was,

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"Boston, Distinguished alike for education, philanthropy, and enterprise."

The Hon. Benjamin Seaver, Mayor of Boston, felt obliged to return to the city, and had left before this sentiment was reached.

The next regular toast was,

"The Press, The best index to Pilgrim's Progress."

MR. FULLER of New York, having been called on to respond to this toast, remarked that, for some reason which he could not explain, the Press were usually, of late, assigned a place at the close of the order of exercises. He had no speech to make. From the number of reporters he saw present, he presumed that the proceedings of the day would be given fully to the world. But he would not say more than to return thanks in behalf of his brethren of the press for the compliment which had been paid them.

Several gentlemen were present from whom speeches were expected, but time would not allow. The following regular toasts were read by the President, and responded to by the band:

"The Militia,— The arm that protected the Old Colony in its weakness; that gives dignity and grace to the State in her strength."

"Cape Cod,The right arm that sheltered the Mayflower. The ocean attests her gallantry and her enterprise; the courts of justice, her learning and her worth."

Replied to by Mr. Hinckley, of Barnstable.

The following volunteers were read:

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"James Otis, His head was cracked by a British officer, but his intellect cracked the British empire."

"Massachusetts and California, -The first and thirty-first editions of the Pilgrim's Progress.""

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"The Day we celebrate, May it ever be cherished by the sons and daughters of freedom, as the day when their fathers escaped from tyranny."

"The Ardent Spirits brought from Delft Haven to these shores in 1620,- an extract from the Mayflower, — the right sort for a Jubilee like ours of to-day."

At a little past seven, the company separated.

In the evening many of the residences of the citizens were brilliantly illuminated, Court and Main Streets particularly presenting a beautiful appearance. The Boston Brigade Band discoursed most eloquent music in the Town Square, from eight to twelve o'clock, and a fine display of fireworks was also made. During the evening, Mr. Warren, the President of the day, held a levee at his residence on Main Street, which was honored by the presence of many distinguished strangers.

APPENDIX.

LETTERS IN REPLY TO INVITATIONS BY THE

COMMITTEE.

DEAR SIR:

Boston, June 25, 1853.

I have had the honor to receive the invitation of the Committee of Arrangements to attend the proposed Celebration by the Pilgrim Society on the 1st of August next. It would afford me the highest satisfaction to be present at the commemoration of an event which has had, and is destined for all time to have, a powerful and beneficent effect upon the character and destiny of mankind.

The occasion must be interesting to all, but intensely so to those who have the privilege of claiming the Old Colony as their birthplace.

I regret to be compelled to say, that the state of my health will deprive me of the pleasure of accepting the invitation which you have so kindly extended.

I am, very respectfully, yours,

RICHARD WARREN, ESQ., Chairman, &c.

PELEG SPRAGUE.

DEAR SIR:

New Haven, June 27, 1853.

I beg you to present my thanks to the Committee of Arrangements for the approaching Celebration in your venerable town. Should it be in my power, I should derive high gratification from being present at that time; it is quite probable, however, that I may find it necessary to go in another direction, to visit family friends. Your very obedient servant,

RICHARD WARREN, ESQ.

THEODORE D. WOOLSEY.

SIR:

Brookline, June 28, 1853.

The present state of my health will, I fear, prevent me from participating in the Celebration of the Pilgrim Society on the 1st of August; but should it be in my power to do so, I shall gladly avail myself of your obliging invitation, for which I beg you and the other gentlemen of the Committee to accept my acknowledg

ments.

I am, Sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,

RICHARD WARREN, ESQ., Chairman.

T. H. PERKINS.

Cambridge, June 28, 1853.

DEAR SIR:

I have the honor to acknowledge an invitation to attend the Celebration of the Pilgrim Society on the 1st of August. But expecting to be absent on a journey at that time, I must regret the necessity I am under to decline it.

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

JAMES WALKer.

RICHARD WARREN, ESQ., Chairman.

Brown University, June 29, 1853.

MY DEAR SIR:

I am greatly obliged by your invitation to attend the Celebration on the 1st of August. Should it be in my power, I will gladly accept of it. I am, however, obliged to go to the western part of New York about the middle of July, and fear that it will not be possible for me to return in season for the occasion. I honor the stones and take pleasure in the dust of Plymouth, and the more so because she keeps us reminded of those glorious days from which we date the origin of civil and religious liberty.

I have the honor to be, Sir,

RICHARD WARREN, ESQ.

Yours, very truly,
F. WAYLAND.

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