Loyalist Day.

Année
1882
Mois
5
Jour
19
Titre de l'article
Loyalist Day.
Auteur
------
Page(s)
1
Type d'article
Langue
Contenu de l'article
Loyalist Day. Celebration Under the Auspices of the N. B. Historical Society. Quite a large audience gathered in the Mechanics’ Institute last evening well the Fusiliers’ Band in the Hall played a selection of airs and Capt. Armstrong’s Battery, stationed at the corner of Carlton and Peele streets, fired a salute. Many prominent gentlemen occupied seats on the platform, and the chair was occupied by Mayor Jones, - His Honor the Lieut. Governor having been detained in Fredericton by a meeting of the Government. The proceedings were opened by prayer offered by Rev. Geo. M. Armstrong, after which Mr J.W. Lawrence stepped to the front, and explained the absence of the Lieut. Governor and Chief Justice. [The latter was detained by Court at St. Andrews.] Mr. Lawrence was heartily received, and during the evening was the subject of eulogistic remarks by most of the speakers. The Band played a selection and Senator Boyd was then called on. He proposed the following resolution: Whereas, the 100th anniversary of the Landing of the Loyalists at the mouth of the St John River will be in 1883; Therefore resolved, that an event so important in New Brunswick history be marked by the erection, in the city of Saint John, of a Memorial Hall, to be the home of an Art Gallery, Museum, Free Library, Reading Room, Gymnasium, Natural Historical Society, etc., etc., and that the sixty thousand teachers and scholars of the Province be invited to co-operate in this grand educational, moral, social and patriotic work. Mr. Boyd spoke earnestly in favor of erecting this memorial to the men who settled here nearly one hundred years ago. He referred to the advancement that has since taken place, - particularly in the matter of education. The resolution was seconded by Mr. James Harris, and was carried- D.S. Kerr, Esq., alone voting nay. The Oratory Society sang “the Watchword” by Pinsuti, and were applauded. Rev. D. D. Currie, in proposing the second resolution, said he hoped the series of celebrations now begun will be kept in the future. We should cherish the memory of our forefathers - who cut out homes for themselves in this rude land. We ought to honor them for their strength, their courage, their loyalty, their devotion. We hear, sometimes, even from some of their descendants, that they made a great mistake in coming here. I don't think that they did make a mistake. We hear about King George and how obstinate he was and what an error it was for them to let their loyalty carry them so far. I don't agree with that view. It is true, there was in the old times a dream of a united Anglo-Saxon empire, which dream was rudely shattered by the revolution. But I do believe there is a God in history and that he does all things right. I believe in the irresistible sweep and drift of Providence, which brings about what is to be. If the colonies were lost by the revolution, we have here another England in which the institutions of the mother country have taken root and flourished. I believe that. Dr. Botsford seconded the resolution, which was unanimously carried. Mr. Elder, speaking to the resolution, said the Loyalists are to be honored because they were true to their convictions and ready to carry them at whatever sacrifice. We know how men worship success; how they worship the rising sun; how little they like to be on the shady side of commerce for politics. Well, these men choose the rough in perilous road, and took it because, as they thought, that duty called them so to do. Then look at the success which accompanied their efforts. Of them it may be truly said: “They builded better than they knew.” The Oratory Society sang “Old May Day” and “The Dream of Home.” Judge Weldon was the next speaker. He said the resolution he had to move referred to the first judges of the Province, who were all Loyalists, and were all distinguished men in their own country. All the Chief Justices of this Province, save one, have been loyalists, or descendants of Loyalists, as are many members of the bar, so it is fitting that they should take a prominent part in the celebration of this centennial of the landing of those Loyalists. His Honor proposed the following resolution: Whereas, among the early founders of the province were Judges and Layers conspicuous for their acquirements, and who in consequence of their fidelity to the Crown, made great personal sacrifices. Therefore Resolved, That the Bench and Bar of New Brunswick as a tribute to their public worth and private virtues be requested to assist in the erection of a suitable Loyalist Memorial. Mr D.S. Kerr seconded this resolution. He explained that the reason he voted against the first resolution was that while he favored erecting something in honor of the Loyalists, he was not in favor of erecting a Memorial Hall, which might be swept away, but a monument which would last as long as Cleopatra’s needle. He spoke at some length in favor of his view, alluded to the influence the ladies could bring to bear in carrying on the work, and concluded by saying that he supported the resolution and believed that the lawyers and judges in this province would so their utmost worthily to commemorate this important era in our history. Hon. Isaac Burpee moved: Whereas, the centennial of the arrival of the Loyalists at the River St John, will mark an epoch in the history of New Brunswick, every effort you put forth to make the celebration of 1883 worthy such event. Therefore Resolved, that the following gentlemen be a commission with power to add, to take such action as in their judgement may be necessary to the attainment of that patriotic object: The Lieutenant Governor, His Worship the Mayor, Chief Justice, Attorney General, Provincial Secretary, the three St John M.P.’s, six M.P.P.’s, Judge Court, Vice Admiralty, Advocate General, Judge Probate, Registrar of Deeds, High Sheriff, Recorder, Police Magistrate, Collector of Customs, Secretary Provincial Board of Agriculture, Superintendent Provincial Board of Education, Mayor of Fredericton, chairman of the town of Portland, Portland Police Magistrate, Assistant Receiver General, President Natural History Society, President N.B. Historical Society, President Board of Trade, Chairman of School Board, President Mechanics’ Institute, President St John Agricultural Society, Judge Palmer, Judge King, Rev. D.D. Currie, Hon T. R. Jones, James Harris, D.W. Clark, D.S. Kerr, S.L. Brittain, S.K. Foster, John Sears, three members of the Common Council, to be elected from their body. UNRREADABLE, Treasurer: William P. Doyle, Corresponding Secretary: Daniel H. Waterbury, Recording Secretary. Mr. Burpee said that the resolution needed scarcely a word of comment as it explained itself, and all it requires is that the parties named in it should do their work well. He tendered his thanks to Mr Lawrence for the efforts he had made in this work. He is deserving of thanks for the work he had done in connection with the Historical Society. The resolution calls forth for active efforts on the part of the committee to make the anniversary next year a success, and he did not see why it should not be. He differed from last speaker as to how the memory of a Loyalists should be preserved, as he was in favor of a Memorial hall,to contain a free library. Col. Foster seconded the resolution, and spoke approvingly of the project. The National Anthem was then sung, and after three cheers for the Queen and three for Mr. Lawrence, the audience dispersed.