USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > An Historical sketch of the origin and progress of the Society of the Sons of St. George : also the charter, by-laws, and permanent resolutions, together with an alphabetical list of the members and associates, list of officers, etc., for one century, from April 23, 1772 to April 23, 1872, to April 23, 1897 > Part 4
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There were members in the British Senate of that day whose keen vision could see the unwisdom of this attempted control for all time and under all circumstances. No grander or more im- pressive scene was ever witnessed in any age, or in any country, than that in which the Earl of Chatham figured in the House of Peers,whither he had been conveyed from a sick-bed to pour forth the last flood of eloquence that should ever flow from his tongue and heart, in a dying protest against a continuance of the coercive measures then pursued. "Were I an American, as I am an Englishman, while a foreign troop was landed in my country, I never would lay down my arms-never-never-NEVER !"
Need we wonder that a people who had drawn their inspiration of liberty from such men as John Hampden and the elder Pitt should find counterparts in men like Patrick Henry, who in the Virginia House of Burgesses opposed with such fiery eloquence the proposed "Stamp Act," saying, "Cæsar had his Brutus, Charles the First his Cromwell, and George the Third may profit by their example. If that be treason, make the most of it."
How different the policy of the British government to-day. She has learned to show her strength by a display of her modera- tion, and has proved most mighty when most yielding to reason- able demands. The steadily increasing light and experience of the last hundred years has wrought more marvels in mental, moral, physical and governmental action than can be easily con- ceived ; and the peaceful growth, the wonderful developments, the mingling of so many nationalities, the E pluribus unum-one composed of many, of these United States, has been the mightiest force of all. The England of to-day rejoices in our prosperity,
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and largely shares it, but possibly is a little jealous of our rapid growth, ambitions, and aspirations. A short time ago we had a family quarrel on hand, and the old lady could not keep her hands entirely off-(What mother ever did under such circumstances ?) and she seemed to favor that side of the house which appeared most plucky and pretentious, and made her very gracious bows and complimentary speeches and large promises. The result was that her ear became a little heavy and her eye partially dim ; and while she was looking in one direction, some of her people saw a chance to make money by fitting out ships-of-war and selling them to the rebellious portion of the family, which they did, and these ships glided away in the other direction. We all know what followed, and it may happen in the mysterious workings of Providence that there shall be a much larger amount of good, far-reaching and long-enduring, as the result of this unhappy embroglio, than the evil that was done in the waste of property and loss of life, through the want of vigilance and determination on the part of English officials. A new method of settling national complications has been adopted, a Board of Arbitrators appointed, and it should be devoutly hoped by all, that a mode so equitable and reasonable be crowned with complete success. Should it prove so, it will be the inauguration of a new era, the omen and earnest of a brighter day, when the savagery and bru- tality of war shall cease, and nations as well as individuals be held to a faithful discharge of their obligations, and if they fail, be mulcted with such damages by impartial judges as the equity of the case may require.
The character and objects of the St. George's Society are so patent and in such entire accord with the best feelings of the heart that I have deemed it unnecessary to spend the time allotted for this address to an extended exemplification of its workings or its benefits. A few closing words must suffice.
I hold in my hand a copy of Minutes and Resolutions, from an original and well preserved Record, which were passed one hun- dred years ago to-day by an Assembly of Englishmen at Byrnes' Tavern in this city, who organized a Society for the advice and assistance of Englishmen in distress. In the enumeration of their callings I find four Clergymen, eight Physicians, seven Captains, one Lieutenant, and sixty-five others who were private gentle- men, active merchants, or members of the legal profession. The
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Rev. Dr. Peters, Rector of Christ Church and St. Peter's, was elected President and Mr. Robert Morris, Vice-President. The last named gentleman was eminent as a Merchant, Financier and Patriot, and it was through his earnestness that the credit of the colonies was maintained through the darkest days of their struggle. We find his name in connection with that of Benjamin Franklin, a brother member of this Society, attached, on the part of Pennsylvania, to the Declaration of Independence in '76, and the Constitution of the United States in September '87.
How little did those men dream on the 23d of April, 1772, that they were laying foundations, which, through three genera- tions to come, would find successors to build thereon ; or, that they were opening a spring of charity which should flow through the ages for the comforting of many hearts, and prove an in- spiration of hope and a staff of support, to thousands of weary wanderers in search of employment in a new and strange country. How numberless the associations formed in our city since then which have all but perished from the memory of man. Political parties have followed each other in rapid succession ; Literary, Scientific, and Economic coteries have been established and flourished through their short day, but "charity never faileth." This organization took no gauge of a man's creed either in politics or religion. If he was in distress and required comfort- if he was broken down with poverty and needed pecuniary help -if a stranger asking advice, he found an open door for counsel, encouragement and aid, provided he was of English descent or birth. The thoughtful, thrifty Scotch, as well as the generous, simple hearted Welsh, had already entered upon this line of prac- tical benevolence-the Germans shortly after trod in their steps. The Sons of St. Patrick at an early day formed for the relief of emigrants from Ireland, and in more recent times the French and Swiss enrolled themselves in charitable institutions for a like beneficent purpose. They are all alive and flourishing to-day, and doubtless the blessing of many who were ready to perish rests upon them. They are severally qualified to do their own work, much better than it could be done by others. There arrived at the port of New York during the last three months upwards of 30,000 emigrants ; 12,000 of that number speak the German language. There may be cases of serious suffering and want among some of them which every Christian heart would be
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glad to soothe and supply if he had the power-but with many of us it would be impracticable. They do not speak my lan- guage, I cannot comprehend theirs. But here is a Society formed of their own countrymen, familiar with their tastes, train- ing, habits, and customs, and prepared by the common ties of Fatherland and the desire to see the newcomers prosper, standing ready with words of cheer and deeds of kindness, which they can comprehend and appreciate. And so with all the others. How much has been done, how many hearts cheered, how many lives saved or lengthened, how many fortunes created through the instrumentality of your Society, God only knows. Your annual contributions have furnished food, lodging and clothing for mul- titudes, but the kind words that have been spoken, the generous sympathy displayed, the active efforts put forth to obtain situa- tions for persons willing to work, have accomplished an amount of good which we cannot estimate. How many can say with grateful feelings in the language of the flowered motto above me, " I was a stranger, and ye took me in." To all I would say in the words of the Almighty to the children of Israel, "Be ye kind to strangers, for ye yourselves were strangers in a strange land," and if you wish to do honor to the country from which you sprang, remember the almost dying utterance of that Naval Commander of whom its inhabitants are so proud,-" England expects every man to do his duty." Do it to yourselves, your families, your country, your God. So live that you may be pre- pared to die. Let the star of Bethlehem, brighter than the one that glistens before you to-day, attract your earnest gaze, it will lead you to " the Sun of Righteousness," under whose influence you may serve your generation according to the will of God, and promote the peace and happiness of all around. Let that crown of flowers which skilled hands have formed with so much taste and beauty only to wither and decay, remind you of one that is enduring and eternal ; and while you seek a permanent home in the heavens, be thankful for the blessings which cluster along the pathway leading thereto. Here we have found a home, a country, great, and constantly growing greater. Here we propose to live, and here we expect to die. May we serve it faithfully and love it truly, and as we march onward in the journey, joyously sing :
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"GREAT GOD we thank THEE for this home, This bounteous birth-land of the free, Where wanderers from afar may come, And breathe the air of liberty. Still may her flowers untrammeled spring, Her harvests wave, her cities rise, And yet, till time shall fold his wing Remain earth's loveliest paradise."
The service was then closed with another original Hymn, written by the Rev. William Newton, and the benediction by Rev. Dr. Foggo, Rector of Christ Church.
O! gladly we hail the return of the day Which, as Britons, we welcome with heartfelt emotion; For it speaks of the dear Native Land, far away, Set, gem-like, to shine on the brow of the Ocean; And we breathe forth the prayer, That it long may be there,
Its children's intensest devotion to share:
And the Flag of Old England shall lovingly wave,
With the Stars and the Stripes, o'er the Lands of the brave.
We do not forget thee, O! Land of our birth, For still, in our hearts, Thy remembrance is burning; And still, as we wander on, pilgrims of earth,
To thee will our fondest affections be turning: And we still twine Thy name In the broad wreath of fame,
With the Land that stands next Thee, our homage to claim,
Where the Star-Spangled Banner above us shall wave,
O'er the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.
And thus, while we hail the return of the day, Which to us, with such fond recollections is teeming; We'll breathe forth the prayer, that as time rolls away,
The sunlight of peace shall still round Thee be streaming! As Thy Children we'll stand, Joined in heart and in hand,
Though wandering far from Thee, our dear Native Land; And the Star-Spangled Banner above us shall wave,
O'er the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.
BENEDICTION.
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The procession was then re-formed and marched down Twelfth to Chestnut, down Chestnut to Ninth Street to the Continental Hotel. The day was all that could be desired, large numbers witnessed the procession along the entire route. Arriving at the Continental Hotel, the band played while the Society marched up to parlor C., where about an hour was spent in pleasant con- versation while the decorations of the Banquet room were com- pleted. The Society's beautiful portrait of the Queen was placed in the rear of the President's chair, on one side of which hung the portrait of the Rev. Dr. Pilmore, one of the benefactors of the Society, on the other the portrait of our esteemed President, James Allen, Esq., who for thirteen years has filled the chair with so much honor to the Society, beloved by all its members.
The arch of immortelles with the motto of the Society was removed from Grace Church and placed over the portrait of the Queen, over which was a beautiful floral crown. The " Centen- nial Banner," together with a number of English and American flags, completed the decoration of the room.
The arrangements being completed, the order was given by the Marshal to fall in. The President, James Allen, Esq., and Rev. Dr. Suddards led the way, followed by Chief Justice Thomp- son, of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, Judges Pierce, Paxon, Lynn, Hare, and Briggs, Major Generals Meade and Patterson, the Presidents of Sister Societies and other invited guests, and nearly three hundred members of the Society, while the band played appropriate airs. A blessing being asked by one of the Chaplains, the large audience sat down, and for about two hours enjoyed the good things prepared for them by the proprie- tors of the Continental Hotel.
Before the toasts were given, the President, not being in good health, requested Frederick Fairthorne, Esq., to read the follow- ing letters of regret from distinguished gentlemen, who, from pressing public duties, were prevented attending the banquet.
FROM PRESIDENT GRANT.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C., April 19, 1872.
DEAR SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your kind invita- tion to attend the dinner on the Centennial of the Society of the Sons of St. George, to be given at the Continental Hotel, in Philadelphia, on the 23d instant.
I very much regret that I cannot gratify your wish and my own desire to be with you upon an occasion of so much interest to your Society.
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My public duties preclude the possibility of my visiting Philadelphia at this time.
I must beg of you to accept for yourself and the Society you represent my thanks for the kind remembrance, and my best wishes for the success of your meeting. Very respectfully,
U. S. GRANT.
MR. JAMES ALLEN, President, etc., Philadelphia, Pa.
The following letter was received from Sir Edward Thornton, K.C.B., II., H.B.M. Minister at Washington, D. C.
BRITISH LEGATION, WASHINGTON, April 16, 1872.
DEAR SIR: I shall be much obliged to you if you will express to the President of the St. George's Society, my regret that I am unable to accept the kind invitation which has been forwarded to me to dine with the Society on the 23d instant. I have already promised, if I am able to leave Washington at that time, which is very uncertain, to dine on the 23d with the Society at New York.
Believe me very truly yours,
EDWARD THORNTON.
WILLIAM UNDERDOWN, Esq., Secretary.
The following was received from Governor Geary.
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, HARRISBURG, PA., April 15, 1872.
JAMES ALLEN, Esq., President of the Society of the Sons of St. George, Phila- delphia.
DEAR SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your very kind invitation to dinner on the "Centennial of the Society of the Sons of St. George" at the Continental Hotel on the 23d inst.
I regret my inability to attend on that occasion by reason of pressing public du- ties and prior official engagements.
Please accept my thanks and my kindest wishes for the welfare and prosperity of the Society.
Very truly yours, JOHN W. GEARY.
The following letter was from the Right Rev. William Bacon Stevens, Bishop of Pennsylvania.
DIOCESE OF PENNSYLVANIA, EPISCOPAL ROOMS, 708 WALNUT STREET, PHILADELPHIA, April 13, 1872.
Bishop Stevens presents his compliments to Mr. William Underdown and re- grets that an official engagement in the country will prevent his acceptance of the invitation to dine with the Society of the Sons of St. George on Tuesday the 23d.
WILLIAM UNDERDOWN, Esq., Secretary.
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Letters were also received from General Horace Porter, U.S.A., Hon. Simon Cameron, Hon. William D. Kelley, Chas. E. K. Kortwright, Esq., H. B. M. Consul at Philadelphia, George W. Childs, Esq., Hon. John W. Forney, and others.
The following toasts were given in the course of the evening.
" The Day we Celebrate-May this Society, which celebrates its one hundredth anniversary to-day, flourish in its mission of generous relief to our brethren in distress for centuries to come."
Responded to by Mr. William Underdown, Secretary of the Society, who read the Centennial Report, which will be found in connection with the report of the Treasurer, to which the attention of every member is invited.
POEM,
Written for the Centennial Celebration of the Society of the Sons of St. George by the Rev. William Newton, Rector of the Church of the Nativity, Eleventh and Mount Vernon Streets, Phila- delphia.
I fell asleep the other day; At least I did to outward seeming- And while I thus unconscious lay, By some strange chance I fell to dreaming; And while to form my visions grew, They took the following shape and hue:
I dreamed that the world was just fresh in the smile Of its youthful existence; that, blooming and fair, It reposed in the light of its Maker, the while; But Love had not smiled yet, and sadness was there; When lo! from the ocean, one bright, sunny day, A vision of glory arose on the sight;
It burst forth from the waves in their turbulent play And shed round them the splendors of beauty and light.
O! fair was her form as it floated along, And brightly the rainbow glanced forth from the spray;
And the waves seemed to murmur an eloquent song, As they fell 'neath her footsteps and vanished away.
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Hope tended her pathway, and Peace followed near; There was joy all around her, and glory above. And the eye that beheld her, though dimmed with a tear, Grew bright 'neath the glance of the Goddess of Love!
And thus from the waves of the Ocean of Life, Love rises, in beauty and gladness, to throw Her charm o'er the waters of sorrow and strife, And spread o'er their darkness her beautiful bow. The sorrows that darken, the passions that blight, Each hope and each feeling, all yield to her sway ; And the brow that would else have been shrouded in night, Is bright with the radiance that beams on her way !
Such was my dream. And as I woke With sudden start, the spell that bound me, At once, like some fair mirror broke And left its shining fragments round me. But on their surface I could trace Glimpses of truth, so brightly shining,
That they may fitly claim a place In this the wreath that I am twining
For the bright memories, which to-day In every bosom move and play ! And what would life be, were it not For this strange instinct from above, Which, from the waves of every lot Calls forth the radiant form of love ? Love of our Country ! How, to-day In every heart its fires are burning ! How, to that Dear Land, far away Our fondest thoughts and prayers are turning !
How memory with its magic touch
Revives the scenes we love so much,
And brings before the spirit's view What only spirit can renew. Our Father's house-the home where we
Spent the bright days of infancy- We see it yet in all the glow,
Which childhood's recollections throw Around the much-loved spot. Again We live the life that charmed us then ; Thrill with our childhood's hopes and fears ;
Weep once again our childhood's tears, Our School-boy frolics all renew, And share the fun-and thrashings too !
Once more around our Mother's knee, God's best and holiest temple, we
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Kneel with clasped hands and reverent air, To say once more our childhood's prayer. Alas ! that from life's later day, Those words so much should pass away ! Land of our Fathers' ! Still to Thee -Though the wide ocean rolls between- Our love holds fast its loyalty,
And keeps thy memory in us green !
We love to dwell upon thy name, And think, that on the scroll of fame, There's none that takes a loftier place, Or wears it with a nobler grace ! Great in Thy power for good or ill ; Great in Thy sons' exhaustless skill ; Great in the energies of will, That from Thy little Island throne Circles the earth, and in each zone Records some deed of greatness done, To testify before the sun, Of England's influence, spreading o'er The world's wide bounds, from shore to shore ! What, if the sun does never set
Upon thy wide dominions ; we Deem it a nobler triumph yet, That the first torch of Liberty
Was lighted on Thy shores. We read Of the brave bands of Runny-mede, Who wrung from John's unwilling hand The Magna-Charta of our land, And own the honest pride that claims Kindred with these time-honored names !
Hampton and Sydney, too, are thine- And Milton, Chatham, Shakespeare, Thou May'st in one wreath of glory twine And wear the garland on Thy brow ! We share the pride, the glory, share Of all the honors Thou dost bear ; And, with exulting bosoms, claim Oneness with Thy thrice-honored name ! Yet, while as England's sons, to Thee We offer thus our loyalty ; With the same act we bring to view The Land of our adoption, too. Thee, too, we love ! Thee, too, we claim As kindred of one common name ; Rejoice in all that proves Thee great, In arts and arms, in power and state ; And shows Thee standing side by side
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*
LEWIS THOMPSON
Treasurer, 1856 and 1857 Trustee, 1875 and 1876 President, 1877 to 1879 Vice-President St. George's Hall Association, 1875 to 1884
With England in her noblest pride ! Long may Thy glorious banner wave Its ample folds o'er land and sea ! We'll only ask to dig the grave Of every thought of jealousy Between two kindred powers, whose pride, -Whose noblest pride-should be to stand Shoulder to shoulder, hand to hand, In waging still that grandest fight For God, for Freedom and the Right,
In which naught, ever, should divide Our Native and Adopted Land ! We'll take old England's flag and Thine And, weaving their broad folds together ; We'll ask that they may always twine,
In sunny and in stormy weather, As peacefully as now, they blend In loving converse to the end ! And, should their folds be blown aside By passion, prejudice or pride, We'll ask-and this is all we want ---
That little Vic. and General Grant, As Queen and President may stand, And changing speech across the water, Say,-as they clasp each other's hand,- Peace'twixt the Mother and the Daughter !
Nor is this all. In its embrace ' Love is not to one land confined ; But circling o'er the earth's wide space, Takes in the whole of human-kind ; For Man, as man, its bosom thrills ; For Man, as man, its measure fills ; Man, made in God's own image ; man Encircled by the eternal plan, That seeks to bring a rebel race, Redeemed before the Father's face ; This is its measure ; running o'er With love to all, when from His place Within, as life's controlling power, God moves, effulgent in his Grace, All love is His ! Of country, kind, Or Individual ; all proceeds, From His one over-ruling mind, And fills up all our human needs ! He is its Central Sun ; and we Move in our sphere harmoniously, Just as we learn to meet each claim, In help, for love, in His dear name !
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Sons of St. George's ! We are here To tell again Life's oft-told tale ; To yield the smile, to drop the tear, As memory slowly lifts the veil That hides the buried past from view. What recollections here renew Their hold upon us ! How they sweep Like waves across the swelling deep ; Rising and falling, as we thrill With thoughts that now our bosoms fill ! One hundred years ago, and we Had birth as a Society.
And yet, to-day, no mark appears, To tell us of advancing years.
No faltering step, no trembling hand Proclaims the weakness of our Band ; But, stronger, heartier, than before, We trust our vigor to renew, And bring again the days of yore, When childhood, in a century, grew To its dimensions ; and the dew Of youth was sparkling on his frame, Who, half a thousand years could claim ! So we would trust. And in this hope, Draw out St. George's horoscope ! Let rolling years Thy strength renew ! Its wisdom and its vigor, too, Let time impart. Let every year Mould Spring-time blossoms for the next ; And when they in their bloom appear, -As thoughts enfolded in the Text- Let no untimely frosts destroy The promise of the Autumn's joy ! Thus still, in Union let us stand ; Clasping, as one united band, Our Native and Adopted Land !
"England-The land of our birth ; may it ever continue to be the glorious land of civil and religious liberty."
H. B. M. Vice-Consul Mr. Crump fitly acknowledged this toast.
" The United States of America-The land of our adoption ; may peace and prosperity ever attend her onward. course."
Music by the Band-" Star Spangled Banner."
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" Queen Victoria-May the happy influence of her Christian virtues ever be emulated by her loving children and people."
General Patterson, in responding to this toast, paid a high and merited compli- ment to the character and conduct of the Queen of England.
" President Grant-The favored Executive of a mighty nation. May exalted integrity and statesmanship ever characterize the office."
Music by the Band-'Hail to the Chief."
" Pennsylvania-The original Keystone of the Federal Arch, still merits the position of importance in the national councils."
Colonel A. Lowden Snowden being called on to respond, made an eloquent address, and said that being an American born, he did not feel at home in being limited to Pennsylvania, although her area was perhaps as great as that of nearly all the British Isles ; still, as an American, he admitted that whether born here, landed here yesterday or a hundred years ago, the spirit which carried aloft the flag of freedom, which produced a Hampden, which wrung from King John the Magna Charta, was the guiding principle of the people of America, and Pennsylvania has shown herself in the brunt of battle at all times; therefore he gloried in being an American and a Pennsylvanian.
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