We are very much in the condition described by the reporter who was describing the murder of a certain gentleman.  He said that the murderer entered the house, and gave a graphic description of the whole thing.  He said that fortunately the gentleman had put his valuables in the safe deposit and lost only his life.  We are in danger of being equally wise.  We are in danger of managing our policy so that our property will be put in safe deposit and we will lose only our lives.  We will make all the immediate conditions of the nation perfectly safe and lose only the life of the nation.  This is not a joke, this is a very serious situation.  I should feel ashamed to stand here and not say that this is a subject which deserves your serious consideration and ought to keep some of you awake to-night.  This is not a simple gratulatory occasion, this is a place where public duty should be realized and public purposes formed, because public purpose is a thing for which our Puritan ancestors stood, yours and mine.  If this race should ever lose that capacity, if it should ever lose the sense of dignity in this regard, we should lose the great traditions of which we pretend to be proud. [Applause.]

JOHN WINSLOW

THE FIRST THANKSGIVING DAY

     [Speech of John Winslow, in the capacity of presiding officer, at
     the eighth annual dinner of the New England Society in the City of
     Brooklyn, December 21, 1887.]

GENTLEMEN OF THE NEW ENGLAND SOCIETY OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN, GUESTS AND FRIENDS:—­This is the eighth anniversary of our Society and the two hundred and sixty-seventh of the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers.  It will please you all to learn of the continued growth and prosperity of our Society.  There is in our treasury the sum of $14,506.21, and we have no debts. [Applause.] This shows an increase of $1,266.26 over last year.  As occasion requires this money is used for charitable purposes and in other useful ways, as provided by our by-laws.  Such a gathering as we have here to-night is an inspiration.  It must be especially so to the distinguished gentlemen, our guests, who will address you.  So it comes to pass that you are to have to-night the advantage of listening to inspired men—­an advantage not uncommon in the days of the prophets, but rare in our times. [Laughter and applause.] It is proper and agreeable to us all just here and now to recognize as with us our friend and benefactor and president emeritus, the Hon. Benjamin D. Silliman. [A voice:  “Three cheers for that grand old man.”  The company rising gave rousing cheers.] He is with us with a young heart and a cheerful mind, and continues to be what he has been from the beginning—­a loyal and devoted friend of our Society. [Applause.]