The 375th anniversary of Bermuda's Parliament was marked yesterday by reflection on the Island's rocky path to democracy -- and an outpouring of hope for the future.

Speakers at a joint session of the House of Assembly and Senate saluted the 1968 Constitution as a major milestone in Bermuda's development.

But some doubts were cast over whether the Westminster model of Government was right for the Island.

In a speech laced with Parliamentary wit, former Speaker of the House of Commons Lord Weatherill banged the drum for the defence of freedom.

"Freedom is a fragile flower, and needs constant care and attention,'' he declared.

"It is our sacred duty to pass on these freedoms undiminished to future generations.'' The 74-year-old long-time Conservative added: "I salute you with all my heart, and wish you well in the centuries to come.'' The Sessions House was packed to overflowing with politicians, past and present, for the morning ceremony, which featured a mix of solemnity and good humour.

Other VIPs were also present, including Governor Lord Waddington, Chief Justice the Hon. Mr. Justice Austin Ward and the Anglican Bishop the Rt. Rev.

William Down.

Attorney General Mr. Elliott Mottley and new Police Commissioner Mr. Colin Coxall were there too, sitting in the Press benches, while the public gallery was brimming with journalists, local business leaders, hotel managers, and a smattering of visitors.

Among former Parliamentarians was Mr. Hilton Hill, who served in the House in the 1950s.

He later told The Royal Gazette : "Thank God I was a member of Parliament before party politics.

"I never thought it right that we should adopt an adversarial style of politics in such a tiny Island.'' Lord Weatherill, Speaker from 1983 to 1992 and former MP for the London borough of Croydon, said the three hallmarks of democracy were: freedom of speech, religion, and association.

And, in a lighter vein, Lord Weatherill, drew on a quote from the Greek philosopher Plato, but gave it a "politically correct'' twist.

"The penalty that good men and women pay for failing to participate in public affairs is to be governed by others worse than themselves.'' Lord Weatherill stressed democratic rights were far easier to lose than to regain, and spoke of a potential cycle in society.

"Bondage leads to spiritual faith, faith to courage, courage to liberty, liberty to abundance, abundance to apathy, apathy to dependency, and dependency to bondage.'' Woolridge remains seated The singing of Bermuda's national anthem at the Anglican Cathedral hit a low note yesterday with at least one MP.

Shadow Environment Minister the Rev. Trevor Woolridge remained seated, and refused to stand.

He later blasted those who had decided to include The Bermuda Song in the the Ecunemical Service commemorating the 375th anniversary of Parliament.

It had been totally inappropriate to sing it immediately before the National Anthem.

"It is apparent Mrs. Joan Williams is no longer Government's protocol officer, otherwise this wouldn't have happened.

"I refused to sing The Bermuda Song because it has no place in a colony like Bermuda.

"Those who chose to place it next to the National Anthem erred terribly.'' Celebrating Bermuda's Parliament Lord Waddington, saluting Bermuda's Parliament, dusted off an old saying by declaring: "Good stuff lies in little room.'' He underlined the historic links between Bermuda and Great Britain which have shaped the Island.

"Bermuda has much to be proud of. Many other countries look on with envy at the standard of living in Bermuda. Today there is much to celebrate.'' Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan spoke of the development of Bermuda since the 1609 settlement.

"Over the years, we have played a small, but nonetheless significant part in the growth and success of the New World and in the more recent growth and success of what might be called the Alliance of Democratic Nations.

"From the standpoints of our geographic location, the nature of our institutions and our political influences, we straddle the New and the Old Words.

"From the beginning, our heritage has been British, but with major influences from North America.

"Out of our experiences with both the New and the Old Worlds has emerged an identity that is uniquely Bermudian.'' Sir John, echoing an earlier remark by House Speaker the Hon. Ernest DeCouto, hailed the 1968 Constitution has a "monumental step''.

"Other countries, some of them larger and in many ways better equipped than ourselves, have had difficulty with the Westminster Parliamentary model of democracy.

"We still hear of nations trying to find ways of calming the passions which is a multi-party system sometimes arouses. We ourselves found the birth of political parties a sometimes difficult process. Yet we survived, and we have progressed.'' Doffing his hat to the Opposition Progressive Labour Party, he added: "All of us have had our separate roles to play in this progress.

"But the glue which has bound us together and moves us forward has been our Parliament, the seat and the symbol of the power which the people give their elected representatives to govern them.'' Opposition leader Mr. Frederick Wade paid tribute to those who had been at the forefront of the struggle for democracy, provoking cheers and traditional foot-stamping from his side of the House.

These included Dr. E.F. Gordon, Mr. Arnold Francis, Mr. Wilfred Allen, and Mrs. Lois Browne Evans.

"They were tireless in their struggle to make Bermuda a more democratic place.'' It was because of the efforts of such people, he said, that ordinary men and women could aspire to be leaders of Bermuda.

Mr. Wade also touched on the 1968 Constitution, hailing it as a "living document''.

Earlier, Mr. DeCouto opened the series of speeches by harking back to the first meeting of the House of Assembly -- at St. Peter's Church, St. George's, on August 1, 1620.

He described the 1968 Constitution as the "most significant and far-reaching change'' of recent years.

"It was a democratic and necessary development which paved the way for responsible self-government.'' Senate President the Hon. Albert Jackson painted Bermuda's Westminster-style Parliamentary system as two-edged sword.

On the one hand, it encouraged "blind, unreasoning allegiance to a party,'' but on the other, it led to the "marshalling of ideas, talents and abilities''.

"If you assess the position, you cannot ignore the question: Where do we go from here? "There have been many times when I feared partisanship would destroy us. I recommend we explore and implement the principles and practices of bi-partisanship.'' With the speeches over, the 100-strong group gathered outside the House under glorious sunshine and walked to the Cathedral for a 12 p.m. Ecumenical Service, which lasted about 45 minutes.

The Archdeacon of Bermuda, the Ven. Ewen Ratteray delivered an address, tracing the Island's history from the 1600s to the present day, when the Island depended economically on tourism and international business.

Ven. Ratteray then made only the second reference of the occasion to Independence -- the first one had been made, fleetingly, by Mr. Wade.

"Who knows what we will move to after August 15?''