The Holland Society of New York - Yearbook (New York, NY)

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29 indulgence for a few moments, that I may state some facts and reasons that warrant an honest New Yorker in feeling proud at being able to say, I am a resident of the Metropolis of the New -World. The course of its early history is found in the political history of the Province. In 1743 it was practically the capital of the Province. Here the principles of social, political, and religious liberty were nourished, and have ever found ear- nest and capable advocates. Universal liberty was recognized as a principle incident to national prosperity, and the Empire State, adhering to this sentiment, was among the first to grant freedom to the slaves. Love of liberty and the desire of freedom from foreign dominion, on the night of july 9, 1776, caused the residents of New York to hurl from its pedestal in Bowling Green the equestrian statue of George III., and mould his leaden majesty into patriotic bullets. Its people have never been wantingin love of liberty and loyalty to their country. They have been among the first to offer their services to the Government in time of war, and many a bloody battle-field at- tests their valor. No troops in the Civil War made a better record at the front than the Excel- sior Brigade. The New York soldiers were in the hottest of the fighting at Bull Run, Antietam, Malvern Hill, Gettysburg, and other battles, and in the last struggle at Appomattox, which was more ceremony than conflict, the New York sol- diers took a conspicuous part. 4 It is indeed a fit place for our living heroes to come to receive the grateful homage of our com- mon country., It is also most appropriate that the mortal remains of our most distinguished men

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S a y Agn, . S Q l i as tl , W D y S ADDRESS OF JUDGE GILDERSLEEVE. - N1EUw AMSTERDAM THE BUDg I! NEW YORK THE FULL-BLOWN FLOWER. And if on daily scandals fed, We seem at times to doubt thy worth, We know thee still, when all is said, The best and dearest spot. on earth. Mr. President and Gentlemen : - HERE is New York? It will be con- ceded that this is a proper inquiry at the outset of a response to the toast that has been assigned to me. Some years ago, a well-known New York gentleman, trav- elling in Egypt, wished to communicate with his Wall Street office by telegram. He wrote out his message and passed it in to the clerk, Who, upon reading it, much surprised my friend by asking, Where is New York? The shocked banker pulled himself together, and the best reply he could make was, It is opposite 'jersey City. ,It is not my purpose to introduce you to-night to New York, by way of Jersey City, and Spend the evening around the Battery. I ask your kind 28 A

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, 30 should here find their final abode. With the unani- mous approval of the American PCOPIQ the ff' mains of Ulysses S. Grant rest in Manhattan soil, upon the banks of the noble Hudson. Its con- stantly moving waters carry to every land the story of his glorious achievements in both war and peace. He was the greatest soldier of our day, and every true New Yorker, not only to-day, but for ages to come, will point with pride and devout affection to Morningside Heights and the tomb there that marks his grave. Other objects of interest are en- throned upon these Heights, and deserve especial mention. Columbia University is there, to furnish learning for those seeking. mental 'developmentg St.'Luke's Hospital provides relief for those who are the victims of physical ailments g and St. john's Cathedral willbe an. everlasting monument to re- ligion, and one of the grandest temples ever dedi- cated to Deity. To those who survive all, and seek for true happiness in domestic bliss, Barnard College can furnish wives who will insure a happy life. And as a last resort, if the worst 'comes to the worst, -for the poor devil who can find nothing good in this world, the river is near at hand. 'It was in this City, on March 4, 1789, the United States Government was formally launched upon the world. On that day, George Washington, first President of -the United States, took the oath of office where now stands the Sub-Treasury Build- 1ng in Wall Street. New York enjoys the honor of.having furnished the first Chief justice of the United States. john Jay, of New York, served as Chief justice from 1739 to I7Q5- D3:H1Cl Webster, in speaking of John l3Y1 SHIC1, His character is a brilliant jewel . X