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

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48 the days of actual conflict and in and throughout the long seven years' War of the Revolution, the Dutch- men of New York could be relied upon at all times in Support of the forces struggling for independence. But neither the fathers who fought and labored against the despotism .of 'Spam nor even those who rendered such meritorious service in the eg. tablishment and preservation of our own Republic, could have dreamed that Dutch destiny would play so great a part in the subsequent history of the world. Yet there is now no one bold enough to dispute the statement, that every portion of man's activity is to-day benefited and uplifted by reason of its contactwith the influences of Dutch thought and character. ln no honorable pursuit of life is there lacking abundant evidence of this strong though silent power. In science, in art, in educa- tion, in everything that goes to make the good and true, the Hollander is felt more and more as a liv- ing, vital force. As in the early days of the forma- tion of our government, so the Dutch influence has ever been a safe and conserving factor in the de- velopment of our national life. In a union of all the peoples of the earth, it would not have seemed strange if some things more radical than we have yet known had been perpetrated in the name of freedom. l need not tell you that there have been-trying times in the history of our government and in the life of our people, when the salutary in- fluence of Dutch character has so far prevailed and dominated as to preserve the integrity of our Union and to restrain within proper limitations the func- tions of government. This victory of the Dutch has been noiseless and peaceful, but it is no ICSS pronounced and emphatic. i . 110i lllfoughpl It 15 p OWC ppafllle rea 3 and C lirouflstanliiavc md uunuutaurhe pnncirld dpslfllllt I the wi ight tlfoh reef mliantlltel 0 Gfg6ll5r- uerors l lou itll conq ' Hucn siletll ln by llc . earl culture uululfll Spf rl! P to Rall' ii eveluyol f untipttpe mmglnd Shi so . . leleat l0f Pfmclpii, una on new in the extent of Ph? superiority of a bmw this lesson mllful alfa ue are compelled 10 be taught again and ag that is not moral and n the soul. Let it be on century the peoples of this lesson, and if they to know that Dutch . been among the most H loeresult so much d up the lirst days of uons ol the earth ha and merited recognptio alll-AuTln-1-1 what there Shall agile' - be :tonal Arbitration lll nat' l , -lu' , ,G t ftp, jr -gk - X.

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St of men ll of Court Lelldul-ing Individual Surely i can We Nation, a more San. WHS the ie of Con. f0l' more Ul degpot H histoiy Uf Celltu. utives of lent and ale? If ands of ienceol acquies- re been :ch life. at issue :ded no uces if rtered. which A ltis l value ntand o plal' 11611621 of lZllC f1eVCt' it all x ,I 47 the onward march of civilization, there could be no retrogression. The men who passed through tor. ture and blood with him who even an English Critic has declared to be the onl ma ' 11 y n in a the history of the world who may fairly be compared with Wash- ington, were the men who enriched the world in gen- eral, and America in particular, with a nobility of manhood than which the world has never ' Wlt- nessed a superior. But 'De La Marck's Ware? Beggars, Haarlem and Leyden, and a hundred fields of conflict and carnage alone' would do little to at- test the true virtues of Dutch character had these not been supplemented by the greater and surer victories of peace. The world to-day stands a great debtor to the little State reclaimed from the seas, because the lessons that Holland has taught mankind-is now teaching, have been triumphs of the mind and heart. We are here in the metropolis of America as the representatives of a peculiar and distinct people, because of the victories of Dutch character and citizenship which have so largely con- tributed, not only to our national existence, but to its advancement and security as -well. I yield to no one in admiration of the Pilgrim Fathers and their inestimable services in this new land, yet 'we should sadly lack some of the greatestblessings we enjoy as a people had it notbeen for the conserva- tism of Dutch character everywhere exhibited, alike in peace and war. The history of the Common- wealth of New York is in itself a sure and complete judgment of Dutch destiny in America. Long be- fore the dark days of Revolutionary conflict, the Dutch colonists of New York were pronounced and determined in their advocacy of freedom. From the Convention of 1754, held at Albany, down 120

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Ilutch, 0 the es Of the mans reason f life is strong educa- od and s aliv- forma- nce has the de- n of all seemed Il3.fIlC Union ne func' Dutch no less .49 It is not through the strength of brute for-Ce that the real power of a people can be measured. Circumstances and conditions may defeat and humiliate brave men, but they fail utterly to destroy the principles at issue. Roman armies might patrol the world and every nation be Suppliant at the feet of the Cxsars, yet to the Greeks, after all, ca-me the honors of victory, for the 'conquerors were themselves conquered by the silent influence of Greek thought and culture which spread and extended from Athens to'Rome, to every province of the civilized world, until the triumph of Greece was complete. And so it is now and shall ever be. There is no defeat for principle and character 5 neither is there any price. True courage consists neither in the extent of physical endurance nor in the superiority of a brute force. It would seem that this lesson must already have been learned. Yet we are compelled to admit that the world must be taught again. and again that there is no courage that is not moral and no bravery that is not born of the soul. Let it be our hope that in the twentieth century the peoples of the earth shall not forget this lesson, and if they do not, we shall be satisfied to know that Dutch character -and courage have been among the most potent factors in contributing to a result so much desired. It is fitting, then, that in the first days of the new century the great na- tions of the earth have bestowed a signal h0I101' and merited recognition on the good people of Hol- land. At The Hague, the world Powers have agreed that there shall be established a Court of Interna- tional Arbitration where differences and disputes Of nations may be settled without the arbitfament 5 -s 3 'ii fd 'e l 'u 'S - ,P 1 5 r 4 5 5 5 3i ii 'l i si Q 8 'S l i l l il -v ll il i, Ii l il gl if i' vw., -pq W K K 1 I s . E . . . . v 2 z r r E Z I fr 1 F , i 1 ' F9 1 1. I 1 i . I i 'Z , 5 l 5 it i si