New-York tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1841-1842, 1841-10-19
Tae Sailor. aaome-,Er. King. speech.

Tao saiIor's ahomc-lEr. Kings Speech.
LAYISG THE CORNER stone.
When we gave a brief account of the LAYING the
coraer stone of the new Sailors Home. in Cher
ry-st. we could not command space for the admir-
able addresses made on that occasion. We are
now enabled to give that of Hon. THos. Butler
King OF Georgia frou, which our readers will de-
rive clearer idea Of the nagnitude ard benef-
cence OF the enterprise than from any thing
have yet published. We copy from the Express
The corner stone having been laid by Rev. Dr..
Minor, Mr. King said
NJ Presidcut-I beg YOU to accept my thanks
for the honor you have d)ne me in inviting me to
be present at the laying OF the corner stone of the
Sailor Home and permit ne to say, that tins
event may Justly be regarded rs of deep inter-
es. and much importance whether considered In
connection with our commerce. national defence
aad glory, or the moral. social. and physical cond
lion of our seamcn.
To the berali,y and public spirit Of the mor-
chants Of New-York will our country be indebted
for this excellent establishment. and for the noble
efforts they are making to rescue our brave tars
from the degrading habits and vices which ruin
them on shore.
Yours gentlemen. is truly the charity that bo-
gins at home-thc patriotism which in peace pro-
yide' for war-the philanthropy which cyinces
your of duty towards that most nsetrl.
brave, but hitherto neglected class OF our fell
low-citizcns. who constitute the sinews of our
commerce in peace. and our country's 5ulwark
in war To them are we in 10 small degree
Indebted for the triumphant success of ctr coH-
merclu marine, and on them mus, rely for
strong arms and valiant hearts to inset cnerEics
on the ocean and teach them that
The star, plauscd sanner forever shall wave,
o er the land Of the aud the home of the brave
The institution which YOU have this day founded
will remain, trust, Tor ages, monument of your
wisdom, liberality and patriotism il is 10 cost,
am informed about forty thousand dollars-to con
tain library and museum-to be occupied
sailors boarding-housc, and will accommodate
three hundred perscns-to be in truth and IN fact
Il Sailors Honc.' Although in this and other
cities of the Union houses been rented under
the au'pices Of your society and It's auNliarcs Is
/ homes for sailors we have this day witnessed
the commencement Of the .irst building intended
expressly for that purpose in our country. This
is not only conclusive proof 81 the success OF the
experiments y-u have made in your efforts to pro-
tcct the interests and improve the hnbit, of our
mariners, but Of the energy and lberality of your
society.
Ii Is but Il few year, since the helpless and de-
graded condition OF our scamcn began to attract
attention Most that landsmen knew of poor ot
Jack was that Smolict had celebrated his odd
pranks in story. and Dibdin his gallantry in song
! that he would ride horse with an anchor in
stead of bridlc-hat he loved his friends and
would fgh, for his country-that he received hi-
pay and spent it thou thought of tomorrow.
| He was permitted to waste his money, his char
-
part Of his fecw-cilizens to rescue him from dis
ease and ruin.
Bot sir thanks to TIC efforts Of your society, it
is not 50 now. The importance OF redeemiug this
valuable class OF men FROM the ruinou, habits and
practices which have hitherto besct them, has at
ractcd the attention of the wise ana the good
Societies have been formed. places Of worship and
hospitals have been provided, and now as the bes,
toundat-n Of good habits aud 10 prevent the dis
eases to which seanen ale most liable, YOU are
providing comfortable and respectable hoardisg-
houses where all their wants will be cared for, and
they will BE- exempt from those temptations TO vice
and tho ir!positions of avarice and fraud which
have ruined tens OF thousand, and cast the m -
sloouly shade over the character and fate of the
sailor Sir YOURS Is to elevate and improve lhr
character and condition OF our seanen. We hear
complains daily, that large portion OF Our sailors
are foreigners. W nat IS INC cause OF TINS W ny
Is it that our native born citizens do avail them
selves OF the advantages which our extensive COM
MERGE affords and enter as freely board our
ships and become seanen, they pursue less lu-
cratiye avoca;ionsl Undoubtedly, it IS in conse-
quence Of the common impression that the life OF
seaman Is one OF imminent peril on the ocean and
almost inevitable ruin On shore. do not mean to
say that our countrymen are wanting IN moral o.
physical courage but that all the lucrative pursuits
oi life being open to them, they will, Of
course select those that promise the least risk and
the greatest happiness. 1t is therefore only
-arv 10 Improve the condition, elevate the charac-
ter and render the pursuit less hazardous, of
.eamen, 10 secure AZ abundant supply OF native cit
lzess TO man both our; commercial and military
marine. This can only be accomplished by re-
forming the habits of the sailor and placing in his
hands more accurate charts and better instruments,
which Will render his pursuit comparatively safe
and desirable. To your society, sir. and ia auxil
aries must We look for the improvement of hi
moral and physical condition. and 10 the surveys
which are constantly heing n4de BY all the COM
nercial nations of the world, 20 the improvement
IN nautical instruments and snip building for d.
-ninishiog the dangers OF the seas.
What vas the condition of our searnen twenty
years age, compared with what it now Is Then
ge mad but few hospitals for their reception when
sick or disabled. No Seemen's F riend or Bethel
Societies tt protec; them from unprincipIed or de-
signing men, and teach then, t. worship instead Of
,rofaning the name Of their God Then we had
40 accurats surveys, even of our own coast no
accurate charts of the ocean. Now we have hos
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