New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1842-10-18

neditales on social man playing his various parts
upon u the broad and universal theatre OF nations
and amid the shifting scenes of human society,"
And such spectacle is this day presented. We
celebrate a work commenced and completed H.
deed within oar day aud generation, but extending
It's results far into the frightening vista OF sue
ceeding ages. will not attempt, SIR, TO empooy
the emotions excited by the event, nor even 10 oe-
pict the feelings of pleasure awakened by the Phy-
steal change which has stolen over the city OF our
pride and affection. A new feature has been
stamped upon the face OF our metropolis but
Yesterday it was the dusty trading mart, unattract-
i've and unadorned To-day the pure mountain
stream gushes through its streets and sparkles In
lis SQUARES. To the noble rivers with which it
was encircled by Nature is now added the limPid
stream brought hither by Art, until, in the words
OF the Roman poet, alike descriptive ana ProPhe''
c her citizens eXu!t
inter fumna noIa
re Fl fontes sacros."
But it is not for the purpose of dwelling on the
grandeur of this noble work, or even its manifold
and beneficial influences upon the health and hap
piness o.! a vast population that have risen, bui
yather to draw from tl.c occasion whatever Ut IN
s,ruction it suggests.
woeld tt.en vsttuTe to remark that this stspen-
deus asueduct and these splendid fountains, SO
worthy Of being enjoyed, are equally worthy OF
being paid for. They owe their very existence TO
that mighty engine Of modern civilization, public
credit. With borrowed money they have been
Quilt. Is there one among Us q with soul SO dead"
as TO doubt tibet this debt will be paid to the Ut
most farthing Is there one among this assem-
bed multitude who would enjoy the benefit yet
basey shrink from the berthenl The glorious
work yet remains tnaniully to meet and punctualy
.aL. -. -, hon al, bapa
6cently incurred Who vii. venture to predict
that this sacred duty will be fully performed
Who can believe that the foul blot of reputation
will ever spread itself over the pure unsa-nished
credit of this high-spirited community Were
this possible, the massive walls and lofty arches
of this noble structure, now the city pride, would
stand as monuments only of her degradation and
shame 1t is not sir, that | believe it possible
that under any circumstances or under any temPta-
ton, our city or our State could fail for moment
10 maintain unsulied its public faith, but rather
that it seems peculiarly proper on this occasion oil
rejoicing to declare our FIRM belief that the debt
incurred for the public works not only OF this city
and this State, but of all the american commuii
r,;si n1.i. IN IL as-z:. -----i-- - L. -
1t is true, Sir, that in some misguided portions
ot country, breaches Of public faith have oc-
CURED injurious to the national character and dan
gerous to public morals, but l cannot doubt that
each and every Of the defaulting communities
which shall steadily and manfuiy persevere TO tie
final completion of its works viii find in the re-
Suting benefits, ample means for redeeming the
faith pligh,ed to the public creditor. Its in this
point of view that the completion of the costly
structure, we this day commemorate, is repete
with encouragement and instruction. Sir, let US
for moment suppose that the municipal legisla-
iyre after mourning heavy debt, had, in mo-
Inent of prejudice, passion or fear, before the
cEsnpletion of the aqueduct, suspended its further
construction Could we imagine spectacle more
degrading than the dismembered work lying in
fragments throughout its length of forty miles,
from the Croton lake to the confines of the city
Who could then be cound so poor to do it re-
verence. and who so sternly virtuous, as to sub
NIT without complaint, to the taxation which such
folly would render necessary? Let us then adopt
cardinal maxim in the conduct of these great
enterprises that benefits must be made to keep
pace with burthens-in a word, that works once
commenced must be steadily and perseveringly
prosecuted, and We afford the surest guarantee for
The preservation of public faith.
he Croton Aoueduct Is but one of many works
OF physical improvement constituting portions of
IN extensive system, commenced in season of
great prosperity, and all like this tending to deve
ope the resources and promote the honor and well
fare of the country. Why is it, that while public
confidence has forsaken all others, it has crowned
the contamination of this ? Can the cause be mis-
taken? Is 1t not that enlightened forecast, and
steady, unfinching perseverance, have carried this
work to its destined end7 The mingled emotions
of pride and JOY which have filled the boson,s of
the vast multitude this day assembled, afford but
a foretaste of the feeling which will be kindled
when our whole system of public works shall be
brought into beneficial operation. With this bright
example to encourage and lead us onward, shall
we be told that we have the ability TO proceed
farther
Away then with unmanly despondency Our
State possesses resources and revenues, sure and
intaliing, equal to the support of her Government
aud the payment OF all her existing debts-and
here proclaim, that without embarrassment, or
;auSe for embarrassment, she could with the ex-
penditure of a sum little exceeding that which |
he CITY of New-iork has expended on this aque.
iuct, complete TO the utmost mile. all her unin-
shed canals and railroads If the city, with three
lnndred and twelve thousand inhabitants, can ex-
oend on single undertaking twelve millions of
dollars, cannot the State of New-York with two
and half millions OF people, and eornpreheading
within its limits this very city, sustain the further
ourthen Of seventeen millions required to 6nish
works now In progress The proposition demon
tates Itself, We want oaly time and not much Of
hat. Let US dispel then the clouds which obscure
'ur vision, look at the Frightening sky and put
orth every energy and submit to every burthen,
wen to each citizens raking the spade in his own
lands to complete the New-York and Erie and
he New-York and Albany Railroad, the two un-
nished lateral Canals, and The enlargement of the
,rie Canal.
One moro reflection and | shall have DONE
his aqueduct, like ali our other public works,
sas undertaken not only for the present bat for