The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-11-01
THE CRYSTAL PALACE.
EAs Ceremony of Erecting the First Column,


On Saturday morning, long previous to twelve o'clock
The hour named for this ceremony the ground which
the building win be erected between the western side Of
The Reservoir and Sixth avenue crowded with large
number Of citizens anxious to witness the spectacle and
the Top Of the Reservoir also contained number of per-
eons large platform erected for the accommoda-
ton Of the speakers At quarter to twelve, Governor
Hunt accompanied by the Mayor Common Council, and
several Of the heads Of departments and officials con-
nscted with the building left Chambers street. and arrived
1t the of action minutes after twelve amidst
loud cheering from the assembage He was received by
the engineer and other gentlemen and conducted to
the PLATFORM where the stars and stripes we're hoisted
POLE one hundred and forty eight high which the
height Of the intended dome. The pillar which is
intended to form the first column under the dome,
and constructed of wrought ron was then raised by
means Of crane amidst the loud cheers of the specta
tors and the firing Of cannon and placed a smaller
psr which stood ready to receive it. Among the dis
tnguishcd persons present noticed Felix Foresti the
celebrated Italian exile; Governor Hunt Mayor Kings
land Rev. Mr.. Peet, Archbishop Hughes, Senator Nc
Murray, Lambert Suydam, Senator Beekman, Judge
Belts, Theodore Sedgwick, and depuation from the
American Institute, consisting Of General Tallmadge
Henry Meigs, John A. Bunting and Clarkson Crolus
podworth's admiiab band was in attendance.
Mr.. THEODORE sEpewicK the President then came
forward, amidst much cheering and said
Governor Hunt-In the name Of the directors Of the
Asooistion thank you cordially and respectfully for
the trouble which you have taken to honor this occasion
with your presence Our thanks also emnenty due
to the city government not onlyor their attendance
here to day. but more for the sagacious foresight with
which they extended their liberal aid to this enter
prise In its infancy We also proud to among our
friends the officers Of two societes-one from
and from sister Statewhch have done much to
sase the aims and promote the interests Of American
industry to open the path in which treading.
The general objects to which this building will be des-
tined are 70 familiar ali that need not dwell upon
them. Our arrangements SO far advanced that
speak with confidence as TO our ultimate 1t
s to strike the mind Of this European producer that
he has substantial objects to attain by sending specimens
Of his skill here, which European country afford
On the other hand the American who has
products Of his skill to Europe, has clear and distinct
Bducement to exhibit his goods here If unforeseen
event occurs, we shall have It in our power to make
such exhibition Of the costly artistic and luxurious
products Of the Old World as has yet been
among These considerations will produce their resuts
and equally confident, that the industry Of cur
country with that fearless energy which perhaps more
than any other thing distinguishing trait of
national character win eagerly enter into contest from
shal say on this heal no more Those whose eyes like
lS were delighted by the surprising glories Of the Lon
dom exhibition who know the power opulence and varied
resources Of the Old Worldwide know what those crea-
lures Of genius the French trying to effect may well
pause before hsy make vaunts for the future Suffice it,
we shall do every thing that industry fidelity can
eomplish Nor shall enlarge on the benefits Of
hibton Of this kind There is no doubt whatever that
there yet exists similar means for extending the circle
Of hnewledge and tasteabove ell for enarging and in
creasng that mutual good will and confidence which is
the surest buwark Of national Independence only
e say word respecting the building Itself We intend~
and believe 1t is not too much to claimthat the palace
itself shall make an epoch in the architecture Of city
We believe that 1t will give impulse to construction In
The material Of IRON that will be Of the service
to that interest Iron constructions have already been
Sshsd mechan:cNMr. James Bogarda.-and bslis1e
That the experience Of this building will give it
g.sst additional impulse It's superior ghtness dura
Immense advantages over any other material. We
erecting edifce that will cover the ground floor,
two and half acres and it will be done in the winter in
about six months for sum not much varying from
100000 II any one compare this sum and the time,
with What would be required for building Of any other
most perceptible (Applause But there are, SIR, ute
Ysr considerations which wish clearly to state The
large cities Of the elder world especially the Cont
nent possess great galleries for popular usuc lion and
entertainment 1t is at first sight remarkable though,
IN fact easily ineligible, that in country reposng
trey popular power comparatively nothing Is done
great pubc scale for the pleasure and instruction Of
our adult people We have no galleries mo parks This
not the place to anything In favor Of park though
an object which should be dear to the heart Of every
New Yorker But desire In regard to the other Objects
70 point out how easy 1t will be hereafter to convert
this building into q great Peoples Gallery of Art
Its structure is emnenty adapted for the purpose We
stand here on the citys ground and It will be completely
suit Long after association shalt have disappeared
hope this building may stand-as long IS yonder mas
sve and majestic creation and like that in the hands Of
the public authorities be Of those monuments which
makes the government dear to the people (Cheers.)
Allow me to say few words of purpoes-the under
aid but the Interests numerous and divided that
not the slightest co is afforded for the charge Of specu
lAtion There venture to say very few undertake
ngs Of equal magnitude which represented by large
number of parties and it thus becomes practicable to
impress upon the direction and management Of the enter
price that broad, liberal impartial and it were, ma
tona character which essential to its proper deyeope
nent II success is what we expect and intend it
shall be, shall claim the honor OF 1t for eur in
stitutionsthose instit tier which enable private
individuals to accomplish what in other countries
vast governmental efforts required to effect We
shall claim the honor for the country and for its
people--for that mixture of individual energy and
practical accommoda ion which gives such wonderful
efficiency the American character; for that public
spirit and private good feeling of which have such
striking evidence here to daybringng together at this
moment Of all parties TO work together for
mon object of general interest. (Cheers) Other
siderations sir yet remain which, nj oher time.
shall ask higher and holer personages to deveope but
which cannot now altogether overlook When this
structure shal be raisedwhen its lofty dome shall have
rushed upward to the point where that flag now oass-
when its stall surface shall reflect In streams OF
dance warm American sun-when its graceful and
majestic interior shall be filled with the choicest products
of both worlds our minds WILL soar upward beyond and
above ali the material considerations to which have
alluded and will recognise our own nothngness and the
infinite superiority OF the Power by whose favor We are
mite to pour forth thanks for His merciss and
supplicstions for His forgiveness and protection cloud
cheers
The speaker then read letter. which he said he had
received from the amented Daniel Webster in relation
the Crystal Palace, which is as follows
DEPARTMENT or STATE
WAsHISGToN, Oct. L. 1852
sir-I have received your favor of October Z aud
have examined with The papers acccmp anyng It, Us
well the sketch Of this building which you have been
good enough to sepd the aer appears TO very beau
tful Your and that Of the gentlemen associated
with you sufficient guarantees that the enterprise
will be conducted with energy fidelity and capacity and
there be doubt that exhibition of the kind you
contemplate If properly carried out will be OF very ge
neral interest and utility You do not sverrae my de-
sire to promote your views. OF course / cannot
member of the Of the United States give you
any other aid than you have already received from the
Customs Department by making your baildng bonded
warehouse but will write TO the representatives OF the
United States ut the principal courts Of Europe stating
to them strongly my of the importance Of your
terprse and the numerous in my mind why they
should give your agent Mr.. Buscheck AL the aid and
hat thpyr