, 1853-09-03

/ Sill at that time Brooklyn, which now
numbers more than one hundred thousand
souls, was comparatively a village, and RI
ding on horseback with old Gen Moreton,
he found standing a portion Of the building
on Brooklyn Heights, on which he had run
up the American ensign upon the evacua-
ton of the city in 1898. From the first
date have named, ITO, to this hour, the
history Of the city, has been the history Of
patriotic devotion to popular right and pop
Ular liberty.
That, for time during the revolutionary
struggle, another ensign than ours foated
here, is no cause for modification it was
the fortune of war, and in our weak and
embarrassed condition unavoidable. But the
sun Of the 25th November, 1888, rose here
for the last time upon the rule of foreign
power, and the anniversary of that day is
remembered by your sons Of liberty s"
with the same patriotic feeling that the
great national anniversary of July 4th is re-
garded by the people Of our common coun-
try. How are you, men Of New York, to
show your gratitude for the past How
are you to make the most of the present !?
llOH are you " hCSuIC All tuO HOOiC pIOHl-
Use of your future
You will keep high your standard OF in-
telligencei and morals, becadse all apparent
advancement will prove fallacious and weak
ness will be substituted for strength when
ever, as people, we cease with reverence
and humble dependence to look TO the source
of all power and all wisdom. You will
educate your children in the belief and con-
viction that you have neither power nor
perseverance, nor security nor liberty, ex-
cept as you constitute one Of the members
of this vast and now universally respected
confederacy. You will foster everywhere
the living action and efficient sentiment,
that under the Providence Of God these
great blessings may only be enjoyed under
the present constitution. You remember
yourselves, and remind others, that wise
men framed that constitution. Men who
knew what independence cost, because in
their own suffering and in the privations
and trials of their families and friends they
had paid part of that expense.
The great problem Of the formation of the
Union called not only for all the wisdom
bhb III Alb pdlllOAiC NOuNNDilOu vi
wisest body OF men the world had ever yet
seen in council. If there are those at the
present day who, having never made for
their country the sacrifice you have, of ease,
a dollar Of income, or one moment Of per-
sonal danger, would break up the founda-
ton on which we have SO prosperously and
securely stood the basis of our happiness
at home and our respect abroad-the only
sure pledge Of all that we expect Of those
who are to come after us, it is to be hoped
that they are few in number, and that their
sphere of influence is limited.
If there are provisions in the constitution
of your country not consistent with your
views Of principle or expediency, remember
that in the nature Of things that instrument
could only have had its origin in compro-
mise, and remember, TOO, that you will be
faithless 10 honor and common honesty if
you consent to enjoy the privileges it con-
fers, and seek 10 avoid, if any, the burIhen
it imposes 1t cannot be accepted in parts
it is whole or nothing, and as a whole,
with all the rights it secures, and the duties
it requires, it IS 10 be sacredly maintained.
accept these honors as your servant
with a thankful heart, but bear with me,
at the same time, a proud consciousness
that by your free and unsonght choice am
also your representative, charged with the
care OF your interests and your honor. !
hope to be encouraged and strengthened in
all my efforts 10 promote the one, and pre-
serve unsullied the other, by such counte-
nance and support on your part as a fearless
and faithful exercise of the functions COM
mitted to me may merit.
Mr.. Mayor, this Empire City, and this
Empire State, are the living exemplifca-
tions Of the talismanic word adopted as your
motto. Has il never occurred to you, sir,
that the hand which inscribed " Exelcior y
upon your coat of arms, must have been
guided by prophets vision =! This spec
tacle teaches all of us valuable and sig
nifcant lesson. May God, in his wisdom,
make you sensible of the blessings conferred
upon you and during my term of office,
may He strengthen me in my sincere and
anxious purpose TO aid you in all your hon.
orable and patriotic enterprises. For who
can estimate the events of the future p
Who shall say to your great characteristic,
and TO the spirit Of our whole country,
thus far shalt thou go and no farther -
As you advance in your majestic career,
new duties and new responsibilities are i'm
posed and as your conquering example
manifests itself on all hands, new concep-
'ions of still further triumphs will arouse
and stimulate your exertions. The Old
World caught the inspiration from the New.
Nations closed to civilization for hundreds
Of years arouse from the sleep of ages, and
stretch out their hands tO the inquiring
spirit which is constantly gathering in
strength for new victories over time and
space on these shores. Who will sci limits
TO your just ambition when The Atlantic is
hridred with sInaInars 10 the shnrcs Of I'm