New-York daily tribune., 1854-08-22


when this department will occupy the high and command
ing position which in times past If was won't 70 90 when
citizens threw wide open her doors ana eAenncn e
right hand of hospitality the preparation and generous
distribution OF suitable Refreshments for those who abored
in their behalf then il should always De the page
Of fireman would be passport 70 knd anu iriena-
lv atienton and his presence welcomed as the haT-
b;ngey Of good: then the department would be -
cop,nicuous for moral character Il II now for noble
daring and self sacrificing devotion to the public veal
IA an evidence of what hremen are and the position
which thew are entitled 10 occupy in the community, we
can uopt With pleasure their annual parade- which OF
late wears have attracted such general attention, and
formed the theme Of almost universal commendatoo Ny
friends would you but break up these spurious assoca
tons and bansh party politics from your ranks and from
the considerations of the Common Council in legislating
upon matters appertaning 10 your interests then indeed
YOU would occupy position which others might justly
strive 70 initiate and attain then believe the purses OF
our InoDeyed men would frequently be opened on
your behalf and O valuable increase 10 the chaTitaoe
fund Of the association rapidly follow the success oil such
experiment then should again realize those pany
days when leading and influential citizens "oud nocK 10
your standard and enroll themselves az ieOe.s III youI
rsnks then your may hereafter point 10 the
bonored names Of such az jacob Sherred I.9j -
Cornell John X. Willis Garrct b. Abee hoot /" ardeii,
lanes w Donoinick Michael NJ. Titus Peter Sharp, Je-
hnel Jarpsr BENJAMIN Demil, James Hopson. am a
thousand others in their day were zeaous aud active
fremen and whose influence and standing IN the commu,
pity gave name and character to the Department of
which we might well be proud. IL IS not only IN the dis
charge of the arduous and exposing duties OF the
Department that the fireman commeDds himself to our
sympathetic feelings and regard for ne mas another and
more delightful duty TO perform as the dispenser o tha1
Heaven bonn charity, which visits and relieves he wd0w
10 Der affection ~ pour the WINE ana the OH upon the
wounded spirit TO bind up the brokenheated, and to
rescue from poverty and want the surviving families OF
those who are entitled the benefit Of the fund aPpropn-
ated their relief From the last annual report OF your
Treasurer il appears that the permanent fund has reached
the large $sf750 tina; the number OF widows
relieved during the fiscal year. about 300 and that
200 of the children of deceased hremen were under
vour superyision large number of whom were re-
ceiyipg in our public schools, the blessings OF h6-
era and enlightened education and among these last men
toned bad been distributed 39 pairs oil shoes during ie
las, year in ADDITION 10 which, many sick and disabled
members several Of whom were blind having lost tner
Sight in the discharge of their duties were receiving reei
from this excellent charity charity provided IN the
wisdom of the past ard guarded th aeaous care IRON
l7ss down to the present day. and increased from year 10
year by the bersy of citizens and insurance comPa-
nies BY penalties OF the violations OF the re orcnances
Inv now der and chimney fines initiation and discharge
ffcates and by recent OF the Legislature by small
tax upon agencies Of foreign fire insurance companies
doing business this City and by the large net proceeds
of the annual ball which has become one OF the most pop
uar entertainments of the year. and to which many con-
tribute who seldom found among the patrons OF what
NAV be called and considered more iash0nabt amse-
From these and other OF revenue together
with the interest upon the permanent fund, has been
distributed within the year the large sum OF sl3,9l9
A. and the amount of relief which such an expendi-
ture must have afforded be known only TO Him who
regards with more than parental love the signing of the
widow and the orphans tear But II you have seen "a
have the tear OF gratitude kinding in the eye Of the
door of your treasurer uponthe return OF the dayfor
the payment her quarterly pension and heard the prayer
which broken accents ie from her quverng ps you
would realize the truth Of the declaration that II Is more
blessed TO give than receive In rejecting upon this
branch OF The subject have often been surprised that
among the many thousands which annually bequeathed
10 charitable end religious associations legacy has ever
been ri, in aid Of this fund which, in my judgment,
as deserving Of popular favor of those which are
so frequently and literally provided for. Could our
rich men but realize as they should the sacred
character of this trust, and the careful and faith
full manner in which il ia guarded and distributed,
| cannot doabt but that their hearts would be ep-
arged contribute to deserving and praiseworhy an
Institution The laying of the corner stone Of this bull
ding is interesting n the history OF the Department,
and am glad to be informed that accommodations
now to be provided adequate TO the wants of those to
whose services hereafter to be dedicated yet there
are associations which force themselves upon the mind
upon such an occasion mingled with emotions of pleasure
and pain for when look back upon the old tremans
Hall in Fulton street. and that viii ID has given place 10
the present structure and call recollection the
ensnces of those whom have often met within their
was and taken sweet counsel together it seems like par
ting with old friend and we can but drop tear over
the know ledge OF the fact that while in daily walks
many those who, with occupied the former
vet how many have long since paid the last great debt
nature while Others scattered the world far dis
tan from the familiar of their early life, and per-
haps forgefu of those who their associates and
friends In those days party politics disturbed not the de-
hberaons of the representatives or entered INTO the con-
sideration OF their conclusions but with heart and
one mind connected the general interest with
the public good, and cemented together the ties
of mutual responsibilities determined to be foremost in the
discharge ftber respective duties Let but such feelings
these continue TO animate your exerons and shall
longer be panied with the reports which too often reach
ears emenatiDg from the Chief OF the Department OF
the bitter hostility which frequently prevails between
the members of different companies then the reputation
OF this association would resume its former proud preemi
nence and the badge of Fireman be and certain
passport the confidence and respect of all classes of the
community Then the spirits of departed associates,
permitted 10 mngle in the things of life and TO watch the
movements of this lower world, would rejoice over the
prosperity Of institution which in the day Of their pill
emage constituted their ambition and their pride. With
such feelings and desires, most ardently commend the
members of this Department to the and protection of
that Almighty power without whose sleepess eye the
watchmsn waketh bat in vain and who. through your
Bsumentay, alone stay the progress of destruction,
and say the devouring element, Peace be STILL"
The speaker frequently appauded during the de-
livery of the address, and upon concluding choice piece
was performed by Dodworths Band.
The Chairman, ADAM P. PESTz, then read the follow.
ing list Of articles deposited in the eaden box which
placed within the corner stone:
the Assistant Engineers the York
f.ss s .% s. S E.nss1 10 present "s pre-
issos % Of ,S & past history of New
Yek Fire Department with names Of officers trustees and
ny s Bosa e period
present Board prepared BY their Secretary JAmes wenmsn
Paper contributed by Ens. ESQ., President of Exempt
Fh.p.n AOel.On relation TO the early history OF the De-
S. History Of the Exempt Firemens Association from
p.S.s :, ero ws. ReUs
a copy Of the by laws Of the association
sieich Of the history Of the Fremens Ball Committee Of
NewYrk from organization TO date together with the Of
the present cfcYs and members prepared by Wm Wade ESQ.,
Sectary also OF heb OF the committee and order Of
exercises at last ball
Printed M Of the present ohcr Trustees and Fire wsrdeus
Of the NewYoIk Fine Department contributed BY W d. Wade
ESQ., Secretary Of the Department.
History OF the Board of Fire Wsdens from period Of
dAeh Of officers and members prepared
by John Lypes, Esq, Secretary
3 CO Institution ard Laws Of the Mercantile Library Asoes
ton OF EeYOfk also the last Aonusl Report Of
Epar If hufed by
dent
10 Circulars the University Of the City Of NewYOrk ecnb
ut.o by the Rev ssse Ferris