The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-11-21
GRAFTON By HON. GEO. BANCROFT.
The Necessity, the Reality, and the Promise
Of the Progress Of the Race
BANQUET Ar THE METROPOLITAN HOTEL.
Speeches By Hon. Luther Bradish, George
Bancroft, Rebt. Q. Winthrop, Fred.
r. Stantsn, Dr.. Francis,

delivery Of GRAFTON by the Hon George Bancroft be-
fore the New York Historical society the occasion Of
its semceutennia anniversary. The literary fame Of
the orator crowded the building at early hour
long before the of the exercises every
available space occupied The psrquette was re-
served for the members Of the society-the President
lecturer, and guests occupying the stage The following
advertisement contains the programme Of the
NEW YORK HISTORICAL SocIErY-SExI- CENTENNIAL Cmy.
~A1ios-The programme Of proceedings this day Is
Ie society win assemble at the Library rocms in the
in.yersy, at 2 O'Clock =. NJ, precisely, where lher
ss be received and introduced to the President by
tie Iecep'ion Committee. Members and guests re-
| que. ted to be punctualy present at that hour.
2a aslSSi T. NJ the society with their guests
cises win take place in the following order
| Music.
| l. Prayer.
| Music.
| 2 Address By Hon. George Bancroft.
/ g. Benediction.
Music.
The doors Of the saloon will be osened at 2k O'Clock
| tickets for the occasion.
The officers and member. of the society who have Sc
cured tickets together with their guests will dine
Astor House al o'clock NJ precisely seats at the
table whl be assigned by the stewards.
be under the direction of Harvey b Dodworh, Esq.
Subscribers to the dinner requested in all to
| call for their tickets before IL ocock.
| BY order GEORGE H. MOORE, Secretary
In accordance with these arrangement the guests
scmbled at the Library in the University and pro-
eccded thence to Nblos where they arrived about three
c'clrck The exercises opened with few remarks
by Hon. LUTHER BRADsH, who spoke as follows
Fifty years have rolled their ceaseess tides along tho
current Of time since few enlightened laid in wise
forehought the foundation Of the New York Historical
socety That institution, through varying fortune, but
ever-incrcasng effort and extending usefulness has
already reached the close Of the half century OF its
existence and we are assembled to celebrate the
first semcentennial anniversary Of its origin The ex-
tha will Tn ha
offered by the Rev. DR. Dewitt, the first vice-Presdent
| OF the society.
| Rev. DR.. DEWITT came forward and made the following
| prayer
mensity Sovereign, Ruler and Lord of all, Thine is
the Kingdom the power and the glory. We bow before
and judgment, and we thank Thee that may APP
! proach Thee in the name of Him who has abolished
M Sss for e s OF thT
! dence of which we partake individually, and in
domestic and social relations; thank Thee especially
for all thy favors extended to aud all the blessings
brought forth upon the people Of these now United
States. We revert to two centuries and half
when the first colonists with the open Bible, the
open school and the open sanctuary and now,
member the handful OF realize, that it Is shaken
like Lebanon and that the vine thou didst plant when
the hea hen were cast before has taken deep root and
fills the land and that the branches thereof reach from
sea to sea- that the seed then sown has sprang up and
the tree has spread its branches till from to it is
bearing its fruit and the fruit thereof shall be for the
healing Of the nations. We would hold in memory
Il
the feldwe would remember their onward ia the
struggle for liberty the attainment Of ndepende
and the formation Of constitution, under which
have dwelt quietly and prosperously And in view If
the wonderful growth of population the results of ac.
industry and the influence that is extending abro
through world would say go forth enghten every
part OF our land and may righteousness exa us and sin
for ali who are entrusted With rule in our National and
respective State governments, that they may be men
fearing God and hating covetousness. We are met at
this time in commennoration Of the anniversary of the
New York Historical Society-we thank thee for its
growth and for the that is attending it
dred institutions in the search or materials to complete
the history of our country Bless all institutions design
ed to spread education mentally, morally and spiritual
", Be with at this time, and be with him who has
consented to address this OCCASION and may we all
increase feelings of Christian patriotism aud Of
Christian philanthropy All we ask is in the name Of our
adored and precious Redcemer Jesus Christ who has
tanvht to pray sour father who art In Heaven hat
lowed be thy thy kingdom come thy will be done
earth it is in Heaven Give us this day our daily
who respass against and lead not into temptation
bit deliver Us from evil for thine is the kingdom the
| power and the glory forever and ever. Amen!''
At the conclusion of the foregoing there music
by the orchestra after which Mr.. BANCROFT intro
duccd by the Hon. Luther Brad sh After the applause
Will which he received had subsiied the distinguish
| ed lecturer proceeded 10 deliver the following
| ORAT ION.
BROTHERS, GUESTS FRIENDS OF THE NEW YORK
h. We assembled to celebrate the
completion Of half century unequaed in its discoveries
and its deeds Man is but the creature Of yesterday and
atty years form great length in the chain Of his entire
existence Other topics attract the inquirer who weud
ego back to remoes antiquity The student Of the chro
nology Of the earth may the bluffs that overhang
the Mississippi and muse the myrads Of years during
which the powers have been depositng the
terias OF its delta He may then by the aid Of Undue
tion draw still 10 the beginnings of time he
mcdates the succession of ages that assisted to
struct the cliffs which raise their basons over the
stream; to bury, in compact layers, the fernike
forests that have stored the bosom Of the great valley
with COAL to crysalze the ancient mestoneinto
be or at still earlier epoch to compress liquid masses
Of the globe into of granite. But the records OF
heso transitions gain their chief interest from their
illustrating the changes through which planet
fashioned into residence for Science may
roam into the abysses Of the past, when the earth
moved silently In its without observers just
il may reach those far-of regions II nebuar fields OF
light whose distance numbers that the human facu
ties may grasp can intelgby express But a. the sub
lime dwelIs not in space dwells not in duration
To find If we must contemplate the 'igher subject o.
man is but few centuries since he called into
existence and yet the study of his nature and his des
ny SURPRISES all else that engage his thoughts Al
the end OF period which has given proof that
ccasing is the condition OF su finite existence
are called upon to observe the general character
the changes his state Our minds irresistbly turn to
consider the laws the circumstances and the prospects
Of hi, being; are led to inquire whether his faculties
and his relations to the universe compel him steady
Of improvement whether in the aggregate he has
s-.usry made advances; and what hopes may
cherish respecting his future. The occasion in
yites me to speak to you of the necessity, the re
atty end the promise OF the progress Of the race
Since everything that IL limited is in perpetual change
the condition Of is of growth Of decay
II is The glory of that he is conscious Of this Law
Lis existence. He alone ia gifted with resson which
looks upward As well before and after and connect
him with the world that is not ciscerned BY the senses
He alone has The faculty to combine thought Will
affection that he lift up bis heart and feel not fc
himself only Tut for bis brethren and bis kind Ever,
man IL In substance equal to his fellow His nature