The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-11-21
New York Historical Society.
FIFTY.FIRsT ANNIvERsARY-ADDREss BY REV. Dl
DEWITT.


DEWITT.
The fifty first anniversary Of the New York Hstorical
Society held last evening" in the chapel of the Uni
versity. The occasion one Of than ordinary
interest. and the attendance very Among
the audience was large number Of the distinguished
members Of the institution.
The exercises were with prayer by former
Chancellor Of the University, Rev. DR.. Matthew's after
which, the annual address delivered by Rev. DR..
DEWITT He with review Of the events Of the
century from 1866 1885, abiding I, the disaster Of the
latter yearBraddocks defeat In that battle wasa young
officer, about twenty three years Of age. to whom
was owing the safety Of the defeated army
That young man said he, was George Washington and
more than realized by his after fe In sermon which
preached by Rev. Mr. Davies the 10Th Of August,
1853, particular aliuson was made to the remarkable
preservation Of Colonel Washington, of whom the
preacher expressed the belief that he destined by
Providence for great purpose. Rev. Dr. Dewitt
briefly sketched his the time his leaving the
Presidential chair after his second term Of Office His life
while they bore the remembrance Of his patriotism in
mind he had fear Of dissolution Of the Union. His
was name which would prove the watchword ofliberty
in the time Of darkness and danger which would
prove the rallying cry OF ireemen throughout the
BY Lake Huron in which General Dreskau, commander
Of the French, defeated Tasn followed the great
events which preceded the Revolution great conven
gesion OF Dr. Franklin, who presented the plan the
10th Of July, 1855 This convention was called for the
It helped to give right direction to what follow ed-the
great Congress- at which the constitution OF the States
ne was Gns ns sSs 2,
his country TO studya man who Is regarded with adm
ration by the world The country is indebted to him for
Hany of the greatest benefits which enjoys. He
tablished institutions Of earning to him we are indebted
for many valuable improvements in domestic utenss
he it was who guided the lightning from heaven and
chained 1t to be the willing slave of man. in his newspaper
he started those doctrines which have since pened with
such powerful effects in 1867 he deputed to to
Colonies
against oppressive taxation and unjust exactons i'm
l7S he was sent TO France where negotateda treaty
Of peace and in 100 the great spirit which had played
prominent part in the stirring events Of his time,
winged its fight to another world His clear headed
ty made him most acceptable in his dplomatio capacity
by the courts to which he was sent, and Of the
SESSION Of our constitutional convention there
great excitement, and it feared that the most
be and said Is it truth that not sparrow falls
to the ground without the will of our Heavenly Father
and nations rise and fall without his blessing
that the meetings begin with prayer" And here,
said Dr. levitt let observe that the tide Of events has
flowed uninterrupted in It's to the present
time bearing upon 1t prosperity to the nation After
this review he took glance at the events
of the year 1885, commencing with the expedition Of Coz
by the capture Of forts Chrstiana and Caximir The
speaker here pronounced high eulogium on that %.
him as one Of the leading men Of the day and among
greatest in the early history OF this country This course
towards the lndians was pacific one and his govern
Of the colony characterized by the greatest
judgment and administrative ability Injustice. he said,
done TO the character of Stuyvesan but those who
wrote OF him knew nothing about the motives which gov
rned his conduct. For his harsh acts there many
motives that might be urged in his justification. He was
not without faults and great too but his virtues and
noble acts sufficient to turn the balance In his
On looking his life and its stirring acts the
much to praise and much to He bold
and unainching in defence Of his rights and those OF
/ his country against the English, AMI would never
give up what he regarded as the claims Of justice
| And when he was no longer able to retain pos
session Of New Netherlands for his country,
the terms be made for it highly honorable and
feet the greatest credit his abilities and the
ing determination Of his character The Rev. gentleman
next passed to consideration of the effects produced
by the amalgama,ion OF the Dutch, the Puitans and
the Cavaliers. The spirit Of liberty the great the
overruiing guide which directed their public acts and
they ready sacrifice their dearest PERSONAL inte-
rests for the good Of the country Nor We said he
10 pass the Huguenot settlers who rivaled the
Noitherners in their patriotism and whose descendants
poured their blood eey eefence of the rights Of
all and for the building up Of the great republic 1t is
continued the Rev gentleman to the record Of
these of the great events in which they all
that the New York Historical Society founded It's
ec is noble one and its value the country cannot be
calculated. DIR. Dewitt referred to DR.. Francis
its first members, TO whose exertions with those Of
Others the Institution Il indebted its present elevated
position He also spoke ofDe Witt Clinton Albert Galatn
tbews, John W. Mulligan, and other distinguished men,
nearly all OF whom acted In the capacity Of President Of the
Society He took occasion TO pay well deserved tribute
Of aise to each Of these and then gave short sketch
OF the librarians, from Mr. Folsom, who oiciatea in
that capacity in 1882 and who succeeded by George
| Gibbs, Mr.. Jacob 4. Moore; and last though not
least the present occupsn. Of that Office Mr.. George
| H. Moore. He concluded by speaking Of the present
prosperous condition OF the library stating that II
scripts OF various kinds, many Of which exceedingly
| valuable as historical records and authority.
At the close Of the address, Hon Mr.. BSoFT moved
copy Of his add be furnished TO the Society The
tion unanimously adopted. Benedictian was then
pronounced by Bishop POTTER after which the reeting