The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-08-22

Edward Everett ON the Death Of Abbott
Lawrence.
From the Boston Courier, Aug p.
The meeting of the citizen of Boston and vicinity
and all persons DESTROYS to consult together and deter
mine upon proper testimonial of their appreciation of
the distinguished character and services Of the Honor
bic Abbott Lawrence and Of their profound of be-
reavement at his amented DEATH" which assembled in
be Among the distinguished men present recognized
Hon. Edward Everett, Hon. R. G. Winthrop, Hon. Rufus
w. Pss o
Hon. Samuel A. Eliot, Hon. J. Thomas Stevenson, Hon.
Nathan Hale Hon; william sturs Hon BENJAMIN Sea
and ssasisnen q boston and vicinity ''''S ''
The Mayor took the chair.
HON. EDWARD EvERETT's SPEECH.
Mr.. Chairman and gentlemen-I have come consde-
rabe distance this morning lrom Newport) at the re-
ments for this meeting with any preparation to
address yon but what consists in most heartfelt part
cpaion in the feeling which calls you together come
to tell you that already at distance from home, the
Of Mr. Iawrence's decease cxctes the deep
sympathy here. With ample opportunities witness
spected and valued member Of the community, acting
with him confdentially on many important occasions,
public and private, need scarcely add that have cher
hcd for him feelings Of the warmest personal regard
the fruit Of a nendly intercourse commencing with my
entrance upon life and continued, without q moments
interruption chill to the close of his. He was sir
but two years my senior, and should be wanting
in common sensiby II on this OCCASION did not asso
ciate with that sorrowful regret which is to
all the solemn reflection that having walked side
by eide with him for forty years-havng accompanied
him to the brink of the ''narr0w stream which divdes
that happy land from ours"-in few years only at
most in the course of nature that narrow stream will
cease 10 divide
1t would be unreasonable and superfuous though
grateful task before this assembly-composed Of the
neghbors the associates the fellow citizens of de-
ceased fiendto attempt infinitely to relate his
deineate his character. You acquainted with
them from personal observation and they have already
gone FORTH the wings Of the press to the four quar-
tiers of the land. You have been accustomed to hold
them up and to speak of them as most happy spcci
men of the life and qualities which, without early advan
tagcs the rest OF the community naturally pro-
ducea by that quality Of condition which prevails in New
England and by those means of common school educa
titn, and the facilities which attend a virtuous encr-
getic and Industrious young upon his entrance
the world You habitually point to BIN as bright
ample of the highest social position Of commanding in
worlds goods attained by the aim and steady
OF homcbred virtues and practical qualities-by the
career which the brthright Of the country
and the greater his praise who, out Of these familiar ee
mcnts of prosperity, was able 10 such and
noble fabric ofsuccess
Mr.. Lawrence, SIR as you well know belonged to that
class Of merchants, who raise commerce far above the
level OF the selfish pursuit of private gain He contem
plated II great calling of humanity having high du
ties and generous aims Of the nobles developments
of our modern civilization. know these were his views
! had a conversation with him many years ago. which
shall never forget was to deliver address before
one of our local associations, and went to him and
asked him what should say to the young - Tell
thtm,n said he, = that commerce IL not mercenary
pursuit, but honorable calling Tell them that the
separate but to unite the natl OF e earth that the
winds that Gil the sail the breath of Heaven; that
the various climates OF the EARTH and their different
products designed by Providence to be the founda
lions Of mutually beneficial intercourse between dis
tant regions Mr.. Lawrence justly proud Of the
character of Boston reliant and that character suf
fered nothing at his hands. His business life extended
two three of those terrible commissions which
shake the pillars of The commercial world but hey dis.
tnrbcd in degree the solid foundations of his pros
pcrity. lie built upon the adamantnc basis probity
beyond rcoach, beyond suspicion. His life gave lofty
meaning to the familiar line and you felt in his presence
that
"An honest man Is he nobcst work of Cod
Far from being ashamed OF his humble beginnings he
was proud Of them as the merchant princes of Florence
at the height OF their power and when they giving
the law 10 Italy, preserved upon their palaces the
by which bales Of merchandise raised to their attic
young gentleman told me yesterday at Newport that
two or three months ago Mr.. Lawrence took from his
wastcoat pocket and exhibited his presence pair Of
blunt scissors which had served him for daily the
humble commencement OF his business life. As for his
personal integrity Mr. Chairman, to which you alluded
which his residence In Park street. had been
coined into diamond and laid at his feet as the bride Of
the dust he ,rod on. Ills promise was a sacrament
Although in early life brought up in limited sphere
and in the strctncs Of the old school, which prescribed
a somewhat rigid perseverance in one track, Mr. law
not afraid of bold and novel projects he
er liked them lie was an early and efficient friend Of
the two great business may call
them--of his day and generation. As much any
man, than most he contributed to realize them Ia
the inappreciablo benefit Of the country When he
forward into ic India cottops Of and nmsier
texture than anything that has ever been in this
country by any under thirty live years OF age
sold in this market at retail at quarter Of dolay
ward. Every attempt 20 manufacture better article
was crushed ~ foreign competition acting upon imper-
feet machinery want Of skill incident TO a novel enter.
prise and the rclucthnce Of capital TO seek
pcrimentsl investments.
Mr. Lawrence felt that this was IN unnatural ,,ate Of
things lie believed " our infant arts could be sustain
through the first difficulties that they would assured.
liz prosper. He believed the American Union to be emf.
nently calculated for n comprehensive manufacturing
system. lie saw, In distant perspective the great
agricultural staple OF the South enjoying the advantage
OF second and that home market by being brought
into connection with the mechanical skill the capital
of the North. He the vast benefit OF multiplying the
pursuits community and thus giving play to the in
Unite variety Of native talent He heard In advance the
voice OF hundred streams running 70 waste over
barren rocks but destined hereafter TO be brought into
accord with the music Of the water wheel and the power
loom I've contemplated home consumption at the far
mers DOOR Cor the products OF his corn6cld his We
getabe garden, and HIS dairy. These were the
views and principles which he'd Mr.. Jackson Mr. r.
c. Lowell and Mr. Appleton and their associates TO
labor for the establishment Of the manufactures Of
the United States. These surely we're large and &c
views. At the time when his own pursuits aud
interests deeply engaged in commerce entertaining
tho opinions have briefly indicated he threw himself
with characteristic ardor, into the pursuit. and the
country largely indebted 20 Mr. lawrence for the noble
result. We are noA without any diminuton Of our ag
ricuurc and navigation, but on the contrary with
large increase Of both the second country
IN the world The rising city which bears hs name,
the beautiful banks Of tho Merrmack viii carry down TO
postcrity unworthy rial Of his participation In
this suspcious work.
M Other great conception, or creation 10 which had