The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-03-04
Lecture on the Character of Washington, by
Hon. Edward Everett.

Hon. Edward Everett delivered his lecture the cha
racter Of Washington before the Mercantile Library As
sociation last evening" in the Academy Of Music 1t
but natural to expect til the fame Of the lecturer
would attract large audience bat not prepared
to see such vast assembled Within and even
without the walls of that building According to the
published notice the lecture to at O'clock
but for at least hour before the appointed time the
doors we're beset with eager crowd who in their mpA
tence actually tore two three off their hinges The par
quette crowded, the frst tier crowded. the
cond tier crowded. the third tier crowded.
thes gallery, the stage boxes, the orchestra
WAS jammed full. and the passages all blockaded
while the entrances thropged with eager listeners
anxious to hear word of the lecture or to get glimpse
of the lecturer. Then the stage was in the same
plehozc condition the rest of the house,
cuped by of the distinguished representatives
of the literary ability the mercantile enterprise the
medical skill and the legal talent of the Empire City.
Bancroft, Henry Grinnell Peter Cooper, DR.. Francs
Judge Duer, Bishop Potter, Mayor Wood, DIR. Webster
Hon. Charles King, Rev. Dr.. Bellows and other well
known persons were present Take it altogether have
brilliant assembage in the Academy of
Nusis 1t was o magnificent compliment from the city
of New York to Of the most eloquent and classic
speakers OF whom our country can boast, and comph
ment which, in justice to the orator Of the evening"
must say was well deserved. Mr.. Everett equal
both to the subject and the OCCASION and the deep and
breathless interest with which his audience hung upon
bis every word was the strongest Of his
Az umeb WhB interrupted OF bppau6o Ln4t
atook the building and then again al still and silsn.
as the gIave
When the hour arrived he was introduced to the audi
ence by Mr. George Wood, the President Of the Mer
camille Library Association and received with the
most entl usiasc welcome. Mr.. Everett dressed in
plain suit Of black, and displayed jewelry Of any
description During the whole Of his lecture which oc
cupied nearly two hours In Its delivery he had not
sion even once to refer to his notes. His and
style IL unmpassioned and the most brilliant passages
delivered without the slightest enthusiasm. In this
respect Mr. Everett does not do full justice to himself
and less classic eloquent speaker would produce
still greater effect with the lecture to which we listened
last evening
The lecture was as its title announced on sthe Char
acter Of Washington the great vhom Providence
left childless, that nation might call him Fathern 1t
was splendid eulogy and at the same time accurate
portrature of the virtues and great qualities of the pa
triot the statesman and the He was said the
lecturer not only great he good but he great
because he was good and he believed as firmly A. he did
his existence that it part Of the design OF Pro-
vdence to raise him TO be the commander Of the
Of the Revolution land to be the first President of the
morning of their existence nation, that Just laws
could be best conducted and be administer
tu %en s
and the celebrated Englsh general Marlborough, 70
both Of whom he superior In everything that rem
at length upon his services to his country mankind
and the many virtues of his private life, he concluded
the United States forget the lesson contained in hs Fare
veil Address, upon that day it may be truly said that
Washington lived in vain. But 1t cannot and shall not
be- This great catastrophe for constitutional freedom
shall not happen this gievous calamity for all mankind
shall not be-by the undypg fame Of the 10Th Of April
1775 by the blood shed at Bunker H at Saratoga at
Kings Mountain and 1t Yorktownl No BY the memory
of the Fourth OF mol BY the sacred ashes enshrned
OF Mount Vernon By the blessed memory Of Washing
ton, 1t shall not be
At the close Of the lecture Hon. George Bancroft
came forward and after few appropriate and eomph-
mentAry remarks to Mr. Everett presented the following
resolution, which seconded Dy Rev. DR.. Adams
unanimously adopted by the audiences =
Whereas. have listened with feelings Of unmnged ad
miraon and respect the address Of the Hon. Edward
Everett upon the character OF Washngon aAd DESTROYS
sure thus conferred We would therefore, unanmously
hereby rendered the Orator and Statesman whose writings
and whose life have done much illustrate principles
maintained and enforced by the immortal Father of Coun
try.
After the adoption Of the foregoing the audience dis