New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1859-05-24


Suffice it to say that those twenty years of his resi-
dence here bave been crowded with great endeavors
and crowned with useful achievements that he has
ever been of the foremost among the projectors
and artfcers Of public improvements the patrons of
art, the dispensers of liberal and elegant hospital
ity, and the almoiers of noseless charitz; self.
made, self.poised, energetic, sangnne, pushing his
commercial enterprises wide fields and into re.
mote countries, yet always ardently attached to his
own by honest and honorable exertons be accnmu-
lated a large fortune. If, with revulsions, which
sometimes hwart the wisest plans, that fortune has
been in some degree impaired still, with such his
tory as his he afford to resign it, not only with
out discredt, but even with dignity and grace.
.Regretting as we sincerely do. that we must part
with SO pubc-spirited and deserving citizen, while
he is yet in the prime of his energies, we commend
him to our brethren of the young empire whittier he
goes, valuable acquisition to their social and in.
dustrial life. In those "fresh woods and pastures
new" he will find employment for the high qualities
which have distinguished him here; for that sangune
temper chastened somewhat, perhaps, yet not sub
dled: for that untring energy; for that inventive
faculty. for that social and patriotic disposition; for
that devotion to the public veal ; for that true
American spirit that always goes ahead and never
says die.
Gentlemen, have the honor now to propose the
health of Mr.. James Robb.
Mr. Robb then rose and made the following re-
marks:
An ancient writer and philosopher of the last cen.
tury has said that wise mans kingdom is his own
few and select friends and he was fortunate who
could number five or six in the course of lifetime.
Had the views of this distinguished man not been
bounded by the crags and rivnets of his native land
had he lived in our time, and on the banks of the
Father Of Waters, expanded into great inland sea
by the floods of hundred rivers /; had he lived to
witness the expansion of thoughts the extension of
ideas generated by the progress Of liberal age with
prejudice and Ignorance disappearing before the
mighty power OF civilization, he would have re-
nounced his maxim.
My experience, and the uneqnivoca proofs received
OF your friendship, disproycs its theory and in doing
so placed me under the highest and most lasting OBJ
legations of gratitude. How shall l thank you, my
friends for this unsolicited honor? What language Of
the heart can adequately convey to You its deep sense
of your kindness? am overcome with the sincerest
emotion, and my acknowledgements are made under
sense OF the profoundest humility But your kindness
assures me OF your Indulgence, and cheered by its
encouragement, shall endeavor to respond to your
sentiment in terms, hope, not inappropriate to the
cclsion.
1t is almost impossible that any of can speak of
ourselves without atiectation Of vanity egotsm
But in surveying this festive board, and recognizing
many representatives of the respecability, inte
gence and wealth Of the and professions of
this great commercial capital assembled to do me
honor, am reminded in the distinctions of the hour
OF the one when left the maternal roof to seek for
tune and careers when started at the early age of
twelve years to encounter the rough struggles the
snares, temptations and dangers Of life, without the
smiles and counses of fathers care to direct me,
Wlth0nl wealth or powerful lTlend9 10 AID alone
guided by the and rectitude implanted by the
lessons Of q noble and devoted mother which is the
scouroe and example of our highest virtues. | have
sought to maintain life of honor, to discharge my
duties to the home of my adoption, to win and de.
serve the confidence of my countrymen Behold my
reward \ our applause, your appreciation. Yes, of
the friends who have known me longest and known
me hest What title. what rank, what possessions of
wealth can equal such distinction? l shall prize
and cherish it above all else in this world and trans
nit it untarnished to my children as their proudest
inheritance.
At the age of "a l came from my home in vir-
gnia to find one in this city, unknown and without
knowledge or experience beyond that gained in an
humble sphere, and now, after the lapse of twenty
one years, am partly from motives of choice, but
chiefly from an unexpected interruption of my pnr
SUITS about to seek home on the distant shores
Of the Pacific. Since my residence in your midst,
what marvellous progress has occurred in the develop
ment of national resources and in its territorial
acquisitions! The boundaries Of our country en-.
larged and extended from ocean to ocean its laws
and institutions planted the shores of the Pacific
its population augmented from l5,000,00O to near
80 100000 of people and no less than six new States
added to the constellation of Stars that adorn the
Flag of the Union. What have we achieved in this
era Of national progress? What has Louisiana and
its commercial capital gained in the acquisition of
commerce, of industry, wealth and intelligence?
1t may not be uninterestng to state. some facts
generally unknown to other sections of the Union
aud abroad, and undervalued among ourselves. Lou
isiana and its neghboring States from 1885 to 1872
shared TO the fullest extent the curses of vicious
system Of credit and banking. 1t wrought the al
most total humiliation OF the prosperity Of every
interest, public and private, and of the institutions
which iomented it. In 1912 we witnessed the last
spasm of this exploded system, departed, as trust
forever. Hope was almost paralyzed; despair was
pictured in every faeebnt out of these evils sprung
the seeds of your after salvaton-from it sprung a
new life, q new vitality, and that life and vitality
was restored currency, a currency OF gold and
silver and which hope may be perpetuated to all
future time, the only solid security Of public pros
perity and one OF the first blessings of a com.
mercal people.
The events of ls42 proved new era in your his
tory-from it may be dated the commencement and
produce at your cyee did not exceed for.ythree mil.
lions OF dollars, and they are sweed to over one
hundred and fifty millions. Your public debt was
large, in the shape of bonds and soc6s held abroad
and this you have redeemed by the payment of over
twenty millions of dollars, collected and paid out of
your own resources. Your banking Institutions, so
justly the pride of the State have multiplied from six
to twelve, and under the wise conditions imposed by
the laws of 1872. OF which distinguished citizen, now
present. is the fathertLey have acquired stability
and prosperity with guarantees of security, without
example in Europe or our own country. Gratifying
as may be this spectacle Of your individual and of
the public prosperity your highest of pride is
the restoration Of order in the finances Of the State
aud the city, and the maintenance Of public credit.
Keep it So watch IL with jealous and ceaseless vigil
ance. So long as you may maintain it you will be
It will be your pride in periods of strength, and
your strongest refuge in times of weakness. 1t will
forfy you against the changes of commercial reyo-
lutions, and will ensure to your posterty the pre-
eminence which is now your boast and your pride.
With such picture of your prosperity, of your
immense resources, of their enormous capabilities
and of the achievement of the last seventeen years,
what will be your future? what is to be your mission
in the great of improvement? Or will you stand
idle in the midst of your abundance will yon employ
but portion of your great gains in promoting the
arts of life-n diiusng the blessings OF larger in
teigence, and more extended intercourse with your
sister State? When we boast OF our age and our coa
try when we point to the great rivers, their broad
and fruitful valleys teeming with fertility, when we
connt our wealth by augmenting millions, we must
not forget that national glory and national happiness
is not to he found in the unboundel possession of
wealth hut in the emulation of exalted virtue; in
mantaine lberty-not the liberty OF license and mis-
rule hut the liberty of moderation, Of and JUS
tce. While the spirit of the age is the spirit of the
acquisition of wealth, have other and higher mo.
tys to follow cut. Wealth may corrupt liberty and
justice, but il they are once lost aud tramped under
| foot wealth cannot rcgaia tIem-they only live in
the virtue Of the people and without this security,
we are eneompesstd with irghtsul perls. Oppression
is not alone confined to armed rulers; it also resides