The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-08-17


detailed report of the proceedings of
meeting held at the Merchants Bank on
Tuesday That assemblage, convened for the
purpose of taking into consideration the pro-
priety of making arrangements for the reception
Of the heir apparent to the British throne.
appointed a general committee, in which body
the city of New York is fairly represented by
the men who have taken the most prominent
part in raising this commercial metropolis to
the front rank among the great marts Of trade
in the civilized world. The movement lie
most proper one. For years the name and
fame OF the city has been dsgracsd by "Recep
ton Committees" Of the Common Council, and
it was no more than right that the power which
the Corporation has 80 wantoniy abused should
be resumed by the people, aud that we
should take into our own hands the privi-
ege of spending our own money in our
own way. The committee Of citizens have
gone to work In O business-like way,
sending, in the first place, delegation to meet
the Prince, and appointing subcommittee to
do the IoutiRe work in the meantime. AT pre-.
sent, it is purposed that . banquet only shall be
given; but it will be proper also, to make ar
Engagements for grand ball, to take place
few days after the banquet Among other me-.
the display of female beauty which New York
can make on grand occasions; and, without
doubt, a ball in honor of 80 gallant cavalier
as the Prince has shown himself to be in his
provincial stour, will bring out all that there
is lovely in the drawing rooms of our city, as
well as tie fairest flowers from the crinoline
gardens in the rural districts.
All this should be done, with the co-opera-
ton of the Mayor, but altogether distinct from
the Corporation. The committee Of citizens
will receive the Prince as gentleman-social-
" there il no higher title than that-and will
carefully guard him from Aldermanic or other
contamination. AS for the British residents, they
will do well to remember that our lineage, our
blood and our interests are one aud the same
and, so remembering join heartily in the move
ment inaugurated so auspiciously on Tuesday.
The Importance of this movement can hardly
be overra.ed. II lisa popular demonstration by
the solid men Of the youngest among the great
cities of the world to salute the representative
of one of the oldest and most powerful European
governments. For nearly u thousand years the
royal standard of Albion has foated in proud
supremacy over the palaces Of the line OF mo-
narchs now represented by Victoria. Our an
cestors helped to conquer the magnificent colo
MES through which Albert Edward is now max
ing his triumpbal tour The fishermen of Mar
blehead, the farmers If Massachusetts, and New
York, fought against the chivalry of France at
Louisburg and Quebec. Yankee blood was
poured out like water on the Plains of Abra-
ham, and Yankee voices mingled in the cheers
which were waited on victory's wings to the
gallant Wolfe, who fell in victoryis arms.
In good time, however, these colonies
busy New York, stern New England and
fair yirginia-separated themselves from the
mother country, and our ancestors proceeded to
the construction Of the free system Of govern.
ment under which II is our happiness at pre-
sent to dwell. 1t is only little m ,re than two
centuries since the first Engiishman placed his
foot on the soil of the Old Dominion. The re-
public itself is but eighty four years of age,
and now the States stand foremost among the
nations. Tie sturdy child rivals the parent in
the material elements of power. Columbia
disputes with Britannia the supremacy Of the
seas. In,eyery port all around the globe, the
stars and stripes are intermingled in all frater
nifty with the red cross banner Of 81 George.
In trade and commerce, In literature, manufac-
lures, agriculture, the fine arts. the exact
sciences and mechanical inventions, the child
has proved itself worthy Of the parent stock,
and the mother may bc proud Of her offspring.
Daring all this time the rest Of the world
has hot been Mt u stand still. Continental
Europe has been the theatre of a grand struggle
between absoiutisn aud the principles Of self GO
vornmen, Freedoms Hattie has been often lost
through the treachery of pretended friends, or
by means oil the superior strength Of open foes.
The allied despois have beheld in England the
only refuge for the friends Of the people. AL.
bion has been as a sanctuary for the champions
Of constitutional liberty, no matter from
whence they might come. AS matter OF
course, the Continental Powers, despotic, to
greater OF less degree, view with secret hos
tiity this tight little island, the ever ready ssy.
lum for distressed patriots Of every cline.
Just now this latent sntagcnism has taken
more positive shape, and 1t l. more than proba-
bic that Europe Is on the verge Of tremen-
dous conflict, wherein all the despodc Powers
will be united against England, with a view to
destroy lie prestige and reduce it 10 the grade
Of dependent State. In such case the British
people would receive the sympathy and moral
aid Of only one OF the great Powers Of Chris
tendon. the United States OF America. Not
only would we feel the NATURAL sympathy Of
blood or kin, but we would prny for the sue
cess of the Bri,-h arms in political point Of
view. for II Is in England alone, so far
as The European governments IRE concerned,
that we con discern anything like recognition
Of the natural ard inalienable rights OF man.