Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1860-04-09
Daily pirgiaiaa.
CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTHDAY
OF wAsHIN0TON IRVING IN NEW
YORK CITY.
SPEECH OF EDWARD EVERETT.

YORK CITY.
SPEECH OF EDWARD EVERETT.
The Academy Of Music In New York City was
Allied on Tuesday evening by large, Intelligent,
and enthusiastic audience, who Ind gathered to
commemorate tho seventy-seventh birthday Of
WAsHINoroN lRviNo. The occasion was taken by
the Historical Society as fitting ono TO bring TO-
gother the friends and admirers Of the greatest Of
American writer's to pay just tribute to the bio
grapher Of Washington and Columbus, and to
testify their regard for him as q scholar and q
man.
Tho evenings proceedings wero opened by Ex-
Governor Luther Bradsh, who made few clo-
quont and appropriate remarks.
Rev, DR.. Creghton-tho friend aud pastor Of
Irving, who was frequently with him In his last
illness, and who performed the last sad rites over
his honorel graye--then offered an eloquent and
appropriate prayer in tho concluding portion Of
which many Of the audience audibly joined.
Tho President then introduced William Cullen
Bryant. the orator Of the evening, whose remarks
were received amid frequent bursts Of applause.
We regrc. we have not tho space TO publish this
most admirable address; Mt tho concluding por-
,ion of which. loud coils were made for Edward
Everett.
MIR. Brndish said "Yuu have rendered unnc
ccssary tho announcement was about to mako Of
tho name Of New Engand's gifted son. who kind.
ly comes lero to night to bring tho warm rympa-
thies of New Engand's heart and tho tribute Of
his own individual sentiments" [Applausc
The distinguished orator was received with
round after round Of vociferous applause.
Mr.. EvERETrs SPEECH.
Edward Everett advanced amidst prolonged ap-
plause, and said-Mr President, Indies aud gen
temen ] arise at your instance sir, with much
pleasure, tp assure you on behalf Of my friends
from tho Enst, who share with mo the privilege of
being present with you this evening. that NIL New
Engnnd-for know | mny srcak for her on this
acknowledgements most cmphaticaly to every
word TINT has becn sad-sympathises most cor
daily with everything TINT can be folt or uttered
in honor Of the bright and beloved name to which
ynu have consccrated the hour. 1t does not belong
to me in this prcscn % to attempt the culosum Of
Irving On other occasions, and in other placcsJ
and while the country still saddened by his
recent loss, | claim the mourniul privilege ot
having joined my voice to the unanimous express
sion Of respectful md n0ectonatc admiration
| which followed him TO his grave; and we come
| now only honored by your invitation, to listen to
which your distinguished folow.ctizen, inspired
by the sympathy Of kindred genius, has paid to
his memory-giving utterance, am sure, 10 the
thought and feeling Of this great and approving
audience. 1t is, indeed fitting, sir, that every
part Of tho country should unite with you in these
Offices Of commcmoraton. 1t was one OF tho pc
culiar fclcitics in the literary career of Irving
that he was nm equal fayorte in every part Of tho
country. Although his first productions were
mainly-one IF them exclusivcly-on local
themes, and therefore, in ordinary hands, likoly
to excite only local interest. these first displays
of his happy talent, alternately playful. slrewd
and tender. were rs cordially welcomed in Bos
ton, in Philadelphia, in Baltimore and in Rich.
mond, MS in New York. The good tnste which
prescribed limits to tho controversy the kind feel
inc which TEN pered the rdcule, the sound sense
which chastcned tho pleasantly, and above all.
that "touch of nature which makes the world
kim" shonc out in every page OF these rportiyo
creations of the youthful humorist.
These qualities that were equally nftrao-
tive in every part Of the country, and they sccur-
ed for him. from the outset, throughout the Union,
the same popularity which he enjoyed in his no
tive city; aud his happiness attended him
throughout lis career. There never was day,
from his first appearance as IN author down to
the publication OF his last volume, in which the
slightest trace of locality. If may so express
myself, attached to his reputation. If from that
remoteness of local position. which must exist
between the different parts Of great continent
If from rcculiartes having their origin in ma
,i,nnl descent or historical rccollections-if from
feelings Of state or sectional preference, growing
out Of the political organization of tho county
| mean its division into the states and groups Of
states-if from any or all Of these causes sec
tional likes or dslikes Of authors, on account oi
their place of birth or residence, have crept into
our literature land must say there is less OF this
narrow feeling than might have been expected,l
there never has been the slightest indication of it
in reference to MIR. Irving; the Eastand the Wesf,
the North and the South have shown themselves
equally prompt to swell the chorus Of his unenvied
popularity. own, sir, that look upon this uni
yersal power which crowned Mr.. Irying's literary
efforts, and followed him through lie. as not less
happy for the country than honorable for himself.
1t tended to foster nationality Of mind. 1t is
not easy to overrate the influence of such writer
as Mr.. Irving over u community Ike ours-a
reading and a thinking, but also sensible and
impressiLle poople--and that influence has from
the first been wholesome, genial and conciliatory.
tending to form u generous public sentiment, un.
alloyed by local prejudice, and thus, to prove,
amidst causes Of alienation and estrangemont,
hoop Of Gold to bind our brothen In.
To Mr.. Irving must bc awarded the credit of being
the first entirely successful American author The
state Of our literature when he came fUrward-ra-
ther should say, the almost total want Of every
thing that could be called an American literature
try as the germ Of country. the entire popua-
tion Of the United States, at the close Of the
of the Revolution. not equalling that Of the state
Of New York at the present day--your imperial
city not numbering probably, more than $4,000
inhabitants when Mr.. Irving was born-there
never was period in ouF history when literature
stood at 80 low an ebb. The literary culture which
Ia xaf