New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-04-04
CONFEDERATION OF IRVING
MR. BRYAT'S GRAFTON.


Tho n Y Historical Society appeared last night in
..c,,;ar splendor IN the Academy Of Masic, which,
.b the execution Of the ampbitheater, was crowded
Nv an audience ccreisting only of members OF the 60
,istv and their friends. The Hon. Latkor Brsdish
Precedent Of the Society presided and upon the plat
form were Wrn. G. Bryant, Chas. King, Ii. d.,
President Of Columbia College; Ex-Gov. John A.
King Gov Hall of Vermont, Winfield Scott, Edward
Everett, Geo. Bancroft, Dr. j. w. Francis, Mr.. Geo.
p. Putnam, Mr. Irvings pubisher, II. De Peyster,
Geo. II. Moore, Prof. Geo. w. Greene, Daniel Lord,
Dr. Cogswel, Cuban c. yerplanck, COL Peter Force,
Andrew Warner, Rev. Dr. 0sgood, Rev. DR.. Dewitt,
Rev. Dr. Bangs, Samuel B. Ruggles, Hamilton Bish,
Washington Hunt, Geo. ID. Eichnor, District-At-
torney Roosevelt, Horace Webster Principal OF the
Free Academy; VIM. b. Astor John Jacob Astor,
and many other noteworthy personages
When these gentlemen were seated, a curtain was
raised revealing portrait of Washington Irving, by
Powell not yet quite finished. dts fidelity was much
commended by those who had known him many years
ago.
The Hon. LUTHER BRADlsR, as President OF tne
Society, came forward and said:
FELLow-MEMBERs OF THE NBw-YoRK HIsroRIcAL
SOCIETY and all who honor this occasion by their
presence, come this evening to lay the chapiet OF
our warm affection upon the still fresh grave OF be-
loved
memories of the past and do such honor as we can
to one who had so greatly honored himself and us, on
the mild and healthful radiance OF whose genus ana
productions and the beautiful harmony OF whose CHAR
acer and life have shed such unfadng luster upon our
country and his kind; in whom the intellectual,
moral and social elements, were so harDonzed and
beautifully blenLed, that his memory will live equally
in the purest admiration and ia the warmest affections
of ALL Such is the occ aston of present meeting
The exercises of the evening will commence with
pray err to be offered by the Rev. Dr. Creighton, long
the beloved pastor and respected friend OF the de-
ceased. TIE commemorative address Will then be de.
Hvered by VIM. Cullen Bryant the poet and pride OF
bis country. This will be followed by remarks and
letters from several gentlemen from various States OF
the Uniop all to be concluded by benedction, 10 be
pronounced by the Rev. DR.. Dewitt, long a member
of our Society. After which, without formal motion,
the Society will consider itself adjourned.
The Rev. Dr. CREIGHTON offered an Impressive
prayer.
ported in another part of this paper He was received
with loud applause, and frequently interrupted by
cheers
The Hon. JULIAN C. VERPLAScK PRESENTED the fol-
Re,oed THIS. the thanks Of the Newly Historical Society
emneIty due and are hereby rendered TO- VIM Cullen
life chs genius of Washington ryiasen addss: In
every respect worthy Of lis subject it's sntho SAG tne OCCASION
and that copy requested FOR the archives OF the Society aud
for publication
Ex-Gov JOHN A. King seconded the resolution, and
it was supported by Prof. GREENE at some length.
Mr. BRADIsH then introduced EDWARD EVERETT.
He sad
rise at your instance Sir, with much pleasure TO
assure YOU on behalf of my friends from the East, who
share with me the privilege Of being present with you
this evening, that all New-Engand-forl know that
may speak for her on this occasion-responds most
emphaiically to every word that has been sad-sym-
paZes most cordially with eveyythl 1g that can be felt
or uttered honor Of the bright and beloved name TO
which you have cOnsecrated the hour IL does not be-
long to in this presence to attempt the ealogum OF
Irving. On other occasions, and In other places, and
while the country was still saddened by his ecentoss
claim the mournful privilege OF joining my voceto the
unanimous expression of respectful and afectionate
admiration which followed him TO his graves and we
come now only honored by your invitation, to listen
to the Just, the discriminating and eloquent tribute
which your distinguished fellow-ctzen, inspired
by the sympathy of kindred genius, has paid TO his
utterance, am sure, TO the thought
and feeling of this great Rnd approving audience. 1t
is indeed fitting Sir thai every part of the country
shoud unite with you in these offices of commemora-
ton. 1t was one of the peculiar fecities in the lit
erary career of Irving that he was an equal avorte in
every part of the country. Although his first produc-
tons were mainy-one Of them eXclusivey-on local |
themes, and therefore, in ordinary hands, likely to ex
cite only local interest these first displays of his
happy talent, alternately playful shrewd a0d tender,
We're promptly and cordially welcomed in Boston,
in Philadelphia, in Baltimore, and in Richmond as
in New-York. The good taste which prescribed lin
its to the controversy, the kind feeling woich
tempered the ridcule, the sound sense which chas-
tened the pleasantly, and, above all that touch of
" nature which makes the whole world kin, shope
out in every page Of these sportive creations of the
youthful humorist. These were qualities that were
equally attractive in every part of the country and
they secured for him. from the outset throughout the
UniOn the same popularity which he enjoyed In his
native city; and this happiness attended him through
ont his career. There never day, from his first
appearance ss an author down to the publication of
last volume, in which the slightest trace OF locality is
may express myself, attached TO his reputation.
If from that remoteness of local position which |
must exist between the different parts of a great
from pscularities having their origin
in national descent or historical recolectons--
If from feelings OF State sectional preference, |
growing out Of the political organization Of the
county-I its division into States and groups of
States-if from any or all of these sectional
likes and dislkes of authors account Of their place
Of birth residence, have crep into our literature
and l must say there s less of this narrow feeling
han might have been expected, there never has |
been the slightest indication of it in reference to
Mr.. Irving; the East and the West, the North |
and the South have shown themselves equally |
prompt TO swell the chorus of his unenvied |
OWL Sir that look upon this universal
power which crowned Mr.. Ivngs literary efforts and
followed him through life, not less happy for the
country than honorable for himfef 1t tended TO foster
nationality Of the purest and noblsst kinda nation
Atty of mind 1t not easy TO overrate the influence
Of such writer as MIR. Irving over a community like
ours-a reading and a tGnsing-but also a sensitive
and Dpressible people; and that influence has from
he first been wholesome, genial, and conchatory,
|
by local prejudice and thus TO prove, amid causes of
Iteration aud enlargement,
hoop of gold to bind our brothers in
To Mr.. Irving must be awarded the credit of being
he first entirely successful American nor The stare
4 our literature when he came forward-rather, L
hould say the almost total want of everything That
oud be called an American lterature-entitles him to
his praise. Not so much country as the germ Of a
Ouptry the entire population of the United STATES, at
be close of the war Of the Revolution, not equ ang
bat Of the State Of NewYok at the present day. your
imperial City not numbering, probably, more than
D 600 inhabitants when Mr.. Irving was born-there