The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-27

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old City Hall Tor Federal Ha in Wall street. at the head
OF Broad street. from which place the Mayor and corpo-
ration Of the city, attended by the gentlemen OF the bar
aud aAarge number OF citZens, escorted by de-
tachment Of artillery and OF the uniform companies OF
militia, commanded by Majors Curtenus and LOOMS. To
the park Precisely at six O'clock signal guns being
fred his honor, the Mayor-Etward Lvngston-assist-
ed by the architect (Johr Mccomb Jr laid tho stone
at the southeast CT the edhce Tho artillery fred
federal sante and the band OF music lerformed mill
tary arr After which, the Mayor delivered short az
proprate address which receive with the acclsma
t,0ns OF vast concourse Of citizens assembled OF the
occasion. fen de joie by the uniform corps concluded
the ceremonies OF The day Tho detachment marched
from the ground paraded in the park and served
with refreshments, provided by The c ,rrora ion.
The lew building first occupied b. the Mayor aud
other corporation officers on the Goth OF April 1912.
The cost OF this City Hall about FIVE hundred thou
sand dollars II was nine years in building Tho front
southern presentation and both sides of white
marble from the quarres OF Sockbridge,
1t observed that the elevation fronting Chambers street
inferior red sandstone The this was that
its projectors deemed unnecessary TO to tho
Of white marble for that 'front.' it supposed that
las the city would not extend much above Chambers
street, this difference In the stone would not be Oh
served That City Hall has long since been insufficient
TO answer tho requiem and other buildings have for
many years been found necessary On this spot once
stood large building, known as the Amshouse and
cupied as an "Amorcan Museum (and within my day
occupied az such which, for several years before its de-
sruction by IRE, was used for holding the courts an
for othor public purposes After its loss the
brown stone buildings TO the east Of this spot
Chambers street, were put up, and have been since
City Hall Court House on more extended plan has
been contemplated called the attention OF the Common
Council to this necessity five years ago, recommending
that nasmsch the growth Of the city rapidly popu
latng tho upper part OF tho island that large edcc,
exclusively for corporation and municipal purposes,
should be erected somewhere 10 central position
and that the buildings in this Park, including the
City Hail. should be given up exclusively for the use Of
the courts. This suggestion not, however finally
carried out aud the present proposed structure has there
fore been deemed necessary We propose TO erect
building for additional court accommodations on
this spot This ground was once used as negro burial
ground it doubt devoted to that purpose at very
early period. Although originally private property, it
supposed TO have beer selected for that purpose
IN consequence Of its elevation It was known as
made grant of this land TO one Van Eorsum.
The limits of this grant extended along the
line Of Chambers street which the brow Of the hill
Subsequently coded to the corporation of the city,
and connected with the common lands lying south Of It.
During tho excavation for the present Court House, hu
man bones have disintered doubtless those Of
sroes probably buried thsre century ago-itraay
hive been hundred and fifty ago. 1t may DO
out a place for to add that this Park is sacred
dictionary ground was the raying place OF the sons
Of Liberty, before and during tho American Revoluto ON.
As carly March, 1774 the patriots Of that day res ted
right elect liberal to the Colonial Convention. It
here that Alexander Hamilton, although nero
youth, rallied the people, by his powerful eloquencs to
resist the tyranny Of the British Crown. (Appause)
Indeed, claim for New York that it was
here, and within ono hundred yards OF this
spot, and not at the battle Of Lexington, that
Revolution cloud checrs) In conclusion, as fix this
in the place where may rest for centuries can
not forbear expressing the hope that the historical
Citations Of tho building may DO less suspicious
than those which belong to its predecessors; that,
although erected in times Of trial. truth and justice may
be maintained here by learned and incorruptibe judi
cary and an eloquent and vrtuous bar Within these
walls may reasonably expect TO trace the increasing
prosperity Of the great metropolis and the preservation
OF that system Of Jurisprudence by which both ndi-
vidual freedom and public order are secured May law
and liberty hep heretofore, the glorious and
mistaken stone OF the American constltutior-
The was at this unctRe lowered by the derrick
into the receptacle appointed Tor II, the Mayor
summating the ceremony by striking it three times
with his gave
ADDRESS OF CHIEF JUSTICE cLERKE.
The learned Judge was introduced TO the meeting by
the President, and spoke as follows blows: u,...
capacity Of Grand Master this OCCASION having applied
the plumb square and level TO the stone in their oIe
positions and pronounced to be well formed true
rusty it may not DO improper for to express my
fellow citzcns-to the Bench and the Bamy congratu
atons at the prospect OF erecting suitable edince IN
which Justice may with dignity and convenience, be
administered in this city. Every undertaking calculated
to add to the establishment and honor OF the city should
be contemplated with satisfaction. As in beginning
the rebuilding OF tho Temple in Jerusalem, @ when
tho builders laid the foundation Of the Temple Of
the Lord, they set tho priests in their APP
pare with trumpes, and tho Ieves the q Asaph
with cymbas and they sang together by in pras
ing and giving thanks unto the Lord" SO ought we in
rejoice that temple about to be raised and
been always test and an accompaniment Of civilization
Indeed the first step takes in civilization is TO erect
dwellings, for his protection from the nclemency Of the
weather and when, by his industry he acquires more
than what may be required to satisfy his mere animal
wants. no begins to crafty his tastc by constructing
beautiful ednces for private and public purposes. He
consccrates the latter to the sacred Of religion aud
Justice and city In ancient or modern times has
acquired in history that has not been embehed
with specimens Of beautiful architecture But the chief
ground which place my congratulations the present
occasion s that the building Of which have laid the
corner stone this day now and has long been needed
pediments In the way Of the administration Of justice and
has caused serious injury and Inconvenience TO It's minis
andfoowers In nany instances the Justices OF the
Supreme Court have obliged suspend business in
consequence of the want Of room. | have no doubt,
during the past year could have disposed Of twice
much business have wo had had suitable accommo
datons. We have not ony been without the necessary
number of rooms, bet some OF tho placed
disposal so coniracied and so badly ventilated that
they have injured The health Of OF Judges and
advocates No later than last week Mr.. Justice Allen
was much incomn,oded in the room appropriated
ths would be unsafe e, i hm
to sit thors any longer. I assigned to
that department o. the court during the ensuing month";
procure me a better ROOM the Court will ordor the
Sheriff 10 do so, pursuant to the Code, section %.
Justice Of the Superior Court has resigned his Office in
consequence Of the danger to which his health
posed from the miserable condition Of the court
Since the resignation Of his Office hope his health has
improved Those of who have not resigned but have
shown so much tenacity Of office, we'll Of life and
health as brave all those pernicious influences
renewed term, deserve particular consideration
and should not be treated any longer the ancents
supposed Pluto treated, whose jurisdiction was
in the Internal regions said that his
there was shcckingly obscure and g,oomy,-so much
SO that all the goddesscs refused to marry
him. But he resolved to obtain by force what was
denied to his solicitation and having become enamorod
OF Proserpine he forcbly carried her away, and
PEELED her to become the wife Of the Chief Justice Of He'll
aud share with him his obscure and gloomy rooms in
those dsagreeable regions ! trust, however, that VIC
shall longer be obliged to compare unforti-
building will relieve all persons engaged in lie admins
tration Of justice from the apprehension OF impaired
health and the conviction that they seriously him
jered effectively discharging their duties Under the
guidance Of the Commissioners who have the super
vision of this structure have doubt that 1t will not
only be substantially built but that IL VIII afford ms
capacious rooms well ventilated, judciousy heated and
well arranged. hope they may be able to say when
il is completed, with the architect Of the Temple
jerusalem that having according to the best Of their
ability accomplished the task assigned to them, they
surrender the implements entrusted to their when
he foundation of the fabric laid hoping that their
xertons will BIO crowned with the appreciation of the
public, and hope the Grand Master who will ofcate
hat will be able to respond and say that their
skill and fidelity have secured the entire appreciation of
praying that the edce may continue lasting monument
If the taste spirit and liberality of its founders
And now, according to the ancient cere'no
ly, 90 typically pour the corn, the wine
md the oil on this stone, and "rnay the all.
,ounteous Author Of Nature assist us in the
rection and completion of this building, pro-
tho worsmen against every accident and long pro