New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-08-20
rs harmonious 10 everything else as we have been


but 1t is worthy of its dengners, its friends, early
and late of the legislators who favored IT, ind OF
the great city which has eXecu d il amid pressures
and panics, commercial and POLITICAL changes IN
peace, and finished it amid the caalnities OF a
III ,ody ard III JUST fiable rebellion. l am truly
happy that ny life has been spared TO this day. l
may, perhaps be pardoned if l express more than
usual amount Of satisfaction as ca.t my eyes be-
You'd and around on this admirable structure
this our great municipal monument, not Tor the
glory of Day, but endurance through all time:
was with this project in ITS infancy; have
watcl ell its progress with uncessng anxiety. see
it now in rs maturity with irrepr s'ible sa:isiac'
ton. Millions vet unborn, as they succeed each
other in the waves of future generations, Will
honor the foresight OF those who gave it HE, and
admire the intelligence aud power with which 90
grand design WAS 50 persevsringy earned through.
stand with bnt few Of the Original and surviving
friends of this work, and regret We could not AL
stand, side ty side AS we once did, and ENJOY me
fruits OF our mutual toll, more than rewarded by
such sight a. this.
The speaker ut some length considered a few OF
the most interesting circumstances connected with
this great undertaking, and related several incidents
of its legislative and local history. In the course OF
his remarks he sad
The conversion Of the Croton Water Office into
Department was effected by the law of 1889, which
i
ell accompanying il, Nov. ,, 1915 the hfst recon-
mendation il made for TIE construction o. very
large reservoir, and 40 acres Of land recommended
10 be purchased That law connected the sewerage
of the city with the duties Ct the Department and
made the unpaid rents of the regular rates lien on
the property.
1t is not IN the single light Of individual comfort
we NAV view this subject. The precious water we
drink so safely and so freely does more. u Is an
agent of prosperity. Ii pours Its torrents upon
the fires which threaten our warehouses ana our
residences. Driven by s,esm which il also supplies,
il breaks in ca,aracts upon the highest roofs. Ii
supplies large number OF our workshops with mo-
tive power. Free from sediment or corrosive sub.
stances il is universally sought to fill tie boilers OF
our steam-engines. IL seis them ut work also ana
drives the machinery OF many hundred factories
with power Of thousands OF horses, equal To the
force of many thousand men.
Our ships aud steamers carry it 10 sea, and II re-
mains potable during the longest voyages Our
stree cooled from Its numerous bydrnnts Our
garments are keft pure and ceaniy by us aDiu'ioih
Fountains throw up their beautiful spray by i's
force Onr pleasure lakes in this park are kept tull
and fresh by its supplies, CLASSY mirror Tor winter
smusen.nis, and a lovely water III sumner Tor
aquatic recreation. In all respects, IN ev-ry way
our CITY. soon to become The greatest not only on
this continent but in those beyond the Atlantic, Is
thoroughly, conn ierely, and forever suppl ed with
an element Of be.l'h. wealtb, ard security which
no other city on sic globe can surpass.
Well may we assemble together to-day to cele-
brate an event 70 ausIIcOus. Nor should we forget
to honor those whore science, practical KNOW
edge and mechanical labor have contributed 10 this
wonderful work. No one has had letter opporio-
niy than yself through the means II my long con-
nection with the Croou Board, of knowing how
much il due TO the eminent ability o! Col Al red w.
Craven the Chief Engineer; 10 the fidelity AID per-
severance OF those emiuent cont c'ors Messrs Far
child, Walker. Coleman ana Brown. Nor should
II. l,..t IL we'd rnf
the press OF New-York which has never deserted
the good cause, but dsagreeing 10 they might on
other subjects, have never been other than unani.
nous on ih- MAY they always continue 10 act with
equal patriotism and ~ excellent sense.
And to the people Of this city We owe our thnrks
for the sieadiness with which IN times past hey
have sustaited tbs policy with the readiness they
have net taxation 10 secure its triumph, aud the
punctuality with which they pay into the treasury
their annual dues for their supplies.
After drawing a comparison between the Cso'on
Water Works and the works In Paris Mr. Van
Setback continued:
We arc now passing through grea, trials, wiinc,s-
ing grea, events are sOrsly put TO iest oil the
stability Of our beloved Institutions, under when
we have 90 long prosIefed, under whose behisn IN
fuence 10 many great and useful WORKS nave oech
completed We cannot doubt that the final result
will be IA certain for us, any other which has
power, TRUTH patriotism and justice on ia SIDE we
have gone OF here in the North with the rieadincss
of undisurbed peace, aud here 10 an eAam oil the
grandeur OF one city Of single State % advanced
n the useful arts 50 studons VI the welfare OF lie
people as 10 continue 10 the cad without pause or
panic in the construction Of the creates, and most
useful work OF the Union.
Ii will liz lesson III future ages OF the noblenes
Of our objects, and the wise application oil our
strength. Aud though 20 large al assembiage VIII
never have occasion TO meet here for such purpose
again. tue millions Of pos,erity, grateful for The
boon we give to-day, will never cease to express
their admiration for what has here been cone. We
have shown 10 the wondering nations OF the old
world, Ia this beautiful park and this magnificent
hydraulic work, what can 10 accomplished oy
earnest ind tous htiul republican uen, under rePub-
can institutions Tor private comfort and The colinoD
welfare. 81
We have shown how the principle Of association
carries through the execution oil great PuDhc
works, the property Of all dear 10 us all, and de.
fenced by us ALI how We stand by each oiner IN all
these enterprises counsel together over their incpi
ency and rejoice together over their happy concu-
sion and finally how wo have heretofore IN the dis
charge Of our duties aB citizens proved ourselves
worthy OF tho privileges We enjoy, worthy OF such
monuments as these inscribe to-day, snd that
will stsnchly maintain them to-day AID forever
against foreign levy aud causeless treason.
Mr.. VAN ScnAIcx then mado u statement Of the
practical result Of the whole undertaking. giving
some details concerning the new reservoir and the
financial prospects Of the department. lie con-
cluded follows:
May Providence bless the city OF my affections,
for which | have toiled for go many years, with u
continuation OF its freedom, it's public education OF
the children VI the poor well ss the rich liz equal
laws aud rights for all men, and It's devotion ~ tho
Union OF the States, which can alone preserve the
people from the establishment OF military rule and
Of petty despotisms on this continent.
After a patriotic air from Dodwortb's band, the
Mayor remarked that it had been considered not III
appropriate to have poetry blend its harmony with