The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-11
VAN D q E B I L T.
dwelling of the Bronze Commo-
dore at the Hudson River
Railroad Depot.
GRAFTON BY MAYOR HALL.
The Guests and the Ccre-
monies.
DESCRIPTION OF THE GROUP.
The "Bulls" and "Bears" ON .
Erolic In WAL Street.

The ceremonies incident to the unwilling Of the
bronze biography Of Vanderbilt, which has elected
a world Of comment from the press, took place yes
terday afternoon at the Hudson River Railroad
depot, formerly st. Johns PARK In presence Of
large gathering Of citizens ana guests The plan OF
arrangements was very simple and effective. Facing
the western wall Of the building, and, consequently
facing the bronze pedment, a substantial platform
had been erected, and suitably draped and deco
rated. Cordona OF the police, under the COM
mand OF Captain Petty, were drawn across
the street from either corner OF the building thus
reservng the open space between the west wall and
the stand for the duly ticketed guests and senries
were posted at the several depot entrances to pre-
vent smuggled ingress from that direction. With
out and beyond surged masses OF the great public,
atoms OF which are always whiSked together IN
heaps upon oil public occasions. Half an hour
before the ceremonies began considerable crowd
had collected exterior to the Gordon, ana was
already dashing against IT, like surgng yea against
immovable rocks, while within, safe in harbor,
conversed groups OF the duly ticketed guests. OF
the guests, the larger share OF the celebrities
had already made their way to the platform, accom-
panied with sporadic representation OF ladies,
among whom was Mrs. Johnson, nee Harriet Lane.
A list or these would necessarily occupy columns,
and few therefore can only be mentioned. On the
platform appeared the venerable Bishop James, the
Rev. DR.. Quinnel and clerical deputatlon OF half
dozen or more who. taking no part in the pro-
ceedings, must be nameess; also Moses II. Grinnell,
ex-Coilector Schell and Mr.. Peter b. Sweeny. Mayor
Hail and ex-Mayor Gunther were present, as also
were Congressman Cox and q number Of Washing
ton political celebrities, and Homer A. Mel
son, Secretary Of STATE. The judiciary was
amply represented by its deputation prominent
In the midst Of which was Judge Bedford In add
ton to the list already printed and, therefore, fam
liar to the public Among the lions OF the press
present may be mentioned Horace Greeley, the
Hessrs. Brooks, OF the ErDress, and David O. Stone
OF the Journal OF Commerce, together with an
army OF veteran editors editorial subs. In fact
large percentage OF the list OF guests already
printed were present percentage, as is always the
case on similar occasions emitting TO put In an up.
pearance: and OF shppuilders, foundry propretors,
steamboat proprietors, naval representatives and
representatives Of transit companies there was
more than common, IN fact an extraordinary pro-
fusion, the whole being SUFFICIENT deputation OF
the wealth. talent professional celebrity and condi.
tion OF the metropolis to give unusual ecdt TO the
proceedings. Most OF the members Of the Honorary
Committee were, IN TACT, on the ground, the places
OF those who were absent heing filled to congestion
with persons OF distinction from the varied walks OF
politics, the professions and eminent social position.
The preparations Tor the unwilling consisted Of q
detail OF sailors the blue OF the fraternity
and duly offlcered, to whom was assigned the duty
OF lifting the canvas and exposing the bronze at the
given signal.
At one o'cock-the crowd having continued to
augment, and being represented from every con.
venent window adjacent-the chats ON was
shouted by policeman from the stand, and the
uop hIo n,a
groot and opened the proceedings with prayer.
PRAYER BY BISHOP JAMES.
The reverend Bishop, after expressing the
humility with which we approach the footstool OF
God, prayed that DE would accept our homage and
thanks for HIS goodness u.s. for our beng and the
attributes with which lie had invested us, for the
Sabbath, for the means OF grace. We felt our un.
worthiness, that we deserved His Indignation and
wrath; but he prayed for mercy and for forgiveness
OF our sins through the merits OF Jesus Christ. That
we may seek the true objects OF life and secure
happiness beyond the grave. He prayed especially
for blessings upon the fellow citizen were here
assembled to honor. He had been blessed with
many days, with high position and great renown.
He prayed that he might be led to seek the honor
that comes from God, to gorify humanity and be-
come rich in Gods treasure In heaven. He prayed
for his domestic interests that his home might he a
happy one that his children and childrens children
might be blessed, and that they might be united here
after in heaven with their great progentor. The
Bishop closed by praying that the city might be
blessed. He prayed for the Mayor and the other
authorities OF the city, for the Governor, the Legisa-
ture &C., and closed by repeating the Lords Prayer
The Bishop having concluded the invocation, Cap
tain Degroot stepped forward and introduced his
Honor the Mayor which was the signal for tho lift
Of fha opAt h raof4h
WORK which occupied some minutes during which
every eye was upturned to the corn,ce OF the build
ing. The unwilling completed, after hearty huzzas
from the crowd Mayor Hall lifted his hand to tho
great work. now Tor the first time to pub
lie gaze, and pronounced the following oration:-
GRAFTON OF MAYOR HALL.
A committee OF honorable citizens have sought to
perpetuate IN yonder colossal work OF art the his
tory and public spirit OF an honored fellow citizen.
BY their invitation the Chef Magistrate of the me-
tropois and distinguished delegates from the pro-
fesslona, commercial manufacturing, artisan and
Official communities OF New York assemble to-day
Tor participation In the brief and pleasant cere-
monies which now Introduce to public view the
vanderbilt bronzes. How appropriate to uuvell
them at the threshold OF this immense commercial
temple How equally appropriate Is your presence
10 honor an event whose subject by manifold public
enterprises that often attained the dignity OF ma.
onal importance, has honored all OF us and our be-
crate the achievements OF living men have been
rarely erected or fashioned. There are few
marked Instances In the annals OF enlightened
civilization OF such merited tributes. In our own
generation we recall those OF the great Irish Com
moner, the distinguished English Commoner, the
Iron Duke and the world-renowned phanthropist
who has lately entered the high gate OF mercy whose
intatory earthly portals he had so often opened TO
his fellow creatures within their own spheres
OF public usefulness none OF them more
deserved those honorable inscriptions which
the hand Of memorial art traced TO their
own eyes man does r, Cornelius vanderbilt
For his wealth-for the bald reason that he IL the
richest citizen on this contnentS thousand times
no Tho mere Dives Is but perpetuated In the warn
ing parable. But because OF the results this
wealth has worked; because he believed as even
Timon OF santhropos-exclamed IN the
great drama to Senators Acib'adcs, Luculus and
Sempronius-"We are born to do benefits" Cor
nellus Vanderbilt has acquired enormous riches How
has he employed themf Not gnoDy In selfish IN
vestments nor egotlstcal accumulations, whose In
come heightens SybarItish pleasures; not In tling
iron chests with title deeds OF vast landed estates
but he has used his capital In constant
commercial investments: In public projects OF
startling conception, That have Kept EMPLOYED
almost armies oil men, or that have stimulated capt.
tasts to beneficial enterprises; or that forced his
occ ,uio tnron n nd M