New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-10-07
FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE.
THE HUMBOLDT FESTIVAL IN BERLIN.

IRON AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT
BERLIN Sept. l5-After q succession of delightful
journeys in Switzerland and Southern Germany, for
several weeks, found myself in this stately North
ern capital in season for the celebration OF the one
hundredth anniversary of the birth of Alexander
Won Humboldt. The Fourteenth of September 10
date of more than common interest in the calendar
of the centuries. In addition to several significant
historical events which occurred ON that day, it
marks the death of ST. Chrysostom of Dante, Of the
Duke of Wellington and the birth of the great Ger
man soldier Albrecht Wallenstein. But 1t coneen-
trates the feeling of the moment as the birthday Of
| Humboldt whose memory was yesterday crowned
with signal honors by the lovers of science and tho
friends of freedom in both hemispheres
In Berlin, the name of Humboldt recalls not only
| the most Mustrious man of science of the present.
century, but the foremost representative of liberal
ideas in every department of thought the prominent
champion of intellectual freedom, especially in the
sphere Of politics. of religion and of the institutions
of society. He had the natural instincts of re-
former which official or conventional relations
could suppress even cool. In every great CRISIS
he was spontaneously looked to as the champion
of human rights and popular liberty. He had no
tolerance of the pretensions of arbitrary power,
whether in Church or State. The implacable enemy
of intellectual prescription, he claimed the Widest
liberty for the exercise of thought. Devoted to tho
researches OF science, ne was
of universal enlightenment of placing the mass Of
the people in possession of the treasures Of know
edge without myth or parable" His faith in human
nature never wavered for moment. He would free
the mind from every restraint in the pursuit of truth,
except those which imposed by the laws Of lts
own nature He especially averse to all priestly
tyranny, and had no patience with the endeavor TO
hamper the progress Of thought by the creeds OF an
tiquity. Nor could he consent to follow the per-
nicous example of some modern cultyators OF
science, who attempt to disguise the fruits OF re-
search in ambiguous and Elusive language, through
a cowardly Difference to popular prejudice He was
always sincere, frank outspoken. Hence he made
no friends with the party that loves darkness rather
than light and would sooner sacrifice freedom OK
thought than impair the force of popular supersti
ton. The retr0grade minds of the day that are sriv-
ing to introduce servlity into politics, and external
authority place of inward conviction in religion,
that would revive the spirit of the middle ages, and
overcast the light of the nineteenth century with
the clouds of the past cherish but superficial sym
| pathy with the name Of Humboldt. The honors
| which they pretend to pay to his memory are only
compulsory and if they took part in the celebration
of yesterday through dread of popular opinion,
by which Humboldt is not only extoed in Berlin as
philosopher and sage, but almost reyered as
prophet of the people. The enthusiasm of the day
| was inspired by liberal sentiments 1t was the ex-
ponent of the love of progress and the cause OF the
people. The rigid cast-irsn conservatives for tho
most part stood aloof and left the festivities Of the
| occasion to fsesher and more ardent blood.
Judging from the arrangements for the celebration,
cannot give the Prussans great credit for skill in
organizing popular demonstrations. The morning
was devoted to the ceremony Of laying the corner
stone of a monument to the memory of Humboldt,
which is to be erected in a new park bearing his
name in the suburbs of the city. On this occasion.
the services were in charge of the municipal Govern
ment There was no display in the heart of the city,
| and nothing to remind q stranger that anything I'M
usual was going on The ordinary course Of business
| proceeded without interruption. and many seemed
to be unaware of the honors to be paid to their Illus
trious townsman On approaching the spot, the first
| visible sign that met the eye was concourse OF
! people around the DOORS and throng OF carriages
with the horses heads in one direction. Soon the
! lively military music of the Prussian bands on-
nounced the approach of several bodies Of men, with
badges aud banners which proved to be the various
departments of the city officials different associations
| of mechanics and tradesmen and portion OF tho
teachers of the public schools marching in isolated
| companies and in decidedly irregular manner,
with no general procession, and beneath drizzling
ran to the appointed place of rendezvous. The dis
| play of banners and symbols would certainly have
been brilliant had they not been eclipsed by the uni
yersal unfolding of umbrellas which were spread out
| like huge monotonous canopy of brown silk and
| alpaca. A large space was cleared in the center for
the performance of the services, spacious platforms
| were erected on different sides, every avenue was
lined with carriages and horses the tents Of suffers
and showmen intruded into every vacant space, and
large circle Of spectators around the grassy amph-
theater gave animation to the In spite of the
| dismal weather and the incompleteness Of the ar
| rangements the vast multitude seemed penetrated
with the spirit of the occasion. So large q popular
| assembly was never before gathered within tie
limits of Berlin. 1t consisted, TO great degree, Of
the better classes of the workngmen and presented
| most favorable impression of that portion OF the
population. The cheerful hilarity which is always
exhibited by the German masses was blended with
tone of earnestness and sef-possession that indi-
Gated profound sympathy with the purposes OF the
festival There was noisy mirth, no profuso out
pouring of the national beverage, displays OF ex-
element and disorder which so often impair the in
terest of public celebrations in England and our own
country The ceremonies of the day were introduced
| by singing Beethovens grand choral hymn, Die
| Himmel riihmen des Ewigen Ehre" tIhe heavens
declare the Glory of Cod, which going up from
| many hundred voices had magnihcent eject
There was no prayer, and as well as could see, no
| clergyman, though have no doubt, that some oil
the more liberal minded of the order gave their coun'
tenance to the OCCASION An address was tnen delV-
cred by the chief burgomaster of the city, NJ Sedei
which was not only appropriate, but deeply impress
siye and often rising to earnest and powerful elo-
| ouence In the commencement of his discourse. he
modesty discaimed the ability to give an adequate
| exhibition of the character and influence OF man
| like Humboldt but in obedience to the call Of
official duty he should speak the representative oil
the CITY, in the name of his fellow-ctizens, and