The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-06-13
Coopsr Union Commencement.

PRESENTATION OF AN ADDRESS TO PETER
coopER-MR. oooPER's REPLY.
The twelfth annual commencement OF
the Cooper Union for the Advancement of
Science and Art was celebrated, last week,
in the large hall, which Gwas crowded
In every part. The exercises were opened
with prayer by the Rev. +. A. z. Barnard,
d. D., President of Columbia College.
Daniel B. Preston delivered the salutatory
address, on "Science and Invention" and
was followed by Julius Rettig, with an
grafton, in German, on progressive Tele-
graphy."
The financial report was then read by
Wilson G.. Hunt, the Treasurer. From
Jan. l, 1870, to Jan. l, 1871, the total re-
cepts were $45, 85233; expenditures,
S47,2961S balance in treasury Jan. l,
1871, $1,977.50; unpaid loan, $4,000;
leaving a deficiency of 1923 so. The Secre-
tary, Abram s. Hewitt, on behalf OF the
trustees, made an oral report of the objects
and purposes of the Cooper Union. The
work of the institution, he said, is based
upon sound mathematical training. 1t
deals with young men and women who are
already engaged in some industrial pur-
suit. During the next year it is proposed
to give two lessons an evening, instead of
one, as heretofore. A large provision has
been made for instruction in art, the object
being to prepare young women to gain
livelihood income of the many branches of
art for which they are well adapted if pro-
perly trained. During the past year the
reading-room has been great success, and
has been visited by more than 100000
persons.
The library has grown very slowly. and
the first use that will be made of the $780,
900 which Mr.. Cooper has just given for
its increase will be to make very COM
plete reference library for all branches of
science, art and general literature.
An address was then presented to Peter
Cooper on behalf of the graduates and
pupils of the Union, in substance as fol-
lows:
ADDRESS OF THE GRADUATES.
Honored Founder and Presidem-We
tender you our earnest congratulations
that, in the providence of Almighty God,
your life has been prolonged beyond the
ripe age of fourscore years, and that you
retain that vigor of body, strength of mind
and warmth of heart which promise to
you many years Of usefulness and honor
Your history presents a rounded and COM
plete record as mechanic, as merchant,
and as a patriot Keenly approaching the
great importance of practical scientific
knowledge to the Industrial masses, you
determined to place such advantages with-
in their reach through project conceived
in youth, cherished through thrifty man
hood, and consummated in the mellow
ness of age. At that periok in life when
men enter reluctantly upon uutried
schemes, and when they cling most tenaci-
ously to their possessions, you generously
oonsecrate the bulk of the fortune you had
been patiently accumulating for half a
century to found the Cooper Union for the
advancement of science and art, an insti.
tuition that, in the present and in all after
time, shall stand as worklngman's lega-
cy to his countrymen, at once "royal in
magnitude aud bene6cent in design" The
grand and solid success which has attend
ed it in the past will be vastly strengthen
ed and extended in the futare by thu
browning act of your lile-your noble
birthday offering of $150,000, to establish
In connection with the institution, valu
able reference and lending library.
The Cooper Union has lessons for thu
rich as well as for those in the humble
ranks of life. Rising here in the midst o
the metropolis of a continent. it is al
Everlasting protest" against the avaric
and ambition which rear overshadowinI
fortunes for mere personal qualification
1t teaches such how they may become tn
"masters and not the slaves" of thei
wealth how they may render it an i'm
perishable memorial of their love and
perpetual source of public good so tina
when they shall be seen no more foreve
in the walks of men, they shall live or
through their benefactions, in the enbalul
ing love and gratitude of mankind. |
conclusion, sir, we can but renew OF
CALCULATIONS that you have been spared
see the day that completes, under sue
promising auspices, the Twelfth Annu'
Commencement Of an Institution that lon
years ago rose before your vision in distar
and shadowy outline; that you have live
in period without parallel in the anna
of time for that wonderful progress 10 ii
industrial arts and physical sciences whie
heralds the dawn Of brighter era for Il
toiling millions; and that you have LAHORE
SO devoutly and effectively for its realiz
ton. A career so pre-eminently usef
and illustrious is the prelude to fan
neither transient nor uncertain. VIII
virtue, patriotism, and philanthrophy a
honored on earth and recorded in heave
your deeds shall not drop from the meme
nor your name fade from the lips of me
In love and gratitude they shall evermc
dedicate to you an exalted station in t
Pantheon where from every age aud cllI
are enshrined in holy keeping that roy
brotherhood benefactors of humani
The following is the principal part
Mr.. Cocuer's reply;
RvpLY OF MIR. COOPER.
Mv Young lTriends-If needed any
ward for my hum BILE efforts to benefit
fellow-men, the touching. language oil "
address, and this exp. 'ession OF your al
ton and gratitude. would be ample co