New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-11-09
THE MERCANTILE LIBRARY.

Library Association celebrated seventh annual re-
union last evening by dinner at Delmonco'5 ana tne
ia ral afeS dinner literary entertainment. Among the
nro ueut me,cbers and Invited guests present we're
Peter (,per, the n N. Vim. f. Davies Blmdnd Yates,
the novelist the Hon. YIN. p Smith, NJ. p. tho Hon
Abraham iex, Bret uarte, Jackson 8. schultz, Isaac
H. Bailey Etlfan Allen the Gon. VIM. l. Dodge the
Rev DR. OrnistOu, the Rev. Dr. John Cotton smith, the
Rev. DIR. H. c. Potter, the Rev. Henry Ward seeener'
Charles O'COnor Peter Yoorhs President OF the AssS-
citation Daniel r. Appleton and sthers Mr. Appleton
presided, and, after short speech Of welcome called
the Hon Charles OCODor 70 respond ~ the hTs oast
The City of Now York.
Mr.. O'Conor, after alludng to the City Of Eew-YOrk
it half a century more, WREN ia popu-
did 10000 and when people crossed to
the village OF Brooklyn in row-boats, followed the
OF It's growth until It had attained s present
stupendous proportions, aud adyerted to the institution
wbich founded in 1870 had grown with 1.-THE Mercan
tile Library Association. look upon that particular
uay 81 ago. said Mr. OConor among other things,
with small amount OF sympathy. for It just
aotly in that year that first down study my pro-
fessiou. SO that in may say Just about
a. old az the Mercantile Library.
NewYork, as a great mercantile center has been the
center in which mercantile honor and rectitude have
received their most marked and distinctive support
Indeed, IL not possible that the character Of the
country in this respect could have taken It's model from
any other place. for gentlemen In the perceptions OF
II lnlleu states, lleu suites
is the State Of New-York and the Of NewYork
the metropolis. lApplause.l
This is the grand central point upon which all eyes
turned and in proportion in physical, in Intellectual,
and be it said far better in moral greatness II RI
the standard that becomes the men who represent
great and growing empire just in that proportion
name OF America hOnored in the estimation Of mankind.
Appause This has been the general character of New
York and yet II does seem, as consequence would
really believe great prosperity and the great nul
ttude OF occupations that the matter Of government
had been for long term OF years neglected In great
degree, overlooked by the mercantile class Of ths
great city.
Overlooked by them it Of fell into the hands Of
trading politicians Decentralization crept IN slowly but
in increasing progression. until at last it reached its
climax in the year 1871 Then gentlemen, whatever may
have the fact II announced to the world that
NETWORKS Legislature was not pure that New-forks
executive management was worked by pecuation and
dishonesty: that plumber extensive, and robbery
committed TO the disadvantage OF own people. IL
was said that having made the point Of our prosperity
we slept upon rights and disregaTded wholly the
duties that would have preserved property and
defended our honor
Not only did vice exist in the departments TO which
have alluded in that which had been so pure
so highly estimated honorable, the parent state,
which had come pure, and by Us purely sns-
tained-I mean glorious Judiciary Even that was
said to stained BY the reception OF brides, as wac
certainly dishonOred by the exhibition Of vulgar prle
tees and indecent manners. Applause
All this existed the year 1871 but the mercantile
class-the offspring may say Of the Mercantile Library
Assocation-having their attention called to the enorm
ties that were being perpetrated in their might
| one man, and smote the serpent. tApphuse.l He
wrthed IN his agOnes. and struggled 20 sustain his
mower for ~ months after blow, hut finally be has
/ sunk PROSTATE hope forever Applause Indecorum
will not appear upon the bench nnfarness aud
partially and evl motives and bad appliances will,
| trust hencefOrward be wholly unknown; and we may
hope least, for reform that will become beneficial
70 the Commonwealth as II has already resscased aud
restabsed the reputation OF great city and wiped
away whatever bleish may heretofore have attached
or course gentlemen. don't regard this as political
assemblage; OF gentlemen entertaining one par
ticular class OF Opinons am speaking upon the great
subject OF honor OF good faith OF good government OF
good words ana purity in administration on that sub
iect we are OF one opinion therefore pass by some
| things which some might like 70 hear said ana what
might be unpleasant 70 DINERS III reference 10 e recent
CONFLICTS {n2s hays tsk e pSS l n' ld py a Single
reference in harmony trust, with what have already
hall in recent events the disposition 10 strike down
have exposed themselves to any Just suspicious
am rejOced. presume all Of you are that the con
troversies ended At the close OF this conflict with
the evil powers that had attained dominion, 10 GER
tany CIRCUMSTANCE greatly 70 delight he heart Of any
that when the great state of IN It's separate
Chief Magistrate each party selected whose
cedents whose life and cOversation were unmarked by
moral purity Of either that each point Of
morals and integrity for the highest station that could
| a sentiment " John A Dix and Francis kerHan-En-
dowed alike win INTEGRITY anquesioned ana morals
We they have inaugurated an era n candidacy
! LAPpiause'l
To the second toast Merchants Of New-York'-the
Hon. WIN. E. Dodge responded. suppose. said in
substance this toast may have reference not only to
the MERCHANTS OF the present but 70 the merchants Of
the past ana a. our p m1n mas M ba
cbants OF the past-very differently situated and very
ent In those DAYS there was time Tor reereaOn and
for The merchant could have the winter Tor study
n there is anything which characterzes the
OF NewYOTk at present ineessaut toll from the com
mencement 10 the close Of the year-no rest no oppor
tunty for recreation The lneessan telegraph tok the
constant whrl OF the rail the malls that come bur
deued with letters the excitement IN the stock E1-
change the watching OF the finances at Washington-a
this keeping the mind in constant occupation. aud the
the right hand aud the left before Iney attain the
age venerable merchants who characterized the
| past half century.
And is there anything to change itl Are young men
to look forward 70 the future as future without rest
Are they to be driven in still faster ana faster win the
expansion OF our country But honor the young men
OF NewYOrk Where Is there higher sense OF Inercan
large part or this Is due 10 the purifying and moral
Influences which this nsttutonhe Mercantile Library
eXerted. II there Is any Institution IN the city OF
New York with which have the honor TO be connected
/ and in which / have pride Il Is my connection with
The Rev DR. Potter responded to the toast OF " The
Clergy in a few humorous remarks, which were heart
/ lily applauded. he was followed by MI william II 100
CART whom the President PLEASANTLY called upon FOR the
Young Men OF New-YOyK." j. Seaver Page then re-
cited a German rendition OF the popular poem sher1-
dan, Ride" which he prefaced with lew witty allu-
SONS The DR. john Cotton Smith responded ~ the
! toast, Our Library -
TO the following toast" America and England the
/ Hon VIM. IL smith, NJ r., responded. He spoke OF the
Kind greetings which he had received IN TINS country
He came because he Ilt there was much 70 learn
hcause be was deeply alive the necessity and duty OF
making the acquaintance OF Americans, anu 20 form by
is own personal observation general impression
OF the vast resources and the immense extent OF the
country
Ge1tlemen," said he, we united by kindred
s Ne sprung from the stock, and owe the same