The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-23
COLFAX IN BROOKLYN.
Mr. Colfax on the Life and Character of tho
Father Of His Countrywide the Treaty Of
Washington and the Obligations Of Amer
lea and Great Britain-Addresses by
Senator Murphy and Others

ADDRESS on the occasion OF the celebration or Wash.
ington's Birthday. under the auspices OF the Young
Mems Christian Association. The Academy was
crowded by an audience composed OF members Of
the association. among whom were ex-LieutenanE
Governor woodtord, State Senator Henry
T. Murphy. Mayor Powell ex-Mayor Kalb-
neisch, and many other well known residents OF
Brooklyn, and citizens generally the latter being
attracted thither 10y their desire see and listen to
the Vice President Of the United Stases. Nearly
one.half OF the audience was composed Of ladies.
The only decoration observable was the display Of
large national nag, which was suspended from
the proscenium. Professor Eaton presided
The exercises were opened at about eight O'Clock
by prayer by Rev. Albert S. Hunt, after which
choir consisting OF Miss Mary Segur, soprano; Mrs.
j. b Hakes. conrato; Mr.. l. f. MorawsKi, bassOs
and Mr.. E. G. Phelps sang "Glorla Patrt" In B hat-
the CHAIRMAN made few Introductory remarks
during winch he stated that Vice President COlfax
having retired from the lecture field and having re-
fused many invitations, he Mr. Colfax) induced
to come to Brooklyn only aJ the urgent request OF
many leading citizens and by his warm sympathy
with the works OF this association the understand
Ing being that he to be one of several speakers
who were to participate IN this celebration.
The audience then sang my Country, tits Of thee.m
and Colonel Homer 3. Sprague delivered adj
dress on the lie and character OF George Washing1
ton. In conclusion he said that now II ever there
was need OF such qualities as Washington pos
scsscd Humanity now needed such men more
than ever.
Alter the singing OF the "star-spanglcd Banner,n
the audience joining In the chorus,
SENATOR MURPHY
made few remarks, saying that It was a matter Of
pride and conGraulation that the birthday or WASH
ingt0n was celebrated under the circumstances at
tending this celebration. Were not the signs Of the
times portentOus OF evll9 Corruption seemed tO
have pervaded every branch Of public service. ID
stalked unblushingy in our legislative halls ana
pervaded our pubic bodies. What then, was the
duty Of the hour 1t laid mostly In the proper
training and education of our young men, Upon
them depended the aversion OF The calamity or
the dissolution or republic. senator Murphy
then presented Vice President Corax; who was
greeted with loud applause.
VICE PRESIDENT COLFAx'S ADDRESS.
Mr.. Colfax said THAT his neart was OF stone--anG
his cordial reception. Forty years ago he lived In
Brooklyn, at which tune ne did not think he would;
return to IL; but this occasion he would consider
himself an old resident (Applausel He alluded to-
his dislike to leaving his post OF duty, our SAID
lyn One hundred and forty years ago a mother
casped in her arms weak, helpless infant yet
that cnlld that mad Just opened eyes was sur
immortal forever aud forever.
THE HOPE OF EVERY NATION
depended upon It's youth. Could he then add any
thing to what had been said by Senator Murphy
concerning the education OF youth 1t was the ten
uency OF this age, he continued to underrate tha
talents and mind Of one who left behind MIN civic
and military reputation equaled by no man Of to-
DAY. Washington mad not the eOquence OF Webster
or Clay. He was the most unready In iniprOmptU
addresses Of our Presidents; but oil through the
seven years war OF the Revolution to the crOwntng
victory of Yorktown he proved himself worthy or
the title that Frederick the Great had given him, or
being the greatest general In the world. (ApplauSe.l
Mr.. Coax called attention to the time wnen Wash
ington was nrst caleb to the Executive CHAIR, and
the great wisdom developed there He sau that he
came 10 speak OF that which lifted washington con-
spicuously ABOVE all others--his character. You
uatl frtnI hnUa ND TIM
IRON its course as to have swerved Washington
from the path Of integrity. Mi. Coiiax read from
| ANALYSIS OF wAsuINGToN's CHARACTER
| made by Thomas jefferson fourteen years after the
son SAID that before dia Nature aud Fortune
| combine TO make man so greaLn The speaker then
youth was the first duty or American cltlzeils. lie
also quoted from the rules made Dy WASH
s 10 ons when seemed r Ia psras s
character This rule was, Labor to keep alive In
your breast that little spark OF celestial ire called
the controlling power throughout WasningtOn's
lie. me very words poured into wasnlng.on's ear
by his mother. the words OF Mordecdi 10 Esther,
went with MIN through life: Washington de:
as Of s % aud
Of mischief i has been me rum q
many suicide" ii he lived in these days he
would desire to be eligible to membership IN this
but ne believed IN the great doctrine Of CnrIstian
unity anu the great American prnclple Of religious
After speaking OF Westinghouse reputation IN
war, Mr. ColIax said that he believed with
scourge OF mankind War for the saIvation Of q
nation was JustiaDle. but not war Tor terrlrorlar
aggrandizement-n war Tor material wealth :
not war Ior o settlement which could be made By
resources OF statemanship. tAppause.l
He rejoiced that this nation had set the example,
world. That treaty was made because the Amsri-
oensr ha s roc s naSn
itsel. loud applause, When the war closed
the common remark was made by pubnc men,
"We'Il let tins be outstanding dispute, aud wnen
Great Britain becomes involved In trouble Wen put
to ner lips the poisoned chalice she put to ours"
Abraham Lincoln called them-said to our leading
men, "Never We denounced this as wrong dur
THIS nation shall CO any wrong.n That treaty was
made ny which all these open questions were re-
ferrcd TO International arbitrat0rs--
BLOW FOX PEACE
and against war. BE gave no credit TO what he
solemn compact. ON, mol No nation woud dare,
In the face oi the civilized world, 10 destroy the
opeD TO- Inc eS Sa 20
might be In the future. II we were not 10 receive
one dollar as the result Of that arbitration.
Settle this question: whether we receive noth.ug
or whether our Treasury shall become bankrupt,
rather than recede hairs breadth from that great
mora. position that these nations occupy to-day IN
respect TO the other nations OF the EARTH Mr.. Col
lax then returned TO discussion OF washlngton's
life and character, and, in conclusion spoke OF the
future OF tue nation. He insisted that this nation
should stand on
THE ETERNAL ROCK OF RIGHT,
and there ana then only could We expect the smiles
attention and closed his remarks at exactly ten
O'Clock.
he retired. had subsidized, Mr. Joshua NJ. Van Coti,
who was seated upon the stage, arose aud pro-
fo iArh SipfA tnP n n