The New York herald., 1874-12-08

and from the wharves on our borders-bad ana
our exports start TOR q foreign marxet. Here,
too land more than three-quarrers oil our emi-
cal system, ana her market prices bear sway
over 40, 0,0O0000 OF people, Her daily journals nave
a circulation and an innuence which those OF NO
other American city approach, and her fashions
and ner social customs carry almost the authority
OF an imr erlal edict But let us not forget that
our responsibility Is proporttoned to our wealth.
and our influence. Every vile thing and dishonest
act which New York, as q city, tolerates-all low
theatres-tne wee that naunts and allures-con-
tamlnate the purity that comes here, and ny on
the wings OF ,he morning TO poison and corrupt
the plWe homes in the villages and In the country.
II Is not our central Park ad0rnments. our excel
lent sanitary administration, our police uniforms
and discipline. ana our reforms In dispensing cnar-
ity, WINCH alone are initiated over The vast spaces
OF the natlon-tut our Rrogshop dissipation, our
morality, our "Biack Croox" indecency and our
tolerated encroacnments upon the properties OF
the sabbath are az least as quickly and as exren-
sively Initiated. TINS is. indeed, Mr.. President no
occasion Tor homily upon moral or even munich
pal duties; but we are, as people. SO much gwen
spleudor, tnat 1t seemed proper, ifit be not
pos tive rellef to throw In some soDerng re-
creasing faster tnan the rural population and be-
ieve that municipal power and influence are
advancing IN stil greater rat'o and IN the largest
ratio the LARGEST cities. IL Is pan then that the
real test OF our caracity to reach ana MAINTAIN
high civilization as nation-that Is, TO secure
must finally turn upon our ability 10 secure those
blessings In the great city. II this be 81. the
IN q I o S
question oil the perpetuty OF free Institutions on
TINS continent. loud applause.)
The remaining toasts were:-.sThe Army and
Navy" "Holland and our sister societies."
Ex-MAYoR HALLS POEM.
After the above regular toasts we're disposed OF
ex-Mayor Hall was called upon for q speech. In
lieu or speech he read q poem, which, after
few Introductory stanzas, concluded as folows:-
ST. NICHOLAS DINNER RAvINa.
Deep into the hallway peering rousing from my lager
Qncident 10 4 defence of unlicensed wine ofence,.
Sought tor the pristine cause-when there came snd
Yet knew that somewhere jaws must be nigh me
Came 50 Jolly through the doorroar SO jolly neer
Had mortal heard such mirthful roar.
Open then nung the panels looked intsnsly dixie in
Den those wicked Medes fannels-shirts perhaps or
peered the lions eat him lions with Airic
Dii feel the silence keenly like TO hemf No quite
When sudden from the jaws came that roar devoid of
And Jolly voice exclaimed, in accents with High Dutch
'.Don't you know old Santa clauss"
No more maryclling: hailed him: went at once and
Next with oysters regaled him-oysers from the Blue
Opened sehnapps that quickly griped him. and Ike the
As he roarcd once SO jolly, "Havs never met
Quoth stunned nke) Meier beforep'
the air seemed brighter sll at my heart
Light as trcsds on theatre noor the kngly ghost Of Elsi
more
saint" cried. whatever sent thee thus materalized
Glad am las nears. once more, evening when hba-
70 thy memory-that thy ssntshp seeks my door"
Quoth ST Nicholas. "shut the door"
i've message" said his sainwhip, grasping me with
Is he rose upon the door pointing shut the ooor
Message not TOR chimney hearth stones rather more Tor
Gotham ssage ior mines the right hence evermore,
In December to remember all the knickercocker lore"
.Yes,n added "evermore."
Te my children when tonic, seek .acy in the halls
With appetite that's chronic, I'll be with them
Tell them, on my Christmas honor. believe that Gus
McDoDough,
With his Just selected, are with my own soul
affected,
This say but nothing more"
then while whispering ky-dory." in radiance Of
glory.
Like lnocalypuc story fast did space his SHADE
Then though came again the gloom settling down
throughout
Yet there fingered perfume that meier inhaled before;
As iet once fable the poem from Christmas
or Bard for jOyins children. immortal Clement
The remainder Of the evening was spent in the
manner OF the SONS OF st. Nicholas.