New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-26
mr., - TRIBUNES NEW HOME
NIBUTR TO IT'S FOUNDER

it whose contents IL h belicven, arc h"' ksiy TO b
seen again. save by the eyes Of "o mon Vi q much
later century. The stone selected io' containing
the casket is in the southwest corner. 'ne :" lest
above the foundation, and immedis*ely q hder the
bulletin board Of the new couBt'ng-r0 OF
THE TRIBUNE. The proceedings were simple, and
not intended to attract pubc attention., Rich vita
significance. association. and hope. as wAs the occa
sion, tho exercises studicusly deprived Of the
appearance of ostentation and display. Indeed
had been determined that no announcement with
regard to il should 90 outside the circle of thosecon-
nected with this journal, but an unexpected notios
in some of the public prints gathered large crowd.
for which it was wholly impossible 10 make any
provision. Those who wero to take part
in tho exercises together with the members Of Tux
TRIBUNE Association OF the staff. and OF It's several
departments together in the offices now ocou-
pied and soon after 3 p. IN. entered tho Enclosure
which surrounds the rising walls OF the new build
ing. The box to be nclOsed in tho base Of the
corner stone, before it taken to its place.
filled by Miss Ida L. Greeley with sundry documents
and memorials. which had been provided by Thomas
N Rocker, the Secretary of The Tribune Associa-
ton, and foreman of The TRIBUNE composing room
since the first days issue. The box carried to
the stone by Patrick O'Rourke long the eDgI-
neer of The TRIBUNE, and also in it's employ
from tho first. The stone itself. a superb
granite block, in shape somewhat cruel
form. six feet in length and in breadth.
and weighing IL tons, was supported by blocks at
convenient hight, and in the confer was connected
with the apparatus by which it was afterward low
cred to its resting place. The box was of bronze.
cubica in FORM about 10 inches in length, breadth
and depth, and closed with a screw-plate and the
receptacle for il was 30 arranged In the
lower side of the stone that the contents
oI.oIl H.,
water followed the seam. As the members Of
THE TRIBUNE, family with the architect and
others connected with the matter, gathered around
the c0rner-stone the number of spectators outside
the inclOslre many of whom had been waiting long
in impatient expectation, quickly increased. The
great granite blocks outside and the heaps Of build
ing materials were occupied. An eager throns
pressed against the tall fenco, and one struggled
with another and with the policemen for eyerv bit
of vantage ground. The flooring within, the scat
foldings, ladders, and the available parts of the
massive walls were well tenanted. The day was
soft and bright with a genial sun and April air.
The throngng tumult Of the busy streets close BY
made hearing impossible except to those favoraby
placed inside the nclosure.
Grouped about the stone were the officers Of the
Association the family of Mr. Greeley, the architect
of the new building. and the superintendent in
charge of the work The members Of the editorial
staff compositors and pressmen, with ladies belong
ing to the families of some of them, together with
few of the workmen employed on the building.
filed the remainder of the incosure.
Mr. George Ripley, the President Of the Associar
ton, and for a quarter of a century the literary
editor of The TRIBUNE, made the following address:
REMARKS OF GEORGE RIPLEY.
FRIENDS AND FELLOW LABoREIs: We have assem-
bled to-day in commemoration OF the Past ana Tor
conservation of the Future. The original founda-
ton of THE TRIBUNE was laid in sentiment and
IDEAS Horace Greeley was man OF no less pro-
found convictions than of lofty aspirations. The
tenderness of his emotional nature was matched by
the strength of his intellect He was believer in
the progress of thought and the development OF
science in the progress OF society and the de-
velopment of humanity. Under the influence
of Ethis inspiration THE TRIBUNE was estab-
lished more than thirty years ago AT thss
time its basis spiritual and not material, strong
in IDEAS but not powerful in brick and mortar, In
granite or marble, in machinery or in money We
have come to-day not to remove this foundation.
but to combine it with other elements, and thus to
give it renewed strength and consistency. 1t is our
purpose to clothe the spiritual germ with material
body to incorporate the invisible forces which in
spred the heart of founder in visible form, In
the shape of goodly temple, massive in its
in Its purposes. The new TRIBUNE of to-day.
like the old TRIBUNE Of the past is TO be
coDsecraed to the development of ideas, the expos.
ton ofsprincipes, and the Ipromulgation of truth
The ceremony which is about to be performed
typifes the union of spiritual agencies with mate-
rial conditions, and thus possesses significance and
beauty which anticipate the character Of the coming
age The future which lies before MS. it is perhaps
not ;presumptuous to affirm, will be marked by
magnificent synthesis of the forrest Of material Ma
ture, and the power of spiritual ideas.
Allow me one word in illustration of this prophecy
and will yield the place to the fair hands and tho
fair spirit whose presence this occasion crowns
the scene with tender grace
About ten years before the establishment Of The
TRIBUNE. dating from the death Of Hegel in 1881.
and of Goethe in the following year. tho tendency
of thought on the continent of Europe. which hsd
been of intensely ideal, ~or spiritual character,
began to assume opposite direction. Physical
researches rapidly took precedence of metaphysical
speculation. Positive science was inaugurated in
the jplace Of abstract philosophy The spiritual
order was well nigh ecpsed by the wonder
full achievements oficthe material order
new dynasty arose which knew not Joseph,
and the ancient names of Plato. and Descartes and
Leibnitz were dethroned by the stalwart host thas
took possession of the domain of physical science.
need not rehearse the splendid discoveries which
have signahzed this period. Such acquisitions 70
the treasury of positive human knowledge have
never been made in an equal time in the history OF
thought. More light has been thrown on the materiaA
conditions of our existence on earth than has pcSn
enjoyed before since the morning stars brst sans
together. But the signs OF the times indicate
the commencement of reaction. The age accepts
the results of physical research. but refuses to 70