New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-02-10

ge,rouspcv he Observation-Disclosures foe OF all schemes Of
jobbine and plumber the ardent friend OF
reform an able and vigorous advocate TOT the nai ~,
nance OF those principles underlying our fabric OF gov
ernment and watchfnl sentinel 70 SCUM or rhe
eads o, 'n eiv liberty was invaded
member you coadjutor OF and coworker WIN ,,,ed
pure and patriotic that this or any other state ever pro
duced. and to-day we look npon you as the as.
n Mbo ignored asS se and only the
welfare. prosperity and advancement Oh Tue in'o''
And how pecuiiarly appropriate that you should again
this chamber. rendered classic by the W.
your early friends aud associates ana once roas ~
fame usefulness and power Though tnelr sea's a.
them vacant and their voices are nusned III
their works live after them-and their memories SPEAK
to you more eloquenty than any words OF mlne. .,.
Your devotion for half oa century TO eons,t ~
tional governmentto the promotion OF tue W
your country 70 ennobng aud dignifyng labor to the
exposure Of corruption and denuncatOn OF usurpaton
more enduring than brass, more lasting than marble
and when this granite building shall have crumpiea 70
decay the name OF William Cullen Bryant will stand IN
neaceabe letters Of gold upon the pages OF our MIS-
Ing foe OF wrong one Who while teaching his fellow
their political duties, found time TO acorn tne E
erature OF bis country, which not only sheds ulster
upon the State and nation but commands tue homage
aud compels the admiration Of all English speaking
From the calm and peaceful study Of the scholar
and the poet comes your greatest renown
mpershabe and @n S.s nro
ceeded ali that's elevated thought pure N style, and
elegant sn IS yn in eS oar IL
long and useful life, unsued In name and IN
reputation the people this State take PRIDE and nave
depued me as the presiding officer OF this body to con-
vey you expression OF their respect and esteem
and poet~Seicome. thrice Welcome, to this hall
ceve the homage rendered by great aud sovereign
people, and an 1aS TS ps, ,a eoa p
By all Jour countrys wishes blest"
Mr. BRYANT responded from the desk, standing In
an easy attitude in the Speakers place his venerable
figure as erect and firm those of the much younger
men about him. He said:
Mr. SPEAKER AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF
AssEMBLYI cannot take ~ self the atterlnR WORDS
which have been uttered by the presiding officer OF TINS
Assembly II would be the utmost stretch OF selfadnla
ton to do You Will allow me, therefore, genteinen
to put great deal OF what has been said as well as
great of the honor OF this reception to the credit OF
old age. Old age, my friends Is rarity and rarity,
you know. scarcity, element OF value Things that
not useful are often rated at high value merely on
met with. II pebbles were as scarce as diamonds PED
bles would no longer be picked up to throw at
gazed at with admiration. therefore find 1t proper,
and no other than proper, that should divide the
greater part of this honor with those who are my
coevas the remnants OF generation that have passed
must themselves soOu sink ,aDd be submerged can.
therefore, only return my best acknowledgements, my
nv own, adding ms best wishes-Iny wishes that the
deliberations OF this Assembly may ever be WISE their
conclusions just anu Honrst, VIM ho ~
grandzement or for profit may interfere to tanI
your and that the labors OF this Assembly
performed In this session. may be hereafter recorded s
an honor them and TO the great State when they
represent.
People felt more at home than in the somewhat
frigid Senate Chamber, for each speech was warmly
applauded, and when Mr.. Bryant's acknowledg
ments were concluded and he returned to the floor
numbers of the spectators pressed forward with the
members to get moments interview. so that the
poets silver head was soon the center of grouped
animated takers. The inevitable feminine auto
graph collector was there, and extorted from Mi
Bryant present of his signature. How many book
agents and Hghtning-rod men the Sergeantat-Armi
kept at bay am unable to state. This, however
was the only attack to which the guest of the STATE
was subjected throughout the ceremony. and wa
the only incident that marred the days hospitality