New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-02-10
WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT
THE LEGISLATURE HONORs A PRIVATE
M CITIZEN.


LIEUT.-G0v. DORsHEIMER AND SPEAKER INQUIRE
RESPONSES BY Mr.. BRYANT.
lFRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRIBUsE.I
| Albany, Feb 9.-For the first time in the history
Of the State of NewYork, 30 say the oldest official
inhabitants the Legislature conferred to-day upon
private citizen the honor of legislative reception
| Such marks OF distinction have in former times
been bestowed only upon men holding official posi-
tiOns and the fact that body of politicians thinks
1t worth while to honor genius and worth is as good
sign for politics it is for literature The occa-
sion had not only real significance, but it was not
without its hidden emotions for it could not but stir
the secret pulses of the heart to witness the unver
sal homage to llustrious old agea tribut to from
men of all opinions and creeds to o life whose
advance has ceased to be progress, and whose
labor has wrought nothing but good
1t is seldom that either House presents the gay
appearance that both to-day. 1t Is seldom in
decd, with all due respect to the present Senate
that the faces of Christopher Columbus, DE Witt
Clinton. and Stewart L. Woodford, the three an
Gent worthless whose portraits adorn the walls of
the Characterization, in this instance, in the per-
son of Clinton being seen at full length-look down
brilliant Senate gathered there this morn
ing. The ladies had moved on the Capitol in force
and made their entry into politics an established
fact. Every available seat and standing place was
occupied, and they invaded even the precincts
sacred to Senator's and gave minority representation
new and graceful meaning The time spent in
waiting for the hour fixed for the reception use
fully employed in the work Of legislation, and it is
barely possible that the ladies learned
something about the new Constitution. Ii
they did they achieved something which
so far has been accomplished by very few members,
for the general justification on this subject must
be seen to be appreciated. With some of the mem
beers the notion of complying with the requirements
of the instrument to be limited to the intro
duction of general bill to cover each special case
At noon, however the lesson in legislation came to
an end. The Lieutenant Governor announced that
the Committee would retire to escort Mr.. Bryant
into the Chamber. and the Committee, consisting of
Senators Robertson, Wood. and Johnson soon APP
peared at the door with their guest and accompanied
by Mr.. Stebbins the Governors private secretary
The party advanced into the circle bounded by the
ring of Senator's seats and they paused in front
of the Presidents desk Senator Robertson presented
Mr. Bryant the most eminent citizen OF the State
if not Of America. At the Lieutenant GOvernorsln IN
yitation Mr.. Bryant seated himself on the platform
at his side and the former then and spoke as
follows:
| SENATORS: You have sought for this opportunity 20
citizens Honors like this have reserved
for have 10 emnence in the pnbic serv
ice do recall an instance IN the history OF any
state where language is spoken where they have
been conferred upon man OF letters But henceiortn
1t will be known that NewYork. recognizing mat states
are governed not by statutes alone and still less BY the
sword gives her highest donors to tue poet as well as
| to the law giver aud the soldier
/ ueed not recall to you the career OF yonr guest
Every American knows the ncidents OF that long ana
merits OF his writings. You all remember the glowing
words with which IN MS youth he taught tSe Hye OF
hun seated among the lengthening shadows or the
an Of ADDISON
| song van, ,oor,,o,, n,,o,os ,,,ar nv.
press hope that the blessings which have been SO
abuudantly given to him may be continued, and that his
life may long spared to the country whose lnstifu
lions lie defended whose liberties he has wideDed,
Senators, present to you william Cullen Bryant.
Mr. Bryant replied as follows:
Mr. DoRsHEIMER AND GENTLEMEN OF TIE SENATE {:
You will pardon II on rising " say few words IN
ackuo ledgment Of the honor done me find myself
some hat embarrassed which will have no doubt,
excuse on account OF the novelty Of the occasion.
There old story, story some two thousand yeas
ure bias its Jest books well the English, In which
II is related that man lost his little enid and made
funeral considerable coDcourse came together OF MS
friends and acquaintance. aud as he appeared before
them made apology for the smalnes OF the infant
that was brought out anentiDg that he had nothing to
show them for the purposes Of burial for The solemnes
OF he except inS cnso1 see before me
the representatives OF different portions OF our great,
FROM our broad fertile plains, FROM rich and beautiful
valleys, from the grand and picturesque mountain
OF the north OF the STATE IRON r 'h9 Ia oar
from popuous and pleasant villages towns that
are the seats Of trade and industry cities noisy with the
hnstIe OF commerce or resounding Win the clash OF
looms with the blows OF popderous hammers IN our
manufacturing establishments.
Yon come gentlemen, representatives Of the art OF
the wealth. and OF the industry OF tins grea state on
array, except what you before you. and that is
an object certapy disproportiOnaelY small compared
with this Imposing ceremony. have nothing to say
therefore, except my thanks for the great
honor you have done and add my wishes for your
future careermy wishes that this session may prove
honorable yourselves and useful 10 the community;
that may be closed with credit, and that II may be
long remembered for the service 10 has done ana the
benefits IL has conferred the State which you
belong
No sound of applause greeted the utterances of
| either speaker; none had marked the entrance of
the guest of the Legislature. There was evident
| fear of yenturing such familiarities with the
Senate. The gathering then broke ND. the Senators
to be presented to Mr. BRYANT the ladies TO transfer
their bright eyes and inqusitlve ears to the Assem-
bly, Chamber where at o'clock the third reception
| with which Mr.. Bryant has been h0nOfed was TO
| take place.
| IN THE ASSEMBLY.
| The Senate aud spectators adjourned down stairs
with them and as the privileges of the floor became
apparently public property, the chamber soon pre-
sented a scene of pleasant confusion The debate
then current was speedily checked, and the intro
duction of bills went on over the heads and through
| the ranks of groups Of Jadies who formed pic
| turesque though highly supplementary element IN
the Assembly When the appointed hour had
arrived every available place on the floor and in the
galleries was occupied. As the Committee entered,
| Mr. Bryant on the arm of Mr.. Prince. Mr.. Sherman,
| Mr.. Seward, Mr.. Thomas Cooper Campbell, and Mr..
Friend following the whole audience rose, and in
deed remained standing throughout the entire
ceremony Of presentation. The Committee halted
in the semi-circe fronting the Speakers desk. and
| when MIR. Prince had introduced Mr. Bryant a
| man whose name alone was sufficient eulogy Mr..