The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-21
POET And JOURNALIST.
The Commemorative Vase Presented
70 William Cullen Bryant.
A BEAUTIFUL TESTIMONIAL.
An Enthusiastic Reception to the
Venerable Poet.

len Bryant attracted to Cbckerng Hall last evening
one Of the most brilliant sssembsges that was
gathered together in this city. Long before the
hour liked for the beginning OF tho ceremony
had arrecd every seat the main floor OF the hall
was occupied and by eight O'Clock even the galleries
wore crowded The learned professions were fully
represented and many ladies' were present to leEd
charm to the occasion
DISTINGUISHED GUBsTR
Among the distinguished persons present were
Charles O'Conor. Peter Cooper A A. Low, Daniel
Huntington, John Taylor johnson, william II. Apple
ton. Joseph H. Choatc Frederick Sturges J. Pierpont
Morgan. George Colbert Ward, Hy W. Fellows, Howard
Crosby, j. G. Holland, Theodore Roosevelt ard F. A.
P. Barnard II was few moments after eight O'Clock
when Mr. Bryant was conducted to a seat on
the stage by Dr.. Samuel Osgood tho chairman Of the
committee. The entire audience the venerable
poet made his appearance and greeted him with .
hearty outburst OF applause which unmistaka-
bic in its warmth. After Mr.. Bryant had
taken his seat DR.. Osgood made .
lew preliminary remarks concerning the occasion
which had drawn 90 many OF Mr.. Bryants friends to-
gether concluding by presenting Mr. whitehouse, who
represented the svcrsmiths who had designed and
modelled the vase Mr. whitehouse made very
neat little speech on behalf OF the nrm
and alluded feelingly to tho enthusiasm with
which the mon who had been intrustcd with
the work the had performed their task ''for
the sake OF tho charming poet whom they all admired -
He created considerable merriment by reminding his
hearers that the who really did all the labor on
work Of art ike the that about TO be
unveiled seldom or ever got any credit for
their pains seldom oven heard of, and in order
make exception to general rule, he said that
in fact the entire work Of the vase present and
he felt certain they would not be overlooked
the general praisegviDgA At the request OF Dr. Os-
good the five workmen who were the stage stood
up the audience gave thcm rosnd alter round OF
applause Ali this time the had remained yelled,
standing purple covered stand The or the
stage just to the eft and tlo the or where
Mr.. Bryant seated. As the workmen had
sumed their seats Mr. Whtehouse lifted the veil md the
vase stood revealed, under the bright light from the
chandeliers overhead, all its beauty All eyes
rveted on II in an instant and for second the
utmost quiet prevailed, as though zach giving
1t a critical examination; then suddenly, II by
mon concert, tho audience broke into the most
Mr. Osgood came forward after silence had been re-.
stored and said
REcEIvIxa THE VASE FRox THE woRKnEx
Mr. WHiTEHOUsE AND FELLOW ARTISTS WORK.
MEN-Your speech Is Short but your art is long and
this beautiful work OF your heads and hands speaks
louder than any ambitious words and speaks ITSELF
In the name oil the Bryant Testimonial Committee
thank you for your presence here tonight with this
masterpiece Of your taste and skill The design apt
and original, worthy Of the subject and the occasion.
The work Is careful and exquisite, aud every line and
feature proof 70 all Of what OF know from
your toll and that have entered into the spirit OF
this commemorative gilt 70 the patriarch OF American
letters You nave mo- only done nonor 70 yourselves
of the goldsmith aud the silvcrsmith-and you have
done your part 10 put II where belongs in the fell
owshp Of useful and beautiful arts All tho arts be-
long together, and II has been well SAID
that art is one while its instruments are
give life and force to knowledge and 70 rcnder into
action the science which light The spirit OF the
living God that called the Cosmos out OF chaos, and
vtr lie tha man inton ana tu slnw
Master Of Arts, and has given your craft OF metal
workers especial commission, when Of old He called
have filled him with the spirit OF God In wisdom and
understanding, and in knowledge and In all
Of workmanship, 20 devise cunning works 70 work in
manner OF Workmanship" why wonder at
THE CONSIDERATION or YOUR cRArrs
Why make light of your art which now, in tho time
OF the old e~naclc and temple embcdy and
interpret the affections Of the household tho loyalty
oil tho nation the wisdom OF the schools and tho
titles Of the atari How much Of the mind and heart
OF mankind has been pcrpctuaed In gold and silver and
and the christening token tho seal OF covenants
and cup Of communion, how your work rises In
/ dignity, and lifts the metals OF the earth toward
the soul Of man and the image OF Godl How much OF
high history lives IN metal work. and how many noble
statues Of sagss. prophets and heroes rise before
tonight add this memorial work OF yours the
treasures Of art and 70 tho annals OF cultured
One thought more.and close this acknowed gment
in connection with your presence here il tells upon the
future OF humanity and the progress OF civilization
You are here artists and workmcn with your wives
and children and your employers are with you, and
all in the generous spirit OF the Let
DO prophecy OF the good future Of labor It's
ations with skill and capital Many perpoxng ques.
lions with this SUBJECT and cannot argue
them now, can expose the fearful mistakes that
have so often wrecked labor In the name OF friendship
and betrayed the workman with kisx The age OF
true operation must come and this beautiful work
one OF the signs oil its promise. hundred years ago
Adam Smith, who had before written Of sympathy al
the ground OF moral sentiment published bis wealth
Of Nations" that great charter Of the dignity OF
labor and that same year BENJAMIN Franklin who had
taught workmen sobrcty and thrift, signed tho De.
claraton Of Independence that made Us nation.
Adam Smith and Benjamin Franklin in the air
this vase 70 William Cullen Bryant, who wears their
mantle in MS parpose aud his thought.
and leave to tho orran,st. Who has The Bunker Hi
blood and that went through the fire OF battle
touch the notes OF love and life that tho Of
nations the fellowship OF the arts and the brotherhood
OF mankind.
MI George W. Warren, the organst, thcn played
sTho Star spAngcd Banner and other patriotic AIRS
after which Dr. Usaood and addressed Mr. Bryant
who remained standing during the delivery of the adj
dress. DR.. Osgood said
PRESENTING THE VASE TO Mr.. BRYANT
Mr.. BRyAST:-We and our children have received
many and precious gifts from you. Mr.. Bryant, and
DS, 10 express our Obligation. This piece Of silver
means you and what We to you, and now
present II we take tho liberty to interpret It's signn-
canoe
This occasion is the sequel and unment OF our inter-
view with you November 3, 1874 when headed by Mr..
Jonathan Slurges. your old and devoted friend,
whose brightens the record III
our best citizens, noblest patriots and most
humane and cody man, paid our
respects 10 you the eghtich anniversary OF your
birthday, and announced to you this trtute OF honor
This work OF art has thus memorial meaning, and II
reconnts the more than fourscore years of your fo
and makes your ago stand for tho age IN which we
1--we.
Permit then, nrst Of all, 10 salute in you the
goody spirit OF the age which you represent, and TO
see tho nineteenth, with six years OF the eighteenth
century looking down upon as from your honorcd
head
You into this troubled world at signal period,
when mighty forces were Ia deadly conflict and you
have done your work liDeralor and peace
maker, assailan OF tyranny and champion 81 Law,
n cadcr OF light and liberty aud and faith
When you born Robespcrrc and his had just
fallen under the guiliotinc, and
NAPOLEON WAS YOUNG ApvKxrrRxR,