The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-06-13

It's learn ing aud culture than which gathered
mat sssnSs ans Rev D sS0d inc
tee, the prosentatlon spcechs 10 which Mr.. Bryant
Responded Upon the platform were seated William
Cullen Bryant, the Rev. DR.. samuel Osgood, Psrke
Goodwin. Charles o'Conor. Joseph A. Cnoate. Peter
Cooper. Jackson s Schultz, Bayard Taylor, Henry z.
OF the committee. The COMMITTEES consisted Of the
following gentlemen: -Samuei Osgood. chairman:
Daniel Huntington, John Taylor Johnston, Bayard
Darana. Joseph l. Choaie. William Il. Evaris, George
Pisrpont Morgan, !. Tilaen. F. 4. Barnard. Z. s.
slorrs, Benjamin H. Field, Henry ". Bellows.
4',:ss' Low. ''i Ss.aI,. b;,.ss %nus$
aa Henry Foo,s Boston; James T. Fields Boston;
James r. Osgood, Boston; Noah Porter, New Haven;
New Haven; James L. cisshorn Phlsaspnla: George
W. chilas, Phliadeiphia; John Welsh, fhllaaslpnia
Robert s;s william Ec 81
Louis Carl Schurx. st. Louis; William sherman,
Sssss. Hss1 as
Alexander II. Bullock, Worcester; Mark Hopking,
Will'amstown;J r. Hawley, Hartford: George Cabot
Ward, treasurer; Wentworth ). Butler, secretary.
BRYASr's RESPONSE.
Upon the presentation being made MT. Bryant
saia:"l shall begin what have to say with thanks
and with thanks shall end it-thanKs TO my excel
lent riends VINO nave concurred IN The presentation
OF this beautiful vase; thanks TO the artis.s by whom
IL is designed thanks 10 friend, the
chairman OF the committee, Tor the oDhging express
sions with which he las accompanied the presenta-
lon ana thanks this fair audience Tor the cncour
axement of their presence Alter expressing my ac-
know Judgments for the honor done me, II would be
easiest take refuge in silence but this would
hardly become alter the kind words addressed to
me and the superb gut offered my acceptance. l
lear that might be accused VI initiating example
OF which remember to have read some orty years
sinca volunteer military company in provincial
town OF England on a lime presented their captain
with silver pitcher. The non.commssioned officer
who presented IL, approaching his commander, held
i. Out 10 MIN and saa. Captain here's The jug 10
Tins tho captain replied, LAY, - that the Jugf"
and there The speecn.naKing ended ana the company
evAP rAuAV fnr n
afraid thar similar condensation Of what have 10
say might he as ridiculous.
MT Chairman o the Committee, aud you my good
friends who have done me the horror TO be here,
would you understand that have the great
my due, THIS superb git before me as earned by
any service which navo rendered in any quarter
wish observed IL ALL out knowing better IN my heart
put large oalance-a very large onsto the credit
OF your generosity. What merit would be yours II
You would be simply dong your duty you would DO
paying debt l should have no thanks 10
But consider 1t In The olner light. Suppose
Ihat 1 receive these tsstim onials OF your kind
ness without acyns Gnln n ana sn,s
peria-a munincence deserving 10 be extolied in
choicest phrases sn'ea anSaxss n can s1ppy mas
GENIAL and pcurs the sweet sunshine the IN
just US well a. the just and under the influence OF
seasons, rpens the Of the field Tor
Tweed well as Tor DR.. Munle0berg.
And word concerning, The superb vase which
is before me-he work Of artists VINO are the worthy
successors Of Benvenut0 Csilinl and eminent their
department. IL has been greatly admired by thoso
who have II and deserves their admira-
ton. ! remember 20 have read, think some
halt century ago, dedniton Of the term
plishing great results by small mcans-the power,
IN short, which individual or overcoming didi-
cucs by vIgor possessed by Others,
Converting obstacles inio Of success THIS
may call product OF genius both in the design
aud the execution for who would suppose mat any
SKIN OF the could Win subject
had before HIM images so happily conceived, 50 full
oil expression and so well combining expression with
y "A RI
lived reputatisn; one generation OF US pushes
another from the stage: the very language in
which we write becomes jargon and We Cease 10
be road; bu; work like this is always beautiful,
always ADMIRED. Age has no power over us
tiiul honor Of certain poet
whose name IL bears, but whose vrllings are for
nave been taken 70 illustrate The hie writings Of
one whose works are 80 completely unknown a. the
asOsea to You Tor causing The memory q my name 70
outast that oil my writings.
TnE 1iLDEN RECEPTION.
Gu February T. 1879, Mr.. Bryant's former political
ally anu NJ ali times warm personal friend, Governor
Tiiuen, gave reception the aged poet state
capital, wncn was the aocsl ever given 10 clviian
by Governor oil New York. On The following day
Mr.. Bryant was presented 10 the Senate and Assembly
A. The Capitol aud to each body gave hitting response
Tor tho compliments PAID him.
HIS RELIGION
Tho following rs the opin'ou OF an old friend regard
lug The poets religious lsslngs:-
s'HIs pubic LIE, though he has never sought
or held political Office, ID well known You ak
llgous and social lis To the best OF my knowledge
aud beiio Mr.. Bryant has but one LIE. There is no
duality about him. Ho has not pubic lilo ana pri
vaie lie. lie has u secular and u religious lie
AS member Of the family as citizen, poet and
Journast, he nas but one lie, ana thai, am con-
hdcnt, Is thoroughly religious ]iie. The same prin
cpes control his actions al all Tines HIS lie IL
to II sht-to do the will OF God, l do
that overy conscientious, upright man is religious
that Is, Christian man. There are mon OF strict iu
tcgriiy who are not followers OF Christ We have
abundant reasons ior believing that Mr. Bryent is
foiower Of Chrst-that ne possesses tue iaith which
works by love and purhes the heart. IL is
win no small reluctance mat l speak this
topic You viii lelcct the ASSOCIATION when
brings 10 mind an anecdote OF distinguished
New England uivne Of former generation. A Young
zea,ot Abruptly asked him, 'Do you think You have
any religlon?b None TO speak o ~ was taa reply.
I am led TO overcome my reluctance by the thought
that win carry Joy thousa nds oil Christians OF
every name to KNOW that he whom they honur as
poet, journalist ana patriot has obtained a ike
precious iaith with thcin through the righteousness
oil God ana saviour Jesus Christ. For proof
OF Mr. Bryants rciigous Character We must look TO
his deeds. He rs u man Of profession. Though
AIR. Bryant cannot be SAID TO nave any religion ITO
speak OIL, yct in the course of an acquaintance OF
arout iorty years the writer has seon hi.n In crcum
stances leading him To express the proioaudest
viction of the sympathy OF Christ anu nis rci
lance Christ salvation. In regard 10 great
change that awaits us all the following lines from
oi has most beautiful poems express, tor the most
part, the haoituai state Of MS mnd:-
mark joy, the terror yet these within my heart
Gar nets., wake IN. dssaa nor sae Gssa 70 depart
stand aud calmly wait I'LL the hing turn tor
He attended and was commitment at the Presoy-
terrain church al RosyIn and taught in us ounuay
school
Il. BRYANT IN POLITICS
During his Journalistic career oil over half cen
tury he naturally called to state hts political
views al every turn vi AFFAIRS Uutl the close oil tue
evil war lie was almost daily contributor to tho
Eoenng Post, aud from that period untii hts fatal III
ness ne exercised general supervision OF its
course Though ofton solicited, he steadily de
elined to accep, any ONCE higher than Justice
OF tie Peace. During his editorial career he
called on criticse ADMINISTRATIONS Presidents
JACKSON, Van buren,, Harrison, Tyler, Polk, Taylor
Fillmore, Pierce, Buchanan, Lincoln johnson, Graut
aud Hayes Gu the slavery question Mr. Bryant was
a ireo soil democrat. He tree trader all
throulh his career, but was strongly on the side
| oil jackson against tho south Carolina nulitncrs
lie also supported Jackson IN his course toward the
Unued States Bank anu favored tho removal OF the
Unued states deposits He WIS, OF course, opposed
10 wing policy, but took the occasion OF the
tion OF General Harrison to pay "a high compin eut
10 Henry Cay the defeated Candidate, ~ the Harris