The New York herald., 1879-02-13
HONORING PETER COOPER.
Distinguished Citizens Greet Him on
His Eighty-eighth Birthday.
MADE A DOCTOR OF LAWS
He Returns Thanks to His Friends in
an Eloquent Speech.
MADE A DOCTOR OF LAWS

Peter Cooper received his friends last evening and
their congratulations upon the eighty eighth anni-
versary Of his birthday. As he stood the en-
trance of his parlors and greeted his guests
they in. his grand old face giowed
with gentle and benignant delight. His
silken white hair fell in glossy waves
upon his shoulders and his eyes shone brightly
behind his large gold bowed spectacles He not
satisfied with simple handshake. but repeated the
pressure and expressed to every one his apprecia-
ton Of the honor of their coming and his
grateful sense of the blessings of his
prolonged life. No other reply. of course,
could be made than that those. which he had con-
fcrrcd upon mankind greater than he could
have received. Mr. and Mrs. Abram s. Hewitt acted
as host and hostess and made their guests feel per-
fectly at home. BY nine O'Clock distinguished COM
pany had gathered. Mr.. Thurlow Weed was one Of
the early Corners. He seemed especially glad to be
present Then came Ex-Governor Samuel j. Tilden,
Right Rev. Bishop Potter. ex-Minister John Bgclow.
Bishop Harris, Rev. DIR. William Adams, Rev. DIR.
Howard Crosby. Mr.. William E. Dodge. Mr.. David
Dudley Field, Mr.. Cyrus w. Field. ex-Comptroller
Andrew H. Green, Mr. Henry A. Marquand. William
Cooper tagged seventy years. brother Of Peter)
Das''I sor Botte Rev. Dr. Henry ". Bellows.
Brother John and Brother Anthony, Of the Manhat-
Francis xsvicrs College: Professor Dwight, DR.. Do
remus. Agernon s. Sullivan. His Honor Mayor
Cooper Mr. S. L. II. Barlow. Mr. u s. Grant. Jr; Mr..
John Cadwaadcr, Mr.. A. A. Low, Mr.. James Watson
Webb, president OF the College OF the City Of New
York Mr.. Charles Z. Whitehead and the Regents Of
benedict chancellor: Henry H. Person vice chan
cellor; s. b. Woolworth, secretary; George William
Curtis. whitclaw Reid and DR.. o. H. Warren and
coNrKnR1Na THE DEGREE OF IL. d.
After most Of the greetings were over the Chan
cellor of the University of the State of New York
walked back to table. accompanied by the Vice
Chancellor and the secretary of the Board of Re
gents He read brief address, .s Of % consratuation:
a recognition of the great and noble work Of
Mr.. Cooper in promoting the education Of the
in July, 1873 by which the degree Of Doctor
of Laws was decreed to him. then read. and
Cooper to the table. The Chancellor recited the
Latin contents OF the scroll. In accepting 1t Mr..
MR.. cooPEn's ACCEPTANCE
'My esteemed friend, tho Chancellor. has brought
to me All honor that have never sought. II
is one that am sure never expected to obtain.
AS I have no scholastic attainment to entitle mo
to receive this proffered honor, If receive 1t at
all it must be in recogntion Of long, aborious life
spent in of efforts to found institution
tha opens its doors at night and gives free instrc
ton in science in its application to ali the useful and
necessary purposes of life find myself compelled
to believe that science is rule or law of God by
which the move,nents Of the material creation are
lean s
iAwprrnie; actually dencnstrated BY the experience
= 1eissvinS this, 1 have given the labors Of long
life to the advancement and didusion of scientific
knowledge, feeling assured that whom Christianity
tscf comes to be felt in all its purity. power and
force, it viii then be found to be q simple system.
science. rule Of le to guide and regulate the &C
tions Of mankind. MY experience has compelled me
the laws of life that we sst look for all future i'm
provcments in the condition Of mankind. Science.
poses Of Deity. They are laws that in them
selves are so wise and good that they Will
ea%r nss win re%sD xtS Or
out variableness or shadow of turning. 1t Is the
ppwer to know and understand these laws that ele-
mates: man above the level of the brute 1t is my
fpisnds. upon right and wise application Of these
laws that must look for present salvation from
all the possible sys 70 which an u nsrec ne:
nature capable of an endless expansion in knowledge
and power the material universe. Science is the
key to unlock tho rich treasures Of natureto unveil
its beauties and those blessings so richly
stored up in nature for the and tho elevation OF
knowledge and application of science and art will
elevate the hearts of to raise them above the
tinseed toys of those groveng pursuits that now so
thoroughly engross their thoughts.
SCIENCE AND THE DEITY.
Science. as have said. is means to develop the
laws and purposes Of the Deity 1t is the means that
God has gwen TO unveil and bring to light great
and glorious purpose an adaptation of means to
ends. running through and connecting the move
mcnts OF every particle OF matter throughout the
fabric OF creation Such purpose In the mind Of
infinite goodness could not do less than to organize.
individuaize and immortalize all the innumerable
minds with power to receive and communicate hap
piness to all eternity. Science has given to
man telescope power that enables nim 20
tance. diameter and density of all those plants that
float with such majestic spendor around the hea-
veus. With tho microscopic power man is enabled
to penetrate the minutin of creation bringing into
view wonders aud beauties that language cannot
describe with mechanical powers per-
mi IN around the world
the wings of the wind. With the help of mathe-
matica and chemical powers man is enabled to dis
solve oil known substanccs and as IL were. to take
the world to pieces selecting those parts best suited
for his uses. With the aid OF science he guides the
at his into every room within his dwelling.
With its aid he penetrates the bowels OF the earth
and drags from its silent depths those mineral prod
ucts that beauty and bless the world. He rends the
sod rock and shapes 1t into forms of and beauty
lie dissolves the mineral coal into gas that noas
beneath streets to dwelling. ever ready to
burst forth into beauteous light ut our command.
With these powers IL is possible for to send our
messages around the world with the speed OF
lightning. II Is in the power of science 10 draw from
garden all that is good for food pleasant to
tho eye and calculated to make us wise.
MYSTERY OF BEING
'It should never be forgotten that the universe
moves in obedience to laws so wise and good that
they win never require TO be amended altered or re,
philosophy to work in harmony with those
laws. They have forever connected health with
temperance and peace with virtue. For one, l in
dugc the hope that science will fully unfold tho
mystery of our being and show the law OF our
progress written upon all the varied caevs OF crea
fion demo nstrating the wisdom. the power and the
goodness OF God, who has given Immortality to
men,"
Mr.. Cooper thanked his friends in a most feeling
manner for their presence and good wishes. and
closed with eloquent acknowledgment of the
proyidencc OF God. quoting with perfect accuracy
long passage from Pope ATTY expressing his idea or
the relation between man and his Maker.
Every one warmly applauded him and pressed
forward TO add new congratulations upon the Just
recognition of his noble philanthropy. Refresh.
ments were served. and about eleven o'clock the
guests took their departure.