New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-11-23
CHAUNCEY NJ. DEPEW'S ADDRESS.


| FELLOW CITIZENS: The cosmopolitan spirit
of our city attested by the erected in this
park by the pride aud patriotism Of other DatiOnalte
and States 10 commemorate the men whose genius and
works belong to tbem but are equally honOrod by us
The time long since passed when TO this glorious
group should have added the statue of NewYorkt
greatest gift the Revolutionary period and the
sttional history OF the Republic. The 1al pety OF
performs the work. and here to honor the deed
and venerate the memory of his distinguished father
Precocous intellects in all ages Of the world have
flashed with metcorc splendOr and for brief space
amazed mankind but he only whose full equipped mind
knew youth ard failed ID the full maturity OF
Its powers was Alexander Hamilton. At twelve years
OF age merchants clerk he writes " I would will
iDgy risk my life. though not my character TO exat my
station" At thirteen he the pOnsible head OF
great commercial establishment, controlling the details
OF the counting room, managing its ventures with dis
tant countries and maintaining lis credit. At fifteen
he stands before the venerable president of Princeton
College with the bod proposition to be permitted
to ascend through the classes he mastered their
courses. and to be graduated without regard
70 the years allotted by the rules, when he
could pass examination The conservatism OF Prince
ton rejects and Columbia then Kings College, accepts
the youthful student upon his terms. With rare in
dusry and application, with method aud wisdom, he
seeks every OF knowledge and rapidly absorbs
and assmilates all the teachings OF the schools.
But while he meditates the groves OF Academy
the thunders OF the mighty revolution which shaking
the Continent disturb the quiet OF the lecture The
pr0tracted struggle OF the Colonists with the Mother
Country for peaceful recognition OF their rights ap
preaching crisis The had been thrown nto Boston
HarbOr. and the reaatOry measures Of the Home Gov
ernmeut mpre ssed upon the colonies the necessity of all
uniting in the common defence. great meeting was
called in the Fields by the Patriots OF this city When
had closed their passionate appeals, slen
der lad OF seventeen assembled the platform. Curiosity
gave place TO admiration, ana admiration to
ment and enthusiastic applause az the boy proceeded
Calmly clearly, with rosisess and vivid I'M
agery lac portrayed the origin OF the difficulties, the
rights guaranteed by their Charters by Magma Charta
and the English Constitution but above ALL the naen
able liberties Of people, and showed the posslb.
ties OF successful resistance by united effort New-York
decided send delegates the Continental Congress
and Hamilton began that structure American Nation
atty of which he the architect ard to whose
perfection and perpetuity he devoted MS life.
A resort TO had yet closed the forum and
the discussion the best trained the abest the
most eloquent men Of York pleading the cause Of
Englandin pamphlet. remarkable for their power and
which stayed the aud shook the judgment OF the
people But the replies brilliant and OveTwheln
ing that they consolidated public sentiment the cause
of tue people and ascrbed to the states
man Of the period; and upon the discovery OF
their author, Hamilton at eighteen, hailed
by the whole country the peer OF tile
Adamses andtof Jay. But when the multitude smart.
ing under wrongs and fired by the eOQuence Of Their
CHAMPION sought rOtOus vengeance upon their enemies
he stayed the angry mob while the preaident OF his col