New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-11
THE TRIBUNE'S JUBILEE.
JOY OYER IT'S FIFTY YEARS.
EMINENT PEOPLE TAKE PART IN THE
CELEBRATION.
ELOQUENT MEN ExroL HORACE GREELEY

CHARLES A. DANA, ROSWELL G.. HoRR
AND GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS
POEM BY EDMUND G. sTED-
MAN-MUsIC BY AMER-
CAN COMPOSERS.
The Tribunes celebration of its fftieth an
niversary yesterday aptly recalled one of Horace
Greeley's famous sayings:
Fame is vapor popularity accident; riches takes
wings: the only earthly certainty is oblivion; no man
can foresee what day may bring forth while those
who cheer to-day win often tomorrow; and yet
cherish the hope that the journal projected and es-
tablished will live and flourish long after shall have
moldered into forgotten dust, being guided by larger
wisdom, unerring sagacity to discern the right
though not by unfalterng readiness to en-
brace and defend it at whatever cost and that the
stone which my ashes may bear to future eyes
the still ineligible inscription Founder OF The New
York Tribune"
The indisputable fact that The Tribune is
still alive and doing well requires no demonstra-
tion. Its fame has not yet passed into vapor,
its popularity is undimmed, its day of OBJ
Evion is, we hope and believe; far, far away.
1t has passed through raging seas, through reefs
and shoals, through whirlwind and tempest.
Once or twice in its voyage Of half century
it may have sprung leak, but it has nothing
to apologize for and is just now enjoying the
pleasures and delights of plain sailing. 1t was
fifty years old yesterday, as the records Will
show April 10, 1S41 was the day OF its birth.
The yicissitudes of its career shall be passed
over in silence its triumphs and successes were
celebrated in dignifed discourse, in humorous
reminiscence, in song and story, at the Metro
politan Opera House last night in the presence
of as distinguished an assemblage as was ever
gathered there, an assembage typically Amen-
can, and representative of the best elements OF
American citizenship.
A REPRESENTATIVE GATHERING.
The Nation was represented by its Vice.
President, its Secretary of the Navy, and It's
Senator's and Congressman, who came to DO
The Tribune honor. Capital and labor, the
material forces Of American prosperity and prog
ress, sat side by side in box and orchestra cnair'
and there was no sign of conflict between them.
The Law was present in great force, hand IN
hand with Order. Commerce was there IN the
earb of merchant princes and great bankers.
Famous men in every walk of life were in the
audience Art, Science, Politics and Religion
sent delegates to the jubilee. Wall Street had
some of its brightest lights in tho house. Our
little Army and our growing Navy sent some OF
their heroes to guard the celebration from pos
sibe Italian attack The farmers, the back
bone of the country, were there in person. The
alliance between them AL The TriblLe has
never been and never viii be shaken. it De-
gan away back yonder in the forties. The
leading clubs in the city were not without strong
representatives.
n Is impossble on so extraordinary an occa-
sion To record every feature of the remarkable
assemblage that made the jubilee something to
be kent in mind for lifetime, but it is not to
be forgotten that one of the most desirable boxes
in the house was reserved for representatives OF
the race for whose emancipation MIR. Greeley
and The Tribune struck some hard Dlows. Anu
it was we'll filled.
There was one grievous sappointment-the
unavoidable absence of Mr.. Blaine. When Mr.
McElrov mentioned the name of the Secretary
Of State the widest enthusiasm stirred the audi
ence. 1t broke out into loud cneerS tahu Ior
some minutes was unchecked.
"What's the matter with Blalne" crled an
inouisitive patriot in the balcony
"He's all rghtm returned thousand voices
whereat the cheering was renewed.
"Who's all right?" the patriot asked again,
and the universal shout answered back:
"Blaine -
II sounded like 1884. Mr.. Blaines letter
will be found elsewhere.
GREETING THE SPEAKERS
As the sneakers of the evening came upon the
stare. William Mckinley, jr., leading the way,
tbe applause twas highly flattering. There was
applause when George William Curtis ana nos
we'll G.. Horr entered. Chauncey NJ. Depew
was n little late-some dinner perhaps-Dut ne
was not allowed to sit down except amld a Storm
of cheers When Charles A. Dana, the last TO
arrive. came forward the applause was renewed.
Woltor Domrosch arose with his baton and the
uotronolitan Opera House orchestra OF sixty
musicians played as an overture march COM
posed by Henry Holden Huss. This was FOL
lowed bv an adagio by J. K. Paine from Sym
phony No. 1. an A.
Tbe stage was filled with people. All the
arrangements, the setting, ETC., were made oy
Superintendent Arment. In the front row OF
chairs with Mr. McElroy and tie eminent speak
ers mentioned sat George w. Childs.
The programme bore on its front page an
American eagle, an American shield and two
United States flags. The bird of the Nation is
uerchcd upon the shield of the thirteen stars
and bars, and has very firm grip on it. The
American eagle never intends to let that shield
of the old Confederation get out of his clutches
His wings are widespread, covering both flags
and his head is turned in the direction of our
manifest destiny The flag on the left bears
only twenty-six stars, the number of States in
the Union in 1871. That on the right has
forty-four stars, the number of States to-day
1891. The eagle seems to be looking over
and beyond it toward new States and Terri
tories that are yet to come into the Union.
PROMPT START.
The music began promptly at o'clock, and
when Mr.. Mckinley arose to talk OF The Irib-
une and Protection it would have been difficult
to find vacant seat in the house. IL was