The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-11-29
NKW YORK cTTT.
sr...s or PauI D.na at ths Recent Diuusr
~ Al. enna nr thA RawnInfinn.


Mn. CHIIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN: This toast
sheds perennial honor on All who respond TO
Il; but ss look over the list Of sentiments
Il seems clear that one deserves to dominate
them all and TO give all inspiration. This
ono IL easily THE Day We Celebrate" Gel
ebtntion il the theme not Homeric, not based
on the idea that funerals furnish the great
occasions. but celebration in harmony with
the hopes and realities OF tho time.
And why not celebrate New York? Hero tho
curtain fell on the most splendid OF the
world's events. OF which we are the sons.
From here the country waved adieu to its
enemies and has been waving welcome to the
world ever since These facts constitute dis
tinction enough for ono town. Tonight we are
not studying our history. but the city itself as
it exists And don't let us deal with New
York on the Chinese principle OF sell
Abasement I am told that when ono
Chinese gentleman meets another and de-
sires TO inquire after the latter's wife.
he will say: How is that serene and gra-
cious lady. that pattern OF beauty and viz
tue. your most respected wife /" And ETH
duette requires some such response as: My
miserable dog Of wife. that wretched
termagant, OF Heaven knows what viciousness.
is suffering the afIiction OF deserved disease"
That Is not in the spirit proper for this
moment. These gentlemen have come from all
parts Of the country, proud OF common Grating
the Revolution. We Join them In that and we
welcome them in pride Of our house. II
we did not believe that we wero worthy
OF our Inheritance. our guests would have to
share our humiliation, for we are but part OF
what their celebration represents.
Fortunately New York has to be con sidered on
principle directly opposite to that on which
We are taught to consider the general problem
of existence With life the theory is that the
things OF this world are mainly toll and trouble.
What we have and do. as n rule. is imperfect
sorrowful. and touched with evil We are told
that the unseen and the unknown hold
something better. With the city OF New
York tho case Is different We hear
often and much. possibly from Chinese
sources. OF dark. invisible city. said
to be utterly deplorable. from which we ought
to be delivered. The one We have before our
eyes, though. which we come into contact with.
which we know and can swear to, lie by prov
idential reversal of the other rule. on the
whole. admirable. enjoyable. and sound. We
see well-ordered we'll conducted. and we'll
housed community. animated with high moral
political and artistic understanding and aspi-
rations. and nursing. in the full measure Of
any SPOT in the United States the ideas and tho
glories Of the Revolution. New York chat
lenges fraternally the entire country to show
city where the privileges Of life. liberty. and
pursuit OF happiness are more zealously or
more successfully guarded.
We know what We are. Lot me suggest one
essential principle OF progress. and It is no
more than the tribute to the city demanded by
justice. namely: Let us always. through all
political agitation. feel for ourselves that self
respect which alone can make us fitting hosts.
and which Is born OF tho conviction that what
has been achieved here is indeed worthy OF
honor. worthy Of ambition for greater things.
worthy OF the memories reused tonight,
worthy OF the day we celebrate.