The sun., 1893-11-26
Historical Memorials in New York.

Yesterday. on an anniversary peculiarly
New York's own. the Sons Of the Revolution
unveiled a monument to one OF tho patriotic
heroes OF the Revolution. Capt. NATHAN
HALE. 1t Is more than one hundred and
seventeen years since HALE, only twenty
one years old.
Gave his pure soul unto his master, CHRfsr"
and only now is any record OF his herolsm
erected here, whore it was consummated.
New York city is sadly destitute OF the
memorials which should mark the great
events that have happened here. Until
within very few years wo have had no
recording tablets OF any sort. II we are not
mistaken the first tablet in the city was
that placed on the house In West Twenty
second street where "S. F. b. MORSE lived
for many years. and died" Until yesterday
the fingers Of two hands sufflced to tell of
the tablets bearing witness to places or
events in the clty's history. Such tablets
we're. one at Bowling Green. to mark tho
site OF Fort Amsterdam: one nt Broad
and Beaver streets. where Capt. MARINUs
wILLEr seized arms from the British:
one on the Aldrich Court. where the first
white mans house stood: one at the Sub
Treasury. where WASHINGTON was inaugu-
rated President; one at the Boreel building.
where the City Hotel stood, one at the cor
ner OF Nassau and Cedar streets. where the
Old Dutch Church stood: one at the City
Hall. where WASHINGTON heard the Decla-
ration read to the army; one where the
Shakespeare Tavern stood: one on NoRsE's
house. and one where PETER STUYvEsANT's
pear tree stood Three OF these were erected
by private generosity; the others tho city
owes to the Holland Society and tho Sons
OF the Revolution. To the latter society.
too. the city owes the five tablets dedicated
yesterday: at l Broadway: in Broadway.
near Forty-second street; at West and
Laight streets; at John and William streets,
and at l5Sd street and the Eleventh avenue.
To the New York Historical Society the
city owes nothing. Possessing a valuable
collection OF Egyptian antiquities. a good
collection OF paintings, and with ample
wealth. 1t has don" nothing for which the
city OF New York should cherish any great
gratitude. Its collections are closed to the
public its wealth Is employed In the publi-
cation OF unread Proceedings" The
work that should have been done by the
Historical Society has been done by tho
Holland Society. 10y the Sons OF the RevoIu-
tion. and by private persons.
A few OF the historical sites OF the city
have been marked; but scores still remain
to be identified and distinguished. One Of
these Is the spot where NATHAN HALE was
executed, for lie was not hanged whore his
statue now stands Another is the Provost
prison, now the Hall OF Records others are
the meeting place Of the Continental Con-
gress OF 1865. and that Of the First Congress
OF 1883, the starting place OF tho great fire
OF 1895. the starting point OF the draft
riots. the houses where Gen. GRANT lived.
and where Gen. SHERMAN died This
list merely indicates the extent OF the
Held as yet uncultivated. Changes occur
rapidly here, even In the lower part Of the
city. where most OF the older historical
sites are TO be found. aud Identification
should proceed with equal rapIdity. Sue
cess 10 those who have marked and shall
mark the places famous Ia the cIty's and
the nations history; they deserve well OF
the city which we all love.