New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-01
PRICE THREE CENTS. +,
KONORING IT'S PRESIDENT.
THE CITY VIGILANCE LEAGUES DINNER
FOR DIR. PARKHURST.

SMITH AND oTHERS-SUCCEsS OF THE
LEAGUE PREDICTED. AND UNITY
AND HARD WORK URGED. -
A complimentary dinner was given last eveh
ING At the St. Denis Hotel by the City Vigilance
League Of New-York City to the Rev Dr. Cnaries
II Parkhurst There were 2lO covers laid. II
was plain homeke affair, without decorations
Of the room OF souvenirs for the diners. But In
its quality throughout It was thorough anu
superb tribute to the aggressive preacher ana
leader of the people in great scheme o! moran
reform in municipal government which has at-
tracted the attention of the people or the whoie
country for more than two years. The move
ment was at first met by doubts as TO the
wisdom of its undertaking, and even sneers al
the methods pursued. But so great has been the
effort in its continuity of purpose and activity
Of nursuit that a hope of redemption for many
decades stagnant. is now reviving to a degree
undreamed of at its beginning.
Charles Stewart Smith president OF the Cham
ber of Commerce. sat at the centre or the main
,ohIo At his right was Dr. Parkhurst. the guest
Of the evening and at his left James G. carter.
Others at the table were the Rev. DR.. Henry NJ
Field Dorman Z. Eaton, Kiliaen Van Rensselaer,.
F. /. Godkin. Colonel Alexander S. Bacon c. c.
Sleicher and James A. Scrymser Al diHereht
tables around the hall were the Rev. Chauncey
w Goodrich the Rev. DR.. Lysander Dickerman,
Langdon c. Ewing Henry W. Sackctt, Richard
T Davies. the Rev. DR.. Abbott E. kttridge'
Charles X Carpenter, +. ~ COnkng, George
Wilson, Henry w Humphrey, Frederick C. Col
ton. William f. Brush, John II. {. NeVln otto
Kempner. Andrew d. Parker. J. r. Atkinson
and w s Opdyke
There were several letters OF regret received
all expressing sympathy with the objects OF the
meeting. Among the writers were Bisnop Henry
c. Potter who expressed gratncauon that Dr.
Parkhurst's courageous and self-sacrihcing SER
vices were to be cordially recognized Cen
eral Horace Porter. Cornelius y Bliss, Henry T..
Rowland, Assemblyman James R. Sheffield ana
the Rev Dr. Lyman Abbott. Senator Lexow
was expected as guest. He wrote the follow
ing letter TO the committee yesterday:
u During the close of the session ! contracted a
cold from which | have not sufficiently recovered
to enable me 10 take part in the ceremonies To-
night regret this al the more al tns on 1e s e1
US to Appropriately recognize and second the great
lance League under the able leadership of your dis
tingushed president, whom It Is your purpose 70
honor tonight-especialy 50, because nov, more more
than any time since 1870. vigilance is the price
oI "Oe''S' i'u'' CLARENCE LEXow.
CHARLES SltNAfk SHi III 81 SA>NA
Mr. Smith, when the coffee was served. said:
Gentlemen: Tris gathering is significant in num-
bers and quality; it means that you intend to op-
pose organization with organization. II means war
upon municipal corruption and in favor OF the per-
petuty of the Republic II you have been at times
lonely because Of a lack OF sympathy in your work.
that time has passed away Nay 5py 1a1t 70 sye. rs
formers or the frst and second centuries ~ OF , .ne
DE called by thcir contemporaries SDmttlHicS
fools and again the wisest Of men. and II IS one
ol ccessvey es to be- loved and hated" How wen this
historic truth is Illustrated at the present day N
the lives Of Bismarck, Gladstone ana blaine; per
haps our friend DR.. Parkhurst has had al times a
realizing sense in his own experience IL ,nd innu @
Of our cities is TO predon.nate NOR anu I,.yg
IN the government of the country, as no thougnttu
over OF his country must be to inquire what IS
be the character OF the government Of the great
cities Of the United States.
SOME JOHN THE BAPTIST ALWAYS NEEDED.
Monarchies have endured for long time under
corrupt rulers but corruption strangies republics,
and the question of how long this Republic of ours
can endure may depend upon the answer that the
men OF our generation give this important ques-
t9n , f4G Peo,bc EIGni in yr hands Gentlemen, great
communities always Conservative they surfer
forward AZ once at the word of command like a
well-drilled army; it is necessary that some john
the hatred and admiration Of the people by his fear
less action that he should be voice mot an echo)
ion which in the end sweeps all before H.
ONE WHO NEVER TURNED HIS BACK"
Such a man. l think. is your guest. The remark
that the Earl OF Murray made concerning John
Knox. He never feared the face OF mortal man."
l think We may apply to Charles H. Parkhurst.
As to the policy pursued by your society don't
imagine that you my friend DR.: Parkhurst
claim that you have never made mistakes. man
that makes mistake never makes anyrntthg
What claim for the work OF your society IL that
Notwithstanding all the multiplied ana powerful op
position which comes from oTSahized corr corruption &c In IN
this city and the feeling OF tnd trehds mar you
going far. and tnat the case WIS nope
yo g' have AS lar ronSuered in this regard Your society
has position of respect ana conndehce IN tnls
Of dlstrust and this is the reason way am glad
to be here. ard to add my testimony TO the pubic
appreciation of your good wOtk. Now. gentlemen
Only word or two more. The Police Department
is the main source ana sirenSh & oI e4ru or
sns upon this department. principally. Take the
and may hail The beginnins OF the eha OF lain-
Gentlemen l ask your permission to propose as
our first sentiment Success TO the CITY Vigilance
saSIS re SSstnHshed nI President Dr. Parkhurs" who
needs no Introduction from me.
He concluded his speech with a proposition
that three cheers be given for the City Vigilance
League. When these were given with an un-
mistakable enthusiasm Mr.. Smith shouted
"Ticer" and over 200 voices joined in the re-
sponse Tiger" and a great roar Of laughter
followed 4,
Somebody asked: rs that the Tammany t.
,ero'' and the answer came: mo, the other IL
ger" and Just at his moment DR.. Parkhurst
arose 1t was tremendous ovation which ne
received He stood for several minutes with his
hands resting on the back OF the chair.
DIR PARKHURsTs REMARKS
When quiet was restored DR.. Parkhurst re
marked: The only thing object to there is the
tiger" Then turning TO the chairman ne said:
Mr. President and My Good Friends would a
good deal rather stand up and be buneted tnan 70
meet this host of loving kindness ard sympathy
for | am more used to 1t. U-aughter) I DO not
know how far II is wise to be conndenuai congnt.
/ know | am among friends. but there were GENE
things in the eloquent address OF your preMuent
that have brought YiYidly and painfully 70 mind