The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-02-12
KEEP THE OLD CITY HALL!
IISD 4 SIZE ron 4 0RKAT PUBLIC
BUILDING BLsEWHERE.
An Eit anen. Argument ~ the Hos. Andrew

Iu,ldsg
GENrrEMrS. As was leaving the city some
tine since. for hriei absence. noticed that
Communication had been addressed TO youl
honorable body on behalf OF tho trustees OF the
ridden Trust. which. after deprecatlnR the re.
moval OF the City Hall In the following terms
much rs we should regret the necessity 81
disturbing n structuro consecrated TO us like
our City Hall by so many precious historical
and forensic associations" proceeds TO propose
that should such necessity be found Ia
exist that admirable structure be ansferred
TO the site now occupied by the reservoir In
Bryant Park and appropriated to the uses" oil
that t-uss
fully concur with my associate trustees in
this expression OF dissent ut the proposed re-
moval OF that building. as In every respect un-
wise. As this dissent. however. during some
months past seems som chow to have rlpened
into their active approval and Jealous advo-
cacy OF the scheme. from my past long rela-
tions with tho parks. sharing n general con-
yiction that the area devoted to small parks
should be increased rather than diminished. l
ain constrained to hone that no portion OF
Reservoir square. or any other mark. square
or open ground on this island provided Tor the
use OF the people. may hereafter be appropri-
ated for buildings.
Tho City Hall presents an example OF fine
architectural taste. In design and construc-
ton It Is as faultless as any structure In the
city. while its historical and biographical re.
lations in volve events OF paramount interest
and percentages Of dignity and estimation; and
a. has been we'll said " 1t stands to-day I'M
surrassed by any structure Of it's kind In the
country" 1t should continue to stand as for
nearly a century 1t has stood. ample. oommo-
dious and convenient.
Its presence tends to keep alive associations
that are near to very many OF our citizens. n
visible landmark. an object lesson to tho peo-
pie that should not be destroyed.
Its erection was coeval with tho conception
Of group OF enterprises that distinctly marks
On era in the material progress Of the city. the
state. and the nation. among which the Erie
Canal. tho laying out OF the city by Ruther-
ford. Dewitt. and Morris. and Jefrerson's
magnificent scheme OF a national coast sur
vey are prominent examples. It's corner stone
was laid in 1903 by Edward Livingston. then
Mayor appointed as all Mayors OF that period
were by tho Governor Of the State.
Nearly ten years elapsed before it was COM
retel.
1t and the ground upon which It stands are
memorable in the city's annals. Hero upon
the Fields" or Commons" us then known.
Alexander Hamilton made his maiden speech
on the occasion OF closing the port OF Boston
and here tho Sons OF Liberty held their meet
ings TO resist the assaults OF the British Gov
ernment on the customs and rights Of the peo-
pie. and thus spoke:
It's we'll known. that il has been tho custom
OF all nations TO erect NJ onuments to perpetu-
ate tho remembrance OF grand events. Ex-
Ierience has proved that tn ey have had good
effect on the posterty oithose who raised them.
especially such as were made sacred to
liberty. Influenced by these considerations.
q number of the friends o, liberty In this city
erected II pole in the fields on ground belong
in- TO the corporation. MS temporary mono
table Stamp act"
Here tho Declaration OF Independence was
lead to the American army in the presence OF
Washington
Here many events OF paramount interest to
irateN by imposing civic and military core
monIes. Here grand reception was given IL
anlayet t ana the freedom OF ne city In a
Ancrew jackson. and here four generations ~
New Workers have Leen accustomed to witness
solubly connected with its site and its sur
roundings. Remoye it and interest In it
Though with northward growth OF the me-
tropolis the city Hall IL now near its sOutherly
it's present site Is most central and advantage
GUS. million people to the right, Just across
the hHdc9n ana Rnat SnSthep miGn to It's left
five miles, already lind 1t accessible and con-
venient
which has been unlustiiia bly, quoted rs in favor
Of removing 1t. diI not look with dsapprOval |
upon the proposal. and IL the vandalism OF it's |
removal Is persisted in that society. II true to
Its objects, should bend all its energies TO |
preserve where it Is and as It Is and be-
lleve would promptly reject any prefer OF its |
While Independence Hall in PHILADELPHIA no |
nm ia ipl nj H..
that city would have the effrontery to propose |
It's removal and thus wipe out all visible In |
boston would consent to the destruction OF |
Fanueil Hall. situated in It's business centre |
and adorned with memorials OF that eitys his |
How long will It be before some. careless OF |
the conservative innuence OF distinguished !
achievements. Will want to remove Bunker |
Hin Monument or destroy the homo Of WASH |
lnGton at Mount vermont Are the principles |
and the works OF our fathers wholly forgotten. |
Is that subtle, refining sentiment tissipated |
that delights 10 preserve what 10 loft OF the |
material environment Of shakespeare and
Arc the achievements Of tho past to fade
ea seSTc.y be 2es d
as well the sumberinG chord that RESPONDS u
The inspiring strains sof the 'Marseillniso"
melodies OF Sweet Home" and viii always
attract the thoughtful - scenes made mem
other than tho ity Hall where in New York
8 there left public building or monument Of
llHlOElo NulNo
How long will our ST. laurs be left to us ?
Who would consent to the destruction OF the
House 81 Parliament in Dublin. admired for
Is noble simplicity. or look on with iudiffsr-
NEE while the walls Of Trinity College in the
anne city were being laid low. that building
which II a source OF patriotic prIdeY Who |
would see oven tho ruins OF Muckross Abbey
cattsTed. or silence the bells of Shandon |
Has Westminster Abbey no associations that
re, precious 10 tie generations as they come
md gof What would become Of tho citizen OF
3ost2n who would dare to propose a public
,uttding on tho Common, TO the conseuuent |
destruction az It's elms of centuries"
II the City Hall will not serve all the PURPOSES
low required in a municipal building. IL does
nd Will admirably accommodate very many
purposes. rs well as apartments for pOrtAnt
NY offices, reviews reception OF distinguished
tsit0Ts, tho display OF statues and portraits OF
llustrlOus American heroes and statesmen,
nd the celebration OF important eyonis How
Ices II happen TINT its usefulness ceases at
MS parttcular period z Why. II Il is so soon TO
e removed did Tscent admin istration Illus
rate the mellow tints of its northsrly front by
coat OF white pAintt
Considered solely as measure Of prudent
economy, II should lie lot Acne. Its dimer-
ions WoGlt ocaupy more than tho whole ave
uo ront 81 city block. Let IL continue to be
ssd tor what IL can DO ade useful and IL the !
llien Trust II to have II at all. leI the Iildan |