The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-11


" Of the fact that il has been a
civilized community for three
centuries will have much looking to do.
There Is no lack of written records
proving beyond peradventure that
II was already an established settlement
II white men before the seventeenth
century began. but Of the work Of their
hands, outside of these writings, hardly
trace remains.
The very face of nature on the
island. one end Of which was then
the site of the settlement, has been 50
changed by successive generations that
1t is no longer possible even to trace
the original outline of that island. eX-
cepting on half forgotten maps. And
as for the buildings which sheltered the
first settlers, the forttications they
erected for protection against hostile
Indians, their places Of Worship and
public assemblage, the original improve
ments they planned and executed to
facilitate the operations of that COM
merce on which the city has been sup
ported until it has grown to be one Of
the very first among the capitals Of
the world one and all have disappeared
as completely as If they had never been.
New York is always new. The vital
principle of growth. which, in the hui
man frame eliminates every particle
Of its constituent matter, replacing the
uutwOrn with the new, SO that an en-
trcly different body comes into being
every few years, retaining the individ-
uality If the old. but composed of diff
ferent material, manifests itself in pre-
cisely an analogous fashion in the cor
porat!on, once so puny and new amons
the giants Of the earth.
The effort to give permancnCe to the
architectural features of the city is one
which has always inspired the builders,
yet absolutely nothing remains of their
earliest work, and practically all that
was accomplished in the first two hum
dred years of their great activity has
been removed TO make room for newer
structures that are fondly believed Ia
be more permanent.
Less than forty years ago the Masonic
fraternity founded, erected dedicated
and then occupied Masonic temple
which was then expected to ser"e as
meeting place. for its members for
generations, If not for centuries, to
come. 1t was well designed and exc
cuted as at once home and monu-
ment, secure against change.
Masons from all over the United
States and from abroad gathered to par
tiClpate in the imposing ceremonies %
dedication, which continued for week
Much was said and written of the sa is
faction of the mystic order in havinl
realized the hope of establishing tenn
pie that should endure indefinitely.
Yet scarcely thirty years had passeC
when he Masonic Temple disappeared
Already It is almost forgotten that tn,
site now occupied by a huge store wa
so little time ago the supposed abidnl
place of Masonry. Striking as this In
stance is, it is only one Of thousand
that might be cited to show the rapidit.
and completeness with which New Yorl
renews itself, SO that antiquities hav,
no place within lis borders only her
and there may something be found b!
the dilgent seeker which serves "a
visible reminder of bygone days.
Among these few remaining relic
possibly the most interesting to the tru
antiquarian are the written records
From the beginning there has been
history of the city, presumably accurat
In the earlier days, though lacking Il
many details that would be interesting
and Astounding in details not Away
accurately tolu during later PERIODS
Such as il is, there Is history a-plenty
and the earlier chapters Of it remain, $
that with a single interval only there
an unbrOken record Of the official doing
of the local government. and this recor
Is itself, so far as the first part of il
concerned, the greatest antiquity noN
In the possession of the city.
For this first portion of the ofiicia
history of New York still remains in 1t
original manuscript form securely locke
up In the city Han, jealousy guarde
by the clerk Of the Board Of Aldermen
In whose custody it Is. Its only vau,
aside from its being authentic proof q
early civilization, is that Of curiosity
Tor II * the m"rcst skeleton of history
consisting of dry recital of official do
ings from 1853 to 1874 \. D., durin
which period New York was "A Dutc
settlement Moreover, it is written /
Dutch.
Practically forgotten as 1t is an