Anniversary Of the Mercantile Library


Association,
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Anniversary Of the Mercantile Library


association.


This excellent institution celebrated its Twenty
second Anniversary last evening in most brilliant
style. At o'clock, an Grafton and Poem were
delivered at the Broadway Tabernacle which was
filled by most intelligent and attentive audience.
The Grafton, by CHARLES EAMEs, ESQ, was upon
the Empire of Trade. 1t was characterized by all
that brilliancy of defamation and exuberance of
rhetorical ornament for which this gentleman is so
well known, though the subject he had chosen was
far less fitted for the display of his peculiar abii
ties than many topics upon which he has before
discoursed in our city.


The Poem by PARK BESJAMIs, Esq. was
most able production-abounding in passages of
great beauty, of lofty sentiment, of exquisite hu-
NOR and of the most singing satire. 1t evnced
keen discernment and warm sympathy with true
poetic beauty, and was pronounced with great elo-
quence and effect.


After the exercises at the Tabernacle splendid
dinner was served in the large and finely orna
mented saloon at Niblo's, at which some $50 per-
sons sat down.


After the cloth was removed, the first toast was
read by the President as follows


The founding Of Mi, dissertation the 9h of NoUember
182OThis humble act the beginning of so long chain
consequences that human providence shigh enough
TO give Us prospect 10 Tie end


To this Mr.. JOHN H. GoURIIE replied in few remarks
characterized by felicity Of style and beauty OF die
ton He alluded the early history OF the Mercantile Lii
braryto the slight beginning from which had sprung The
present institution with lis splendid library and facilities
for general instruction. The Merchants of the city had
rbu,ed greatly and with distinguished iberaiy its
aid and the Chamber Of Commerce had at time made
them donation OF $3.50. The Corporation of Columbia
College had also offered 10 educate two whom the lnsitu
lion might select AR. G. happy to say that several
gentlemen had avaed themselves OF this liberal offer The
library he sad contained 250O0 volumes OF all classes
of works and the Institution had in every respect than
iusti6ed the brightest expectations of It's warmest friends
He concluded his remarks by thanking The large company
and especially the ladies' who had h5nored the occasion
with their presence and favor this evening.


In announcing the second toast follows, the President
expressed his regret that Orator had found
happy TO say the other star still in the hrmamen


The Orator and Poet IF the day.


To this toast PARK BENJAMIN, Esq, replied in very
neat and effective He said he TO express in
behalf Mr. EAMEs his regret that he could mol be present
himself he could only thank them for the honor done him





went TO Spain presided public dinner; and the
morning Mir. B. received note from him. beginning thus
Dear Sir: broke down in my speech last night just
knew should" So, said Mr. B., prevent the necessity
of writing such note myseli-Tll say no more.


The third toast then read follows:


Clinton Hall Association faithful guardians 10 their
palernal care we cheer uily cntrust our interests


To this the President hmSefresponded He said he well
might plead, order escape this duty, lack power
express the obligations under which he had been placed
by the members OF the Institution He acknowledged with
especial warmth TIE extended him by his young
friend Nr Goue) this evening, and particularly The kind
feeling with which had been received few words
cerning history and character OF the Institution
which he had th honor preside would comprise all he
had TO say He first read brief note from Mr.. Wood oi
CanandaigUa, of the early founders and warmest


friends Institution regre,ting that he could attend
The meeting al which the project OF the Institution was
formed held in November, 1920. Operations COM
neuceG in small building in Clisreet where the oUnda
ton of library laid. ard things weEt on slowly but


rey for years Some years alter the merchants o
h4 ci;y resolved to erect fine building for the service
the Institution The resolution adopted the day atter
The death OF announced liz this city and
from that circumstance the building was named after b


The Hall erected and when the small remains of debt
pnder which they labored discharged, the whole
venue would 90 the building up o! the library and he


felt tna; much 10 expect that II would in The
course OF years. become the first Literary Institution in t
limited States He bad not slightest doubt of tul
progressive PROPERTY of the Institution and be felt peud
of The part he had taken N It's prodrc ton


The fourth toast announced as follows:


The moral influence of he Mercantile Library Ass9cia
ton-Morslty is the true Mercantile character


Rev. Mr. BELLOWS responded 10 this, and said in com
meucing that there something anchoiy in The sent
nent Why necessary 10 announce The fact that mora
ty is the true of mercantile character! Ii was ht
said the foundation OF manly character and surely
chant would not be less than Many encouraged III,
suspicion that there truth the nsnuation that trade
vas based upon fraud and canning, conceal their
baseness but he said, occupation made necessary
man by Providence, Tra5eis, could be degrading
engaged in il STILL some cangs ncaded in their
what was most perilous and fail OF temptation He direct
ed the attention OF those he addressed 10 the institution
whose anniversary celebrate. great body OF Clerks
from their feeling of selfdependence had from tn
villages around The better energies which
they felt themselves be possessed cut o from their fam


lis relations exposed to the temptations OF great city, the
were coming up with al best very partial edncat sep
araed from nearly all purifying scceiy-and what shout
become a them OF all occupations Trade best adni Is


conducted in low and degrading manner and unIes
most degrading OF all II does not make by its necessar.
nduence as de some other professions those who exerc
! II pure and hgh minded


The spirit necessary aid these young men could on'
ne derived from an institution such as tha, whose a.nver
ary we no celebrate These clerks might point 10 iha


nd to the lectures &c Which had grown out OF 10 prov
that they were something than cerks-as men, acv
10 the Formations manly character and OF all great VII
The Institution evidently rendered by the eiss
1 ey whom ard for whom had been established, and trou


alone be carried down ino .he daily business
trade The spirit necessary ennoole and dignity il


IL should net be forgotten, he said, that the word et