McGrawville Express, Thursday, July 6, 1848.
EDITORS TABLE.
The Celebration.
We are unable to give as full a report of the exercises connected with the laying of the Corner Stone of the College in this village as would be agreeable to ourselves and satisfactory to others, without unusual delay. We have had an increase of job work of late, and have parted temporarily with one of the hands in our office, which circumstances are our excuse for brevity.
What little may be said, however, shall be free from exaggeration, provided we are capable of making it so. We believe there is never anything gained by giving a false coloring to the proceedings of any public meeting—certainly our patrons want nothing but the truth; and the friends of the institution would not thank us for misrepresenting them, even though we should "stretch the truth" a little in their favor.
The morning of the Fourth was fine. The copious showers of the previous day had rendered the air healthful and freed the road from dust.
At 9 o'clock the people were assembling—carriages were approaching the village briskly from every quarter. By 10 o'clock our streets were thronged—we are safe in saying there were thousands present. At about half past 10, the procession formed, and marched to the site of the edifice. Here a part of the assembly occupied the frame work above the walls, and a much larger part a position around and in front of the east wing. Too few seats had been prepared and multitudes were obliged to stand during the whole of the exercises.
The Speakers, the Clergy, Officers of the Day, and the Band occupied the north east corner of the building where the stone had been placed. The President solicited attention, and called the names of the Vice Presidents, after which the services commenced by the reading of a portion of scripture by Rev. Mr. Post of Owego. The throne of Grace was then addressed by Rev. Mr. Tillinghast, after which Rev. Cyrus P. Grosvenor of Utica, President elect of the Institution, addressed the assembly upon the time honored usage of laying of corner stones. As we took no notes of his eloquent effort we can not do him justice.
He remarked in substance that this act was not one of superstitious consecration—God our Maker could alone render holy any object in the universe. It was in him our confidence should be placed who was the "CHIEF CORNER STONE"—who was alone worthy the homage of his intelligent creatures. To that being he would commit our interests for time and for eternity.
The box which he was about to deposit within this corner stone contained that which might be interesting to the people of another age. Perhaps, at some future day, when the multitudes that now thronged around this spot should have all to the grave gone down, some of our descendants might read with emotion, in the contents of this box, somewhat of the events of our time, and the motives, and the actions of their fathers.
After the placing of this box, a memorandum of the contents of which appears below, the Declaration of Independence was read.
The President elect resumed his remarks. He made a pathetic appeal to his female hearers—spoke of the influence of mothers—made a most happy allusion to his own, at whose side he was wont to stand some fifty years ago and treasure up the lessons of wisdom that fell from her lips—he trusted her sainted spirit was in Heaven! He dwelt at some length upon the anti-slavery feature of the institution—alluded to the declaration that had been read, said he believed the principles therein contained—objected to John C. Calhoun's criticisms upon that instrument made the other day in Congress—thought his remark that "men are not born but grow," hardly comported with the dignity and fame of that profound statesman. His sarcasm was as withering as the blasts from winter.
He dwelt awhile upon the political aspects of our country—spoke of the long trumpet that northern men had been manufacturing, and through which the North had begun to speak to the slavocracy. John P. Hale, the mouth-piece of this trumpet, rendered the instrument complete! It was doing charming execution. Giddings of Ohio was a noble piece—an abolition piece, soldered on with good abolition solder! Gerrit Smith and many others formed important parts of this trumpet.
He loved the Whigs and the Barnburners, who were wheeling into the ranks to do battle for the great principle of human freedom—he meant to be both a Whig and Barnburner.
He would not insult any present by asking if they did not consider learning valuable. All knew it to be so. Complaints were often made however that our sons were spoiled by being sent to College.
He had himself been injured. A gentle man had said to him concerning his son: "William was a good common sense boy before he went to college, but now he does not know even how to mend his pen."
The cause of this state of things was attributed to the fact, that so many were sent from scenes of labor to college halls, to be educated GENTLEMEN; and to virtually despise labor. Being required to do nothing with their hands, their constitutions were injured, and mental imbecility too often ensued. But in the institution here being built, a certain amount of daily labor wo'd be required of each student for his own benefit. He pledged that this should be an industrial institution, which should not return to us sons rendered arrant fops by the discipline received, nor our daughters converted into dunces. Females were to be placed upon an equal footing with males—enjoy an equally thorough course of instruction, graduate with honors, &c.
The Bible was to be studied, both as a test book and a text book. The speaker gave an interesting anecdote of John Randolph, who admitted to one who had ridiculed him for having been found reading the sacred volume, that this was his most important law book.
The speaker explained the manner in which the building, the frame of which is already up, was to be finished. Said, when we should attend the commencements at some future times, we might be accommodated with seats in the commodious Chapel, instead of being obliged, so many of us, to stand. He adverted to his having been chosen President of the institution, but said he was not certain that he should accept. Time and Providence would settle this.
The exercises were interspersed with music by the band. After the benediction was pronounced a procession was again formed, and conducted by their Marshall to the Hotel, where dinner was served.
In the afternoon public exercises were held in the Baptist Church, which was filled to overflowing. The meeting was addressed by Messrs. Post, Grosvenor, and Tillinghast. As we only witnessed a part of the exercises, and have not now the time to comment upon what we did hear, we shall be excused for not attempting to report.
In the evening, a meeting of considerable interest was also held.
Much credit is due from the public to Esq. Kinney, President of the day; and Col. Greene, the Marshal, for the able manner in which they discharged their duties. Though not identified with the denomination under whose auspices the institution has been begun, they have shown their willingness to aid them on this occasion, as officers of the day. This is courteous—it is as it should be. The Clergymen of this place, and others from a distance, and who are not identified with the Free Mission enterprise, were in attendance.
We had anticipated, when the subject of this celebration was first broached, that the Free Mission sentiments of the projectors of this institution, would array against it some opposition, and that the inhabitants of this region might not turn out so generally to witness the exercises. We are aware of the spirit that is, or was abroad in the land, viz: to search for nothing, to see and to hear nothing that does not accord with previously conceived opinions; and thought that such an influence would operate against the proposed celebration. But happily, few, if any, have harbored such a spirit. These Antislavery men have come among us, laid the Corner Stone of their edifice, and retire—unmolesting unmolested! We have neither found them tigers nor hyenas—they are in many respects like ourselves—they eat, sleep, and talk very much as other people do. Perhaps we will except the talking. Their talk is sometimes peculiar. They assigned us an humble part in the exercises of the day—we performed it, of course. On the whole we do not believe they will have occasion to say of the inhabitants of McGrawville generally, that they did not receive them cordially and treat them respectfully.
Finally, as citizens we think we feel quite as well over the reception that has been given them, as we should to have abused or even mobbed them.
Abuses in Congress.
We do not believe there is in the wide world a more sublime humbug than the U. S. Congress. Plain, hard-working republicans naturally suppose, when individuals are elected to represent them in that body, that taking their seats impressed with a sense of their obligations to their constituents, and with a due appreciation of the high responsibilities incurred, they will betake themselves vigorously to their task, as laboring men.
But what is their usual mode of proceeding? We have only to consult the minutes of letter-writers, and interrogate the members on their return, to ascertain the fact that they are not in the habit of assembling till eleven o'clock in the morning; that after thanks have been rendered to the Almighty for his merciful regard for this body, and petitions preferred for a gracious continuance of his goodness—the members stroll about, chat, read newspapers—perhaps do an amount of public business that would not tax for a half hour the energies of a half dozen intelligent laboring men to be found in almost every town in this section, and quite as capable as they of doing the business—and at three o'clock P. M. adjourn. For this overwhelming labor, those lily-fingered gentry receive the modest wages of eight dollars a day!—about as much as we, who labor faithfully from ten to twelve, or fourteen hours out of twenty-four, can command in one week!
By this kind of management (this republican method of legislating) they are enabled to protract the business beyond all reasonable limits. Congress have already been in session since December last, and have accomplished no more than they sho'd have done in two months.
We are aware that there are, in this body, honorable exceptions—men who would be glad to see a different state of things, and who are willing to earn their wages, but they are generally such as have held their seats for a comparatively short period; and who doubtless think, that it is not so much their province to propose reform, as it is theirs who have greater experience in Congressional usages. The number of these however, is inconsiderable—the majority in favor of rendering small service, and the receiving of high wages would be overwhelming.
We appeal to the hardy sons of toil throughout the land—we ask you, is this a wholesome state of things?—are you willing to exert your physical energies to the utmost and receive but a tithe of the compensation given to those who are to represent, your interests?—and this too, when these very men—these should-be servants of the people—are either lolling at their ease in the capitol, or making political speeches that effect their own interests directly or indirectly—and commencing each day's work at the eleventh hour?
Why is it not a s much the duty of Congressmen to commence their duty at nine o'clock in the morning, and labor arduously during the day, as it is his whom you employ to instruct your children, or perform any other service for wages, to discharge his task faithfully?
As conductor of this humble sheet, we mean to advocate reform. We believe that double the amount of business transacted in Congress since the commencement of the session, ought to have, been disposed of in one half the time consumed, and for half the money expended. If there be a set of drones that must be fed from the public crib—who importune us so lustily (by proxy) for office, that it is impossible to resist their appeals, and they are thus upon us—then, indeed, it were far better that they be paid thus liberally to remain at home the greater part of the year than be allowed to tamper unnecessarily with governmental affairs.
The power to bring about reform is in the hands of the people. If they wish to elect representatives merely to figure as gentlemen loafers, and if they would willingly submit to inefficient or reckless legislation, they can do it. On the other hand, if they desire to see industry encouraged, legislation purified, primitive republicanism revived, principle and patriotism instead of men cherished, they have the legitimate means to effect it—they, thank God, have a sovereign remedy for legislative abuses in the magic power of the BALLOT BOX.
Syracuse and Binghamton Rail Road.
In this county, $40,000 have been subscribed towards the capital requisite to organize the company to construct the Syracuse and Binghamton R. Road. Do you hear that you Onondagas? (No insinuations.) Are not the "rocks" as plenty in your region as in old Cortland? If you should, do any thing for the Rail Road speak so as to be heard. Speak in season!
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