F/2 1 F 129 .B8 B9 Copy 1 ADDRESSES HENRY WAYLAND HILL, LL. D., BUFFALO, N. Y. On September 30, 1902, In accepHjig for (he Buffalo Historical Society the Lincoln Statue, presented by tfie Lincoln Birthday Association . On January 13, 1903, In presenting, for the members of the Board of Managers of the Buffalo Historical Society, a Gold Key to Hon. Andreiv Langdon. [Reprint from Buffalo Historical Society Publications, Vol. VI.] *•■■■ »'.!n> JUL oO 1514 PRESS UNION AND TIMES, BUFFALO. N. Y. ADDRESS OF SENATOR HENRY WAYLAND HILL, ON SEPTEMBER 30, ig02, hi accepting in behalf of the Buffalo Historical Society, the bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln, presented by the Lincoln Birthday Association, through its presi- dent, Joseph P. Dudley, Esq. Vice-President Stringer, Major Dudley, President of the Lincoln Birthday Association, Ladies and Gentlemen: In behalf of the Buffalo Historical Society, I am authorized to ac- cept this bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln and the Memorial Col- lection of the late Julius E. Francis, presented by you. Major Dudley, in behalf of the Lincoln Birthday Association to this Society for its custody and preservation. In doing so, I cannot refrain from allud- ing to the services which Mr. Francis and your Association have rendered to perpetuate in memory the exemplary life and sublimely patriotic struggle of Abraham Lincoln to preserve the Union. Mr. Francis may not have been a disciple of Carlyle, who affirmed that hero-worship is the cornerstone of all society; yet, in his devo- tion, he spared neither time nor treasure to exalt the life and heroic services of Abraham Lincoln. Of the forty years he was engaged in pharmacy in this city, the latter half of that time was largely occu- pied by him in collecting relics of the Civil War, in securing auto- graphs of its soldiers and sailors with their military record, in ar- ranging and holding Lincoln Birthday anniversary exercises, and building up, inspiring and equipping an association that would con- tinue his work after him. He visited Gettysburg and other battle- fields, attended encampments of Civil War veterans and other Na- tional assemblages, and inspected public and departmental archives at Washington. In 1873, Mr. Francis and fifty other prominent citi- zens of Buffalo, representing all the states and territories of the LTnion, memorialized the 43rd Congress to make February 12th a legal holiday. This was supplemented by an alternate memorial, signed by fifty young men in the public schools of Buffalo, between the ages of fourteen and nineteen years, also representing the various states and territories. We are pleased that many of these gentlemen 4 ADDRESSES OF are present on this occasion and that they have lived to see February I2th made a legal holiday. At the first Lincoln Birthday celebration held at St. James Hall in this city on February 12, 1874, Hon. N. K. Hall presided and our esteemed historian, J. N. Larned, delivered the address, and the ex- ercises consisted also of readings, poems, patriotic music and the distribution of sixty thousana beautifully engraved cards to the pu- pils in the public schools of this city, all at the expense of Mr. Francis. Twenty thousand dollars were expended by Mr. Francis in his twenty years' service of devotion. In 1877 he incorporated the Lincoln Birthday Association, and its first trustees were such well-known men as Pascal P. Pratt, Fred- erick L. Danforth, J. R. Brownell, Joseph P. Dudley, Orrin P. Rams- dell, Julius E. Francis, William C. Francis, S. Cary Adams and George Meacham. The present officers and trustees are Major Jo- seph P. Dudley, president; G. Barrett Rich, vice-president; Fred- erick W. Danforth, secretary and treasurer; Hon. James Ash, Frank L. Danforth, C. Townsend Wilson, William E. Danforth, George C. Meacham and Guilford R. Francis. These gentlemen and others, \yho from time to time have comprised the Lincoln Birthday Associa- tion, for a quarter of a century, have freely given their time and at- tention to its affairs. This involved a supervisory control of the valuable historic memorial collections, the administration of the trust funds bequeathed by Mr. Francis and the distribution of memorial literature, commemorative of the public services of President Lin- coln. Before this Society had made plans for its permanent home, President Andrew Langdon had conferred with your trustees in re- lation to the assumption on the part of this Society, of the custody of the Francis Memorial Collection and the execution of the trust provisions of Mr. Francis' will. When it was decided to erect this fire-proof building for the ultimate uses of the Buffalo Historical Society, your trustees, in accordance with the wishes of Mr. Francis, expressed in his will, that "a room be constructed in a fire-proof building for the preservation of his memorial collection," suggested that this building be so planned as to provide such a room. President Andrew Langdon laid the matter before the Board of Managers of this Society, who were unanimously in favor of the suggestion. Such a room has been provided on the second floor of the building, and is to be known as the Lincoln Memorial Room. In addition to this, your trustees offered the further suggestion, that the main central hall of this building be so planned as to admit of the placing therein of a bronze statue of Mr. Lincoln, to be procured out of the trust funds left by Mr. Francis and the residue of such funds to be given to the Buffalo Historical Society in consideration of its providing such memorial room and assuming the custody of the memorial collection and such bronze statue, in perpetuity. A committee on the part of your Association, consisting of Major Dudley, G. Barrett Rich, and Mr. Frederick W. Danforth, was ap- pointed to confer with a committee on the part of the Buffalo His- torical Society, consisting of President Langdon, whose esthetic taste and wide knowledge of the works of art especially fitted him to serve on such a committee, Mr. Frank H. Severance, secretary of the Buf- SENATOR HENRY W. HILL. 5 falo Historical Society, and myself. It is but fair to say that Mr. Danforth and Mr. Langdon performed the largest part of the work of the joint committee. They secured the services of the well-known sculptor, Charles H. Niehaus, who had designed the statue of Mr. Lmcoln, at Muskegon, Michigan, of which this statue is a replica, except in some of its details. It was cast by the Gorham Manufac- turing Company of Providence, and is regarded by critics as a work of art. It represents Mr. Lincoln in a sitting posture, with legs crossed and document in hand, looking directly into the unknown future, as though he were meditating upon what grounds under the Constitution to justify the Emancipation Proclamation. It will also suggest many other trying moments in his eventful life. It is need- less to say that the memory of his life work could not be more en- duringly perpetuated. The present and future generations will be up- lifted, as they reflect upon the noble life, symbolized in this imposing statue. The memorial collection, which you have presented and which may be seen in the Lincoln Memorial Room, is of great historic value. The elaborately inlaid case is made of pieces of wood taken from Faneuil Hall. Independence Hall, the Charter oak, the frigate "Constitution," the Old South Church and other historic temples, dedicated to civil and religious liberty. The Soldiers' and Sailors' case contains seventy-six battlefield trophies and upwards of ten thousand autographs of soldiers and sailors who fought in the Civil War, "with their rank, regiment, date of enlistment and discharge, including the battles in which they were engaged." In addition to these are many other autographs, illustrated envelopes used during the war, and other historic papers. In presenting these to the Buf- falo Historical Society, with the assurance that they will be pre- served in perpetuity, we believe that the trustees of your Associa- tion have fully executed the trust provisions of Mr. Francis' will. In accepting them, the managers of the Bufifalo Historical Society un- dervalue neither their historic worth, nor the lofty patriotism which their donor intended that they would inculcate. This marble building, with its stately Doric columns, its spacious halls and classic outlines, overlooking an inland lake with its en- virons of surpassing beauty, is a fitting repository for such a monu- ment, as this memorial collection and superb statue constitute, to the greatest American of his generation. School children in scores and people of this and other states will come here to read again the thrill- ing story of the life of their beloved President. What a life that was ! Cradled in a Kentucky cabin, inured to all the deprivations and hardships of pioneer life, without the advantages of schooling or money, this child of the prairies, this self-trained lawyer of the plains, became the matchless champion of human freedom. While Congresses disputed and Cabinets wrangled, he, in contesting the senatorship with Douglas, fully realizing the irreconcilability be- tween the sentiments of the people at the North and at the South on the slavery question and also realizing the immanence of the con- flict that might disrupt the Union, declared that "a house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this Government cannot en- dure permanently half slave and half free." Even though the con- flict were averted by the recognition of slavery, still that would not 6 ADDRESSES OF avail, for this Government could not permanently endure on such a basis. He had a profound conception of the fundamental principles of the Declaration of Independence. "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" were not only "inalienable rights," bestowed by the Creator upon His creatures, but living principles, which the Supreme Court, the Congress and the President of the United States might not disregard. These were eternal, while kingdoms, principalities and powers were temporal. In his application of these principles to the exigencies of the times, Mr. Lincoln not only completely refuted the doctrine of the Dred Scott decision, but also exhibited qualities of the loftiest statesmanship and became the recognized leader of the people at the North. His power of statement was unsurpassed ; his logical argument was resistless ; his comprehension of the mo- mentous questions at issue was remarkable. His great heart throbbed in sympathy with the suffering and down-trodden colored race at the South. He knew their limitations, but he felt that the Creator had bestowed upon them these inalienable rights, of which they might not lawfully be deprived. This position he maintained with unflinching steadfastness. He spoke in many eastern states and was attended with large, enthusiastic audiences and made a profound im- pression wherever he appeared. In commenting on his Cooper Institute speech, the New York Tribune said : "Mr. Lincoln is one of nature's orators, using his rare powers solely to elucidate and convince, though their inevitable effect is to delight and electrify as well. We present a very full and accurate report of this speech, yet the tones, the gestures, the kindling eye, and the mirth-provoking look, defy the reporter's skill, fhe vast assemblage frequently rang with cheers and shouts of applause, which were prolonged and intensified at the close. No man ever before made such an impression on his first appeal to a New York audience." People at the North were electrified. Mr. Lincoln became the logical candidate of the Republicans for the Presidency in i860. Party and sectional strife threatened to disrupt the Union. The South knew no bounds to their demands for the extension of slavery; the North was a wall of adamant against such extension. The con- flict was inevitable. Still in the presence of such civil commotion, which shook the Nation to its foundation, Mr. Lincoln, with the vision of a seer, in closing his first inaugural address on March 4. 1861, made use of these prophetic words: "The mystic cords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature." He saw beyond the smoke of battle a reunited nation. He understood the temper of the people at the North as well as at the South. He knew the genius of our Republican institutions and had supreme faith in their fitness for government "of the people, by the people and for the people." He spent many sleepless vigils alone in brooding over the out- come of various battles of the Civil War, still he did not lose faith in our civil institutions and in the ultimate success of our armies. He left nothing undone that would tend to restore this country to a condition of peace. He wielded the extraordinary powers vested in SENATOR HENRY W, HILL. 7 the Executive under the Constitution more freely than they had ever been exercised before to uphold and strengthen the sovereign pow- ers of the Nation. He justified his Emancipation Proclamation, as a war measure that would weaken the enemy and strengthen the Union forces. His generous and sympathetic nature was proverbial and ex- pressed itself in many ways and in such words as "with malice toward none; with charity for all," found in his second inaugural. He was the revered President. General W. T. Sherman said that "Lincoln was the purest, the most generous and the most magnani- mous of men." He loved his country whose freedom was his in- spiration. His Gettysburg speech, like the funeral oration of Pericles, is the embodiment of true patriotism. It has been said that "Abraham Lincoln was the first American to reach the lonely heights of immortal fame." "He lives in endless fame All honor to his patriot name." This marble building may crumble, this bronze statue may wear away, but the name and deeds of Abraham Lincoln will not perish from the earth. ADDRESSES OF ADDRESS OF SENATOR HENRY WAYLAND HILL, ON JANUARY 13, ig03, hi presenting, for the Members of the Board of Managers of the Buffalo Historical Society, a Gold Key to Hon. Andtew Latigdon, President of the Buffalo Historical Society, with which to open the massive bronze doors at the northerly entrance of the Buffalo Historical Society building, which doors were the gift of President Langdon to the society. President Langdon: Your associates on the Board of Managers of the Buffalo His- torical Society take this occasion to express publicly their apprecia- tion of your long and distinguished services as president of this So ciety, and of their personal regard for you. At the time of your first election, in January, 1894, there was very little to encourage, and much to discourage one in assuming the duties of president of the Buffalo Historical Society. Its location was not favorable to its growth, or to the maintenance of public interest in its affairs. Its limitations were recognized by all. After the late Dr. Joseph C. Greene and the late Dr. Frederick H. James had presented their respective collections to this Society, it was apparent to all that there was not sufficient space on the third floor of the Library Building adequately to exhibit its historic prop- erties. Its archives were not easily accessible to the public. This was due to the fact that it was necessary to climb two long flights of stairs to reach the Historical Society rooms, and when reached, they were found to be in a congested and poorly lighted condition. Con- sequently the public did not use the Historical Society archives as freely as they otherwise would. As earlv as 1891, a committee was appointed by the Board of Managers of this Society to in- crease its membership, and we found that the difficulty of reaching the Society's rooms on the third floor of the Library Building was SENATOR HENRY \V. HILL. 9 one of the principal objections advanced by Buffalonians to becom- ing members. However, this did not deter such well-known Buf- falonians as the late Judge James Sheldon, and that ripe classic scholar, James Frazer Gluck, both now deceased, from taking a deep interest in the welfare of this Society. Soon after assuming the ex- ecutive management of this organization, you made a study of its conditions and needs and presented plans for extending its sphere of usefulness in this community. These met with the approval of such vvell-known members as Edmund W. Granger, George H. Lewis, Dr Frederick H. James, Judge James Murdock Smith, Dr. Joseph C Greene, Cyrus K. Remington and George W. Townsend, all since deceased, but who, as occasion occurred, freely gave of their time and treasure to promote the welfare of the Society. They were its loyal and devoted friends. We should remember their solicitude for its success at times when it needed just such support as they were able to give to it. After full justice is done to all others, however, we feel that this Society and the city are under lasting obligation to you for what you have accomplished. As early as 1897, after the enactment of chapter 310 of the Laws of 1897, authorizing the Society to build on Park lands, you had prepared for the uses of this Society plans of a build- ing, resembling the Matthew Laflin Memorial, in Lincoln Park, Chi- cago, which you presented to your associates and to the Board of Park Commissioners of this city. You sought to raise funds for the construction of such a building, which, though far less costly than this building, had many features of excellence for historical pur- poses. I need not recount the arguments advanced by those who favored, and by those who then opposed the movement from a down- town site to one on Park lands. Your familiarity with the location of such buildings in the parks of other cities of this and other countries greatly aided us in reaching a wise conclusion in that matter. People now recognize the propriety of the location of this Historical Society building. Had it not been possible to locate on park lands, it were not possible to have obtained State funds toward its construction. You will recall the conference of Judge James M. Smith, Dr. J. C. Greene, Hon. D. F. Day, Cyrus K. Remington, Dr. Albert H. Briggs, Frank H. Severance, yourself and myself, in the latter part of Sep- tember, 1897, at the Delaware Park, to decide upon a site for the Buffalo Historical Society building, and that such conferees favored the mound now occupied by the Albright Gallery of Art. Much dis- cussion ensued. The subsequent location of the Pan-American Ex- position, north of Delaware Park, necessitated the abandonment of that site, if the Historical Society were to take advantage of the State Building plan, as proposed at our monthly meeting on June i, 1899, in a resolution, which I presented on that occasion. The present site was decided upon at a meeting of the managers of this Society, the Commissioners on the part of the State of New York at the Pan-American Exposition, members of the Park Board and President John G. Milburn and some of the directors of the Pan- American Exposition Company held in December, 1899. The State Commissioners acceded to the arguments advanced for the location of the New York State Building on this site, instead of on the site originally proposed, upon which the Temple of Music was afterwards 10 ADDRESSES OF erected. That made it possible to aggregate the three funds and se- cure a better building for the Pan-American Exposition and a per- manent home for this Society. I prepared and introduced on January i6, 1900, a bill in the As- sembly to accomplish that purpose, which became law. As a member of the Building Committee on the part of this Society, you rendered exceedingly valuable services. Fortunate, indeed, was this Society, at the time, in having one so willing and competent to serve it in that trying capacity. Week in and week out, you labored to accomplish the result which now crowns the work. It must not be forgotten that General Wilson S. Bissell, Hon. Charles W. Goodyear, Mr. G. Bar- rett Rich, Secretary Frank H. Severance and other members of this Board of Managers also counselled, advised and supplemented your efforts and rendered valuable service in this important matter. The Board of Park Commissioners favored the project and since the Ex- position have done much to beautify the grounds surrounding this building. This Society contributed $45,000, the City of Buffalo $25,000, and the State $100,000, towards the cost of this building. In addition to these sums, the most notable gift towards this building was the solid bronze doors, in its northerly entrance, which you presented to the Society. As works of art, it may be said, that they are not excelled by any in this country. They are embellished by female figures, which represent Ethnology and History, and are emblematic of the work of the Society. The bronze transom above the doors is adorned with two reclining figures, emblematic of Science and Art. These gates will endure long after this marble building has crumbled away. The munificence of this gift is one of the proofs of your loyalty to this Society and the quality of it evinces rare esthetic taste, that adorns and beautifies wherever it exists. These beautiful gates will refine and promote human happiness, for, as Keats says : "A thing of beauty is a joy forever." The Washington bust of Carrara marble, after the Stuart por- traits, the work of the eminent Florentine sculptor, Pugi, recently presented by you to this Society, is another evidence of your abiding interest in it. It was largely due to your forethought and efforts that the Society secured the Francis Memorial collection, and the bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln, but time does not permit me to enu- merate all that you have done for this Society during your nine years service as its president. During that time the Buffalo Historical Society may be said to have had a new birth. Its period of transition has passed. It has ceased to be a tenant and has become the owner of one of the finest Historical Society buildings in America. This Greek Doric temple and the Albright Ionic Gallery of Art, near at hand, with their rare collections and the replica of the gigantic statue of David by Michael Angelo, through your munificence soon to be placed in this vicinity, and other works of art and stately buildings that are likely to follow, whose "architecture," to adopt the phrase of Schelling, may be lik- ened unto "frozen music," will constitute an acropolis of fine arts in Delaware Park. SENATOR HENRY W. HILL. 11 As time goes on this Park, which "... didst appear so fair To fond imagination," Will "rival in the light of day Her delicate creation." Henceforth Buffalo, the city of commerce, with its diversified in- dustries, will have its classic buildings and works of art to awaken "ideals of beauty," which Ruskin has well said, "are among the noblest which can be presented to the human mind invariably exalt- ing and purifying it according to their degree." Conspicuous among these will be the superb building of the Buffalo Historical Society with its stately portico of Doric columns and beautiful gates, housing an historic collection of rare value, already widely and favorably known. This will both elevate and instruct. The Publications of this Society will become standard authorities and v/ill cover periods of time not hitherto adequately treated by other historians. The work of the Society will thus become educational and you will see fulfilled the highest ideals of historic research and historic exposi- tion. This is far in advance of the work that was possible to be done nine years ago. We feel that you have labored zealously to advance the interests of the Society and to extend its sphere of usefulness in this com- munity. You have contributed liberally of your time and treasure to make this a progressive institution. The impress you have left upon it is quite as notable as that of its first president, Millard Fillmore. In testimony of your faithful services and of the appreciation of your associates on the Board of Man- agers and of Mr. Edward D. Strickland, who has served in the capacity of assistant secretary during most of your presidency, I am requested to perform the pleasant duty of presenting to you this key of gold, bearing the inscription, "Board of Managers of the Buffalo Historical Society to Andrew Lang- don, 1901," to open the massive bronze gates that will forever attest your devotion to the Buffalo His- torical Society and perpetuate your name in memory as one of its most munificent benefactors. LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 014 220 712 6