The New York Herald Newspaper, November 25, 1854, Page 3

by Robt. Kelly, Eeq., the Presi- dent, and Other Exercises. CH OF GOV. SEYMOUR. me, teresting ceremony of opening the new House of ‘on Randall’s Island, took place yesterday, No- ‘2th, im the chapel of that elegant and sub- edifice, in presence of a large number of invited lies and gentlemen, moa} of whom arrived at about half-past 11, by the steamer Shepherd ich was chartered for that purpose by the of Arrangements of the Society for the Re- of Juvenile Delinquents. ilding cost nearly three hundred and eleven dollars, undred boys and fifty girls, the recipients of the the benefits and the blessings of this glorious were ranged in the body and gallery of the last—the 20th—annual report we perceive that number of children received into the House since its organization in 1824, is 6,948, and ynumber under the charge of the institution in 1853 was 821. z pat the invited guests on the present occasion we Hon, Horatio Seymour, Governor of the State, jugh Maxwell, Hon. Clarkson F. Crosby, Hon. ham, Hon. Thomas R. Whitney, Fernando or elect of New York, James Harper, Doctor '¢, Doctor Beadle, James W. Gerrard, L. 8. Elliott, 1H. Bird, Willism B. Crosby, &c.; several mem- the Board of Councilmen and of the Board of gon, and the Secretary of the latter. is a list of the officers and managers of ty for the Reformation of Juvenile Delin- ‘Sresidente Shepherd Knapp, Israel Ragsel 5 a ase ML Leupp, Joshua §. Underbil, Mablon “Day; Weeks. a 8. Underhill, ‘Andrew Warner. "ees.—James N. Cobb, Walter Underhill, Elias G, George J. Cornell, Charles E. Pierson, M. D., W. Stevens, James W. Beekman, J. W. ©. Lever- ‘in B. Asterbasy, George F. Hussey, Frederick W. Downer, Wm. H. Edmund M. Young, Samuel 1. Mitchilt, John J. |, James W. 0; ill, David Sands, John Bige- Hbbert Lenox Kennedy, Richard M. Hoe, Charles C. ‘vrintendent—John W. Ketcham. on—Miss Anne Carter. es’ Committee—Sarah C. Hawxhurst, Elizabeth U. Judith Skidmore, Mary Lyon, Elizabeth Bake: y, Melissa P. Boage, ‘Anna Maria Robert, Eliza hig tif soaps Reng oe on Ha, Neefas, Serah Brown, Ano Palmer, evn \ding Committee—Charies M. Leupp, Chairman; ». Drake, Linus W. Stevens, Joshua B. Underhill; Ds Laveridge, Secretary. prder of axercises was commenced by the children ig the following SONG OF PRAISE. jom the lips of youth. to the God of trath, Lot the echoes fly. vapiec) jo the lofty skies, our king. be spread, for the Lamb who bled sured the rene the disgrace, the loss: a ce, _ & “ his praise forever flow! easeg ten oe oa sexi pall ot oer the al delights in mercy stiil; se bpnds his jous ear our requests to hear, od oun omgig tuo tha emaabiag te tea gions cross he for the a ee he loves the elren best; pag arms we’ ol re) iy, on head > And secure his p: Sing praises, &c. Rev. Dr. Apams, then offered up to the Throne of ly & brief and appropriate prayer. ADDEESS BY TEE PRESIDENT ent Kritr, Esq., the President, delivered the fol- address: — EB AND GENTIEMEN:—It is two years this day since assem! including ag 3 of those now pre- were gathered at this piace to be witnesses of the hor ‘ST iaging the corser stone of the House of Re- " have now the pleasure of welcoming you to ublic demonstration, intended to celebrate com- of the main edifice, andto inaugurate its open- } The managers of the Society for the Reformation venile Delinquents have thought it desirable to re- en public interest in this old and cherished Institu- ‘2, by an exhibition of the building aud its spans. ‘6, by directing attention to what it has accomplish. nd presenting a skctch of its improved tion means and prospects of future usefulness. When ciety was orggnized, in the Tens 1824, and the first fe of Refuge was opened at fhe old Arsenal ground, tthe present Madison the ‘community took a the cause were sustained by ral sympathy, and their ils to. the benevolence ‘eir fellow cif met with a cordial and areal re- ‘ge. The House of Refuge was founded upon a plan sed by themselves and put into succesafnl operation. 4s the pioneer institution of the whole country. Its ral plan and nearly all is details, were adonto' dy pel the original scheme, and #0 few cl have been introduced in the various es where these institutions have been established, a gnek ore testimony that — he ste nae ened and practical judgment o! fount New York House crneoe ‘The improvements that ‘been introduced were Renerally‘anticipated by them, the principle of separation into grades seems to have Y ized at an early period. The importance of principle with respect to females was particularly byte noticed by the managers apd the ‘en’ Committee, under whose especial charge as to ‘al discipline the female houee bas always been placed. 'York may therefore justly present a claim of prece- sein this Ymportant department of benevolence and rm. How much greater should be the interest of all svolent persons aoe, Bowe J the oneratien of hs itution during a pe ol rs, al ¢ brigh tions entertained by its fonder and friends e fully realized! Quietly and uninterruptediy as performed its purpose, rescuing erring and guilty th from the consequences of sinful habit, the com- lonship of the vicious, and a finished education in oe. It was said that before its establishment an ttal and a convistion were attended with the like dis- sous consequences, because the youth was perfected a of crime if sont to the prison, and in its ctice if discha In these thirty years, the gene- on which established the House of Refuge has nearly sed away. The generation now occupying their ces should take up the work in the same spirit, and cy it forward with the same success. For several ¥s past the institution has received annually an ave- e of about ro org children of both eee s cess Of absorp ing on constantly is ‘dering an important service, to society. It is like abstraction of so much poison. The namber at ent in the house has m reduced, in view our removal, as low as possible, by binding out children more rapidly than would have been ve pre —_ circumstances. einer tan rnen ad- 5 commencement is ; the number vig the house 401; namely, 331 boys and 70 girls, 5,868 as the number who have ed from its care, including those who have surren- * to their friends, and not deducting the few deaths }t have occurred. There is satisfactory evidence that arge I chipee of these children have been saved and t to society to become industrious and orderly mand women. This institution blends the character- ica of a private, a city, and @ State institution. The nagement of public ities by ansociations of citi- ss, devotiug themrelves from benevolent and disinte- ted motives to the task, is a strictly American inven- m, and has been found in practice a highly economi- and advantageous system. There are somo charities, among them schools of reformation, which perhaps ld not be conducted vt — ome such & item, or some arrangement wi would secure service citizens of the same character and aiiicatioes. If abnses should arise, there is, course, power enough in the public authorities interfere. _ The House of Refuge was established origi- Dy by private benefections is governed by a board thirty men elected annually by the contribu- *a, who are ca! members of the Lociety for the Re- -matjon of Juvenile Delinquents. It was intended pri- ly for the admission of the youthful vagrants and rs of the city; but within two years after it was re nd advantages wore extended to the same class children fiom the entire State. Since the establish: hot of the Western House of Refuge at Rochester, it seives boys from half the connties, Tut is till the only ‘orm school in the State for girls. ‘The city has de- - were exi el ag fery robe Ley c Ly and State ma; said to contribute about equ: Tee support. Eight thousand dollars per phe ~ id from the ‘State treasury; about ten thousand dol. per annum are collected from the excise fund of the , theatre and circus licenses, and the Board of Edu- tion: and »® similar amount of revenue is obtainod the proceeds of the labor of the boys. 8 Tequired to erect this ae the acknowledg of the managers are due alike to the city te authorities, From the former they received arity to dispose of the site on Twenty-third stree m which we have just removed, which has bee: very advyantageou for the sum of about $170, after or It setaten? care, until that as ‘the child course of life, ‘Gevdiamaaly a claim to po agi the parent home for these iowa bfere where accommodat recsi' branches of a common school education, are trained to Rabits of ind have a ini for s life appiness, After they of time, wl vary in different cases, and should Sree anes & Tass Gnd S TSN, Gay’ See apeearen from their former companions spd be thick! ‘spread snares of the city. The justice and wisdom of course thase whos! the mesagees Rave sccaniesulny and sieaos whom the ve after careful-examtuation, surrendered 10° the care of their friends, for experience has that the children thus shown, unfortunately, strangers. The House of Refuge is not to be s prison, in @ punitive sense, ‘although chines and youth are ere by courts an: The work wi its the windows of this Layee fa indeed framed of strong wrought-iron bars, inten to guard st escape, but the purpose of keeping the is so securely is not pun- them for what they have done, but sepa: naturally aE, and by wi - the: ey are regarded ani hires who have unhay the path of rectitude, or who have su! c! or bad example. A divinely be ruined. institution as cl £ deficient moral traini these children, and the moral ul lies wrapped up in Puneaments of its heavenly from neglect, the life of each one of birth may be restored. Stained indeed it is, but the stains may be washed away. They are sufficiently im- ible to lay aside old and put on new habits. Past cles maybe remedied by instruction and dlscip- line. Their false idea of the constituent elements of human happiness may be removed by implanting tru views of life, with its duties, its retributions. the world may be transformed Their conceptions of 6 sibilities, and its eir own position in into earnest and hopeful aspirations. The love of vicious excitement may be su- pees ay e spirit which should pervade a and higher motives. This is whole scheme of re- formatory discipline for the youthful vagrant or offend- er. Who of us, that ha’ ve never been ¢: to the temptations that have surrounded these children, and have been trained from infancy of the Seri almost in the know- iptures, and in all that is wholesome and pure and true, can put his hand upon his heart and declare that he is by nature any bet- ter than one of them? Who of us dare say, that if he had been exposed to the same influences he would have preserved his integrity and come out of the ordeal unscathed? e aight of such a group of children as is coflected on those seats and in yonder gal- Jery, should fill us with humility mercy. This house is to bea tion, a covert from the storm, and teach us lessons of retreat for calm reflec. a place of refuge where the avenging Nemesis of crime cannot pursue them, as it tracks £0 others through life. acta oe es Wc the ‘Acolation occasioned They feel,’ with bya separation frem relatives and friends, from all whom they have loved in the world; but the reme- is bg their restoration to moral health, the value ef 3f they do not now, they will here- after appreciate, Bitlie case of those who have slight- pest orto ls, and by disobedience and e Bi have Brought this deprivation upon them- selves, it is natural that they should feel it to be a se- lead of reformation. tached to the institution, and to to compunction, repent vere punishment; but it WWll prove a blessing if it vento ‘tance, and the put t many of our inmates become at- the officers with whom they are brought into contact, we well know. This feel- ba ies them when they for leave, and their grati- benefits they have received is often ac- vides a inafter life. It is no degradation to the chil- ee maa it is a progress: cont a ve to the Teak and chara And happily it does not act as a upon them. Instead of impairis tends to awaken a sentiment of and conviction that there is now ing they are ready to leave the go forth with a fair education, and with habits ‘adequate to provide for their wants. A sense their rising. When tion th of indi cter of a citizes have been confined in this house; on step in their elevation ns. of their lanai it tl nothing to itu. of independence, therefore, accompanies them. The fact that there has been no cessation in the demand for ap- prentices since the commencement, is an evidence that others do not regard our childicn as reprobates. The — mental and industrial training they havo receiv- ed them valuable as a) enter upon the new course the House, racters, render: Tassing or Friety. uire ble. But is there no hg tn Aha House of Refuge? Unquestionab) fe, is no st a branded their cha- Delt Wtercoumse,witt others exbar Those who conduct with pro. esteem of the families where they ive and of the acquaintances they form, and gradually rise to a perfectly independent and res] tices. nd when they after graduating from le position ionship within the » this is one of the difficuk, points in the management of these institu- tions. It is true that idleness is not allowed to become the mother of vice. Six to eight hours at labor, four hours at school, ten drills and meals mainder of the da; small more time is left than is indispensable for their proper tion, however, without com- recreation. It is no hours in dormitories, with a leave our boys but a y for utual intercourse. No recreat img and it is here chiefly that get are exposel sy mutual in! evil. Thai fiuence for good or youth har- dened in vice and crime may exercise a corrupting influ- ence u; ly obvious. panionship are still more evident and disastrous. mn the less depraved and the innocent, is perfect- With respect to girls, the evils or such com- The it is because of the facilities that will be here in of separation into les is the only practical re- east teene offered for that purpose, that the friends of juvenile re- formation should feel a special in of Refage. When our building boys and tinct many distinct institutions. resulting from this plan is, system of discipline ma rerior grade, which will be ui to the younger children, fall, fér the most part, hours a day will be the into the higher class. period assign terest in this new House shall be finished, the rls will be divided respectively into two dis- ics, that will be kept as completel from each other almost as if the apart belonged to so A collateral advantage that a more lenient be adapted for the su- of particular bene- who wili naturally Six for labor in the workshops for this division of the boys, instead of eight hours during eizht months, and seven hours during four months, which has been tne uniform rule, allowing ime for relaxation, readin; more fi It is a subject of regret, ‘that the plan cannot and various privileges. 5 Pp at bs carried into execution. The division will take offect as to the distribution of time, but tl Fe} ition. arrangements that have been bnilding. The erection of the Fe for the proper accommodation of dis ration. ‘The managers are lookin, here can be no further The division of the girls will not be practi cable, while occupying, accordin; to the temporary le, a portion of this male Houso is required the children, and is in- ‘bly necessary for the perfection of the organi- ig forward with auxicty to the full realizntion of their purposes and anticipa- tions. Ido not propose to tion of the building. especially of its dimensions, by the various apartments, than by have seen that the exterior is Brick was selected as being a ch even the most common, stone. arched with brick, and there except for sills and two plai below the basement story. effect is produced by the distribution masses, liness of workmanship. and not by beauty surmounted centre and en detached ventilating towers, tral mass, is ei ‘The imposin structure are the deeply projecting, end buildin; ive you a detailed descrip- You will form a better idea of it, promenading through anv description. You of North river brick. r mater is no cut stone in courses above and The architectural of the of materials or cost- features of the lofty, and dome- , and the partially which tho stairs are | fy-aix foet, of the ends, seventy-six in placed. The ‘sis ‘to the ridge of the roof, of the cen- feet, and of the long connectin, the building has © front of 8 wings, sixty-three fect. vo hundred, and ninety feet, and covers a surface of one anda quarter acres. The buildings embraced in the plan will cover a space of more than two acres. The Female House will be a de- tached edifice. lying to the south of this and ona line with it. It will correspond in architectural appearance, having a centre, two wings, ' ‘The fr same style and elevation. and fifty feet. closes an area of ten acres. The id end buildings, of the ‘ont will be two hundred | substantial stone wall en- front esplanade com- prises nearly wx acres, and the remaining surface of the site, including marsh and rock, may amount to about as much as the imp’ sixteen acres. ing will show you extravagance, has directed roved space, or say, A general survey of the build: that convenience, and not the entire arrange ment of the plan, There area great varie ty of purpose to be provided for in the construction of a House of Refuge. Well furnished school tals, a separate s! room child, work sho; present a Ust of estimated, except by those tions. The accomm There are important moral these things. the whole, and of neatness and be compatible with entire sim nsable. There must be in this you see, of o1 as it stands, with the female ho afford, it is believed. all the , Bathe rooms, dining rooms, kitchen arrangements, ¥ grounds, rooms for business, and the apartments neoded for the oflicers and their families, requirements that cannot be properly familiar with these institu- more spacious and. comfortable then Go n woul for the same namber of pireecte confined influences connec! An aspect of cheerfulness should pervade > whe use, when seoontodallone’ thet rooms, a chapel, hospi- ‘or dormitory for evory @ must be be allowed ina on. with ty, as far as may | Oe Sen ventilation and convenient means of heating in every part aro indis- reasonable against ction by fire, and security pes. All these requirements have been and provided for fice, and the resuit is the large structure which The institution is designed f a0 thouband children of, bultoenes: ine eonnee, will will bb ae for a long term of years, It may be ealeu- be lated to hold eight hundred or ‘The origin: ‘pn conlemplat al ‘tes those on the front age radiati arrangements are sufficiently ex- ards, and the cent jensive to admit of this it should be deemed advi dition. eight hundred and fifty, two wings similar to diagonally into the If, at 8 future pend, bie to erect these wings, the institution could accommodate somewhere from twelve hundred to fourteen hundred inmates. The Refuge haa, a ble of any extension House of length, a permanent resting place. capa- Sy that may be found necessary hore. after, on a location vanes its advantages nearly all the conditions that could been the term of its occupatto mer nites. Tfere in no reason romain here for centuries ; for the time will ever come when desired. Fifteen, yoars has m at each for. to doubt that it* will we cannot hope that it will not be wanted. i [k i contracted i Bates sai’ seiteins seve cree cess ++ 8230,600 47 and vent appara- ee es for chapels, ta reservoir, sewers, and baths, drains Grading, sea wall, regulai grounds ve» 20,743 42 Line fence, docks, boats, &e.,..... 3,234 94 70,780 68 Beh Croton w » 0,407 97 expended for the female de; Yard wall and wooden fence. $5,630 30 Grading and sea waH.........+ 8,569 09 14,109 30 Teimay’ be permitted for the ited for the the institution, on this occasion, tars gratulations that the buildi: ted, and tbat it hes at length removed to ite commo. ous ome. ‘This is no lougpe a hous itis a city of refuge. managers have realized the magnitu of the undertaking. ‘The insufficiency of the accommo- dations in the premises on Twenty-third street, the changed character of the location by the advance of the city, aerpesing. omoent of juvenile destitution and delinquency, and the advantages to be derived in the work of reform from a distinct separation of jen, were reasons which had long convinced them of the ne- cessity of removal. It is now seven years since the pro- ject was started, and it has taken all that time to sur- mount the various obstacles that were to be overcome. The honor of initiating the movement belongs to one whose name is not recorded on the tablet in the vesti- bule, but is, we trust, recorded on the imperishable ta- blet of an efernal mansion, David C. Colden. Foremost on the roll of the first Board of Managers of the Society for the Reformation of Juvenile Delinquents stands the name of the father, Cadwallader D. Colden; foremost let the name of the son be placed in connection with the foundation of the latter house. Next in order, but second to none, in the value of his services, in his devotion to the cause of be- revolence, in his talents, and unrelaxing energy, ranks another, whose name 6 also disappeared from our list of managers, Daniel Seymour. These esteemed and valued men, on whom it was expected that the burden of the enterprise would rest, were both removed by death in the year 1850. It devolved upon their asso- ciates to do justice to their memory by consummating the work which they had commenced, and in connection wit the enthusiasm that had been awakened, this con- sideration was an influential motive with some of those who have devoted their energies to the object. Of the pi managers I will content myself with giving, you the names, of the Building Committee under whose charge the building has been erected: Charles M. Leupp, Linus W. Stevens, Elias G. Drake, Joshua 8, Underhill, J. W. C. Levericge. 1 mustallude particularly to the services of one member of the committee, for 1 know that his colleagues will be dissatisfied with me if I fail to do sc. Randall’s Island bears a two-fold testimony to the labors of Linus W. Stevens in the service of benevo- lence. ‘That gentleman served upon the successive com- mittees of the Common Council, under whose ch: the Nursery Buildings at the north end were e1 now his name is honorably associated with the temple charity that adorns the southern end. Itis proper for me also to award the praise whichis due to the achitect, Mr. R. G. Hatfield, who has prepared all the plans; to the vigilant anc cho, sap guardian of our interests, Mr. David J. Stagg, who has superintended their execu- tion; and to Mr. D. W. Price, mason, and Messrs. Meeker, pry ge & Co., carpenters, for the faithful performance of their respective contracts. We are often called upon to look at the statistics of destitution, crime and misery, and it is necessary for us occasionally to do so in order to ascertain the measure of our duty. The moral deso- lations that abound in a large city, faithfully portrayed, make a fearful picture. The condition of vast numbers of children growing up in neglect, and exposed and abandoned to all evil, appeals in an especial manner to our sympathies. Let us turn for a few moments toa brighter and yet truthful picture, as presented in the provisions that are made for the egucation and care of e you! If it is advantageous for us to look at the degradation and corruption to which multitudes are ex- peana that we may rescue them and preserve society rom the effects of their depravity, it may be equal'y be- neficial for ua to survey the alhusaeee that ates! work, to gather encouragement in our efforts, and take a bright and hopeful view of the future. For this purpose 1 will glance hastily over such statistics and approximate estimates pertaming to the education and care of the children and youth of the city as I have been abl gather or to form, and will class the various agencies under the three heads of education, charity and reform. I—EDUCATION. 1. Pullic Schools.—The registered number as having attended the public day-schools during the year 1853, is about 120,000. The average att nee through the en- tire year is put down at over 40,000. This number is Tess than the actual average, inasmuch hool sessions is assumed, or rather lished by law, a8 the basis of calculation, more than there are sessions during the The number of chil- cren who are considered to received substantial benefit from their attendance is estimated by judicions persons at 75,000. There are at this moment nearly that number, or ever 70,000, on register a8 belonging to the various schools. I should myself be dis; to make a 2 estimate, but will take that of 75,000. . . Excning Free Schools.—The registered number for the year is about 9,000, aetual average, 6,000; from whieh, if we deduct 1,000, the whole number over twen- ty-one years of age, we may fairly put down as the num- ber of youth who have received importent advantages from this beautiful provision of our public system of education, 5,000. 3, Private Schools ond Academies; Parochial and De- nominational Schools.—I am indebted for the means of resenting an estimate on this subject to Dr. McKeen, Gt Superintendent of Common Schools. He has care- fully collected the statistics of the'latter class of schools, the attendance in which amounts to 9,000. The attend- ance on private schools and academies is calculated at 15,000, the number shown in the census of 1845, nd’al- lowance being made for incveane since that period. The estimate for the whole is 24.000, The entire total under the head of edneation is 104,000 —a truly megnificent amount of instruction, public and private, actually embraced. And when we bear in mind that the largest proportion of our children attending the public schools leave before they are fourteen years of age, to be empleyed in some industrial pursuit, we have | every reason to feel gratified with the success of the sys- tem, and to indulge cheerful anticipations with respect tosths influence of iol aided saineh édecation upon the rising generation. I have not included in this eaurnera- tion the Sunday schools of New York, ‘Their valuable operations, being mainly of a religious character, do not seem to come properly under the same designation with the ordinary means of education, but should be con: sidered in estimating the provisions made for the good of the young. The number taught in the various Sunday schools is estimated in the last annual report of the New York Sunday School Union at 45,000. T.—Cuarrry. | I class together under this head public and private, charitable and benevolent institutions. 1. Nursery.—This is the interesting institution at the north end of Randall’s Islanp, where the city provides The children in the various establishments under the charge of the Governors ¢f the Alms House, number abyss 1,300. pee .£ Orphan Asylums. Leake & Watts’ Orphon Asylum New York Orphan Asylum.. Trotestant Half-Orphan Asylum, +175 ‘Three Roman Catholic Orphan and Half-Orphan Aay - Colored Orphan Axylom Total in Orphan AsylUMB... 6... cece sees eee eeee cr, say 1,500, The numbers in these asylums are taken chiefly from the annual reports of 1 They may not | be accurately stated, but are sufficiently near fur our pur- PORE. me Blind Asylum.—t take the number of children only, residing in the house, and not those living elsewhere, who find employment in the institution, 140. 4. and Dumb Asylum, 273.—The entire total in the charitable and benevolent institutions designated, is %,200. ‘There are many benevolent socicties, whose here embraces the young, which are associations of charity merely, and not institutions for the training of chitdren, and therefore are not included. I have omitted, also, the children under the care of the Com- missioners of Emigration, who are kept at school until places are found for them, as this class do not properly belong to the Dereeis. 1. Industrial Schools.- ficult to collect statis- tics of these schools, under the charge of various sosie- ties and private avsociations of ladies. And because of the uncertainty and —— of attendance, it is most impossible to ascer' numbers who remain a sufficient length ceive advantage. The industrial schools of which I have any inform , are six schools under the care of the Childyen’s Aid Society, in various tes eity, three schools under the m: tof the Five Points Mission school, and sabi tte Et Re 4 ae heed locality. The list is incomplete, loes inelude mere industrial associations. The ferogee at tendance on those named, according to the stat ta farnished me, is 1,500, but I will put it down at 1,200, 2. Juvenile Azylum.—The number at present under care of this Society is 314. . 3. House of Refuge.—Present number 401. We may safely estimate as the numbcr brought annually within the operations of the organizations and institutions of reform, ie 000, The object of the industrial schools {s to reach a class of children that from poverty or other any cause, do not at- tend the public schools. Children are picked up, provid- ed with t clothing, taken care of during the day, have @ plain dinner, are set to work during a portion of the time, and receive instruction. The industriv) schools serve a valuable purpose by ring, training, and in- ducing children to enter the public schools, and so take nd place with those who attend them. The Child- tof their ing House, have 0 in the coun- for the children that are thrown directly upon its care. | | the law is to-Lin restraint and punishment, and on what wea, and hospitals, and re- 808 fuges, and nurseries, and public cemetery, teac! 0 ‘mean moral lemon of the ealue of nthe Hleatinge various | ‘end the duties of men How fortunate be My acl have bo 8 | endeavored | into lote and occupied Ihave sometimes bey cr would look in this state; at other times I pictare them in fancy occupied for military pur- poses, witW forts, arsenals, and barracks, station t sentinels upon thelr rounds, set the idle ca and the geclenn x of balls, Far more to be admired are they, fis these institutions of blensed charity scat- tered upon them, than if nation’s treasures had been expended to fit them forthe residence of a monarch, anned the intervening straits with royal bridges, an: filled them-with palaces and galleries, like another Ver- sailles, or oriental luxury had decked them for the sum- mer seragllo of a Sultan, with terraces and garden allies wi pai Precious marbles, fountains casting the’ spray upon the perfumed air, and minarets rising in, graceful majesty from the midst of the luxuriant foliage. Th following ode, composed for the occasion, was sung with great sweetness of voice and expression of feeling by Mrs. Clara Brinkerhof!:— Thrown on the wide world, Doomed to wander and roam, Bereft of his — bereft of a home, A stranger to pleasure, to comfort and joy, Behold little Edmund, a poor, honest boy. Oh ! pity a poor honest boy! Tam willing to labor, Tam willing to toil,’ For fortune will ever on industry smile; But, oh! not. creature will deign to omploy A wanderer like Kamund, though a poor honest boy. Oh! pity a poor honest boy! Think not that I offer The mendicant’s prayer; My sinews can do "And my eourage can dare. The hand that can labor To filll nature’s claims, Should never be opened For charity’s alms. That lo ry That's Ite blessings you've tasted ‘Who visit our door, Your store is not lessened ~ By what you have given, You've laid up a treagure Eternal in Heaven. @ The President then introduced the Hon. Huan Max- ‘WELL, who eloquently addressed the assemblage on the benefits of these charitaple ingtitutions, which are os- tablished to ameliorate the condition of our fellow be- ing, who, in the providence of God, have been deprived of their netural parents and protectors. He contrasted the early efforts of this country to establish institutions for the reception of juvenile delinquents with tardy steps in the same direction in England where, wu to the year 1770, the honest debtor, the juvenile delinquent, and the murderer were confined in the same Brisona; even up to the pre- sent time they have not in England houses of re(nge on the American principle, which it remained for Ameri- cans to discover and adopt. But while they gloried im these institutions, they had to regret that England had not yet followed their example, He alluded to the ragged schools of England, but did not feel it necessary to go into the particulars of their management; the two grand and casential principles of the American house of refage are to alleviate the physical suflerings, and secure froma moral evils the rectpients of ite charity. Mr. Maxwell passed a high euloginm oh the memory of John Gris- comb, one of the originators of this institution. He also spoke in terms of praise of Mr. Gerrard, Stephen Allen, John Irving, then first judge of the Common Pleas, and of the aldermen—such aldermen as, said be, webad in thove days (laughter and applouse)—res- yectable men, worthy of the cause aud of their position. (Continued laughter.) The speaker roferred to De Witt Clinton, who, when his friend Mr. Collins told him that he feared ihe Legislature were about to pass an act. to de- feat the objects of the founders of the House of Refage, said that he would “put in his veto.” (Applause.) The eloquent speaker concluded his address by describing this glorious institution as a home for the Juvenile de- linquent, where punishment, poverty, suffering and sor- row are transformed into blessings, under the influences of Christian love. ‘The Presmnext of the House of Refuge then said that they were honored with the presence of the Governor of the State, who would address a few observations ¢o them. (Applause.) Hon. Horatio Srywour, Governor of jthe State, then came forward, and was received with applause. He said:— Tam happy to have this opportunity to express my interest in this institution, my respect for its managers, and to, bear witness to the patient labor and fidelity with which they have performed their duties. The evils and crimes of society are the easy topics of elo- | quent descriptions, and sometimes of vehement denun ciations. ‘Thus far we can float along with popular ap. plause, and become complacent with our fancied virtue, ut we are ag to stop where our duties begin. The world is full of this poetical goodness, this lazy philan- thropy. | I am therefore happy to thank. the managers of this institution, on behalf of the people of the State of New York, for ‘the care with which they have in- quired into the sources of public evils, and for their pa- tient and laborious efforts to apply proper correctives. One of the greatest of English theologians and statesmen, and the greatest of Engiand’s pocts (Milton) has said:— “Impunity and remissness are the wealth; but here the ne of & common- reat art lies, to discern in what things persuasion only is to work.”” ‘The samo problem still remains to vex the legislator, and to impede the ox- ecution of our lawa. In the State of New York these dif- ficulties are very great, Its population, drawn from va- Hous quarters, makes it an epitome ot the old. world, there being hardly any language that is not used in some of our domestic circles, or in the exercises of devotion on returning Sabbath. This diversity of Uneage and nationality causes peculiar difficulties in the enforcement of our laws. During the past two years I have been compelied to act upon more than two thousand applications for pardon. | It has been my daily and painful duty to listen to the entreaties of those who sought to turnfaway from themselves or their friends the consequencs of their guilt. 1 cannot but feel the deepest interest for an instituiion which con- verts the very errors of youth into a blessiug rather than acurse. While upon those who enter the walls of an ordinary prison the door of hope is closed, the portals of this institution open up to the offender a path to hnp- mese and to virtue, The ordinary execution of the jaws of the land impresses av indelible stigma upon the future fame of the offender, while here stains are wiped away; early delinquencies are obliterated, render- ing the offender in his future life a good citizen.” Those who have occasion to engage in the legislation of our country, or to watch the execution of its laws, are daily taught how utterly inadequate are all statutes to restrain vice or to enfore . In thétischarge of my official duties Thave frequently felt the inadequacy of man’s wisdom, and have been mae grateful that there were higher and more reliable influences apon which we might safely rest our hopes for the ametiora- tion of our social condition. The chief value of. this in stitution consists in this—not that it constrains, but that it educates—not that it strikes the vindictive blow, but evolves and cultivates the better sentiments and feelings of our natures. A comparison between this asy- jum and its influence upon thove confided to ita care, with the ordinary prisons of our land and their wretched inmatex, will tench us to feel the Leauty and the truth of the sentiment of the philo- opber, when he said that the unwritten laws of reli- ious nurture, of moral eultnre, and of virtuous eduea- ion, will ever be found a sure dependence, and will constitute the very bonds and ligaments of the State, when the enactments of the legislator shall be found * vain and inefficient. Let us, be grateful that we have better assurances for the preservation of virtue, | and for the promotion of the good of society, than are | afforded by the wisdom of governors or the efficacy of | the statute. I therefore again thank the managers of | this institution that they propose to elovate these chil- | drep, whom we see before us—not by vindictive punish- | ments or harsh coene th but by in views of their ‘own best int and the principles of that religion | which aims to improve the heart and cleyaie the senti- ments, rather than restrain the action or coerce the will. ‘The children then sang the following:— ote or a jet us er Cheertiily toil; Never labor, Never recoil. Short in the season Youth can romain, So shall the season Life has now lent, ‘Tre to right reasov, pent. ‘ont q ed: denign: Age will thus find. | delieve in any change for the present. There may be al anecdotes, one of which was about a little boy who went out into hin father’s garden at night to steal Last which he dare not do in the daytime, for fear he should and crept awa) It was not God’s eye, but it } for God’s eye, unseen to him, was looking at that little boy. He by the little fel- lows here would remember, whenever they were going to do evil, that God’s eye is looking atthem. He under- Bible was taught here. He hoped it was. It should be in every institution. Distant be the day when it shall be attempted to be taken from their pillows, Applause.) If an: should biedet tailors Wid advised them never to go on argace without a Bible. What- ever be their destiny in this world, he advised them to be provided with a Bible. The children then rang BULE. THE GOLDEN a To do to othera as I would That they should do to me, Will make me honest, kind and good, As children ought to be. I know I should not steal nor use The smallest thing I see, Which I should never like to lose If it belonged to me. And this plain rule fortide me quite To strike an angry blow Because I should not think it right If others served me so. And any kindness they may need VN do, whate'er It be, ‘As Tam very glad, indeed, When they are kind to me. The Chaplain pronounced a benediction, and the meet- ing separated. ‘The invited guests retired to another part of the build- ing, where an abundant cold collation was apread before them, and for which the appetite of all seemed equally abundant as the turkeys, ducks, chickens, sandwiches, hams, jellies, blancmanges, coffee, &c., &c., vanished without much loss of time, and with very little ceremo- ny ; it being ‘first come, first served,” the Governor of the State having no better chance of a pick than the humblest individual in the crowd. When the keen gastronomics were appeased, Mr. J. W. Gerard was called on to speak. That gentleman, hay- ing taken his position on a stool, commenced by saying that his name had been menttoned’as connected with the | foundation of the House of Refuge, and ho would tell them how it was. The first criminal trial he was gaged in was the defence ofa boy of fourteen years o! age, who was indicted for stealing a bird. Hugh Max. well wasthen District Attorney, and he (Mr. Gerard) endeavored to get the boy off by arguing that the canary being a wild bird the boy could not bé found guilty under the statute, In this he was overruled by the Judge, and his only chance way to appeal to the sympathies of the jury, by telling them that there was no institution but the common jail to send the youth to, and they ac- quitted him. That boy died afterward in the State Pri- son heir to $80,000. He (Mr. Gerard) then bocame im- ressed with the necessity for an institution for reclaim- ing juvenile delinquents. The speaker gave a history of the formation of the House of Refuge fi 1823, and told an anecdote of a boy who was one of the first’ who was admitted to its benefits. He would not mention his name, for now, in 1854, he is a prosperous man; and if these remarks appear in print, that man would be the first to say ‘‘God bless the founders and conductors of the House of Refuge !’? (Applause.) The company then proceeded to view the interior of the building, and all seemed quite delighted with the scenes they hud witnessed, notwithstanding that the day was miserably wet and cold. The return to New | York down the East River was very cold, foggy, wet, | and unpleasant, but the enjoyments on the island more than counterbalanced these drawbacks. | In consequence of the press of news, we are obliged to omit the publication of the détailed description of the edifice prepared by the committee, Affairs in Washington. [Correspondence of the Courier and Enquirer.) Wasttxatox, Nov. 22, 1854. tol. Kinney and Central America. The meditated expodition to Central America under Co). Kinney of Texas, may lead to important results. He in to be the local agent of the Central American Land and Mining Company, which claims to be the sole and right- ful possessor ef Kan Juan and all the stirrounding terri- | tory for three or four hundred miles ap and down thi const, "The views of Col. Kinney are understood to be of a Mlibustering cha: He and his rangers will assert the title of their principals to the Musquito country by the etrong hand, if necessary; and will receive « million or #0 of acrex as their fee for so valuable a servico. But it may be doubted whether in these degenerate dayx workingmen are not more essential to the foundation of empire than fighting men. The establishment of a few hundred sharp-eyed American riflemen in that region, however, will lave a tendency to adjust some of the troublesome questions which have fora number of years disturbed our relations with Central America. {Correspondence of the Philadelphia Ledger.) Wasmincto, Nov. 21, 1854. Cabinet Changes—Increase in our Naval Force—The Six Additional Steam Frigate:—The Bill for Re-organizing the Nary—Our Relations with Spain. All sorts of Cabinet rumors are again rife; but [do not some changes in the Cabinet at the end of the ensi'n; i session—not before; and these changes will only be par- tial, not radical, to suit circumstances and vacancies that may occur. ‘the Secretary of the Nayy—who has certainly intro- duced order and efficiency in that most important de- partment charged with our national defence—will re- commend a further increase in the navy. Contracts have been entered into for the engines to be put on board of the six additional steam frigates for which appropria- | tions were made at the last sossion. . The engines must be ready on, or previous to, the first of October next, when the building of the ships will have sufficiently pro- gressed to receive the engines on board. Should the en- ie be not ready at that time, the contractors will for- eit large sums of money. The first ship it is expected will be ready in Boston; but all of them will be launched in the course of the year 1855. Tho increase of the navy contemplated by the Secretary is, over and above the six additional steamers, the iron steamship for the defence of New York harbor, and the expensive repairs now go- ing onin the navy. The Secretary very wisely thinks that this is a proper time to re-build our navy, 0 as to put it at least on a respectable footing compared to the navies of France and England, and to preserve peace tather than to provoke war. The bill for the re-organization of the personnel of the navy, will again be urged on the consideration of Con- ress, You will remember that a bill for that purpose as already passed the Senate, and that another has been introduced into the House. The former contem- plates only the moxt urgent reforms; while the latter is much more radical in its tendency. It is doubtful, however, whether the House bill could the Senate, and the more prudent plan would certainly be to take up the Senate bill and pass it in the House. ‘Arespectable increase in the army, especially in cavalry sod eeeey, will be recommended by the Secretary of of War. Our relations with Spain, though embroiled, are not alarming, and I again repeat, that neither the President nor his Cabinet have ,the least idea of plunging the country into a war, eitlier to gratify their own ambition or as & means of giving national poilties a new direction that shall absord the isms of the times, These isms will themselves wear out, and that the quicker the more they are left to their own consequences. No difi- culties are apprehended with France or England, although this government will net shrink from any responsibility it may have to assume in defending the national honor. “Both France and\England are un- doubtedly, at tla moment, too much occupied with the war in the Fast to think of seriously provoking the United States. ‘The Russian warhins just begun; aud when in the course of years it shail have been brought to some- thing of @ satisfactory conclusion—not by either party subduing the other, but from mutual exhaustion— neither of the combatants will be in a condition to plunge into new difficulties, to satisfy a morbid ay ition, or tohunt after the great chimera of a worl¢— equilibrium. As to Cuba, it is, after all said and done, nothing but an alluvion of the United States, gravitating towards us all the timo; so that it is hardly npcesspry to risk the peace of the country by too great impatience for a fra- ternal embrace of its inhabitants. In the mean while, a care will be had not to allow the island to ‘pass into other hands. Spain is undergoing such revolations at home, that it i8 difficult to say how long she will be able or willing to keep posscesion of lier colony. Governor Marcy is par excellence a man of sense and a practical statesman, who will not pay for anything more than it i worth, even if it should add to his éclal as Sgeretary of te. There is more danger, at this moment, of a conquest of Sonora, by indignant Californjans, than of apy Eu- Topean war, notwithstanding all the noise in the news- popers which seem to look in every direction, except in hat where the blow is really about to be struck. A Notice from Col, Benton to Correspondents. + {From the St. Louis Democrat, Nov. 18.] my arrival at this place I find some qusn- tity of lettare here, addressed to me nthe Bt. Lonis city ffice, which I retarn to the said office, and wb: if the law is complied y will be sent to the dead letter office in they will reach me. and be i te dace at Sptatnt opened , since ate 4) mi ‘chy Tao nt orenpond irougt ui fic inion destroyed, the honor peace of the country sedenqerebabpoad, and his own ad- ministration run into the ground. Tsouas B. Bexton. Bt. Louie, Nov. 17, 1854 We, the undersigned, appointed by the Legislature of the State of New York to organize am institution to known as ‘The United States Inebriate Asylum,” and to act as commissioners to receive subscriptions to the capital stock of said asylum, do herewith submit to the Public the following statement :— ‘The object of this institution is to provide an asylam for the poor and destitute inebriate, where his physical and moral condition will be alike the care of the physi- cian and the philanthropist, and where his labor may be rendered productive and of service to his family. With the asylum there will be connected workshops im whieh each patient, as soon as his condition will permit, will be regularly employed—thus making the asylum self-mupporting institution. It will be seen that the community will thus be re- lieved of the burden of maintaining inebriates in alms- houses and prisons, who will be separated from the society of those incarcerated for public crimes, and Placed where their inebriedy will be treated ana direase, and where no efforts will be wanting to produce in them a thorough reformation, and where an income from their labor will be secured to their families, who otherwise would be left to penury and sui 4 To carry out successfully the sim of the instita- tion fifty thousand dollars must be raised, this being the amount of capital stock required the ‘This when necessary, is divided into shares of ten dollars each. Any person withing to subscribe to the capital stock can send his name, with the amount he will take, to any ome of the directors. ‘We think it judicious to lease a building, or buildings until suitable edifices can be erected, fox the purpose of entering atonce, or as soon as practicable, upom the work for which the charter was granted, a In accordance with a provision in the act of ineerpo- ration, Soege Icio bea pepuct om the ae Wednesday of january, of each year, of ex tures, income tod condition of the Teyiast, by the af- fidavits of the President and Treasurer, which report must be filed in the office of the Secretary of State. In regard to the necessity of an institution of thie charecheti we cite no less authority than Dr. Benjamin Rush -— “To the account of physical remedies,” he says, “I add one more, viz.: the establishment of a hospital in every city and town in the United States, for the exclusive purpose of hard drinkers. “They are as much the objects of public humanity and charity as mad people. They are indeed more hurtful to society than most of the deranged patients of a com- mon hospital would be if they were set at liberty.” We are happy in giving assurance that this enterprise meets with the sparen jon and encouragement of many of the tee intelligent and philanthropic members of the community, The directors put forth this brief statement of their object and plan of operations with the expectation of meeting a quick and cordial response from the benevo- lent of this and other sections of the country. They eall for sympathy und material sid in laying a rmanent basis of an institution that promises much for the recovery and salvation of a large number of the human brotherhood. They are confident that it will not be unheeded. This institution is not designed to confliet with any other method for recovering the inebriate. There is no- thing we believe similar to it in this or in any other country. Thousands will look to it for help, and bel; they should and must bave. That which was creating is worth preserving. The benevolent Fat! tei within our power to save those who are ready to ish, Peto rescue a follow being from physical and spiritual thraldom is worthy of the exercise of the highest talent and the purest love. To redeem from ruin is than to create, to turn one from vice to purit; darkness to light, from death to life, to make him the professor of a free, enlarged, and beatified existence, ins divine mission. Everywhere goes up the wail of erecked humanity, of prostrate and suffering brothers. From every side comes the ery for help. They are the true workers who re- spond to this cry. They are enriched in giving, and Dlessed in blessing. Fellow-citizens, fathers, brothers and sisters, give ue your aid in this branch of beneficence, and the ing of multitudes will be your reward. ‘Hon, Washington Hunt, Lockport; G. P. Parker, Anson G. Phelps, Hon. E. A. Lambert, J. D, Wright; Jacob 8. Miller, M.'D.; Newell A. Prince, Jeremiah Terbell, C. C. North, Robert C. Embree, Alfred Brush, Henry Dubois, Noah Worrall, G. B. Alvord, Hon. E. B. Morgan; Hon. 2. Pratt, Prattville; J. Edward Turner, M. D. Court of General Sessions. 4 Before Hon. Judge Beebe. Nov, 24°—Rape.—John Kelly was indicted for the commission of a rape upon the person of Mary Jane MacQuirk. The following is the story of the woman as given by her on her examination as ® witness in the case:—She lived aa ‘domestic at Mr; Wm. Barker’s, in Third avenue, near Sixteenth street, in May last, and on tho 30th of that month passed the evenirg at a friend’s house; she left late at night in company with Mr. Cox, who offered to see her bome, and on the way induced her to enter the prisoner’s porter house to get some oysters; there were no oysters here, but Kelly*and Cox drank ba gees and induced ler to take some beer aud peppermint cordial; the cor- dial made her ill, and while she was suffering Cox left the house; she endeavored %o go also, but Kelly locked the door and prevented her: he then made immoral }Toporitions to her;and when they proved unauccessfal, according to her story, he threw heron the floor and violated her person; she was unable to escape from Kel- ly’s house that nigit, and did not get out until the next morning; on her way home she met several men, who azked what was the matter; she told them that she had been abused, and they went for an officer and had Kelly arrested. The officer deposed that when he first saw the pFosecutrix, ber clothes were disordered and were stained with blood. Mrs. Barker was also put uj the stand for the prosecution. She made an examination ef the weman’s person on the Saturday after the out- rage; her thighs were then black and blue, and her arme still retained the impression of a man’s grasp. Thirteen witnesses were examined for the defence, the ood character of the prisoner, who was defended by feeers. Blankman and Barnaby. The former summed up for the defence, and urged an acquittal, on the ground of there being disere; ies in the evidence ofthe secuting witness. Verdict—Guilty of assault and Bat: tery.” Sentence reserved, Sentenced—John Ramm, previously convicted of grand Jarceny in stealing checks to the amount of some $3,000, from ‘German emigrants, was sentenced to the State Prison for three years and six months. Charles Hawks, convicted of assault and battery, was sent to the Peni- tentiary for six months. The Court then discharged the jurors for the term, and adjourned to the first Monday in December. Obituary. HON. JOSIAH BUTLER. The Hon. Josiah Butler died at his residence in South Deerfield, New Hampshire, Oct. 29, after a severe illness of seven days, aged 74 years. «The subject of this notice was bora at Polham, N. H., Dec. 4, 1779. After going through his preparatory studies he entered Harvard College, continued there the usual regular term, and received the honors of that in- stitution in 1803, Immediately upon his leaving college he was admitted as a student at law in the office of Hon. Clifton Claggctt, of Amherst, where he remained a short time, and then went to Virginia and pursued his profes- sional studies in the offices of Gov. Cabot and Jacob Kinney, Esq., until he was admitted, about 1907, to practise in all the courts of that State. On his return to his own State, he opened an office in the town of hie birth, and there practised law until 1809, when he re- moved to Deerfield, where he resided until the time of his decease, In 1809 he was elected a member of the Legislature of New Hampshire from his native town of Pelham. Immediately upon his taking his seat in that became a leading member of the democratia party; and by the coolness of his calculation, the clear- ness of his perception, the sounduess of his judgment, and the unremitted ossiduity and ance with which he engaged in every matter that was committed to his care, he very soon received, as well as deserved, the confidence of iis fellow aitizens. Upon bis taking up his residence in Deerfield, in 1809, he opened.ap alice and was engaged in an extensive practice until he was appointed Sheriff of the county of Rockingham, in 1610, which office he held until 151%, when the federal party having gained the political ‘ascendancy in the State, he, with the Hon, Benjamin Pierce, father of President Pierce, were both removed from the offices of Sheriff, which they held in their respective count.en, on account of their adherence to democratic principles and their manly refusal to obey the new jndges who were appointed under the new system established by the fed- erallsts, After his removal from the office of Sheriff, Mr. Butler resumed the practice of his ion, continued the same until he was appointed Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Rockingham. In 1815 he wae returned a member of the State Legiala- ture from Deerfield, and again elected in 1816, In 1817 he was elected amember of the House of tives in Cony from the State of New Hampshire, was re- elocted in 1819, and sgain in 1821. During his contiou- ance in Congress he was characterized for his strict ad- herence to republican principles and the faithful dis- chai 5 of os aeaiaiive he ng On bp gh from Washington he again pursue: e practice feacionr “until 160, when We, was appetehad’ ty) "tae executive of State, Associate Justice State wt of Common Pleas of New eee and continued to discharge the duties of that office with uncommon abili- ty and credit until 1823, when the judiciary »; ‘of the was remodelled and the court ince he was appointed postmaster at South field, which office he held at the time of his death. In the discharge of the duties of all the which Judge Butler has “! he has been for everance and integrity of purpose, has formed them with honor to hitaveit and the approbation of the public, blic life of Judge Butler. ea Sueb has been the in the private circles in which he goodness of his heart and the genileaess of his tion shone most cons; A he his residence in he married a daughter of Heo. Richard Jennoss of that town, who now survives and is left to mourn the loss of a kind and Ly od Ly eee, bee Judge Butler was one of mort amiable of men. Althoug! the ment of his family, he was kind and indulgent to bis besa who boat and loved were never so happy as in his presence. Several years Dee he made a public profession of hie ief in the doctrinos of the Christian religion, and uni- himeelf with the Congrega' Church in Deer. ai in bea and aera since been an active, useful. and exemplary member. Jn this th tion of Providence, @ latge circle of relatives and friends have sustained an pen ome Joss, and fee) sensibly (bat a valuable citizen has remov_ ed from their midst. Honored and while he lived, Jndge Putler has Crp bang nentier dea > abock of grain folly ripe, and now ‘Sleeps lant nleep,’? from - ' ee | Se ee ee 7 inane mae