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but for that pleasant influence, might cease; and when once the foot has fallen upon the threshold with the certainty of welcome, it is the saddest thing in nature to feel that it can never press that threshold more. I observed there the beautiful relations between Mr. Dickinson and his family so well depicted by Judge Bosworth here. I saw him with his children entering into their sports. I witnessed his delight when music came to his pleased senses. I recognized in him that which never can be absent from a man and leave him entirely lovable, that the boy was not yet extinct. I am very happy to hear from my friend, Judge Bosworth, that our distinguished brother had devoted himself to religion. It is refreshing, when we know the tendency of the American people to infidelity, and which is a strongly marked characteristic of the times in which we live. I am sure he had a deep and an instructive sense of responsibility to Him

"Who sees with equal eye, as God of all,

A hero perish or a sparrow fall."

And I know, from his love of poetry, that he must have read and often repeated to himself those exquisite lines:

"There is a God on high who stoops to feed

The humming bird, and catch the tiny seed

Which falls from lovely wild flowers,

And in turn He'll garner up man's soul,
That precious germ, which but takes root
On earth to bloom on high,

A bright immortal flow'r that cannot die."

The proceedings were concluded by the movement of a resolution by D. C. BIRDSALL, Esq., as follows:

I could not, if I desired, add one word to the many eloquent eulogies that we have just listened to, respecting our dear departed friend. It has been truthfully said that he spent a long life in the useful service of his country. He has gone to that bourne from which no traveller returns, leaving as an inheritance to his dearly loved family but little except a spotless reputation, and a name that will live in fond remembrance in the hearts of the American people. I think it but proper that the citizens of New York, more especially the bar, should take some action towards the erection of a mortuary memorial, in commemoration of his many virtues, that future generations may look upon it and say, "Here lie the remains of a great and good man." It may truly be said of him, that "his life was gentle, and the elements so mixed in him, that nature might stand up and say to all the worldThis was a man." I, therefore, offer the following resolutions:

Resolved, That a Committee of five be appointed, consisting of Hon. Joseph S. Bosworth, Hon. John A. Dix, Hon. Henry E. Davies, Hon. Edwards Pierrepont and Hon. William F. Allen, who shall be authorized to take such measures as may to them seem most expedient, to raise a fund for, and cause the erection of, a suitable monument to the memory of the late Daniel S. Dickinson.

Resolved, That the committee so appointed correspond and act with like Committees that may hereafter be appointed for this purpose at Binghamton or elsewhere.

The resolutions were unanimously adopted, and, on motion of Judge Pierrepont, the meeting adjourned.

SAMUEL R. BETTS,

President.

HENRY E. DAVIES,

WILLIAM D. SHIPMAN,

CHARLES L. BENEDICT,

CHARLES P. DALY,

GEORGE G. BARNARD,

CHARLES MASON,

NOAH DAVIS,

ANTHONY L. ROBERTSON,

Vice-Presidents.

SAMUEL BLATCHFORD,

JAMES C. SPENCER,

Secretaries.

DICKINSON'S SPEECHES.

SPEECH

ON THE REPEAL OF THE USURY LAWS.

DELIVERED IN THE SENATE OF NEW YORK, February 10, 1837.

[THIS Speech is the earliest of Mr. Dickinson's public addresses, of which a report has been preserved. It was made under the following circumstances. Gov. Marcy had, in his message to the Legislature, recommended the repeal of the Usury Laws; and the measure was brought forward in the Senate by the late Col. Young, of Saratoga, and supported with all his great and peculiar ability. At his instance the Senate ordered the printing of Jeremy Bentham's work against the policy and sense of anti-usury laws. Mr. Dickinson led the opposition to the proposed repeal. The discussion of the question in the Legislature was very animated, but the agitation ended for the time, and for many years afterwards, as a public question in the State, by the adoption, at the same session, of a law providing additional safeguards and severer penalties against usury.]

MR. CHAIRMAN-Having been placed upon the select committee to which was referred that part of his excellency's message which relates to a repeal of the usury laws, it would seem to be proper that the views which influence me in my conclusion should be submitted. It will be recollected that when this bill was reported by the Honorable Chairman of the select committee, I reserved to myself the right to act as subsequent reflection might dictate. I had previously looked at the laws as they existed; had witnessed, as I supposed, their salutary influences upon community, but had not examined in detail the causes by general reasonings, independent of their practical utility. which led to their enactment, or whether they could be sustained

Inasmuch as the Honorable Chairman of the committee, who has advocated the repeal of these laws, did not submit his views by way of a report, I had indulged the hope, that in discussing

this bill, he would have favored us with all the reasons which he seems to suppose exist in favor of the proposed repeal ;that in addition to the splendid theory he has given us, he would have descended from this giddy height, and for a moment showed us the practical operation of this great and extraordinary change, upon the sober realities of human life;-that his giant intellect would have produced some reason which would tend to dispel the moral darkness, which he supposes pervades our land. But the Honorable Senator informs us he has no further affirmative reasons to urge that he has said all he deems necessary to a correct understanding of the subject, and that we shall hear his voice no more, except by way of reply; and the friends of the existing laws are called upon to show cause, if any they have, why they should not be forthwith repealed.

Since this question was first agitated, I have brought to it my best consideration. I have endeavored to find out the reason for these laws as well as to test their practical operation. I have read the works of the celebrated Jeremy Bentham, together with those of various other writers who assert their inutility. I have listened with profound and deep attention to the learned and eloquent reasoning of the Honorable Senator from the Fourth; and the result has been, that I am more than confirmed in the opinions which I had previously entertained. I have become satisfied that usury laws are not only proper, necessary and highly beneficial in their practical operation; but that they can be sustained and justified upon abstract principles alone.-Nothing but a great and abiding confidence in the justice of the conclusions I have adopted, could have induced me to trespass upon the time of this body; I do so with extreme diffidence and against fearful odds. The prompt and unequivocal recommendation of his excellency, for whose opinions I entertain the most unqualified respect; the unconquerable desire abroad to originate something new in monetary affairs; and the flood of light and learning shed abread by the Honorable Senator from the Fourth, all seem to admonish me of the presumptuous task I have undertaken. But the laws sought to be repealed have had existence from the earliest history of man -in all ages and in all governments; they have become a part of our institutions; they have received the sanction of age;

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