PROCEEDINGS. ACADEMY OF MUSIC, April 9, 1889. The Legislature having met in joint session in the Academy of Music, in the city of Albany, in pursuance of arrangements made by the Joint Memorial Committee, Gen. N. M. CURTIS, chairman of said committee, called the meeting to order, and introduced Gen. MARTIN T. MCMAHON, who had been invited to preside. Gen. MCMAHON, on taking the Chair, spoke as follows: Honor shown to the memory of the illustrious dead has been in all times a distinguishing feature of civilized communities, and in the very earliest days, when courage and genius were combined with love of country in an eminent degree, even god-like honors were the reward. In this day and generation, therefore, in this capital city of this greatest of the sisterhood of States, near the spot where he was born, it is just and proper that this high tribute of respect, honor and veneration should be paid by the citizens of Albany, by the people of the State, as represented by the Senate and Assembly, to the memory of General PHILIP H. SHERIDAN, commander of the armies of the United States. He succeeded in this high station men who have added equal lustre to the history of their country, and whose names shall appear forever with his in the firmament of American glory withthe fixed and unfailing light of the everlasting stars. Scott and McClellan and Grant have passed away before him, and one alone of the illustrious commanders-in-chief of our country's armies in her most troubled time remains among us, and is here to-night to do honor to the name and memory of his beloved comrade and most worthy successor. SHERIDAN sleeps to-night far distant from this his place of birth, by the quiet waters of the great river whose name was immortalized by the magnificent army of which he was a central figure. It was to that army and their brothers of the West and to the great men who directed our hosts, that we are indebted for the fact that this river continues to be a great artery of national life and of commerce instead of becoming a limit and a boundary line, a token of discord and disunion. As long as its waters flow the example of PHILIP H. SHERIDAN shall "stand Colossal, seen of every land." name and The lesson of such a life can not be too often read, and I congratulate you that on this memorial occasion you will hear to-night in eloquent and touching words from the one most competent to tell it, the recital of his grand and magnificent achievements in a career all too brief for his country and for humanity. Fortunate is it for us to-day, and for all generations to come, that such men have lived who were born to prove "The path of duty was the way to glory: He that walks it only thirsting For the right and learns to deaden Love of self, before his journey closes, He shall find the stubborn thistle bursting All voluptuous garden roses. He that ever following her commands, On with toil of heart and knees and hands, His path upward and prevailed, Shall find the toppling crags of duty scaled Are close upon the shining table-lands To which our God Himself is moon and sun. In accordance with the instructions of the Committee of Arrangements, the proceedings will be opened with Prayer by the Right Rev. FRANCIS MCNEIRNY, Bishop of Albany. Almighty, everlasting God, prostrate in Thy adorable presence, we acknowledge that Thou art the Creator and Maker and Lord of all things. We adore Thee. We humbly confess our dependence upon Thee. In Thee we live, in Thee we move, in Thee we have our being. Thou watchest over us with infinite, unceasing |