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"See that stone -- the token of a new alliance between humanity and a class hitherto neglected -- that, ladies and gentlemen, is your pride; it is the greatest joy of my life, for I, too, have labored for the poor idiot.

"Happy the city which has enriched itself by such a monument. Happy the man who has conquered this monument by his indomitable courage in instructing idiots. Happy those whom I see around me who have sustained him in this charitable enterprise."

The Hon A. B. Conger, an early friend and advocate of the institution in the State Senate, then addressed the audience in some eloquent remarks. It was his good fortune to be present, through the kindness of friends. He was there as a stranger. He eloquently discoursed upon the beauty of the scenery around him. He would be glad to catch, at a single glance, the whole surrounding country, which but a few years since was roamed over by the Indian, but now is cultivated by civilized man. He would if he had time, pay a tribute to western New-York. He spoke of the asylum of which the citizens had now assembled to lay the corner-stone. He would like to pay a tribute to a Webster, a Geddes, and a Forman, who first commenced the work of progress in this section of the country. The lowering of yonder lake, and placing this region in a condition to build large and prosperous cities, was a masterpiece. Yonder spires, and the presence of this audience, attest the truth of enterprise. Every section of the union was deeply interested in the prosperity of this institution. There were many homes afflicted in his own locality with idiots.

Hon. Christopher Morgan, ex-Secretary of State, was then introduced by Mr. Leavenworth. He said that he presumed that Gen. Leavenworth supposed all his predecessors must speak. He had visited Syracuse on several occasions, but none like the present. He had been here at conventions of all kinds, but this was the happiest convention he had ever attended. He spoke of the war in the east. England, France and Turkey were marshalling their allied forces to battle down the walls of Cronstadt and Sebastopol. The battle fields were to be Macadamized with the bones of slaughtered millions. But how different! The people of Syracuse had assembled to lay the cornerstone of an institution of benevolence. Was not this far better? He felt proud of his native State, because it was on account of such institutions that it merited the title of the Empire State. We live in a land favored above all others on earth. Every where you may see enterprise. Our canals and railroads are living monuments of civilization. Idiots can be instructed mentally as well as physically. Complete this institution, and in a few years you may see the little boy and girl -- children of misfortune -- with their countenances beaming with intelligence. In conclusion he eloquently called upon our citizens to let no party strife retard their progress in erecting this institution, and invoked them to foster and cherish this act of benevolence, which was for the true, bona fide know nothings.

Rev. S. J. May, on being called upon remarked;

"Twenty-five years ago, or more, in the early days of my ministry, I encountered, as every man who thinks at all must sooner or later encounter, the great problem of the existence of evil -- the question, how the good God, the Heavenly Father, could permit his children of earth to be so tempted, tried, and afflicted as they are. I was unable to avoid this perplexing subject; so I met it, as best I could, in full faith, that the wisdom and goodness of God will be justified in all his works, and in all his ways, whenever they shall be fully understood.

"I endeavored to lead my audience to see what, in almost every direction, was very apparent to myself, that evil is a means to some higher good; never an end; never permitted for its own sake, certainly not for the sake of vengeance.

"I was able easily to trace out the good effects of many evils; to show how they had stimulated mankind to exertion and contrivance, physical and mental; to tell of the discoveries, inventions and improvements that were the consequences. In particular, I dwelt upon the sad privations those individuals are subjected to who are born deaf or blind. The institution of the Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb, at Hartford, was then of recent date, and a school for the blind was said to have been opened in Paris. These institutions were then of great interest to the philanthropic; and I found no difficulty in showing that the philosophy of the mind, and the science and art of education in general, have been much improved by the earnest and successful endeavors which benevolent persons had made to open communications with the minds and hearts of persons deprived of one or more of the most important senses.

But there was idiotcy -- idiotcy so appalling in its appearance, so hopeless in its nature; what could be the use of such an evil? It were not enough to point to it, as a consequence of the violation of some of the essential laws of generation. If that were all, its end would be punishment. I ventured, therefore, to declare, with an emphasis enhanced somewhat, perhaps, by a lurking distrust of the prediction, that the time would come when access would be found to the idiotic brain, the light of intelligence admitted into its dark chambers, and the whole race be benefited by some new discovery of the nature of mind. It seemed to some of my hearers, more than to myself, a daring conjecture.