The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1848-04-17
The Grand Banquet in Honor of the French
ReYnli1tin11

tnS 3A6Ao 6duQuel Honor OF me ItuCu
| Revolution.
| According to previous announcement this affail
came off on Saturday night, at the Orleans Bal
Room At dark the immense room in which the
banquet was to be held, was brilliantly Illuminated
and decorated with transparency representing the
Goddess of Liberty and bearing the words, ':Liber
ty, Equality and Fraternity'' By the hour desig
mated for the commencement of the banquet, abou,
three hundred people had, at the sound of the Mar
settles hymn taken their seats at number of tables
loaded with dishes of all kinds sufficient to erafy
the most fastidious palate. DR.. Vallette presided
upon the occasion. being assisted by great number
of Vice Presidents. Governor johnson, the s,ecre-
tary of State, Treasurer, Attorney General and a
number of other eminent gentlemen, We're present
and participated in the festivities. Shortly after the
company had been seated, the President read an ad-
dress expressive of the sympathy of the citizens OF
New Orleans, and their cordial concurrence in the
principles of the revolution. The address was re-
ceived with the greatest enthusiasm by the au-
dience, and unanimously adopted and an offer of
Mr. Brusle to carry it to France himself, and pre-
sent it in person to the Provisional Government
was accepted. Mr.. Roger, the French Consul, re-
sponded in the name of the Provisional Govern
ment
At this stage of the proceedings the assemblage
thrown into state of the most intense excite
ment, by the entrance of gentleman, leading by
the hand a most beautiful dark-eyed maiden,
dressed to mpersonate the Goddess of Liberty. The
enthusiasm created by the advent of this beautiful
creature was indescribable-as if swayed by an in
voluntary and spontaneous feeling, every person
arose, and the band struck up la Marseiloise,
which was re6choed by the voice of almost the en-
tire company The sprit-stirring strain of Mourn
Pour Ia Pdtre, and Ia Parisienne, also contributed
to awake all the Gallo enthusiasm of these fiery
sons of France.
Afterthe address had been read, and silence to a
certain extent obtained, the following regular toasts
were read and drunk standing:
l. To the French Republic;
2 70 the People OF PARIS;
g. TO the Provisional Government;
TO TO the the PrInrn, o f the United st,s
s. TO the State OF Louisiana;
T. To Governor Johnson.
Here the Governor arose and said, that,in return
for the compliment bestowed upon him, he would
give sentiment, it was this:
The will of the people, the only just foundation
of all governments. The people of France have
just proclaimed this truth to the world-let no one
doubt their to maintain it against all adver
saries.''
This sentiment having been drunk with great APP
plause, the regular toasts We're proceeded with.
g. To the American Press;
9. To the freedom OF the whole world.
The President then announced that a collection
would be taken up for the benefit of the wounded
during the late revolution. The Goddess of Liber
ty was deputed to this service, and we have no
doubt that the bewtching influence of her beauti-
full countenance contributed essentially to elicit the
generosity of the company. We know that it had
that effect upon us, at least, and we not Uery
susceptible.
Mr.. Preaux was here loudly called for, but at first
did not seem inclined to respond. Men, ex-
cited by liberty, champagne and dinner, We're, how
ever, not to be easily defeated in their purpose.
The longer Mr.. Preaux delayed, The greater became
the shouts of Preaux, Preauxi and the CHATTER of
knives, forks, plates and glasses. The people We're
determined that MIR. Preaux should speak, and ac-
cordingly at last that gentleman consented to COM
ply with their desires. We were not enabled to
hear all that he sad but we presume his speech
was not wanting in that ability and eloquence for
which he is distinguished.
After Mr.. Preaux had concluded, gentleman
arose and presenteda toast ito the memory OF mar
tyr in the cause of llberty-the regicde Alllbeau,
who in 1886 had attempted to kill the king This
produced perfect storm Of excitement were
in favor of, others against it-one cried Uiue ALI
beau, another d bas lie rtgicide! This confusion
lasted for some time but at last the philoregcides
appeared to get the best of it-Allibeau prevailed,
and the toast was drunk. This We viewed as
decided triumph Of the practical Jacobins over the
dreamy, theoretic Girondins
Many more toasts were given, and speeches,
which we have hardly space to refer to; and even
if we had, we would be unable to do so, we did
not hear them. Moreover. after this time, it would
have been necessary to have been gifted with halt
dozen pair OF hands, an equal number of ears, and
the power of ubiquity besides, to report the pro-
ceedings. Every gentleman seemed perfectly Will
ing that every else should speak, So that he was
permitted to exercise his oratorcal faculties at the
same time. In view OF this state OF affairs not con-
sidering that we could be of any further Use, and
having gratifcd our appetite and our republican
enthusiasm, we concluded TO leave, which we &C.
cordingly did, before the ceremonies were ended.
Mr. VAN BUREN-Ths distinguished statesman
left Philadelphia Saturday morning, 9Th 1Ilsi.,
for his residence in New York. lie had a quiet
and very pleasant visit to this city Hc was waited
upon by large number OF his political friends, and
by many VINO uniformly opposed the correct polti-
cal principles which he advocated whilst Chief
Magistrate of the neutrality-suspicious..
LONG A CoMING.--Gongress has at last passed the
bill for the relief of the heirs of John Paul Jones.
~ There is to be line of steamers between
Charleston and Philadelphia.
PORT OF NEW ORLEANS.