The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-01-29
The Portuausse Benevolent Association

,
Portuguese association formed in the United States
yesterday celebrated its organization, and CON-
memorated the presentation of a. banner to the
Society. The Association was instituted about
five months since, and during the brief period of
its existence has been emnently useful. Although
organized as a national association its charities
have been extended to of all climes and creeds.
During the recent epidemic, the members were
active and in constant attendance a. the sick bed
hundreds live to attest their humanity.
Engagements of importance prevented our pres
ence in the earlier part of the day. From those
| VINO were present we learn the ceremonies were
interesting and imposing. The Society assembled
at l0 O'Clock in the morning, on Canal street. op-
posite the State House, where banner, wrought
by number of ladies, was presented in their behelf
| by the Senorita Margarida Joaquna Pereira Ca
macho. The banner is beautifully wrought and of
costly materials From Canal street the Associa-
ton moved in procession to the Catholic Cathedral,
where, after the conservation of the banner, the
solemn service of the Mass was performed
| From the Cathedral the Association adjourned to
meet at the Masonic Lodge of Polar Star No l, in
the Third Municipality There a table, loaded
with all the substantial and delicate viands
the most abundant market could afford, were
| spread, and the room was decorated in exceeding
fine taste-the American and Portuguese flags min
gled presenting conspicuous feature in the deco
ration. 1t was here we first had the pleasure of
meeting the Society. An hour whiled away
most agreeaby in conversing, promenadng the
garden, and listening to the music of superior
band. About O'Clock, dinner announced in
readiness, and nearly three hundred gentlemen sat
| down to as sumptuous "spread - as ever table
| groaned under.
The company was most agreeable. There was
| none OF that GOODNESS which so frequently chills
general intercourse in public festivities. There
was an entire abandon, with the most perfect pro-
prety. We have seldom sat at table where the
" feast Of reason and flow of soul - prevailed in so
pleasurable degree
MIR. LUZ Veira, the worthy President of the
Association, sat the head of the table. Among
the invited guests his right and left, noticed
Mr. Barelli, Portuguese Consul; Gen. Blasco, Mr..
b. Walls, Consul for Montevideo; Mr.. Francisco
Mercada, President Of the Minorca Benevolent
Association; Mr.. Viosca, Mr.. Rousseau, the tai
ented Clerk of the First District Court Mr.. L. S.
Ardrey, and Mr.. Michel Meileur. The importu-
mites OF the table at last resisted by safety, the
cloth was removed and sentiment and speech fol-
lowed in rapid succession, only interrupted by
spicy anecdote and witty bon mot. The President
gave as the first toast
The first President of the United States the Presi
dent incumbent and the President aeet-Gen. Taylor"
The toast was drank with enthusiasm. The
next sentiment was the health of Mr.. Barelli, Con-
sui for Portugal, which was drank with three times
three. Mr.. Barelli responded as follows:
Mr.. President and GennemenIn this Babel of nations
and OF languages. allow to address You language
Tho g, ,,C
French or Portuguese-or the tongue of native
Italy tender heartfelt thanks for the compliment
you have paid The Government of Portugal has
Gently fit to honor with the appointment of COnsu
at this port When, gentlemen, came here this evening, in
obedience to invitation scarcely expected find my
sell in the midst of so large and universally respectable
company. The intelligence and tho philanthropy Of those
who surround need not say lead prize The hoaor
OF my position the representative OF Portugal more highly
than ever. That honor now hold nestimabe. am not,
gentlemen, Portuguese but all hail from Europe, and
neither the Imaginary lines called national boundaries
difference OF language destroy the sympa hies tina
should exist among people spnngng from 1t it
In this broad spirit OF philanthropy have founded YOU
valuable institution, and long live to yield the nob
fruit has produced generously, its infant growth
10 you SIR turning to the Pedent] the of this
association and worthy of high esteem. must be
permitted to express wish for the gevy and continued
vgor of life that has bean faithfully devoted to the dis
charge of the hghes duties of life devoted to patri
giving you sentiment, the health Of LUZ veira-May
he live long to adorn your society head, and happiness
never be stranger to bis charitable bosom.
AT the conclusion of this very happy effort of
Mr.. Barelli the whole company rose and cheered |
him again and again. The toast to the President
was drank with the same enthusiasm. The Presi- |
dent responded fecitously to the compliment, and
proposed
- The Polar Star Lodge" |
This brought Mr.. Michel Meilleur, an officer of |
the IDtUe tn his laos Io aJJ he
in French with fervid eloquence. He discoursed |
upon the amenities and charities of life with the |
earnestness of true philanthrop;st, and in pour
traying the happiness produced by the doing of good
deeds, paid high compliment 10 the Association |
he was addressing. 1t cheered his heart to find |
men banding as brothers for mutual sympathy and |
mutual assistance, and this or any other kindred |
associations would always find the Polar Star
Lodge anxious to further their benevolent views,
and give them every assistance in its power. As |
an humble member of the Lodge, he rendered his |
heartfelt thanks for the sentiment just drank and |
hoped the Portuguese Benevolent Association would
ever continue to merit the appreciation of good |
men, as well it had already done during the brief
period since its organization.
The Governor of the State,'' F." the Spread of |
Repubicanism in Europe GO the Perpetuation of |
American Liberty were successfully drank with
all the honors." Nor was our own profession over
looked. The Press :" was toasted in compliment
airy terms, and Mr.. Alleman, one of the editors of
La Patria, answered for the profession in happily
conceived and beautifully expressed speech
Mr.. L. F. Audrey being called upon for sent-
ment, said:
My Brethren-l am no sentiment giver-I am not accus.
toned to giving toasthoe extsmporpeous efforts of wit
or senius-but WILL with your PERMISSION make few
bnef remarks prompted by the and the
that surround me. With my BRETHREN am Joined In
one Of the noble objects that can aim at EAudug
to his being member of the Polar Star Lodge We seek to
oohe the sick pillow 10 relieve the widow the orphan
and alleviate the suergs of kind whatever shape
they may come These the sacred duties of humanity
and rejoice in being the of band young in its bonds
but which has already given proof of love of good deeds
that promises youth and manhood of commendabe bene
cence Let us increase and multiply" such associations as
that l have The hppa L.. |