The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-05-15
THE REPUBLIC.


The annual dinner of this Society took place
on Saturday, the 10th instant, at the Eutaw
House. The tables were sumptuously fur
uished with the good cheer and dellcacies OF
the season, and the whole material and appa
ratus of the dinner were arranged with taste
full elegance which could not be surpassed in
any hotel in the country. The service CORE
sponded to the show, and the whole exhibited
the ability aud taste of Mr.. jackson, the kind
and hospitabIe host, in light which brought
HIM the highest commentator for the skill with
which he contrived SO much to crafty the eye,
with so much to please the palate.
About one hundred gentlemen took their seats
six o'clock. The Hon. J p. Kennedy, the Vice
president of the society, presidcd-this duty hay
ing dcvolved upon him in consequence OF the alb
scnce Of General Smith, the president, VINO, a lew
days before the dinner, was Obliged TO leave the
city
The Hon John Barney took the other end OF the
table, and the various officers OF the society were
seated at intervals along the board and the dinner
wAs preceded by address to the Throne OF
Grace by the Rev. DR.. Burnap.
The guests of the society present on this occa-
sion were Sir Henry Lytton Bulwer; the Hon.
Daniel Jenifer, recently the minister OF this coun-
try to Vienna; the Hon. Waddy Thompson, late
minister to Mexico; Mr.. Martin Faroubar Tuoper,
and Mr.. Lytton, son Of Sir Edward Bulwcr Lytton
and atache to the British Legation IN this country
Many other guests were expected, but from per
Causes
70 be present. Invitations had been sent to the
President Of the United States and his Cabinet, to
General Scott General Cas-, Mr.. Buchanan, Mr.
Dickinson. and General Foote, OF the Senate to
Governor Ramsey, of Minnesota, to MIR. Bodisco,
the Russian minister, to Mr.. Calderon, the Spanish
minister, to MIR. Prescott, and MIR. winthrop, OF
Boston; TO Mr.. Warrington Irving and MIR. Girls
void, of New York; to DR.. Bird and MIR. Reed, OF
Philadelphia to Professor Henry, Of Washington;
Mr.. W. Gilmore Simms, of Charleston, and Mr..
John s. Pendeton, the charge dafiairs to Buenos
Ayres, of Virginia. Several OF these gentlemen
had accepted the invitation to be present on the &C.
casi0n, and were conndentIy looked iof Until tue
last moment.
Al the appointed stage of the feast, when the
cloth was drawn, Mr.. Kennedy, the president, rose
to announce the regular toass prepared for the oc
casion. He introduced them with the following
remarks:
"GENrLEMEN: have to congratulate the society
on once more assembling ut this OF the year
around the dinner table, In accordance with re-
solve which hope will be respected from year to
year until it shall grow into an established custom
for punctual future observance.
Wehave already had abundant reason to acknow-
ledge the value of this re- union OF our members
under circumstances genial to the cultivation Of
friendly intercourse. II 10 the occasion OF plea
SAINT meetings and the salutation of old and new
friends. II extends tho sympathies and good feel
inGs of the society over new domain, and brings
w valuable auxliaries to cooperate with US IN the
ends for which our institution was establshed and
whilst il makes better known to each other, 1t
recruits force by enlstments drawn from the
stock of liberal minds who are lured to unite In
the companionship by which the objects Of our 80
ciety arc best promoted and maintained. We are
thus enabled to enrol amongst our members many
active and useful allies gathered from our own and
other quarters happily thus uniting In one band
men Of kindred tastes in whose common con
nexicn with society all geographical differ
ences of position forgotten, or only remem-
bered to strengthen their mutual good will.
l am happy, gentlemen, also in the opportunity
,v~vo
of our society in our own community, evidenced
by the steady increase of our members and the en-
larged appreciation with which, what we have here
tofore done towards the objects OF our institution.
has been regarded by all who have the means OF
noting our progress We have made good and
notable advance in our march; have added large
ly in the of the year 10 the stock OF our USE
ful collections of the material Of national history,
which in enriched by valuable memoirs, contribu-
tons to the biography of distinguished men, and
explorations into the history OF times and events
important in their connection with the past and the
present. We have before US the most favorable
augurics of future advantage, not only in the la
bors of our members at home, but In the co opera
ton of those whom distance has separated from
us, and whose interest in our undertaking makes
them watchful Of the opportunity to contribute
whatever they find calculated to elucidatc the an.
nals of our country.
1t has been our object to endeavor to attract to
this annual festival the attention, and, where we
could command 1t. the presence OF distinguished
and gifted men of our own and of other climes.
am glad to say this endeavor is not altogether
without success. Although not able to secure the
presence of all could wish to see on such an &C.
cason, we have the good fortune TO secure the e.
teen of all such--as ia most agreeably manifested
in their kind and approbatory letters which our
invitation invariably calls forth Could our wish
have been gratifed it would have been my plea
SAINT duty to- night to have presented to you Mr.
Fillmore, the President OF the United States, and
the members Of his Cabinet; besides them, many
gentlemen of high distinction in political life-and
some Of the moot cherished and admired OF our
literary men. But circumstances OF personal con-
veniencc, distance, other engagements, and the
common impcdiments which are apt to interfere
with such appointments. have denied US this graft
fication. But we are still not without srong and
effective attractions in the guests we have az
sembed. We can rejoice ir the presence OF our
true and trusty fellow member OF the society, the
British minister, Sir Henry Bulwer, who, faithful
to his duty, has not failed to ak ms seat once more
amongst u.s. testify again his appreciation Of our
objects, and to lend hand to the enjoyment OF our
meeting by that playful and cordial spirit of do
medication amongst US, which has already al
most incor rorated him into American society as
one of its own members
His good fellowship and kindly perception Of
those solid influences which breed peace and har-
mony wherever they are practised, have already
rendered him an effective and successful champion
Of an international friendship which we all hope is
never to be broken. The Crystal Palace may be-
come, and doubtless will become, temple where
many a national prejudice shall be brought to n
cannot be more potent encourager or promoter
OF liberal opinions and generous sentiments of mu
tual federation OF national differences respect. and
friendly estimate amongst men, than the enlghten-
ed spirit which breathes in the public department
private social relations of the British minister in
this country.
We have also with to- night, gentlemen, a
friend from the same land, to whom 1t ia our plea
sure to afford most sincere welcome, as a repre-.
sentative OF the literature Of Great Britainan An
Glo- Saxon-or, TO distinguish him from ourselves,
may mot say anglo nglo-Saxon-wh whose heart
and pen have been stirred by equal spmpathies for
all who speak that tongue which is common to the
race He is here TO demonstrate his interest in this
occasion; and. in offering cordial and cheerful
welcome to Martin Farquhar Upper, feel that
am but anticipating the expression Of the warm
and ready impulse OF this whole company.
To our other friends who have favored us on this
occasion, it is not necessary should do than
say, we receive them admired fellow country
men, whose names familiar to cars, and
whose virtues remembered and fostered in our
hearta
The field Of labor. gentlemen, to an American
Historical Society, wdens with the progress OF
time. The material for study and preservation
neernn but increaae with he II; ndiny Of n O,r