The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-02-23
CELEBRATION OF WASH|NGTON'S BIRTHDAY
BY THE
Militia and Civic Societies Of the City.
o>~~>~~N>~~>~~>~~>>S
Exercises of the Order Of United
Americans, at metropolitan Hall.
Celebration by the Eighth Regiment, Wash.
ington Grays, at the Tabernacle.
GRAFTON OF N. B. BLUNT, ESQ.
>~>>~NN~>~>>>>~o~>~~
ILLUMINATION OF THE CITY HALL,
&C.. &c, &c.
GRAFTON OF NJ. B. BLUNT, ESQ


military companies passed through the Park, where
they were reviewed by his Honor the Mayor. Among
those which were reviewed, we noticed Eighth regi-
ment, Washington Grays, Garde Lafayette, the vete
rams of 1872, and the New York Volunteers.
Before night had set in, the whole front of the City
Hall was illuminated with candles. A large trans
parency Of Washington was erected in front of the
balcony Of the Governors Room, over which were
the following transparencies, which were brilliant
ly illuminated during the entire evening"
o Washington, born Feb. %, 1892.
eeeoe eeeoeoe eeeso 90 soo o.
o ncoSDERoeA BUNKER HILL osARArocA o1ExNeros.
eeeeee eoooo
lowing -
Q
o wHrrrrArss o TRENTON. CAMDEN. o
eees eoeeoeeseoeooesseeeseoeeS9
On the east side, facing Frenchs Hotel, were also
the three following transparencies, which were
greatly admired by the people,
eee Q . Q &c 9 Q . > eee . Q . Q . . .
MONMOUTH. BRASDYwrSE. YORKTOWN. o
eeeooeeeeeee 90 ooeoe
Metropolitan Hall.
The birthday of Washington was celebrated in an
appropriate manner by this Order. About twelve
o'clock themembers of the Orderpassed front of the
City Hall in review before his Honor the Mayor and
from there up to Metropolitan Hall, where they were
to celebrate the day, and hear the Grafton of j. W.
Bryce. Long before they arrived there the two upper
circles were filed to their utmost capacity with ladies
and children. About one O'clock the society enter
ed the hail. escorted by the Contnentals and seated
| kee Doodle"
The proceedings opened with /" Washington's
March," which was performed by Adams Corne
| Band.
The Rev. A. D. GILLETTE then offered up an clio
! quent prayer.
The "Star Spangled Banner was then sung BY
the New York Quaitette Association.
The letters from the invited guests were then read
Among the number of apologies sent were letters
from President Fillmore, Hon. Edward Everett, Com
modore Stockton, Hon. g. Briggs, and Hon. James
Brooks, Esq
quartette was then sung by the Quartette Asso.
citation.
The Band then played Hail to the Chief" which
was loudly applauded.
The New York Quartette Association then sung
another quartette, which elected thunders of ap.
plause.
j. W. BRYCE, of Franklin Chapter No. 0, then
delivered the Grafton He began by saying they had
assembled to celebrate the birthday of one whose
deeds were his eulogy He was not there to speak OF
his deeds these deeds were embalmed forever,
even with those who doubted their principles. 1t
was not his purpose to talk of Monmouth, Brandy
wine, or Yorktown. He would not tell them of the
dark days of the Revolution, when the patriots were
inspired by God, while their feet were racked with
pain by walking with their bare feet on the ice on
their way to Valley Forge. They should admire
Washington for the number Of qualities that were
combined in that great man. Cesar achieved victo-
ries which will remain emblazoned forever; but it
was ambition that inspired him to those deeds.
Cromwell achieved victories; but his cruelty and ia
naticism Disguised his fellow countrymen. Napoleon
was also q great conqueror but ambition was his
only aim. How different was Washington's course.
Born of no noble family, accepting the command of
the Revolutionary army with difidence, he was not
only soldier, but statesman that never erred.
Scarce three quarters of century have passed since
the Revolution andths country hass been blessed be
yond the most absurd exaggerations of the patriots
those days. TWAS purpose, with the consent of the
audiences to point out those principles which were
most important to the American people. Washing.
ton, in his Farewell Address, warned and besought
them to preserve the union Of the States invoate
the only way the Union could be preserved. To sup
port the constitution is the duty of every American
citizen and to support it they should study carefully
He wished them to see the Importance Of union of
the government Every man who has spark true
spirit should revere the words of George Washington
(Appause) This country, which is now peopled
from Maine to California will in few years become
They were not political party, but Americans who
were to preserve this country involate from all harm
and danger. Cheering, and great applause3
Washington pointed out in language SO deli
cate, the danger of severing the Union, that
we should obey his instructions implicitly He
told them to beware Of love for military glory.
One great object Of their society was to prevent any
danger which may threaten the Union. Another,
which they took from Washingtons Address, was
obedience to the laws. The Order have sustained
the laws for years past, and If it was necessary
they would waste the last drop of their blood in the
attempt. (Applausc.) 1t has been said that in try
ing to carry out the principles of Washington, they
had transgressed one of his arst-that was, the
forming of associations but they were formed for the
purpose of defending his principles. Nobody wei
coined political refugees to this country with
warmer hearts than the United Americans; but they
were opposed to Intervention, which that sturdy
beggar Kossuth, advocated. Great applause.)
Their Order was formed for the purpose Of allcvia
ting the evils of party politics. Washington told
them that party spirit should never be nurtured and
that this country should not NEEDLE with other ma
tnns for IL would ruin the commerce and the Iroa-