The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-02-03
The Celebration Of the 10th Anniversary OF
the Birthday Of Thomas Paine.

the night being just cool enough Ior dancing.
The Celebration OF the 10th Anniversary OF
the Birthday Of Thomas Paine.
On Monday evening, the ll6th anniversary of the
birthday of Thomas Paine was celebrated at the
City Assembly Rooms, No. $50 Broadway. Ateight
o'clock the company, amounting to about 700 per-
sons assembled in the ball ROOM and were engaged
in dancing until eleven o'clock p NJ, after which
they proceeded to the supper room, where sumptu-
ous repast was provided, at which Mrs. Ernestine L.
Rose presided. Whitmores band was in attendance
during the ball and SUPPER and acquitted themselves
most admirably. After the company had done ample
justice to the viands, the fair President rose and
said -
My Friends-Having had the honor conferred on
me to preside on this interesting occasion, and being
not repay the confidence you kindly repose in me
by the infection Of long speech. am happy once
more to have met with you to pay tribute OF graft
tnde to the author hero of the Revolution Thomas
Paine. But in celebrating this anniversary there is
yet higher object than the respect we wish to mani
fest to that great patriot and friend of man. it is to
encourage each other to go and do likewise-to emu
late his noble selfsacrifcng spirit in dfusing know
what to us appears truth however unpopular. These
are the only means worthy Of his memory. Opin-
ions and principles are for use in every day fe and
not to be kept for show or to be worn only as holt
utterly worthless if honored only in profession and
ignored in practice. Nor is it when life flows on in
an even tenor OF tranquility but when fercely strug-
Cling with adverse elements, that we perceive the
nature and nobleness OF virtue. The beauty and ma
esy Of great and exalted convictions not evinced
when assent to them is easy, and the profession in
them elicits public appreciation but when deep pre-
feelings all 90 violently against it, that the value Of
principle, high-minded conviction, is felt in
guiding us, as by compass or leading star, to truth
and to duty. Such was the case with Thomas Paine
at 'the times that tried mems SOULS" When the tenn
pest Of despOtsm ragged the erces and the turbulent
waves of political faction the highest, he stood
like beacon light amid the dark waters OF despair,
surrounding darkness, and infasing light and hope
into the fear stricken hearts of the behoders, be
saved the tempest-tOssed mariners from the royal
shipwreck, and aiding them into the bark OF uniyer
chart, and the Age Of Reason" for their compass,
they steered safely into the harbor Of repubcansm.
He truly said, What is right is pure natures my
pen and my soul have ever gone together" Brides
and threats were alike powerless over him. Exile,
the dungeon, and the anathemas Of the church,
could not make him swerve for one moment from the
path OF right He was as true to his convictions
the needle to the pOle He well knew that in men,
tai freedom all others are embraced for without it,
place man in the most attering position, and he is
but a slave at best. To be free, we must have the
right, az well as the inclination at all times and
under all circumstances to be true to our convic-
and all are slaves besdes" for of all natures own
noblemen, the honest man is first in rank. And yet
it was for that very native title OF nobility, his ar
dent love for truth united as it was with Herculean
strength Of mind that he was prosecuted while living
and slandered after his death; for it has been
the province Of error to hate truth as its deadest
foe and the priests Of all denominations but too well
know that as darkness is dspelled by the rays of
light, so does knowledge and truth dspe ignorance
and superstition the very basis OF their calling
hence the odium and stigma cast upon his name to
brighten children Of larger growth. But what
matters! As truth is immortal so will be the name
of Thomas Paine; and long after these petty false
hoods will be forgotten, and their reverend authors
sunk into oblivion, will grateful hearts his me-
for his devotion to truth and the cause Of liberty
My friends, ] have never been SO conscious of a
marked progress towards the rights of man as to-
night, for not until tonight has woman ever been
sufficiently recognized as the equal with man, to be
honored with the presiding office on festive Occa
sion; and to friends Of human progress it must be
subject Of congratulat0n to have advanced so far as
for you to offer it and for me to accept it. And
mark the progress It is but a few years since wo
except the dance. And am happy to say that this
society, the friends Of Thomas Paine, first changed
the barbar0us custom of excusveness to more "a
tional and consistent practice of combining the phys
CAL Intellectual and social branches of an entertain
ment for the equal enjoyment of both sexes. And
being convinced that we can enjoy happiness only
IN proportion as we promote happiness in others,
joyment by having those you love partake in them
with you Nor has your good example been without
its effect, for, among many others who followed it,
even the sons Of the Purtans in this city, who cele
brate the landing Of the Pilgrim Fathers have actual
ly found out that they had Pilgrim mothers too, and
in grateful remembrance Of them, they ought to ad
init their daughters to participate in commemorating
the event. And it must indeed be gratifying to every
liberal and enlightened mind to see that, while
Others thus wisely followed in your footsteps, you
have taken an onward step in the extension of
human rights, which my position here tonight pro-
nvntvpn Avn1 ohp ho fc-k L.
the salt Of the EARTH that keeps the world from entire
corupton-the little leaven that enables society to
rise higher and higher in the scale of human progress
sion. And no one can truly honor the author
of the "Rghts of Man. without extending
the same rights for woman, for he advocated no
rights exclusively for one sex or one nation,
but the rights of humanity without distinction
OF sex, country, or color. And in his endeavor to
labored even more for the benefit Of woman than of
man. for, as her education and experience, owing to
an infringement Of her rights, has been more limited
than his, superstition has ever had stronger hold
and more baneful and perncious effect on the mind
Of woman than Of man. In conclusion, permit me to
say, gratifying as it must be to ALL to pay attribute
of respect and gratitude to departed virtue and patr
otism, let us remember the millions ofour fellow beings
who still groan under the heavy burden Of oppres-
sion, the noble martyrs daily sacrificed the altar of
m0narchcal despOtsm and spiritual corruption, that
kossuth, Mazzni, Louis Blanc and many other noble
champions of liberty, are still in exile. The clouds
that hang on the horizon of European freedom, are
darker than ever; but let hope that the very in
tensity OF the darkness is an omen Of the approach
ing dawn OF the day Of freedom. Go on then, my
friends, claiming and extending human rights, until
liberty shall cover the earth. For the
Free in soul with qucnchless zeal must ever glow
To spread the freedom which their own minds Know
loud applause.)
The first toast was then read as follows:-
Thomas Paine, whose memory we meet to chersh-Hs
intellect and moral courage have stamped their impress
upon mankind leaving rich legacy for all time in ad
vocating the cause Of liberty truth and mental freedom
Mr.. H. 8. SMITH, in response to this toast, amid
much applause. delivered the following eulogy upon
Thomas Paine:-
Say was not that my friends, glorious day,
When first fair Freedoms form beamcd DER our wayy
What source Of Joy to freemen profound
Than that they stand on freedoms holy grounds
Then let each candid soul join in q strain
OF grateful incense TO the illustrious Paine
The patriot, in his country darkest hour
when every engine Of a tyrants power