The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-03-10
ST. DAyID.s BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.
INTERESTING HISTORY OF THE WELSH.
TIE SPEECH OF DR.. ALEXANDER JONES.
&c., &c. &c

The members of the st. David's Benevolent Society
celebrated their eighteenth anniversary on Tuesday
evening, the I'd inst, by a dinner at the Florence
Hotel, Broadway, William Miles, ESQ., President.
Among the most distinguished guests we noticed ex-
Chief Justice Jones, Hon. Ogden Hoffman, and
Morgan Morgans. Letters of apology were received
from Hon. Judge Edwards, and the Presidents of
st. Georges ST. Patrick's, and St. Andrews Socie-
ties. The room was decorated with banners Of the
society, which is said now to number nearly two
hundred members.
1t was after seven o'clock when the company-be-
tween sixty and seventy gentlemen-sat down to
dinner, which was provided in Lovejoy's best style
and consisted OF choice delicaces and substantials
The wine was only administered to exclusive few,
and we unable to pass opinion upon ts quail
ty. There seemed to be line of demarcation be-
tween the Sons Of ST. David and the reporters of the
public press of the good things Of life passed
beyond certain line. COL Loveoy is entitled to our
thanks for his courtesy.
At about quarter past nine o'clock the President.
with few predatory remarks, proposed the first
regular toast
The Day-observed and cherished by the sons Of Cam
ra in remembrance of the valor of their ancestors who
under the guide Of St. David riumphed the foes Of
freedom in their own native land
Mr.. JONES responded in song Of Dear Cam
bria.',
The PRESIDENT then proposed the next toast
Wales-The last refuge of the ancient Cymru whittier
and these high aspirations for Independence which
power could compel them to surrender" 0es byd
r Iaith Gymraeg" The Of the world for the WEIGH
language
The third regular toast was
The United staesTo many Of the land OF birth,
TO others the land Of adoption We yield to in
admiration and attachment to thy glorious Institutions.
Ex-Chef JustiC0 Ta~rs rose to respond, amid the
most enthusiast Cheering He said they were all
citizens, whether by adoption nativity this great
sea they were all anchored, and they must all sink
or swim together-but did he put the Peradventure
Never could this great republic sink it must go on
and it is Young America that makes it progress in
the scale of civilization. The learned judge then
entered into an eloquent historical statement Of the
commencement and progress OF this cOuntry's glory
Union with its motto and Union the motto which
should guide them s,ill. (Applause) Having taken
a review OF the extent and magnitude Of this CONT
pent, larger than Europe and Asia, he alluded to
what he called "the little territory Of Canada. which
lies ut our mercy whenever we chose to annex it."
(Applause.) The WEIGH have been pillars Of our
country and thirteen Of them signed the Declaration
Of Independence OF America. Ex-Chef Justice Jones
concluded with the following volunteer toast
Wales and Wechnen-Thc land which has been for
ages the abode Of the refugee the patriot and the free
tanned their civil rights their prosperity At home their
respect abroad-a people never subdued Great ap-
plause)
The next regular toast was
Great Britan-Iie land Of the Celt and the Saxon
from whose amal:amaton nation has arisen, ardent in
their devotion TO constitutional freedom and among the
foremost in every inous enterprise (Cheers)
The next regular toast was
The President elect Of the United states-Ths peoples
representative We sympal ise with him in his domestic
affection, and pray for him the support Of wise Prori
dence in guiding his to happy and pros
porous issue. Enthusiastic applause
The PRESIDENT then gave
The Queen OF Great acknowledgement by her subjects
and benored by all the nations Of the world-msy her
government continue TO be marked as 1t has been by
liberal measures, and regard for the happiness and
prosperity o. her people Great cheering and little
Tor the Prince of Wales.)
There is something very significant in the follow
ing toast
The City of New Yorh-hay her municipal officers be
raised 10 any Office of trust prove fsthess to his duties
let the fingers of his countrymen be the first raised
10 exhibit their co and their voice the first heard TO
eonsign him 10 infamy (Applause
Then followed
Our Sister soceties-Co aborers With Us in works Of
necessity and mercy cordially and sely greet
their distinguished Representatives among u.s.
The Hon. OGDEN HOFFMAN, President Of the st.
Nicholas Society, responded in his usual feIicitous
and eloquent terms. la reference TO the Last war
with Engand he made use OF the aspiration" And
God grant, that to the last syllable d recorded time
it may be the last war with England (Cheers.)
He paid tribute TO the founders and the members
OF the st. Davds Society and concluded with the
following sentiment, which was received with en-
thusiam:-
The Herlus-The blue, the yellow tipped herius-4hs
badge Of honor and Of mirth.
After the conclusion Of tho regular toasA and
sentiments given by several officers Of the society
the President called upon Dr. Jones, who made, in
substance, the following speech and ct the request Of
some members Of the society it has been written out
DR.. JONES said, that, though not a native OF
Wales yet he had descended from the Welsh through
both his parents; and his sincere regret that be
coulo not speak the Welsh tongue. He proceeded to
sketch the origin and character Of the Ancient
Brtons lie said that according to Knights Pctc-
rial History of England, there were two or three
tribes OF che Cymru, which landed on that island
one of whoE came from the south through Gasconv
in France, while another reached Scotland through
Germany, having crossed the German Ocean. All
spoke the same language, and evidently came from
countries adjacent to the Caucasssan range Of noun
tains. The ancient Pcts of Scotland spoke Welsh
and Anuerin. celebrated Welsh poet, was born on
the river Clyde, pronounced in Welsh Cakad-peace
or rest). There Is small river 10 Nortb Wales
called the Clwyde, and the Vale of Clwyde or Clyde
the Vale of Rest Watt, the inventor Of the steam
engine as well as Waite the author Of Hymns, N'as
probably of Welsh origin, as the name may be
contraction of Watkins or Wadkins-a Welsh name.