The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-01-27
Dinner to the Hon. Henry May.


In conformity with previous arrangements. more than
one hundred OF the friends OF Hon. Henry May psrtook
OF magnificent banquet prepared by Major Field, al his
Hotel, Capitol Hill, on Saturday evening the 2lst
instant.
The company entered the dining room al hai-past
o'clock the band paysg march, and took their seats
AT The table
John Carroll Brent esq,
William ]. Mcdonald, esq,
John {. Fitzpatrick, esq,
John H. Queen. esq.
MIR May seated the right hand OF the president
and Alexander Mccormick. esq, Mr.. Mays earliest
schoolmaser, on his left.
After the company had pariaken OF the sumptuous
past, Mr.. French the president, rose and said:
We have met here to. night gentlemen to recall pleas
ant associations OF past days, and to do honor 10
whose childhood and whose YOUTH marked in the minds
Of many of you with happy recoections, passed
herein this city, In this locaty-aye on Capitol Hill
Here he was born-here nuriured-here he arrived at
mans estate, and assumed his position in the turmoil oil
human existence. Noble and independent in his nature,
circumstances which. while they led 10 his seeking
forensic sphere elsewhere, took him from covered
with the bright shield of integrity and the panopy Of
honor and all the kind wishes of our hearts went with
him.
On the new field of his fame be prospered and in
cordance with the sovereign voice OF he people OF the
congressional district in which he resided he has come
amongst clothed Win the highest u0nor
was in their Gower 10 bestow upon him.
Cordially--mostEc ordialy-do we welcome him back
the OF his childhood and here tonight, our
hearts go forth toward him Joyous in his presence
Feow-citizens, there is, in my estimation, no one
thing which relieves the character OF man from the
shadows OF existence much rs the love OF his native
place That love seems to be implanted IN his bosom by
his Maker, and the cngng OF the human heart TO the
places and the associations OF childhood has been the
theme OF the orator, the statesman and the poet BE
where we may we all have a lingering desire to return
Ito tha nj nufh and
which years cannot obterate from the tablet OF memory
Walter Scott says IN one OF his leers, II he believed
once year, he should die and the exullant words he
places in the mouth Of Rob Roy Mcregor, his return
10 his highland asnesses"R Rob Roy is on his native
hills agan"goes home TO the heart OF any one who Is
/ longing to revisit the haunts Of his boyhood
| No feature in the character of the great American
statesman whose mortal remains now rest IN Marshheld
exhibited all through his le--of love for his native
place, and his care Of his mothers garden.
Our respected CUES. comes amongst us this evening,
doubtless with all these feelings and these associations,
and he finds response the bosom OF many one here
who has ambled with him. in his boyhood, over the hills
and dales OF this vicinity and OF whom he could say
| 'We twa ha paidpt I the burn,
| FTae momn sun ill dine"
| ave twa ha run abou, the braes.
An pied the gov vans fine"
| This occasion naturally calls up in our minds other
sociaons OF the past and while we tender TO our guest
congratulations, cannot forget those with whom
lily OF like number OF brothers has grown up here
and perhaps | may truly say anywhere-each one OF
whom has more efecinay made his mark IN his peca-
liar calling than the brothers May.
AT the very commencement OF the Mexican war, the
name OF of them gorously connected with our
eares, victories, and the battles OF Pao Alto and Resaca
de la Palma will be recalled 10 memory anywhere
in this broad land and the OF Charles May be Tor
gotten
The news OF those battles, and those wonderful victo-
ries came--and well do we all remember the enthusiasm
lied
which overspread every counenance, when II was pro-.
claimed that "ChaTley May, Capitol HUI boy, stood
prominently forth-nexi TO The brave old chie TO whose
brow The presidency could add au-es-the hero OF
those battles To the sures thus won he added fresh
all through that war; and no better evidence OF The
appreciation of his vaor by his country Is needed than
that he commenced his deeds OF bravery as lieutenant
and the close OF tina, OF gloToas victories 10 our
standard found him lieutenant colonel.
Another OF this brotherhood bore himself with equal
bravery in another OF Inc public service and shed
his blood in bis counrys cause and day after day we
saw HIM here bearing upon one oil has limbs the honora
be though painful, testimonial OF hls valor, and only
saving II from amputaion by the eminent surgical skill
Of another OF the came brotherhood who still retains his
residence amongst US, and fills well the place OF
"Ths, good old man. whose honest blood
Alike lhey iondy claim"
And .ihat good old man'-can noe forget him Never
never That noble iorm-hat honest and chvalrous
heart-wil be ever remembered by every resident OF
Capitol Hill who lived contemporaneously with him
He stood at hed-sdes and minslered 10 us in
sicknesses, uniting the tenderness and affection OF
woman with the nerve and fearcssness of a hero for
tell you my friends, II requires much. believe more
courage TO WELD skfully the surgeons knife than il
does the warriors sword and there is walk IN life in
which cool, un.hrnking judgmentthe will 10 do, the
soul to dare'-is necessary than 10 him TO whom
trust lives when the hand OF sickness or oil acc
dent upon And most pre-emlnenty did the father
of our guest possess all those attributes OF the kind skill
full, and courageous physician, And not only did he do
all his duty the sick, but the friend, the adviser
and counsellor OF the well Such the fathet-s IL,
then, wonderful that such should be the sons
| To honor OF these sons, we have met here to-
night and sir, in the OF the companions OF your
youth, and OF many OF those OF your manhood, in the
name OF all here present. and OF hundreds who would
gladly be here did not circumstances prevent bid you
cordial and hearty welcome.
| MIR French interrupted al almost every sentence
OF his remarks by the most enthusiastic applause
Col William Hickey then rose and addressed the com
pany as follows:
The present occasion presents moral spectacle repete
with interest II may be considered in two aspects-one
regarding our distinguished coppairiot whom we have
assembled 10 honor the other concerning bis friends
representing here The neighborhood OF his na,ivy-ihe
home OF his youth. The cordial asd glowing counte-
nsnces which form the anma,ng feature OF this heart
fell reunion aes, the earneslDess and sincerity oil those
friends and sufficiently indicate that ordinary
has broug hi them together Constituted, az this assem-
bage is, without regard 10 party or persuasion, and i'm
PEELED alone by their characters inhabitants OF old Cap
Ito HILL that cause must be sought for and will be
found TO concene in the virtues, the genius and manly
qualities OF native OF this hill whom we delight 10
honor on this occasion The memory involunarily re-
yers 10 the past of which perhaps but few who
have knowledge, but OF which, in this neighbohood
we cannot be unmndlul in rendering acceptable hom-
age 10 our esteemed guest We cannot forget the hon.
Frederick May, for many long years a resden, OF
Capito Hill whose high responsibility OF character.