The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-02-23
THE CELEBRATION AT THE ACADEMY OF
MUSIC

(where the grand celebration of washngtons birthday
was to take pacs) about O'Clock Z. NJ. At that time
the whole street, from Union square to the Opera
House, vaa hled with crowd through which II was
ocut TO make ones way and around the doors OF the
building the people seeking to gain admtance had As
sembed in such dense that 1t utterlytmpos
sibe to effect an entrance Indeed early l2 O'Clock
tney might have been seen entering In unbroken
stream and when the three tiers OF galleries had become
so crowded that child could not have been wedged in
the police very properly closed the doors refused
admittanee to any more To the activity and vigilance
OF strong fo.ce stationed the spot as we'll AZ to
the efforts OF individual officers accommodate as many
as possible the public much indebted and to their
decision and forethought may be attributed the alb.
sence OF any serious accident In such Immense
blsge.
As soon as the procession arrived the military escort
and various chapters of the Order ed into the body OF
the theatre completely filing the parquet and parque
circle. This occupied about hour and when all who
could had taken their seats the spectacle from tie
stage was one Of surprising grandeur Truly the opera
house yesterday presented such sight IL pre-
tented before, and will probably present agniu
This was the kind Of opera which went like electric
shock to peoples hearts, and filled the mind o he most
ordinary and careless spectator with wonder and with
ave. For there was something wondrous and something
awful in that mighty throng-the mpr essive when
in all It's bearings. This assemblage was no party or
sect, or cliqne-i II was the people
There probably Rfteen thousand persons within
the building, to say nothing OF as many more outside
who sought admittance In vain The parquet and par
quet circle, as we have said iled with the Chap
ters OF the order In the dress circle second circle
gallery, proscenium boxes and wherever stan ling room
could be procured, was the audence-the whole pre-.
senting one immense mass Of heads innumerabc. The
ladies (and believe that all the beauty and fashion OF
New York collected there occupied the most pro-
minent seats, the gentlemen being in the rear
The stage decorated appropriately with the banners of
the Order filled with the clergy invited guests the
Grand Marshal and his a the delegates from the Arch
Chancery OF the Order, oicer past officers and
bers Of the Chancery Of this and other States and Of
fcers of military escort The sombre light which now
and then finds it's way into the Opera House. gave an
imposing solemnity to scene which certainly sur.
passed all former celebrations OF Washington birthday
by the Order Of United Americans.
Among the invited guests the stage we notcsd the
Hon. Fisher Mitchell and Jacob Broome of Philadelphia.
Judges Campbell and Hoffman, Nathan O. Ely, Esq
Daniel Ullmao Esp j. c. Petty OF the state Legislature
Councilman Ma,her James W Barker, &c. and here It
may be as wen TO insert the Invitation extended by che
Order to gentlemen both In this and other
States.
NEw YoRK Feb l, 1865.
DEAR sIn-The Order Of United Americana in this
Stae have made arrangements to celebrate la accord
ance with their usual custom, tie coming Anniversary
OF the birth OF Washington by public procession and
my OF Music in this city the 22d inst, AMI they
specfuy invite you 70 unite with them that occa.
sion
the object OF our Order ever TO keep alive in tho
learts OF the people the teachings Of the Farewell Ad
cherish al love for this noble land Of BIRTH In
the preamble TO our ton, say, " We discaim
al AL. ASSOCIATION i.h with party rocswe hold no connsc
pose ef doing whichever may geem best 10 us tor
tanning our Iationhl institutions, for uphoding
tonal liberties, and for freeing them from all foreign
and deetsrious Influences whateverr
With these principles Order has rapidly extended
itself, and now numbers its thousands, spread
various parts Of the Union and embracing It's ranks
many OF the most distinguished OF the country
We purpose 10 ain celebrate the birthday OF wash.
ibgton with sentilents OF vereratIon for his memory
profound respect for the prccepls he taught and 10
tcrate determination TO initiate his virtues and ad
Assuring you that il would give Us much pleasure TO
have you present with US on the occasion,
eaAs 3 olTERsfSvE, oomm',..e
GL0. II. RAYMOND,
J4AES II. 1HAYER, Invitation
The following gentlemen composed the committees:--
COMMITTEE OF INVITATION AND RECEPTION.
{. =. Gildsrsleve, Geo II. Raymond Jas. II. Ihayer.
COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS.
Daniel Naekay, Fred Wagner Geo. Y, Hopper,
Samuel ad, Hall, John 8 Shelby, stephen r fhorne,
Joha R y..eT, cbss !. Russell, Ew. : knight,
"Ali'" N'iAl1s; 8x Y. OSBORN, Chm. .. Con. q Del
c1as. eosarn + : GhDn,flrvr, hn1ss' Secretaries.
While the Order and guests were being seated shsl.
tons American Brass Band performed washing nytouS
Grand March, After which,
wA. w. osHoks c. z. OF Of the State of New YORK,
advanced In front Of the stage AMI alluded briefly 10 the
national holiday which the people had assembled 70 cee
brae. He announced the order Of exercises the first
~ lH.s K.lro -.
or then offered BY the Rev L. J. Wood after which
the following rseltatlvs and aria from the code to
Washington" BY O. L. Horn, ,ung with great eject
BY Mrs. Maria r. Lyon
REcrTATIvE.
Though shrin'd in dust great Washington now lies,
The memory Of his deeds shall ever bloom
Twin q with proud lsurels shah the olive rise
And wave unfading DER his honor,d tomb
To him, ye nations, yield eternal fame
First the heroic lists enroll his name
High the sn.cuip pt rid marble let him stani
The undauBsed hero Of his native land.
q, ns'er 10 man did bounttous hsaven impsrt
puIer spirit, OF more generous heart
And in that heart did nature swestly blend
The fearless hero and thd faithful friend.
Letters read from the following among other IN
ytsd guest.s-Ersstus Brooks g. y. b. Morse Of Popgh
keepse; G. A. scroggs (chesrs Governor Gardner VIM
H. Goodwin; v. C. Smith, Mayor of Boston; J. C. Good
rich John Beli Senator from Tennessee r. Clark OF the
nr. Dsllss, ex Vice President. Mr. wentworth 81 ID.
House Of Representatives. OF Massachusetts,, and Miard
Fillmore Great applsusc The following 10 the letter
FROM SENATOR JOHN BELL, or rESsRssEE.
WASHINGTON, Feb 90 1855.
GNuEntx-The invitation you did the hsnor 70
address 70 me- In behalf Of the order Of Untsd Amer
cans of the state of New York, 10 unite with them 10
celebrating according 70 their usual cton the coming
snnyeusry of the birth Of washlngton, was received
several days since and must beg that you viii not. M
pute 10 any intentional dscoutssyi ia falling 20 reply
10 promptly. ItWss accidental and the consequtnce
Of the constant sseessson Of demsnds upon TIE aen
tlcu OF msmber Of Congress the close of short
ssasiop.
eet Of your fisr "ever 10 keep alive In the hearts OF
the people the teachings of the Farewell AdSrsss oi the
immortal Washington, and 10 promote AMI cherish
Hal love for this noble lard of their birth That yoa
propos. sgsn 10 celebrate the birthday 81 Washpgtoni
with sentiments Of vsnsratlon for bis memory pro