Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-02-23


The Union critcises the letter Of Senator
Wilson to the editor of the Organ.
WARRINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.
The Celebration In Alexandria good
neighbors Of the city of Alexandra "kept"
yesterday, the I'D Of February, a. they, of all
people, should keep it. 1t was with them q
gala day. reminding Us of the good old times,
when the anniversaries Of the marked days in
our national history were, all ever our coun.
try, days which were dedicated to the true
American duty Of renewing and Frightening
the memory Of the events of the times that
tried mems souls, in the hearts Of the youth of
America.
on this occasion, Edgar Snovdsn, Esq d, Of
the Alexandra Gazette, than whom our coun.
try possesses few men Of more elegant acquire
ments, genius, and excellent taste, was the
orator Of the day. We refer the reader to the
synopsis of his address to be in our local col.
umns TO- morrow. As a local historian, though
making no pretensions, he has few superiors,
and his auditory, composed Of thousands of his
ly, treated to food Of "reminiscences of the an.
cient days Of the glorious old Burgh, sufficient
to render all Alsxandri ans and Virginians
proud, indeed, Of the city commonwealth
and land Of their birth Alexandria was
the shire-town Of Gen. George Washington.
There BraddOek landed, and at that poin.
Washington first met him. From thence they
started out upon their perilous and disastrou.
campaign. There were in the company that
assembled yesterday to listen to the address of
Mr.. Snowdsn hundreds whose ancestors were
companions in arms of Washington on that
occasion, and Thousands, 1t may be, whose
fathers and grandfathers were his companions
in arms in theGar Of the Revolution, and his
immediate personal friends and acquaintances.
1t was in old times local trait of Alexandra,
to teach its growing population familiar Gun
wristen) facts marking the history of Wash.
ingtOn, and Of his times and revolutionary
compstriots. Mr.. Snowdsn, therefore, had
IN auditory who appreciated the food Of To-
gsndsry lore with which his eloquent and
classic address WAS graced. At the termina-
tion Of the public exercises, some two hundred
Of the company proceeded to Newton's Man.
sion House, whore they partook of a genuine
" I'D Of February" dinner-of such dinner
a one never sits down to outside the bounda-
ries Of Virginia and Maryland.
The reader will find the bill of fare in our
local columns tomorrow and il, like our
selves, he is lover Of the creature comforts of
life, and experienced in Virginia cookery, he
will comprehend the fact that beyond the re-
gion Of country drained by the Pc tomae, It Ia q
rare occurrence to sit down to such dinner as
that Of the celebration of the 22d of February
1855, in Alexandria, Va.
The occasion was graced not only by the
presence Of the Hon VIM. c. Rives, but by
An ster-dinner speech from that gentleman.
We have frequently heard him in House and
Senate, as we'll as on the stump. But we never
heard him as eloquent and effective as on this
occasion. His theme was the impor TANGO of
chsrishing the principles Of George Washing.
ton, and that great mans Identification with
the town Of Aisxsndris. We need hardly say
that he enforced, in words which sank to the
hearts OF all present, the results of Washing.
toms sagacity, patriotism, and integrity, as
sxsmplifsd in the existing condition of our
country and its people; and brought wildly
to mind the times when Washington's pres
ence and personal influence were as familiar
to the inh abitants Of the good old burRh, a.
are now those Of its most prominent citizens
q tnsday. There stands in Alexandria the
old church which he regularly attended, and
the old pew in which he sat-juss as his death
left both. The old ball room in which he
danced-and no one was more inclined to On.
courage such amusements than George Wash.
ington-and the old tavern at which he usu-
ally put up, and the old chamber in which he
usually lodged on coming mp from Mount
Vernon. But We fear We are firing the pa
thence of the reader. Our only regret Is that
Ill the Stars readers could not have heard
the eloquent, graceful, and patriotic speech of
Mr.. Rivss.
The venerable George Washington Park
Cussis' too, delighted the company assembled
around the festive board, in q speech upon
The progress Of our beloved country. The
acknowledgment always WAKES warm upon
hat his favOrits theme, and is really one of
The few Americans Of his age whose hearts
souls and minds keep pace with the ideas of
the times in which he now lives. He discoursed
Of Alexandra as he knew her before any one
present save himself was born-of the times
when she was the centre of the refinement,
learning, and heightened sentiment Of Wiz.
sinia; and then reviewed the progress of our
great country since he first knew New York,
then little dilapidatsd looking Dutch town.
The good old man grew eloquent, indeed, as
he contracted the condition of our country
now, with is condition then; and, prophetic
An his representations of Its future career
de was listened to with profound respect, and
amply repaid the courtesy and consideration
OF Els highly intelligent and nm blic snir;tsd