New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-02-23
BANQUET AT THE AsTOR HOUSE.

The Anniversary of the Birthday of Washington
was observed at the Astor House by number OF the
friends of Civil and Religious Liberty, who claim him
for the founder of their creed. At 6 o'clock in the
evening about two hundred gentlemen sat down to
very elegant dinner. Gov. WEST presided, and j. L.
Develn offciated as the President. The President
was supported on the right by James T. Brady, and
on the left by VIM. Cullen Bryant The tables were
spread with choice vands, rich fruit and rare flowers
while lively music lent its charm to the occasion.
Conspicuous among the decorations of the room was
a fine portrait of Washington, surrounded by scroll
containing the names of La Fayette, Hamilton,
Pulaski, Steuben, and Montgomery.
Dinner over and the cloth removed the guests pre-
pared themselves for the ntellectua, feast.
The President, in a brief speech said this was the
first Association in the United States in these latter
days to honor the memory Of Washington as the
founder and upholder of civil and religious liberty
He introduced
Mr. WV +. RoBISsoS. who read letters from Myron
H. CLARK, Governor Of the State Henry A. Wise,
Senator Bcr smin, Bishop Bayley of Newark, Fer
nsndo Wood Judge Ira Harris, Archbishop Hughes,
the Hon. G. NJ. Dallas, George Ashman, Ex-President
Martin Van Buren,, Gen. Scott, G. W. L. GUSTS and
Horace Greeley.
The regular toasts were then announced by the
President
l. The Pre,ident Of The Unitcd Slater.
Capt. RYsDERs responded.
2 The Goternor Of the State Of Nec York
s. Tie Arny and Nary Of the United Stase'
Gen. WARD b. BURNETT, briefly responded. lie
recounted the names of foreigners who had occupied
eminent positions, and performed great deeds IN the
army and navy Of the United States from the time
of the Revolution to the war with Mexico.
T. Warrington and ii, Pyfaeiples.
IL responded
quent speech which was received with great applause
The aim of his address was to show that Washington
had ever been the friend of civil and religious liberty
In doing this he mainly relied upon the writings OF that
eminent patriot and statesman. Washington aided III me
work of importing Palaines and even paupesto sette
Ohio as may be seen by his letters to Jas I1lghman
February liza, and in l792 he wrote to the Comms-
sOner Of the Federal District, recommending MN
to send agent TO Germany to induce emil
grafton from that country. HOW does tnls &c I;.
cord with the Know-Nothing version OF hs
acts and poicyl In bis letter to Bendict Arhoin
in l775, when about to invade Canada, be strongly
urges him to respect the religion OF that country anu
to protect and support the free exercise oil H. and the
undsturbed enjoy ment Of the rights of conscience oy
the people to the full extent of his authority MS
he also embodied in address TO the people oil Gan,
ada, in which be says: d" The cause OF Anerics ahd
Sc Of Liberty is the cause of every American ciaLen
whatever may be his religion or descent Inc
Know Nothings quote Put none but Americans on
guard tonight" Would not Thomas Adds Emnet
or Richard Montgomery have been safe Americans 70
place guard the night before that eveniiul DAY on
which West Point 10 have been betrayed 70 the
British He continued discover no instance durlng
the whole Revolutionary struggle In which the place
of nativity or religious sentiments OF those VINO TOOK
part in that momentous undertaking were ever ihVSs-
tigated to determine their merit or hdelity ,hftes
Carroll of Carrouon, who signed the Declaration OF
| Independence was q Catholic. Many oil thOse "ho.
with him. subscribed that instrument, were NATIVES oil
foreign lands. Among the officer who assls'ed 10
achieving our independence We all dengnt 70 nonOi
LaFay cite, De Kab, Steuben, Gates, Lee hoscnsko,
Montgomery and D'Esting. Washington IN 17y,
responding 10 address from the Baptist CnuTch IN
| Virginia utters this memorable language:
II could have entertained the slightest apprehension tnAt
that the Constitution framed IN the CONVENTION wHsfe a.
preste Eht possibly endsnzer the re3us r1,s "
tny ecclesssical society certainly would never ns,
nv signature H. And # could now conceive thst tns ou
ers Government nigh; be administered az 70 enae tns
liberty beg viii be pers9aasa tns1
no would be zesou. than myself 70 est4oa
.recie Of Persecuon For you doubtless remember
that have often expressed sentiments that every ma S9n
duciIg himself good citizen and being accountants % Oa
aloe hr hs RELIGIOUS oriuons ough, Be- Po'ees II "of
slipping the Deity according 70 the dictates OF us wv" S-
| In conclusion Mr. Brady read letter from W ash.
ingtOn in reply TO address from the l7rieIleI 81
| Newport, X. l., dated August IL, llsO, WHICH hal
never before been made public in which De expresses
In the strongest and most emphatic terms his a0hor'
OF civl and religious oppression ana lh'ols
His sentiments were the sentiments OF those VINO hai
met to honor the day of hi birth and for their prese
walton be doubted not each and al OF them were IeoH!
| to make every sacrifice. 49,,
TEs Pr,s.Mos, valuable wher. moe, FREE and iasdy
jealous Of it own Liberty beesase II la0of' io' TIC
| mankind
| Mr. WV. {. BRrAsT, in response, said
This toast ia often given out at public Dinners ou'
never with peculiar fitness than now "Aen ceis
| bratIng the birthday Of the American IADerssOt' A.
| this il TO remain land Of Freedom, mnsI %
| through the Press The dascoyerer Of IRE n'''e