The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-12-23
NEW ENGLAND DINNER.


Celebration Of the 236th Anniversary Of the
Landing Of the PiIgrims-Csmmemorat
Banquet at the Astor House-spccches Of
Uol. Thos. III. Benton, Rev. Mr. St0rrs,
Joe Hoxie and Mr.. Fillmore, OF the Lon
don Times-Letters from MIR. Peabody, Mr..
Banks, Mayor Wood and Gov. King.
Yesterday was the 236th anniversary Of the day when
the Pilgrim Fathers Of the Msyfower planted their feet
on tbe rock at Plymouth, Mass. The event was com.
memorated by the New England Society Of this city by
grand banquet at the Astor House, and bv Junior
cason of New Enganders by ball and supper at the La
Fargo.
first anniversary The usual annual election Of officers
held noon and resulted In the election OF the following
gentlemen, most OF them being officers OF last year.
Presdent-Benjamin W. Bonney
First Vice President William Curtis Noyes.
Second Vice President-William III Evarts.
Counseiors-Henry A. Hurlbut Willard Parker Silas
K. Everett, Frederick G. Thurston
stetson, W N Brakeman, L. G. Lockwood, N steobns,
Georges. Stephenson. e. Morgan, Charles E. Beebe
Treeurer-Luther Wynan.
secretary-L. p Hubbard
The society relieved during the year lao families, prin
cpaly widows with children, at expense OF some
$2,oe0 Some one hundred members were admitted dur
Ing the year. The society has a permanent fund OF
$1,000 and therefore the initiation 10 smaonly s3
The company s the Astor House down to dinner
quarter past six. ia needless 10 say aught OF the
cess Of gastronomicay considered further than that
did Gre dit to the already we'll established reputation
the house Every seat at the three tables OF the saloon
occupied The reporters for the press who not
In when dinner announced lost the seats assigned
them. There two hundred and fifty guests present
AT the head Of the table seated the Presidents OF
the various benevolent societies OF the oity To the
right of the President eat COL Thos Benton OF Mssou-
IT. and at his left tho Rev. Mr. stcrrs, Of the Pilgrim
church, Brooklyn. BY the latter gentleman an appro-
pirate grace offered Dr. Raymond OF the Brooklyn
Polytechnic Institute, had also seat at this table, At
one end Of hung painting OF Washington and at
the ether one Of Franklin.
The of dinner was ggested in the various
pieces Of ornamental confectionery The seasons
were handsomely ypifed by figures standing at either
end Of the tables. There pieces representing An
Indian family with child practising archery pilgrim
family, New England cottage, the Plymouth rock,
Roman temple, (Eardly In Place among the pilgrims
modern temple &c.
An excellent band played vorte airs during the oon-
tinuance of the banquet.
The cloth being removed and ladies' having been admit.
ted to the behind the chair thanks were returned
by Rev. DR.. Farley.
The PRESIDENT asked leave 10 mako few remarks on
subject peculiar to the society He thanked them for hs
reelection President. He appreciated that honor the
In which he had executed the duties devolvng
him for the past year The society had been than
usually prosperous this year More new members had
lived. 10. The calls on their society were IsSss' The
amount Of expenditures for Charitable purposes nom the
funds Of the society had been about roo excusve Of
private contribution. Their permanent fund had been
considerably increased during the aat year. hoped
they should be able to make great additions NOT only 70
he the first regular toast which always
warns the heart Of every New Englander:-
The day We celebrate +
In Response gIee club sang in good style Ns. He
The breaking waves dashed high,
On q stern and rock bound coast
And the woods against stormy sky,
Their giant branches tossd.
And the heavy night hung dark,
The hills and waters DER
When band OF e1ilcs moor'd their bArx
On the Wild New EnglaId's shore.
Not the copqueror comes
They the true hearted came;
Not with the roll Of the stirring drums
And the trumpet that sings Of fame;
In silence and in fear;
They shook the depths Of the desert gloom,
With their hymns OF lofsy cheer.
Amidst the storm hey sang,
And the stars heard and the see,
lpd the rounding aisles Of the dim woods rang
To the anthem OF tho free.
The ocean eagle Soar'd
From his nest by the white waves foam,
And the rocking pine Of the forest roar'd-
This was their welcome bomei
what sought they thus aars
Bright Jewels OF the minei
The wealth OF seas. the srois OF war;
They sought . faith pure shrine.
Aye, call u holy ground,
me spot where nrs, they trod;
They left unstAn'd what there they found,
Freedom TO worship God
Tho second toast was
Tie President OF the United States
Received with all tho houors. Air by the band star
spaDged Banner"
The third toast WAS
The Goyernor Of The State of New Yeyh
Mr WV. N. EvAKrs remarked that there happened 10
bc two Governors Of the State OF New York-the Cover
they bad not been honorcd with response 70 their in
vIaou from the Governor that h. they had received
liberty Of reading H. He read Mr.. King's letter ~ fol-
lows
-. J,ss,sa. 7. l. Dec Is 1866
pressure Of occupaions this
$ s sy DC be new snS sess %
me sesrseS Ss se so[ IsnS1 %s S O. s r% The
sentiments of pride and ersuncaon in which men sprung
bonor memorable an anayesary with sincere re.
CARDS. very truly ycurs JOHN A. KING.
s u sSssy ss e wsae,fr p Or he nos
The PRESIDENT said they had not tue honor Of Msvor
Woods presence, but they had letter from him which
Mayor woods letter was read ss folow,-
in1isuon Of your eemmi.s 70 attend se New issland DIM
nsr this evenrs Please accept my ,hsths xno 800
Tho brevnyAoi tho Mayors letter provoked some
laughter
Mr.. JosrrH Hoxs responded 10 the toast, He regret
the task Of respon ding had aded 10 him
but Of the chsrsctsrscs Of The people Of this
country 10 do the best they could They should
not blame him, but the occrs of society, for having
70 listen 20 him. daughter II this city had become
celebrated for enterprise and energy he glad 10
acknowledge that for very much Of the which
bad attended they were very much indebted 70 the
men Of New England, who came and settled with them
and intermsrried with them. (Iaughter.) There
other things however. OF which they proud
than Of their enterprise and commerce These tho
noble Institutions they had built up here. Were he
yelling abroad he would think OF her schools her col
lefts her hosp1ss her deaf and dumb Institutions her
Asylums for the blind. &c For these they largely
indebted 10 the New England SPIRIT dihuscd NOT only
through the state but 'N~ouehout the nation (Appause
They not only OF the faakees who hsd come
IN and settled with end almost rooted them out
(laushteY) but they r-oud too Of the Of old
Eneano ssd OF N. Psarics. Tse OF The lstte
NJ thc hssd not off fha hear