Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-03-01
O0t lIalip pp.
SATURDAY, MARCH /, 1856,


Banks Festival Ia Boston.
A grand dinner and festival, in honor of
the election of Hon. NATHANIEL P. BANKS,
| Jr., as Speaker of the national House of Rep
resentatives, came off in Boston, on Thurs.
day evening last, at the Revere House, under
the auspices of the Republicans of Boston
and vicinity. Among the company of one
hundred and twenty-five persons who assem-.
bled at the table, were Hon. Henry Wilson,
Judge Z. Hoar, Hon. Rodney French
of New Bedford, Hon. Charles Francis AID.
ans, Hon. John G. Palfrey, Hon. Ivers Phil
lips of Fitchburg, Hon. Stephen N. Clifford
of Duxbury, Hon. John C. Park, Elk. Gov
ernor Kent of Maine, P. E. Aldrich, ESQ.,, of
this city, and others.
John A. Andrews, Esq, of Boston, pre-
sided at the table, who in his opening speech
congratulated the friends of freedom upon the
recent triumph of The glorious principles of
Republican Freedom in Congress, in the cleo
ton of Speaker, and hoped it would be the
precursor of a still greater victory, in the en-
suing Presidential contest.
F. H. Underwood, Esq, officiated as toast
master. In response to the following toast
The Pitsburg CoaUentioa-The precursor of
that gathering of freemen whose united action
VIII wrest the contro of our government from the
hands of the privileged class and give it to the
people.
Hon. E. lockwood Hoar was called up
on to respond. He spoke of the Pittsburg
Convention as gathering of glorious souls,
resolved on giving freedom to the territories,
and supporting the freemen of Kanzas in op-
position to their lawless invaders.
In response to the third regular toast
The PHILADELPHIA Conueistion-ssIts nomina-
tons intended as defiance of the freemen
of the North-the North accepted the challenge
and will meet the issue"
Hon. John G. Palfrey responded. He spoke
of the great change seen now in the halls of
Congress, from what was observed eight years
ago, when the speaker was member. Then
the free States had not voice, scarcely, on
any committee and now these important posi-
tons of the popular branch at Washington
are controlled by, and dedicated to the cause
of freedom. Mr.. Paifrey concluded by sen.
timent in honor OF the election of Mr.. Banks,
abiding to it as the " Saratoga of Republi-
can success-the Yorktown yet to come.
In response to the seventh regular toast
The Massachusetts, Delegation in Congress-
Union is strength and victory.
Hon. HENRY WILSON was called upon to re.
spond and was received with perfect tornado
of applause. Mr.. Wilson stated, after thank
ing the audience for his reception, that this
81, Co., l. l.. j..
ter when looking into stern faces and when
fighting for freedom. He complimented the
members of the House of Representatives for
the good work they had done. IThe friends of
freedom in the Senate could only speak right,
and vote right. but always to be defeated
To the House belongs the honor of the ses-
sion, and it deserved it. Through that long
struggle Mr.. Banks bore himself truly and
bravely, without any offers at compromise, but
boldly and bravely upon the broad question
OF freedom, and opposition to the extension of
slavery. Thus sustaining himself he went
into the Speakers chair with the respect of
both friend and foe. This victory, as has been
said, was due to the unbroken front presented
by the New England delegation but they
were ably and truly supported by the glorious
Northwest. 1t is there that Massachusetts is
looked up to, and their people are proud to
y
the people of this time honored Common
wealth. They came from among us and they
carry our views with them-they will abide
by them. (Cheers.) He did not claim the
election of Mr.. Banks as an entirely Republi-
can victory. 1t was aided and accomplished
by some Of the stauneh Democrats of Con-
gress who saw in the result not only the cleo.
ton Of Mr.. Banks, but the triumph of free.
dom. Wings there were also of the same
opinion, and sixty Americans held the same
view. 1t was mixed victory of parties, but
above all triumph of freedom. He believed
the men who stood by Banks would one and
all repudiate the cowaldly action of the Phil
adelphia Convention (cheers) and ere long be
found in the ranks of the freemen of the
North. To Massachusetts he said, and he
said it with deep shame, belonged the deep
humiliation of the doings of that body. If
Massachusetts had stood firm the South would
have yielded; but alas, it was not so, and sla-
very as usual triumphed. And now, he ask
ed, would the men Of Massachusetts who re-
fused to join us last fall, sustain nomination
STEPPED to the dregs in slavery and submission
to its power. He thought the people not on
ly here but otherwheres would repudiate it,
and there would be general rally under the
banner Of freedom.
In conclusion, he said that Massachusetts,
must be really placed on the side Of free leg
islation, must be fully committed to the side
of freedom ere the deep stain recently placed
upon her fair fame can be washed out (cheers).
He had full confidence that this would be one,
he had confluence in the future of the friends
Of freedom, the issue was with God, and we
will trust in God, and do our duty.
A letter read from Hon. Charles Sumner,
regretting his inability to be present, and
urging the union of the friends of freedom
every where, was received with six rousing
cheers. Eloquent speeches in response to
other sentiments, were made by Hon. VIM
s. Damrell, M. C., Hon. Chas. Francis Ad-
tiers read from Hon. Julius Rockwell, Ex- Gov
} outwell, R. H. Dana, Jr3 Esq, and
others, and the company broke up at abont
ans, Ex- Gov. Kent OF Me-, and others, and let
10 o'clock, after long season of uninterrupt-
ed enjoyment.
REELECTION OF SENATOR WADE Repub-