The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-02-23
THE CELEBRATION At THE ASToR HOUSE.
FIRST MEETING OF THE FRIENDS OF CIVIL
AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY


sPlEcHEs OF JAMES :. BRADY, THE ORATOR OF
THE EVENING, FRANCIS MEAGHER, GOV. WEST,
AND OTHERS.
The friends ofcivil and religious liberty rated
the anniversary Of the birthday of Washington at the
Astor h. last evening More than one hundred and
twenty genileme. down one of those suuptuoua
and recherche repasts which Setson Coleman kaow 30
well how to for the paatss Of the most epcurean
taste. The dinner was substantial and delicate. The
wines were Of vintage AMI prouse and what Is
not the least confederation the attendance the guests
geod The whole aesemblage seemed to enjoy then
selves like the ssons Of Irish princes" and like true
Amtrcanfthey gloried in the occasion that brought
them together to celebrate the day Of freedomto per-
petuate the principles Of Washis gtonpure enlightened
Sxd liberal
Their object to from mi tation the
tolerant and enlightened sentiments and principles Of
he beloved Father Of our common county, father
who dsinheited no child from his equal share in the
patnony Of freedom Hhe her that child born north
south Of the Potomac east west Of the Aasn,ic
Amongst those present noticed Judge Dean, Of Phi.
'aoe'phia, Thems Frar els Aeagter Esq, James +.
Brady, Esq, orator Of the evening; William c. Bryant,
governors Bell DugTo ard Gunther, Of tbs Aims H. use
Judge Florence Mccarthy John Nafew, Esq., Of Albany;
Mess:s. Wn Fullerton, H. Lane r. Clark rheo lore
Romayne James Xoncrief Francis By me- Colonel John
H. McCunn N Jarvis, Jr., T. Il. Lane Richard Busted,
W.T.. Worth, Kifher, NJ Brady, ex Alderman Jas Kelly.
Eryan Nccah, Theodore E. Tomlinson W. E. Robinson,
John E. DeveIip Gen. Ward B. Burnett and N Jarvis,
Jr, John b. Haskns Col Fuller c. W. Carrigan Capt
Rynders, Judge O'Conor, Richard B. Connolly County
Clerk and w. Robertson two Of the principal orgnna-
tors Of the present ceebraion Hessrs Lynch Cole VIM
Powers, Shea Major Denman. - Fowler, Esq, Deputy
County Clerk.
The committee to whom the company Is much ndeb ed
for courtesy and attention. John E. Deven, Jas.
Murphy, John Brown, Richard Busted, w. H. Robinson
John H. NcCuIn, Hugh Smith and Jas. Kelly, Esqs
Governor Ed. c. West presided the happy Assem-
blsge, and the Vice Plesidants John E Dsveia
Ger. Ward B. Burnett and Nathaniel jarvis Jr.
Mr. ROBINSON, after having made sllusion the letter
received from various cistr gushed citizens said that
he had received member of the conmittee highly
interesting umunic ,tioa from ono who assured y,
right be expected TO be thoroughly competent to speak
accurately If the sentiments Of the "Fa,her of his
Country" He had received letter from the OF
Washington. Great spplause.) Heaven had doomed
MIN to be childless that nation might cali him
siatter" (Cheers) But this letter was from Mrs.
WashiDgtop's son-the adopted child of the grea.
letter from George Washington Custis Immense ap-
plause):-
LETTER FROM THE ADOPTED SON OF WASHINGTON,
COMMONLY CALLED THE OLD ORATOR OF IRE
LAND.
ARIISGToN HOUSE. Feb 20, 1856.
My IEAR MIR. RopNsoN-The letter in whi,h, ia be-
halt Of The friends of civil religious liberty YOU do
the honor to invite TO participate the celeSre
,ion Of the 22d wss duly received regre that my ad
vsnctd fgs ard the severity OF the will prevent my
ATTENDING celebration in New York, 10 1856 having wi
York. 1790-of sixty years ago. rhe communication
ION Irhnen, the friends Of hean3, comes to me
ay snd Year. c as
services in The Of unhappy Erin, with hundred
public adj has endeaed he much Injured isle TO
my affections while boast Of, and shall carry TO my
grave the title of the Cd d ator OF Heandn Permit
to oer you sentiment for the banquet taken from
my fiat appeals 70 my ym behalf ofIre-
soclatea at tie festive board far their most kindly
snd astteipg remembrance of old fiepd of the Ems
raid se, and accept Of the high respect
dent ,eivant, Gko. ". P. CUsns.
coz MI My called "The Old Orator Of Ireland" =
appeal Of Ireland to Americah:-
pb T's Inc osy ws ,n you fought o for your
Fir.t OF Your friends, and when most ye did iced ZEN,
iley Joy'd IN your trumphs-your miseries shared
FROM GEORGE N. DALLAS, MINISTER TO ENGL AND.
GFNrtMEN>l am hcnortd by your Invitation TO the
banquet At Me Astor House. he ed inst, In SON.
nemcra.ion Of the birth vndication OF the ola
rant aid enlightened sentiments and principles Of Wash
reon. The necessity Of preparing for early departure
The United states dsabies from accepting your
hndps bat cannot fail to sympa.hize xth the spirit
and purposes of your celebration VITA great respect
gentlemen, am your friend AND otedisnt servant.
fEBRtARY ~, 1906. q. NJ DALLAS
From MARTIN VAN buren,.
LISDEywAID, Feb. 10, 1855.
Ny TAR SRI beg TO make through you my respect
full sek powedgments to the Committee OF Inv,ton
the request clue with their association the a2d inst
with which they have been pleased to honor me.
Profound respect for the memory of Washington with
updyg gratitude for the great services he ed TO
opr e untry, has a ways been, is now and trust
always will be, the undivided sentiment OF the people Of
ibe CDited 8 ates.
PsrticsIa ing largely IN this feeling, IL viii always
sGord pleasure to ito with any portion OF my fellow
cizer ZION adherence 70 1t TO the world
But long fnce fer II is net necessary 70
psrcu arize eeclinsd eli invitations 70 public festivals
and must trust to your ind ugence, as am very rure
can ss " DO for adheIg to that rule on the present
occasion. am, dear sir, very respectfully yours.
NJ VAN BUREN,
FROM GEN. SCOTT.
NEW York, Feb. 1s, 1885,
GKNT1IxEy- have for long time. steadily declined
ali ,ublic en- ertaipms and meetings and ~ ever A.
Tend ether will be 70 assist In TIE eele ,ration Of one