The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-01-04
NEW WORKERS IN IOWA.
ExcelstOrs
FESTIVAL OF TAX SONS OF NEW YORK, AT THE
BILLINGS HOUSE.

Excelsior,
FESTIVAL OF TAX SONS OF NEW YORK, AT THE
BILLINGS HOUSE.
From tie heoku US Oowa) Times, Deo "6
kEoEUK Iowa, Dec. %, 1866.
The reunion of the Sons of New York, at the
Billings House last night was one OF the most sue
oessim and brilliant afiairs-probably the most So
OF anything that has yet come of IN our beautiful
and fourishpg city. Gotten up almost imprOmptu
its numbers astonished all that were present. Up
wards OF sixty sat down TO the loaded tables, while
the kindly ceilings, interchange OF "reminiscences
OF their once hone the memories OF and just PRIDE
for their native. by common consent Of the Union
styled Empire State formed the cause and source
OF an evening of enjoy ment that will leave an IN
deible impress upon the memories o. all who par
t'cipated.
is,was gotten up from no local, sectional personal
or exclusive feeling, as against our brethren from
other sections but as al opening step IN accordance
with the customs now prevail ing elsewhere OF an an
nual gathering OF the of different loo aites to
social entertainment thus renewing and strengthen
ing those holy remembrances, the bright gem of
American character, that cluster around the home
Of our childhood. In New York city they have
yearly gatherings OF the "Sons of New England
In California and Oregon, societies formed from
natives of individual States have their annual meet
iDgs for similar purpose 1t was in this spirit the
affair was gotten up or rather came off--for there
were in truth, no systematic arrangements, or time
for any, after the suggestion that originated it
before the time appointed. We came together
as by common consent, and doubtless there
~
who had no notice, as the committee could not
know every person entitled 70 be included All that
were known or heard of, were notifed-some OF
whom from previous engagements, could not at
attend. * ~AE~
Gen. Van Antwerp presided, as the oldest Knick
erbocker of our city, assisted by his Honor, Col.
Curtis, present Mayor, on his right, and his Honor
ID. w. Kilbourne, ex-Mayor, on his left After the
substantials discussed the wine was introduced
and the regular toasts read folio we'd by the voun
teers when the scintiatons of wit and humor fash
ed forth brilliancy that found cessation until
beyond that time when the "wee sma' hours COM
mence We will not attempt to describe the sallies
OF wit or the rounds of applause sometimes rising
to pitch that made the walls ring again-not yet
the many able and eloquent responses drawn forth
by the different toasts. They can be witnessed-not
described.
Before the close, those present formed themselves
into an Excelsior Club, with resolution to make
the night of Christmas its annual day of meeting
when joining hands around the table, benedction
was pronounced, in the shape OF Aud Lang
Syne,n in the singing OF which all Joined.
The table was everything that could have been
wished, while the polite attention Of the king of
hosts (no profanity intended,) LaIkin, lent An ad
ditionsl zest TO that already prepared with such
scrupulous and consummate art to cater to the
tastes Of the party. We embrace in the proceedings
a bill of fare which is eloquent in his prase.
The great length to which, were condensation
Of the speeches made would extend, forces us to
leave them out, although we took copous notes OF
the principal ones.
Therefore we have to content ourself with the
name, after each toast, of the one that responded
ton.