The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-12-05
The President at Father Kecnan's Din
ner Party.
OUR LANCASTER CORRESPONDENCE

OUR LANCASTER CORRESPONDENCE
LANCASTER, Nov. IL, 1859
President Buchanan at Home WheaIand-7Te Pre- -
and Father Keena,l- Dinner Party at The Priests les
d~nce-Greot Enjoyment of the Gucsts--Caurteoos -
Ueos~rsi,ao Manners Of President B,chanan- MunlG
cecc Of the President crd Other Gentlemen Present. &c
Many things have been said and written of prcsden
BuchanAn's late visit to his home At Wheatand. MANY
other things TOO, might have been said that would
proved highly interesting to the public regarding on
Chief Magistrates stay at Lancaster One incident 90
CURED TO which the writer OF this had hoped
able pen would have given publicity. A month hal
passed without tho writer's hopes being reaized,
therefore he longer refrain attempting wha
be imagnes wall please and crafty many throughout tn
country.
Innumerabe OF your readers have long since heard o.
the venerable old patriarch, Rev Father Keenan,
caster. 1t is well known to- that long and ntimas
friendship has existed between the devoted priest an
President Buchanan-a friendship that seems bound
subsist spite the unworthy efforts Of the contrary
until severed by he stroke Of death During this visit d
the President to Wheatland ample evidence was giyen
this uninterrupted intimacy and devoted attachment
The repeated friendly interviews between tho Preseu
and Rev. Father Keenan, showed Enthusiastically how abo
tive the efforts OF to create GOODNESS an
wean the heart Of the President from true ANA We
tried friend.
How the hearts of certain bigots have WINGED sn
Monday, Oct TO- hearing that the President was d
dine with few friends the house Of Row. Father Kee
Those who had tho honor Of being present on tAat
occasion win forget the of affection and IN
bounded confidence manifested by the President tows.
the esteemed priest They seemed vie with other
in rehoarsing scenes and incidents long since passed,
which told that their friendship and attachment oil
no short or Or iinary character.
time waiting the arrival from Philadelphia Of the RghtI
juior Bishop of Philadelphia At O'Clock the Right Rev
Bishop accompanied by the Rev. Mr.. Martin, Of 81.
harys, Philadelphia, his appearance. The Bishop
and the reverend gentleman with Dm being introduced
both were most warmly and cordially received by the
Precedent and the other invited guests among whom were
Col Fordney OF Lancaster ana Henry Magraw Esq late
state Treasurer The occasion evidently, to the good
Bishop, wei the Roy. Mr.. Marvin, one of unex-
pected qualification they had not anticipated il; aud
least of all had they anticipated, upon coming
that they TO dine with President Bachanln
IT worthy Of remark with what ca ness and dignity
and hearty good cheer they bore surprise All present
enjoyed the joke; but none more so than Right Reverend
Bisliep Wood himself
Dinner being announced the Reverend Father keenan,
and the President leading the way the whole party four
teen IN nunberproceeded 10 the dining room where We
found table set out only tho large and generous heart
Of The good and kind Father heenao could have prepared
Grace having been pronounced by the Right Reverend
Bshop WOOD, All werc seated and into the
OF demoshng the contents Of the various dishes with
zes aud good VIII that only equaled by the oviaity
kind feeling and friendship thu. largely prevailed
The, time occupied at table was diversified b, many
humorous Jokes and remarks, which gave rise merr
ent AMI laughter, That added much to the The
President made himself exceedingly Interesting gava
evidence that ne possessed much OF good hunor hi,a
ry Although President OF this vast republic he
himself as unassuming free and courteous as the mos,
humble indvidual; thereby evncng himself truly great
man. possessing the nobest Of hearts, and worthy the
high position to which he has been elevated
kiuh Wpafr liz
able, and favcrably impressed the company with he
cheeriuness. meekness and urban.ty Nor Coloax
Tordney ana Mr.. Magraw wanting in lending their share
70 much Of the mrth that rendered all so delightful and
happy Ia The midst OF the joy, regardless OF colo
formally OF removing the cloth at sci dinner parties the
heart OF good Father Keenan, elated with rau
rous delight, could no longer Restrain ITSELF but mpe-d
him to rise and give vent 70 sentiments Of esteem
friendship and deep affection towards his dstng
guest President Buchanan congratulated him upon his
successful administration OF public affairs predicted chat
future history would bear testimony his /,
and disinercsted patriotism, in which he has been sur
passed by President since the time Of Washngon and
concluded by proposing the health of James Buchanan
President OF the United states
All present cheerfuly and heartily responded 10 the
sentiments Of the venerable priest and drank 10 tho
The President briefly but beautifully and gracefully re-
sponded % the toast and proposed to drink health
OF Right Rev. Bishop Wood.
AS II the delight and qualification Of Father Keenan,
yet complete The President iuced the sub ~
the magnificent church, erected sight v hch woil5
stand monument 70 the zeal self sacrificing disin-
erestedness OF h aged and vencrated friend Father Kea
nan, md proposed that, mark of esteem Tor its
worthy pastor the Of 81 900 should be al once raised
py Inc fcbet 81 those present. 10 enable Father keensa
to lessen The heavy debt with which tho edhce IN
numbered The President proposed 10 open the ubscrp
uon himself, by giving his check Tor $500, when
ne dld without delay, aud IN few minutes
The sum of $500 made up by Messrs. Mctiras,
McEvoy and Kelly secondipg tho President propouons
oy promising each 500. The other Two hundred, com
pettng The thousand, were readily made NJ by wv
otker gentlemen present Ni
Thus was this memorable occasion practically cnueo,
and the party separated highly delighted and grained
what had iuaseed