New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-02-23
CELEBRATION AT THE ACADEMY.

Long before the appointed hour Of commencement
here the house filed to the very opmost tier with
deDsely packed audience, while large crowd re-
NAMED standing Outside, unable 10 gain sdmit.snce.
The dress circle and parquette were devoted 10 the
members of the Order and their families, the upper
tiers berg crowded with spec Ators while the stage
gstened with the stteing regas Of the magnates Of
the Order from the various portions Of the Union.
The exercises were commenced by very brief i'd
dress by Mr. j. A Lucas stating the occasion Of such
a vast sssemblsge-in memory Of the birth Of ore
worthy Of all honor of whose wisdom and counsel
should guide US through the future Of the nation.
After q "Eationsl Overture by Wsllsce's Band
and q prayer by the Rev. Mr.. hosrGonrRY, toe
chorus " But for ls People from HsndeIs Isrsel
in Egypt" was given by portion Of the Nsw-York
Harmonic Society.
Morgan, Edward Everett, Henry Winter Dayis, and a
host of other invited guests expressing regret at their
inability 10 be present on this occ .sion.
Miss CoLMAS was then introduced by Mr. Lucas,
and sang the Greeting 10 America In style which
called forth q rapturous encore from the audience.
Next came the GRAFTON, by the Hon. JONI MINOR
Boris, who was welcomed with the most tuuultuous
applause and general waving Of hats and handker-
chiefs from al parts Of the house. Mr.. Bots read as
follows:
Mr. PREsIDEsT, BRETHREs OF TIE ORDER, AND
GESILEnrs: sppesr before this vast conceurse of
my fellow oountrynen to-day in obedience to al inyi-
taon, extended to me by toe Order Of United Aneii-
cans of which organ zstOn proud to be reg srdsd
az worthy member to deliver address this the
l27th anniversary Of tho day that gave to the world
for the benefit Of mankind our common father, the
immortal and heavenly gifted Washington.
II ia due b the Order that should correct silly re-
port which has found ito way into tre press that the
object Of this occssion to put me fairly on the
course for the re1t Presidency. That their objects
were wise and patriotic, have never doubted, but
that they reached to this exalted and sublime night
they have certainly given reason to believe.
II is due TO myself 20 say, that when vas honored
with the invitation, accepted il only 90 condition;
said to the Committee, am no Founh'of-Juy speech
maker for have neither the genius nor the magma
ton ths. would fit for such stye Of oratoy; bu;
cure IL political organization, designed TO accomplish
patriotic political resulfs, for the common bsneit Of
all who are interested in TIE pspetui,y of insitu-
tons and can conceive more sppro pirate occs-
sion for al inquiry nto the political condition Of cs
country, than the bbthdsy Of Washington; IT, there
fore il shall be sgrse,be to the COMMITTEE and to toe
Oroer Of which you are the representative, tbs.
should Undertake TO show the deporsble condition 10
which il has been reduced the causes tia. have led to
II, and the remedies to be applied, in which shall
necessariy deel, with sn urspsTrg, bat jas, hand,
with the Democratic party, to which al tie evils and
calsmties that have befsIlen "a, are To De traced,
then VII yentuEe attempt, ssd erdeaYof 70 pre-
sol! such yexs - are cscasted TO aTest tho Qaonc