Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1860-03-22
I'll. a.d of P.b,,,rv :. London.

versary of the birthday Of Washington, the hero and
author Of American independence celebrated by a
/ dinner at the Freemasons Tavern
The movement originated with the members of the
American Association in London and the assembage
was of large and influential character. The was
tasteully decorated with flags aud flowers, and mme
datey behind the chair was a splendid portrait OF
Washington, painted by Rembrandt Peale and presen-
ted by him years ago to Mr. Croskey, To the I'M
avoidable absence of General Campbell U. S. Consul,
whose attendance prevented by Illness the chair was
occupied by Mr.. j. Rodney Croskey
Mr. B. Tucker, the American Consul at Liver pool,
proposed the toast The day celebrate, and in
appropriate speech paid high honor to the memory OF
Washington.
The Chairman then proposed the health of the Presi
dent of the United States, which was drank with much
enthusiasm, the band plaDg Hail Columbia"
The next toast was, The Queen-The admirable
lady who governs this country and who reigus 10 the
affections of free and happy people" This also
drank with great enthusiasm.
Gen VaDdenburg proposed the next toast England
and America-Rivals only in promoting the cause of
civilization" The gallant General said that the senti-
ments contained in this toast exact accordance
with bis own feelings, his OWE politics, and, he might
add, his own religion because ne looked upon England
and America possessing much in common which was
destined to advance and spread to ructiy and repro
duce itself IN other portions OF the globe.
The toast having been heartily drank
Mr.. w. D. Seymour NJ P, rose to respond. He
said that, although wide separated the two coun
tries they were united by electric system OF common
ties, common origin, common history and common
future He sincerely trusted that the true genius OF the
Christian religion might be found to unite in bond OF
holy, POLITICAL and religious affinity the two countries.
Great as faith and bright hope was, charity ex-
ceed them both and it was the spirit of charity which
pervaded their undertakings which made the statesmen
and the writers Of America to be recognised throughout
the world the friends and apostles of peace. Cheers
He not afraid therefore, that America would ever
be wanting the performance of her duty to this couD-
try. She would be unmndul of the sailing OF the
gallant Mayfower and her band of Pilgrim Fathers,
with the sword in hand and the Bhle in the other
and when they celebrated the birthday of W Washington
they would remember that bis whole life was great
testimony to the Of truth and that he never was
ashamed amidst the din of conflicts the strife OF par
ties have for the faith that was in him, and
to refer action of his public life to those pure and ee
mentary doctrines which inCulcated by plons
mother when he but a child at his ,her's knee
Cheers The true genius of republicansm was free
dom of action and liberty of thought, and as coupled
with these, in England there abundant charity Of
feeling and amenty of manners he commended that in
England as in America we breathed an atmosphere
consistent with the spirit of republicansm. Cheers
Mr. Howard gave The Directors of the Great Ship
Company confident that they would go on with their
great work, and that that noble ship would soon speed
her way, bridging the Atlantic and binding together
still closely than at present the two great countries
of England and America
MIR. S. Baber acknowledged the toast AS the Amer
leans and English he said alike in blood language
and religion, they alike in energy Of character
and In their determination to carry out the civilization
OF their countries to the world at large. Ii there
truth in the old maxim that knowledge power
and that power had its duties we'll its rights, it
was absolutely incumbent upon those two nations to do
their utmost to extend civilization to every region OF the
habable globe. So long that desire existed would
they be enabled to keep down. if not utterly to subdue
despotic Powers and to maintain true liberty and indie
pendence. Reverting Immediately to the subject
OF the toast 10 which he responding, Mr. Baber said
that the directors of the Great Ship Company had had
many disappointmens and that their troubles not
yet SaDguine as they might be that she would
reach the of New York yet they had difficulties
to contend with which rendered it difficult to when
that would be an accomplished fact. He thanked the
company for the in which the toast had been
ceved and hoped that the Great Eastern would be but
the prelude to regular aud more frequent inter-
course between England and America than had hitherto
existed. Loud cheers
Mr. q. W. Reynolds proposed the toast, Constitu-
tlOnaI Freedom, the basis of national liberty" Our
own constitutional freedom he observed the growth
OF centuries gained after successive ages OF painful toll
and now, after all the sacrifices which had been
made IN it's behalf, it not to be compared to the
glorious institution of American independence, which
had sprung like Minerva fully equipped from the brain
OF JOve. After proceeding contrast in somewhat
unavoabe light the British Constitution with that of
America 10 the of which he called order
by the chairman the speaker concluded with a spirited
and graceful tribute to the constitutional freedom and
national liberty enjoyed by the citizens of the United
States.
Before the toast was drank, the Chairman said We
American association established in the metropo-
lis OF Great Britain and it is not of objects to
propagate any political sentiments that may be enter
| tanned by Americans. Cheers. We Republicans
and Democrats in America, because democracy is our
form of government there Therefore, being democrats
in that country, also conservative there and our
democracy we do not wish TO force in any way upon the
English people, and it would do great deal of harm to
this association, and would not be carrying out the pur
poses for which established were friends to
indulge publicly in the expression of those feelings
| occasions like the present.
The toast then drank with enthusiasm.
Mr.. B. Moran in responding, observed that constitu-
tOnal freedom really the basis of liberty throughout
The world and that it bad been advancing and would
advance, until it had spread all over the world Con
stuOna freedom mad made great nation of the Uni
ted States In 1888 the people of Canada asserted their
rights, and constitutional freedom made nation of Can
ada Constitutional freedom also was the blessing of
Australia it was enjoyed by the people of the Cape of
Good Hope, and it had been extended by American
pioneers to the shores of the Pacific California, no
longer under Spanish teaching enjoyed the nobles
and best constitutional freedom of any of the States and
he believed that In few years it would spread the
whole of the islands of the Pacific Constitutional free
dom really the inheritance of England and Amer-
Co. and they should cherish it among the dearest
possessions of their lives Cheers.
The proceedings were marked throughout with the Ut
most enthusiasm and cordially of feeling and the nation
atty of the occasion ably sustained by the we'll
selected and spirited music interspersed between the
tOastS.
"GUNPowDER PLor "--ArrEMpT TO DESTROY
TowN-The inhabitants of Napoleon, Ark, have been
considerably excited during the past few days by the
discovery Of plot to destroy that town by OF
turning upon it the current of the Arkansas river Ma
poleon is situated upon a narrow strip of land at the
If no opd