The New York herald., 1864-03-18
CELEBRATION BY THD KNIGHTS OF 6r
PATRICK.

PATRICK.
DINNER AZ rHs Aston nousE-Ls'.nas vnox oss'
n,OLBLLAN 0OvRRN0R sxYhOUR, RICHARD O'00R.
NAN AND 0TVERS-sPEECHgS, 6Oh0e AND GOOD
TINE GENERALLY, ETC.
The Kn.ghss OF 81. Patrick celebrated the adversary
Erins Patron Saint by dinner a the Asor House last
evening. Ms Stetson received . carte blanche for The
getting up OF ths ENTERTAINMENT and availed himself 70
she utmoet Of the privilege. Around the largo dining
hang the nags borne By the Irish Brigade during
their campaign under General Meagher Az the cas-. end
of the room suspended Hns portrait Of Lady wrxcu
eeecher --tormerly Mss ONe-of theatrical fame Tho
tables about sixty feet long and at the
ives, end OF The room was somewhat smaller ono where
Precedent and invited guests seated The tables
giittered with crystal and silver Wax tapers IN gilt
caDdeabra placed at short intervals along each
table between which were appropriate onamer.anchs
North Carolina furnished masicor The OCCASION N add
non 10 which was one OF Chickering'S pianos where Mr.
Gustavus Geary occasionally presided.
Captain Wm Lyons, President OF the society, occn'
pied the post Of honor and was supported on his right
and left by Colonel John O'Mahoney, Mr.. Bryan Law
and others The guests numbered about hun
dred and 6ty, among whom we noticed Judge McCunn,
Lieutenant Colonel McGoe, captains Mooney MOTIFS W
H. Merriam, OF General X 3. Fosters staf James NJ.
Sheehan samuel Boardman, X B Daley, Dr. Carnochan,
DR.. John Dwyer, DR.. Burke aud Others
The edibles having been done lu Justice 20, Captain
W. r. LYONS, the President, opened the intellectual part
OF the entertainment by the delivery OF 'ne iohowns
Mosr HosoRED GUESTS BRorHEa KNIGHTS OF sr.
PATcKTne circuit Of another year brings us together
for the third time 70 celebrate friendship and fraer
nal ove-wth Wit hiarity and song--the festival OF the
Patron Saint Of our native naowed oy as
socaions affections which world wide and whose
have struck deep in the heart OF every rishnan
(Applanse In whatever quarter OF the world his lot
may be cast all the memories OF homethe traditions Of
she pasi-the pride Of a noble racc-the illustrations
which history has recorded of great peopleand above
iondly about him this day. sanctyng his household
ana eevating his nature (Appause.) As though time
had stood still for centuries the ancient story OF Ireland
the songs Of her bards The eloquence OF her orators the
OF her solders and the sacrifices OF her patriot
martyrs still present as fresh and bright US they
were but the tale OF yesterday, when an assembage
like Ibis commemorate St. Patrcks day-when
the chnk OF the glasses Is but the type OF hearthrob
70 heart throb, reminded that the deeds and
rhe OF ancestors the common heritage OF
us ALL (Cheers.) ihe spirit OF the old land hovers
above us tonght and while 1t overshadows us with the
Inspiration OF It's genius II suggests the thought that
cannot be always together as festive and as Joyous
are this evening, love and harmony may at least be
present with us, binding us to each other with
inks lasting than festvity mirth. OF our own
society, brother knights, let say passing word.
ihs is third birthday and while our sister societies
have passed maturity, and indeed some OF them have
reached old age, am proud TO know that they all
hale and hearty stiH For ourselves, though bat an in
FAINT in years, think may say that we have attained
the vigor and vitality OF man. Inaugurated for the
purpose Of celebrating the national festival in social
and nteectua fashion, circumstances have developed
substantial results as they always win do with
men who are earnest in any purpose. Your society
cheeriuly responded 10 the cry Tor bread-and pray
heaven IL may pe the ast-which came across the Allan
tic from our native land. Much more OF what is good
aud charitable may be yet called upon to accomplish
for although IL IS not organized benevolc society
ana although 1t Is not $50 written in the boId, yet
trust that wherever a weak and suffering fellow
steps the path Of life, wherever heart may
be oppressed with knight OF ST. Patrick viii be
found ready TO sustain the and alleviate the other.
Whatever be its outward aim without under current
OF charity ana good work association like Is but
u name cloud APPLAUSE There is an element in the
constitution OF this society not less sacred imperative
han that OF charity IL Is contained 10 the leading
cie OF our constitution which declares that the cause
OF lreaDds national independence Is the fundamental
principle upon which this ASSOCIATION rs based.n Gap.
plause.) 70 that profession OF iaih We are soemniy
Illustrated by words, but as exemplGed by deeds-we
must remain phexiby true II is principle insepara-
bly, connected with Inc grand idea which rules and gov.
the celebration OF national festival cloud
cheers) 1t is written Of the apciets both Romans and
Greeks who are regarded as sapieat philosophers and
rigid legislators that they introduced their philosophy
and their legislation even into their public banguets.
Thus IN Athens they bad symposarch or drinking mas
ter, anf ID Rome, rex concgcii whom we might style
the king OF Jolly iciows wi,hous trausatng the too
iiterallyor an dbier Itsndi, vino, IL he did not mix
the drinks, prescribed the manner and quantity In
which they should be taken. tAppause We and, too,
that the Grecan phiosoi ny was subtle as well as sod
for although the symposiarch imposed that the drinking
should commence n very small gasses yet, az Plato
forms u.s. u usually wound up with measures that held
four pins OF ~ine so that, although the guests began
their lioatons by slipping from pea rere, they often
ended by berg drowned goblet And. in accordance
with the ancient fashion, am sure that our worthy
posiarch, Mr. stetson will object to your partaking
Of the national beverage peta uerre and drinking hs
champagne in full goblets. And now proceeding TO
ihe more exhara,ipg part Of abe may
excaim, with Tom Moore
HIS glass sublime.
Fin up with sends unsighty,
When wine he knew
Runs brsker through,
And sparkies lar more brRhtlyf
Oh, lend II ua,
And, smiling thus,
sne giass IN two we'd sever
Make pleasure glide
In double tide,
And hi both ends forever.
With flowers OF soul
Tho brightest wit can ind us;
Wen take n fight
Towards Heaven tonight,
end leave duh earth behind u.s.
Mr. Lyons concluded his remarks amidst iuud applause
Mr.. JoBS II. HARvKrr the Corresponding Secretary
then read the following letlers-
LETTER PROM GENERAL MCCLELLAN
ORANGE, n j., March 2, 1s6I
Sir. W. +. LYONS, President hnigbism ST. Patrick
Ny DEAR SIR duly received ibe kind note from your
self and Messrs Harnett and Quinn, ana owe you an
apology Tor my long delay in replying 10 IT, but have
been much occupied as TO be obliged TO oegect my
iespoIdence entirely
THANK you most sincerely and cordially for the KIND
feeling which prompts the invitation with which YOU
have bonored me, aud regret that viii be poss bic
for u accept. have been obliged by circumstances
10 make u nvariaoie rule to AVOID public dinners and
sm sorry that this case 1t VIII not be possible
for me 10 depart from this rule Very .ruy yours,
The mention o. General McCelIans name was rree,ed
with loud and long continued applause.
LETTER FROM GOVERNOR SEYMOUR
sIxTE op NEw YoRK, j xEturIyv DsrAmsEsi,l
Ab1Ny Feb ~, 1854 (
GESnEsEN--l have received your invitation TO dine
with the Knights OF - Patrick the l1th u March
II would afford pleasure TO be present 90 that in
teresting occason but fear my public dcies viii pre-
vent me from dong 60.
with many thanks for your courtesy. remain, yours
&C, HOkAflo SEYMOUR
LETTER PROM RICHARD o'G~RMAY.
NFw YoEK, March 10, 1864
DEAR Sifes-l regret very much that | cannot dine
with the Knights OF - Patrick ou this time .honored
festival % their patron.
An engagement wtsc sch had made before was bouored
with your inv'taton obhges me 70 deny myself that
pleasure,
lie pleased, however, TO accept the assurance ~ nv
earnest wishes Tor the complete success of your esvy
i well ,eud hope, 70 reuder st closer and nrmer the
iuuumerabie tcs which bind the hearts Ireland 10
these tned States, 10 every 81 which her children
have made Tor themseyes prosperous and happy homes
reiaud ana America-God bcss them both 1. God save
them from the storms Of faction the rancor winch
Cirl war engendcre and the Oliier 4 infcts