The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-09-11
Celebration Of the Completion
Of the Atlantic and Great
Western Line.
Speeches by Sir Morton Peto and
Messrs. Reynolds, Cossham,
Silo and Others.
MOneyed Interests to Preserve Peace Between
America and England.
sc. SC. SO.

MEADvnIx, Pa, Sept 10, 1865.
THE BANQUET AT THE M'HENRY HOUSE.
The dining room of the McHenry House had been
dered Sir Morton Peto and his friends last evening The
apartment decorated with evergreens and flowers
while the entrance arched with graceful grouping
Of the English, Spanish and American colors surround
ing a large portrait Of Mr. McHenry. The party sat
down at nine ocock to substantial dinner the discussion
Of which received additional from the sharpened
appees Of the guests after their journey through the
regions of Petrolia band of music occupied The
room to the dining apartment and interspersed the
monies with music
The addresses following the dinner frequently and
loudly applsuded, demonsratve of the harmony and
bon hon,mie which characterized the gathering
THE DINNER.
The chair occupied by Mr.. L. Hommedicu, the
President of the Atlantic and Great Western Railway,
upon whose right the distinguished guest of
the OCCASION Sir Morton Peto.
THE WELCOMING SPEECH.
Mr. REYNOLDS, the former President Of the road
and welcomed the party in a pertinent address. They
there he said TO testify To what thought Of
the great enterprise which had been accomplished
through the nstrumentay of their guests then present
them, not only for the material but the moral aid
which they had gven-mora because OF the trust and
fdencc which they had manifested in American affairs;
and whatever trouble polite ans might endeavor TO
bring about II was established and recognized
fact that among the wealthy aud enlightened on both
sides Of the Atlantic there community Of interest
and feeling which would ever be preservaive OF peace
He congratulated them on the prospects Of their invest
ment this counry and it was further cause Of con
graduation that they had met with broken promises
What had been guaranteed to them had been full
nled The present enterprise was peculiarly Of Euro
pean aid and the country was indebted to them for
the vast which had enabled it be carried TO
successful completion. He had doubt they would,
resources and traffic already Indicated and expeted
the operation Of the road In conclusion he wo give
the health OF Sir Norton pe'o 10 whom as %aeh :. 70
enterprise indebted. Sir Norton the same, IL
was TO be remembered who resigned his position In
Parliament 70 carry out most philanthropc ondertsk-
ing-viz, the Supplying Of the army in the Crimea at
time when the proper subsistence Of the troops was 90
he spesker before him Mr. sillo Of Paris, to whom
also much gratitude was due for the energy which
listed In their many who had go largely
contributed, and had been one Of their most
persevering friends on the other side Of the water
Apart from those connected with the road he other
distinguished gentlemen and he wished them all wei
To Mr. Cossham every American felt indebted for
propose the health Of Sir Morton Peto Mr Cossham and
our European guests
SPEECH OF SIR g. NORTON PETO.
Sir MORTON PEro, in responding, said:-
Mr. L'Hommedeu and gentlemen--I return for myself
and friends hearty thanks for the handsome
In which introduced and referred TO by
this assembly You Mr. Reynolds, have sad that there
is debt Of gratitude due TO me- Allow me TO say that
you tor once mistaken. The person to whom you
all thanks and all gratitude is Mr. James McHenry
oud cheers and his engineer Mr. Kinnaird oud cheers
You have sad, sir IL was matter OF astonishment
that at the time Of the great conflict In this country
Europeans should have come forward, and by material
% ad n the construction 0 large pu9,io wo,k have
II IL only repetition sir OF tho graceful expression OF
opinion by your President last night when he said that
all that required was better understanding beween
the countries The fact Is that Mr.. MeHenry
though American, has lived long time in England.
large circle OF capitalists Mr. McHenry brought this
enterprise before his friends explained fully is position
and its prospects, and tho result was their placing in his
construction Of the Atlantic and Great Western Railway
Thus, sir, 1t s as have shownl you, that 70 Mr. Nc
due loud cheers) There is another gentleman TO whom
you all especially indebted-the able engineer Of
not do more than reiterate what 1 said last night with
regard TO his energy and his talent We were prevented
from arriving here at the time expected Lac. night
by circumstances over which no talent could ex
ercise control and which experience could have pre-
vented but. sir quite anticipated that IL would have
been Sunday night Monday morning before ne line
would have boen restored from the effect Of the
thunder storm but such has been the energy ds
played that have Just learned that il has already been
repaired, and the trains are running regularly. SIR
this one Of the exemplincaons which show the differ
epce between a man Of ordinary ability and one OF
word difficulty and the other spells the word
Opportunity" You have made alusion, sir TO tho
assistance rendered by my nrm 10 the brttsh govern
men at the iall Of sebastopol bat gentlemen, Ismpiy
did what any man would have DONE namely, his duty
his country but this act Of mine fell far short OF what
hundreds OF thousands OF Americans have done for their
country ran into danger and incurred no risk, bat
your counrymen have given their lives TO the cause Of
protection Of their union and have preserved their
country intact.
Sir Morton, In responding 10 the toast England and
Americamay they be united in the bonds Of friendship
and In the cause Of liberty and Of progress con-
tnued:-
deeply regret the absence Of the Honorable A. Kin
however, has gone to Washington 20 pay bis respects
TO the President Of the United States, and
Joins our party again at CincincatL l cannot,
fully in accordance with every sentiment Of my heart
and vibrating with every feeling possess loud cheers
There is nothing 80 much TO be deplored, nothing
the two peoplesi but, sir the frank, manly and out
spoken manner In which you did US the honor last
night TO speak on this subject induces
also TO speak without the slightest reserve The policy
Of the government Of England has policy o non
Intervention and Of strict neutrality and America
powerful too great too just and too independent
and beg TO- say distinctly that such wa the
policy Of Lord Palmerston's administration through.
out the whole Of the great struggle through which
you have passed and which now happily has termnated
arise In which mutual differences may be settled by
calm explanation and friendly negotiation loud
fou hsre nave ess Us m
port Of the great principles OF human freedom and
believe that deeply as we may dcplore the blood which
has flowed the result Of the struggle will be TO cement
bond OF union which no future time will ever sever.
lLopd cheers The world says you have accumulated
mighty debt Well the figures do look large but Il may
be some consolation TO know that your debt large
~ ours the figures being eight hundred million pounds
sterling 10 six hundred million pounds sterling The
interest at present will be greater OF charge in
sour country than our own but such n hs snwmVusL