The New York herald., 1866-08-30
THZ1 BANQUET.
Grand Entertainment to the President at
Dc ,lmonIco's- speeches Of President john
son, Secretary Seward, General
Grant, Admiral Farragut, the Rus
slam and Mexican Ministers,
&c.


to pleasant day. Our readers hardly need be informed
that this entertainment was given by number OF the
most wealthy and prominent citizens Of the metropolis,
in order testify to President johnson not only the
respect to which his high office would render him
entitled but sti more, the love and admiration which
New York bears to him for his sensible policy, and
his answering patriotism and devotion to the Union
After his pleasant words to the people from the plat
form in front OF Demonico's the President sought
some repose. Secretary Seward followed the ex-
ample. So perhaps did others of the party. General
Grant consoled himself with his cigar Admiral Far
ragu chatted with his friends in his joyous style
General Meade yielded himself to good civic company
The managers Of the banquet received their friends
entertained them WELL and made strenuous efforts to
accommodate them all became the merchant princes
OF New York.
II was seven O'Clock and after before movement
made to the dining ball The vestibule through
which the guests entered the house was hung with
photograph iikcnessos Of the President, Secretary
Seward Admiral Farragut, Generals Grant, Sherman
Sheridan, Meade &c. The dining most
handsomely hung with the national flag, intervaed with
the Of he various States On the tables in The
way OF ornamental confectionery were pieces represent
ing the Washington monument, the temple of liberty
the chariot OF peace, &c The bill OF fare in French
and would not convey much intelligence 10 the general
public. The wines in their order Amontillado
sherry Hockheimerberg, champagne, claret Chateau
Margaux clos dc vougeot burgundy, imperial tokay
and adera. An excellent band Of music bcguied the
banqueing hours
PASQrET
The banquet was presided over by Mayor Hoffman.
On his right seated President Johnson Secretary
Seward, A. T. Stewart and General Grant On his left
were seated Secretary Wecs, Admiral Falragut, Post
master General Randall scna Patterson, of Tenn, sc.
At the regular tables seated many of most dis
tinguished citizens including Mcssrs. j. and Brown,
Peter Cooper, Washington G. Hunt VIM. II. Webb G. X.
Garrison, j. d. r. Lanier, Augustus Sohcl, Richard
schel, wm H. Vanderbilt Judge Henry Hilton, Judge
Henry +. Davies Judge Barnard, Samuel o.
Ruggcs, ex-Mayor Kingsland, A. A. Low, ".
A. Budd, W. N. vermiiye, Rev. Dr. vermilye,
Rev. Dr. Adams Paul spoford John Brien,
Robt. l.. Stuart, John r Jones, Samuel G. Courtney,
District Attorney; Marshal Murray &C. Among the mil
itsrv celebrities were Generals Meade vogds Van ve
Butterncld, Harsuf, Sanford, McCallum, and Miles
ORely, the poet OF the Forty seventh New York militia
Baron Soecke the Russian Mnister Seor Romero, the
Mexican Minister and the Minister from the Brazilian
empire also present It is needless say that the
dinner superbly served.
II was hafpast nine before any movement was made
towards closing the epcurean aud opening the intellectual
stage of the entertainment.
HcrrMass SPEECH.
After the cloth removed The interesting and
important portion OF the proceedings were at once in
talcd by Mayor Hoffman rising and proposing the first
toast Of the evening The health Of the President OF
the United States Andrew Johnson In proposing the
toast the Mayor sads-- |
Gentlemen will please OIL their glasses Tor the toast OF
the evening. ,Chsers.l do not rise, gentemeD TO
make speech the presence OF so many distinguished
Inen--particulary in the presence Of the Presi. |
and an additional cheer for Andrew johnson, |
given with will, all the guests s;andng) | |
enable me to discharge the very pleasant duty that in
my official capacity incumbent upon mo on this ccca
President of the United States at III. City Hall in the
Of the municipal authorities and in the Of |
in whispers or in any uncertain sounds cheersl And
call the Of to-day TO bear witness to the truth
Of that declaration As The ch'cf magistrate Of this
i Is my duty as il IS my pleasure to speak for |
them when they do not speak for themselves
IL IS also my duty and my pleasure to be silent The
people have spoken for themselves to-day in speech of
welcome 20 their city 10 Andrew johnson, the Prssden,
OF tho United States Cheersl And that voice |
and that speech IS being waited through every |
valley and being echoed and rccchoed from every h
side and mountain top throughout the land, and has gone
forth tho deciton Of tho greatest city Of the great
country the world Great cheerng) shall say
,roductoy remarks by proposing you the health of
andrew johnson, the President Of the United States
The toas, received with f'ro,e Of enthusiasm,
tho whole company rising and cheering most vocircr
chief Quiet only restored when Mr. johnson
waved his hand IN token that he wished hearing
PRESIDENT
The President, standing At the centre of the guest
table fronting the essemblagc with all eyes at the
mont turned upon him, the last cheer and It's echo
had died proceeded address the ssscmbIage He
said -
GESrLgxES, CtuzpSs Ns~ YoRK--The Kind manner
IA which YOU have responded 20 The toast proposed by
the distinguished Mayor oi your city u, under existing
circumstances, peculiarly gratifying 70 me, and in
how gratifying u = 70 rue ! Wish not to indalge IN
vanity, OF scif-fcelng, Of pride, Tor " were 10 say
less should no, speak TIE truth and consider u Is
always better o speak the truth and evc uierance TO
the sincere emotions that naturally excited AZ being
50 kindly alluded 70, and at being received have
bcen received here tonight this tCheers
The generous welcome extended To by city to-
day, and the demonstrations that Rave been made
in my honor. ! am free to confess gentcrnen
overpower me- Great chccrs) But, gentlemen
the heart be exceed nsiy duh indeed aud tho heau
almost without m Impulse that could not give uuerance
20 something responsive TO what has been said aud What
has been done IN your city today oh, gentlemen bo
feels aud willing aud sincere is the tongue that speaks
Great chcerlne And would 20 God u was IN my power
10 reduce TO living seutcnceand commensurate language
the feelings and emotions that the OF the day
this night have produced ia heart Applause must
not attempt, however response 70 what has been ad
to make an elaborate speech indulge In any lengthy
arguments but 10 con6ne myseli 20 the sincere Ut
Of my heart and to the fuiness and ovcrowng
OF It's sentiments tchcers) would that could give
utterance to what feel 70 what witnessed day in
ey ns ESa, hss Sssn @ on s his sSs oe
casion will 20 forth and communicate its
spr, and every heart throughout this wide and
extended confederacy tChecrsl rhe great stuiggie IN
which we have been long engaged has but tended
develop the strength aud patriotism Of the great popu
lar heart OF the nation know you all know that
we have Just rassed through bloody and peri'ous
conflict and We have with Us tonight gentlemen esso
aied with who have shared with us iheir part |
In tho conflict and who have participated IN |
the great struggle for tho preservation % the |
Union Mr. johnson here turned TO the right on which
rxfg prut n
Farragut and the susou aud the action drew forth
great applause and cheers for Grant and Fsragut yo
army, gentlemen on the one hand and your navy \
the other havo performed their part In restoring the
government present point Il safety and security
lContihued applause Anf would be greatly derect
in NV duty on this oca@ II failed 10 refer 10 the
reary OF State here my riehttths President here
bowed 10 Mr. Seward who sat beside him, lat which aud
the reference him the company and cheered lus
t,v for eccretsrv sewarand the high he pcr