The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-04-14
STATE RIGHTS.
Fifth Annual Banquet of the State Rights
Society-Speeches by Thomas III. Seymour

SOciety-Speeches by Thomas III. Seymour
and Others. & .tl.---@-a., $500
The fifth annual banquet Of the State Rights So
cety Of the city Of New York; took place last evening
at the st. James Hotel, In Broadway between Twenty
fifth and Twentysixth streets, and was the occasion
of distinguished gathering. Among the guests were
MIR. Thomas II. Seymour, Of Connecticut; MI.
Acres Of Missouri; Mr. Edward Ingerso, Of Phila-
Gunther, Brick Pomeroy and other distinguished per-
sonages. The table was spread for ninety guests,
s en- sye Mn@ ay MS Pn s regular ''aS'
g. State fountain Of al federal power and
s Ss an ana ne unonMay we never pray for
peace other foundations than those established by
The Chief Magisrscy 81 the United States The highest
@ W. Ss s % @ ass for
r Isg:aton or the factSus spirit Of party an. integrity
survive the memory Of those who to
g. The constitutional Congress of the United sates-May
While supremacy doctrine Of the Trainers Of the
g. The Mila-Our fathers standing army for the proec-
The Independent. Press-The of yrans and the
last hope Of free%en: ,..ao, from, N. ,vr.n.
ny Of distant capital until her prosperity shall
her pras and the winds that sweep over
The S The #:
from again the inesmabe blessings Of
Majority the Assembly of
is Woman-May by the power Of her virtue and
beauty.
Mr.. GEO. w. vARIAN opened the speaking with a
brief address. Mr.. Varian said:-Gentlemen Of the
State Rights Society, have the honor to greet you
birthday Of Thomas Jefferson and of the fifth annual
celebration of the society. This society was founded
in the midst OF reign OF terror for the purpose OF
liberty and self-government which mercless party
had been organized to overthrow. It was
frowned over r'"i the Whole land terrorism to
great extent had displaced the guarantees Of law.
that malice which springs from furious ignorance on
the one hand and studied determination to over
throw the system OF free on the Other
laton sneered at State rights, but no more 80 than
they did at the constitution Of their country. The
constitution and State rights were aimed at
as twin obstacles in the way OF negro
emancpating sedition; and from that moment to
the present time the work OF consolidation has
gone on with fearful rapdty, without single society
In the whole country 80 far as we know, except this
one, attempting to stay the movement OF this insidi.
been the delusion and insanity OF the public mind
that we have been able to accomplish little more
despOtism still holds over half the land Its terrible
grasp there are signs of returning reason and patr
cessful resuscitation Of those sacred princi-
Piles Of state rights and equality on which
this government Is founded, and which alone can
truth and patriotism the state Rights Society viii
put forth some fresh exertons to be useful In the
great work OF re-estabshing liberty and prosperity
We are glad gentlemen to see so many distinguished
guests present on this occasion. l can Oner no
higher wish than that the society may prove in every
way worthy OF the talent and patriotism IL has
brought together.
Mr.. varan having concluded, after an interlude
by the band the first toast was announced by the
observation-disclosures Jefferson, the Father Of Ameri-
can Democracy The toast having been drunk, all
standing. Mr.. Thomas III. Seymour, OF C0nnecti-
cut, was introduced and spoke as follows:-
MR. sEYM0uR's ADDRESS.
MR. on rising 70 70 ae of te
State Rights Society, am proud at seeing myself
surrounded by gentlemen OF your association, with
whom am now and have ever been In sympathy,
and as may say In full communion on all the great
issues OF the day. (Appause.) regard the present
year as the most momentous Of our lves-in many
respects more momentous than those years in the
life OF Mr.; Jefferson which first brought
him into public notice We are on the eve
the life death OF the very liberties for which he
contended and OF that independence which we sup
posed had been organized and secured to US by the
declaration from his pen and TO which his name IL
appended suppose we shall all agree that Thomas
was one Of the most remarkable Of the age in which
he lived-a man-not merely q statesman. but a
philosopher, and a very far-seelng one at tnat.
We ind that even the subject of race which Is now
under discussion In our country, MI. Jeners N
Appreciated the very issues which agitate the coa
try at the present day. But the statesmen OF MS day
and Of whom he was the representative were some
what different from the statesmen of the present
day in some portions OF our country. The men Of
that day. II he might the words without giving
offence TO any one present, were what might DC
called 'hre eaters.n Great applause and cries Of
"Oh, good, good.'1 Jefferson. says OF GUS, IN
allusOn to his celebrated speech against the
''wrt Of assistance that he was "a flame OF nre"
And such was the class of men required AZ mat
day i'm order to put In motion the bail OF tnat revo
luton which was to give us freedom ana lndepen
dence. How 1t In regard to this great anu pair
otto man OF whom we are to say something Oh this
occasion We are told by the historian that ne was
present at the great debate In the virginia House
OF Burgesses when the resolutions denunclatory
Of the Stamp act were introduced, and that tnere IN
listening to the el0quence Patrick Henry, ms SOU
fired with that patriotism and love OF country
which was afterwards to be illustrated In so memo
rabe manner In his life and conduct. In descriD-
Ing the debates on the resolution Jefferson says ol
Hamilton that, In his reply to the m0narchsts IN
that body who opposed the resolution against
the Stamp act, that he came down upon
them with an incessant storm OF lightning
| and thunder Just what was required
In the present crisis OF country. Applause anu
cries Of "Oh, good good.'D In these days we find
Jefferson inscribing his seal the significant motto
which was to ring throughout the country In the after
| other which may yet become more significant In the
history OF our country which IL familiar to all my
friends present." Resistance to tyrants Is obcdi-
| once to God.n tApplause In this crisis
OF our country, when attempts are being
made to destroy all that was accomplished
| by the early fathers OF American independence, ~
seems TO me that we should study the craftsmanship
OF those early days In order that we may preserve
that Independence now menaced by factious Con-
l gress applause aud cries of "Good"). VIII now
bria0y refer tn that period OF his history Wnen "