The New York herald., 1868-11-07
NEW ENGLAND SOCIETY.
Public Reception and Exhibition OF "a Web-
ster Bust.

PuDlc NercptiOn anu ENniDitiOu Of u Wen.
ster Bust.
Last evening special meeting OF the New England
Society was held in the hall OF the Union League
Club for the purpose of public reception and exh
bton OF the Webster bust recently presented to the
Society by Mr.. W. Aspinwa. The New England So
cety OF this city organized May g. 1885, to COM
mcmorate the landing OF the Pilgrim Fathers on Ply
month Rock, as Wen as 10 promote friendship.
charity and mutual assistance and to maintain
library. The attendance last evening was numerous
and fashionable and throughout the greatest interest
was manifested .oo, In the proceedings; ~ In E Jet;
that when IN Florence he saw colos.
sal bust OF Webster which had just been finished
by Ball; he was greatly Impressed by what
he had ever seen, either IN marble or on canvas.
The lines are exqulsityely drawn, and those who
Of New England pronounced II to be correct In every
feature.
having uncovered the bust, the president, Mr. Joseph
II. Choate, delivered the opening address, aud
having referred In the most complimentary terms TO
the gver OF the bust paid fitting trlbu.e to the
memory OF the great statesman and advcrting to the
great services which he rendered the country.
Mr.. r. Hoxie the former president OF the society,
was then introduced and came forward amid loud
demonstrations OF applause lie alluded chiefly 10
the great geniailty which Webster ever displayed in
and the speaker knew him well. lie
~
Mr. Hoxe gave most touching description OF
webster's domestic life and during the course OF
his address was much moved By the pleasant reco-
lection which the memory OF a great orator had
produced.
Mr.. W. II. Aspinwall was the next presented, and
briefly returned thanks for the complimentary terms
in which he had been alluded to- ife was quite IN
prepared TO make speech; but, perhaps, his in
efficiency in speaking would become popular since
Grant was elected President. Cheers and langhterl
In lieu OF an Grafton, however, he would give the
audience remarkable prediction made BY web.
ster which had not yet been published. on one oc.
cason at private table, previous TO the war cry OF
1854, Webster said that whoever had studied me
geography with care must have observed
paci0us harbor on the Pacific coast be-
tween the Columbia river anu the equator,
and TO his mind no event IN the future was more
certain than the existence the western slope OF
this Continent OF a great AnR,o-SaNOn empire, vi
which the bay Of san francisco should ne tne ou..
line to the Pacific, and he considered piece OF tetl
tory on the north was not TO be weighed against the
advantage OF securing that harbor and through ~
that future empire OF our country. Whehef ~ con.
nection with the United states or ns an independent
nation that empire was sure 70 exist. he would not
live TO see it. he tsr. Aspinwa might, aud turning
10 him Webster advised him 10 educate DIS sons lor
san Francisco for II would one DAY become the
great centre or the commerce or me World. Ihai
predlcton occurred twenty-five years ago and had
since been verified. After having again returned
thanks the speaker resumed has scat amid ap.
Row pr Bellows delivered an eloquent eulogum
ON The genius character and services OF Webster,
whom he considered was one OF the last race OF
giants no fashioned and formed and gave dignity
of character TO the American nation. The reverend
gentleman gave a glowing description OF Webster's
uecuar characteristics, which lie pictured with
great truth power ana feeiing. iniougnout ms sd'
and Al the conclusion the visitors proceeded to in.
spect the bust, with which everyone seemed mighty
pleased. band was in attendance and considcra-
Div envencd the proceedings, which terminated
shortly before ten O'Clock.