New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-02-25
RAKOUET OF THE ARMY AND
NAVY OFFICERS.

indulge in writing of one of the pleasantest
occasions of the season.
Nothing was left undone to make the ban
ouet both pleasing and beautiful. The
tables were prettily decorated with fresh
spring flowers and dainties of tropical and
home productions.
When signal was given that the board
was fully prepared for guests, gentlemen
accepted seats at random. The presi-
dent, General Sheldon, occupied the head
of the central table. On his right sat Judge
Durell, General Hartsuff, and Judge Howe;
on the left, Mayor Heath, General iSteed-
man, Colonel j. o. Nixon (Crescent) and
Rev. DR.. Newman. The last named gentle
man asked blessing of Divine grace on the
bounties before the guests. And then began
the battle of destruction on useful and orna-
mental objects. Soon popping of cham
payne corks suggested toasts, and the pres.
ident announced them in their ORDER
Memory of Washington" Responded to
by Rev. DR.. Newman. After the applause
had subsidized, the doctor said
1t has always been deemed q difficult
task to give a correct analysis of those per-
sonal qualities which have rendered Wash
ington so extraordinary in the estimation of
mankind. But like Millions angel, and the
statue of Jupiter Olympus, by Phidias, he
was an ORIGINAL character. He is without
an antecedent and without a subsequent.
Men complain that his personal qualities
were not brilliant; that there were no
salient points in his character. But he was
like unto an illuminated circle, each and
every part equally bright. Of all of this
worlds heroes, he possessed the solid vir-
tues of true greatness in larger degree
than any other man, and possessed them in
the most harmonious proportions. As we
scan the brow of night, many q heaven
ly body is more brilliant than the
north star, but of all the stellar
hosts, not one is more Useful to man
kind. The dewdrop may sparkle on
the grass and in the daisy's cup, and the
summer cloud may emit its waters and in
turn be spanned by the celestial bow, but
what is the dew or shower to the ocean
Washington is Americas polar star, the
ocean of her wealth, and the sun of her
prosperity. Mankind are captivated by the
tears of Alexander, who wept because he
had found limit to his ambition; by Cesar
crossing the Rubicon; and by Napoleon's
daring usurpations of power. But Wash
ington could weep over his suffering troops
cross the Delaware in midwinter 10 drive an
usurper from his country; and exercise the
where, in all the mighty past or the living
present, shall we find his equal He stands
out alone on the page of history, sublime
in his isolation. Among the Greeks Arts
tides is their greatest S atesman and war
riOr. His wisdom and prudence raised him
to the highest honors of the state, and his
triumphs at Marathon and Salamis achieved
for him the greatest lonors. Yet
Aristides took pride in remaining poor,
and he taught the doctrine that it was
proper to deceive when the interests of the
state demanded it. Cyrus, son of Cambyses,
is renowned for his wisdom, moderation,
and courage; but this picture Of Cyrus by
XenOphon was not what Cyrus was, but
what he should have been. As warrior,
first among the Romans, but his bloody
wars with his own countrymen to reach the
throne are stains upon his character. Peter
the Great of Russia is deservedly illustri-
Gus. He organized the first Russian navy;
established courts of justice, schools of
learning, and houses of mercy, and from
barbarian raised his people to glory. But
Peter the Great was tyrant, drunkard, and
a libertine. Frederick the Great of Prussia
is among the most distinguished princes of
which history has preserved a memorial;
but Voltaire was his bosom friend, and to
express his contempt for mankind and
religion desired, when he died, to be buried
WIFI HIS uOqs Iu6Tt IL duOLlGT OF WHOSE
transcendent powers it were difficult to speak
in terms of adequate praise, but the luster of
Napoleon's name is forever furnished by
his Indifference of human life and his
broken marriage ties. But II Washington
possessed the wisdom and prudence of Aris.
tides without his fallacies, the moderation
of Cyrus without his ambition, the martial
genius of Cesar without his crimes, the
patriotism of Peter the Great without his
vices, the energy of Frederick the Great
without his life of scandal, and the states
manship of Napoleon without his rashness.
As a warrior, Washington has been COM
pared to the Roman Fabius Maximus, but
the comparison is one of circumstances and
not of genius. Nature had endowed Wash
ington with martial genius capable ofthe
most brilliant exploits, but circumstances
compelled him to adopt the Fabian tactics.
In personal heroism he has no superior.
Did Murat, in a paroXism of passion, spur
all along the fire of q Russian battery?
Washington did the same at Kipp's Bay,
bidding defiance to the missiles Of death.
Did Napoleon rush over the bridge
of Arcola and plant the national standard
amid the storm of fire that swept it? At
Princeton, when mis- troops began to waVer,
Washington grasped a standard, plunged
the roWels into his steed, shouted Follow
your general ~ and rode up TO the very
muzzies OF the guns, and sal calmly beneath
his country's flag. 1t Is fair to estimate a
warriors greatness by what he accompanies
with the means at his command. Washing
toms continental army was the most
comical spectacle the sun ever shone upon.
George III called our soldiers 'a rustic
rout, with calico frocks and fowling
pieces" When Baron Steuben entered our
army he determined to organize it, but
after months Of trial gave it up in despair,
and swore at them in three languages at
German French and EnUifeb-asa1
then called upon his aids to curse the BLOCK
heads. Lafayette said the only regularity
he saw was the 'ishort men were placed in
front and the long ones be-
hind, and old Putnam explained this by
saying, 1.-THE Americans are never afraid
Of their heads, they only think Of their
legs; shelter them and they will fight for
ever.n Bot it was the spirit of '76 that con-
quered British arms. Such was the spirit
Of Patrick Henry who said, GIVE me liberty
or give death.n Such was the spirit of
Warren who exclaimed, "Put me where
the attack will be hottest. Such was the
spirit Of Putnam who led his troops against
the enemy with only five cartridges to a
man, and crying, Powder, powder, ye
Gods give us POWDER Such was the spirit
Of Dominic Chadwen who, finding our
troops ct the battle of Railway without
wadding threw them a copy Of Waite
psalms, saying, "There, boys, put Watts
into them.s Such was the spirit Of our
fathers who declared, THAT these United
colonies are and of right ought to be free. ?
Such was the spirit Of Washington, First
in war, first in peace, and first IN the hearts
Of his countrymen.n
To the toast, The general commanding
the armies Of the United States" Colonel
Charles Case made a pleasing response,
closing with stating his belief that General
Grant was not only perseyering but honest;
II was these two qualities In him that not