The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-18


New York;, Cunning s. Bedford City
Judge Elect, William E. Dodge and A.
Oakley Hall.
The Bar Of New York entertained last evening at
grand banquet at the Astor House. one OF its most
honored and distinguished members, william NJ.
Evarts, at present Attorney General OF the United
States. Some time ago Mr. Evarts was cordially in
vited to accept such compliment to his high talents
and to the patriotism and unselfshness displayed by
him In accepting the office which he now holds. Mr..
Evarts would not decline an honor SO well meant, nor
miss 80 pleasant and gratifying an opportunity OF
meeting his colleagues OF the Bar and the members
OF the judiciary, and last evening the time and
the staunch old Astor House the place fixed for
the banquet.
At six O'Clock the halls OF the hotel commenced to
I'LL up with lawyers and judges and bankers and
representatives of the great business and CONNER
cal interests OF the city. The portion Of the house
assigned to them was approached through special
door arranged In the public hall, handsomely fes-
TONED, and at which were stationed two Of the
guardians OF the city's peace Here salutations and
introductions and conversation were kept up plea
sanity while in some more private parlors up stairs
the invited guests were assembling
General Grant came down in the carriage and
company OF Mr.. A. 7. Stewart, and Mr.. Il. Delafeld
Smith had the pleasure OF performing the same SER
vice for Admiral Farragut.
At length the doors OF the dining hall were tat
seven o'clock) thrown open and the entertainers
marched IN two by two encouraged and sustained
in the performance Of the graver part OF their
functions by strains from the Grand Duchess"
executed by Dodworth's band. When all had taken
their stands by their respective chairs the band
Hail Tho fhanf of
the evening" attended by the other invited guests
tered the dining hall. Mr. Evarts arm in arm with
Mr.. Charles O'Conor, the presiding of1cer; General
Grant with Judge Henry E. Davies, Admiral Farragut
with Mr.. Edwards Pierrepont, General Banks Of
Massachusetts, with Governor Clifford, OF Massachu-
sets, and General SchoHed Secretary Of War, with
Mr.. A. T. Stewart Their entrance was greeted with
clapping of hands and other demonstrations. After
grace by Rev. Dr. vinton the guests took their seats
and the walters were Immediately engaged in active
operations.
Besides the invited guests already named there
were present Mr.. Richard A. DANA OF Massachu-
sets; Attorney General Brewster, Of Pennsylvania;
John 7. Holman, Governor elect OF this State Gun
nings Bedford, City Judge elect; James Gordon Ben
nett, Jr., NEW YORK HERALD; Henry J. Ray
mond, New York Times; Charles A. Dana, New
York sun; Vice Chancellor McCoun; Judges DAILY.
Barbour, Hilton, Blatchford, Jones, Suther-
hand, Mcneil, Insraham, Robertson and Brady;
Samuel G. Courtney, United States District Attorney;
A. Oakley Hall, District Attorney Of this oty and
county; Dr. Adams, Samuel ]. Tilden, Professor
Dwight, OF Columbia College; General Wabridge,
J. w. Gerard, William E. Dodge, Richard OGorman
and Frederick A. Conkling.
The banqueting hall was handsomely and eiabo-
ratey decorated. On the walls, which were hung
profusey with bunting and on which the shields OF
the various states were suspended, were paintings
OF Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Daniel
Webster, John Jay, william Curtis Noyes and
Judge Daily. The principal table was ranged
lengthwise on the northern side OF the room and
the other tables placed at right angles TO it..
The dinner and its accompaniment were highly
tredltabe to the Messrs. Stetson and to the COM
mittec OF arrangements, OF which Mr.. James Thorn
son was the efficient chairman. About 300 persons
sat down to table.
After some two hours spent in discussing the
good things provided the benedlctory was pro-
nounced by Rev. DR.. Adams.
Mr. CHARLES U'CoSoR, the presiding ofncer. then
proposed the first regular toast-"The President Of
the United States"
The toast was received with the appropriate
honors-the band playing Hail Columbia"
GENERAL GRANT.
Mr. OC0SoR then proposed the second regular
toast-"Tnc President Elect.n
The toast was received with much more than the
usual nouors. All the guests rose to their feet,
clarped their hands. waved their handkerchefs and
raised their voices in cheers. At the same time,
from lilpatau tort over the door opposite the
place where General Grant sat- there discharged
a regular battery OF guns. to the great amusement
OF All. The band played trumpet call. Then broke
out again Tue acciamai!on OF tie guests. And then
General Grant rose and. In quiet simple, unal.
fec.ed manner, spoke as folows:-
GESTLSAES-l thank You very kindly for the
manntr IN which you have received the last toast,
winch was intended as complimentary to myself;
and must say taat there Is no other community
that would receive such demonstration OF wei.
come from with more gratitude than from the cti.
zens whom meet here this evening.
General Grant, having said thus much, took his
seat. The few words spoken were VIII received and
loudly cheefed. Some said, THAT is very short
and Others remarked that IL was to the poi2t. Tie
applause was confined for some time. aud then
three cheers were proposed and heartily responded
to for General Graui.
LrrTgg FROM JUDGE NELSON
Judge Henry Z. DAVIES then read letter from
Judge Nelson regrettng his Inability 10 be present
and giving as sentiment
'rae honors worthy OF the highest ambition OF the
OF personal and professional qualifications for the
place Ioncrs that follow the recipieut-not these
that are run after. Appause.l
SPEECH or Mr.. CHARLES o'CoSoR.
Mr.. CuARLEs oCoNoR In proposing tho health of
the guest OF the evening spoke as follows;--
centurys experience 10 the legal profession IL gives
me great pleasure TO look.irom the place TO which
your favor has assigned me upon this brilliant as
semby Of worth and ta.ent. But for the bright pre-
sage u aaords my lee..nss might be different: they
might be t.nged with regret but for that confidence
In the Immortality OF honor and virtue which is
taught alike by religion and philosophy. There
h no place III my bosom for any such regret.
| contemplate The present, the past and the
future o our bar with great satisfaction.
Trained TO our ardnous pursuit amid such
noble exempars as Emmett Ogden, Wells, Jones,
slosson and tue,r associates, have lived through
an d re OF generous forensic contention and social
friendship with their peers. Passing by, for want
OF time fun many noble name, let me rehearse
few:--The second Emmett and the second Hoffman;
the gentle the generous, the cultivated Benjamin Y.
Butter ana William Kent; that modern Antony,
Jonathan Prescott Hall; he yet left TO US and so well
named the Murat OF the bar, Francis Brockhost
Cutting ana he--tbow could I pass him unnoticeds)-
the nvincibe wit the wary and lrresstibe tacticlan;
he who hnr h. hnW OF Tpucer. albeit