The national Republican., 1868-11-26
slatiuual Rspnblitau.
Second Annual banquet La Fayette
N. A. Chnpter.

S present % The oiisefs Of Lsfsyette r. A.
Chapter No. o. Noble ID. Larner, NJ. z. H.
PTiest Daniel Jones' T; Kias; HasN.,i E9ss rle,,
Josn Edwin Mason, Secretary Edw. Howard
Fuller, Captain OF Host; Joseph 5. MCCOY,
Afeh Captain: Andrew o. Smith, q. Master,
81 veil; Wm. q. Moore, @. Master, "a veilj
Joseph b. Ofamer, q. Master, lst veil were
tuted june i, 1851, with II members, and it
now comprises membership Of os, and is the
youngest Chapter in this jurisdiction.
at the table at about 9lb p. m, Most Eminent
High Priest Larner presiding, with Hon. b.
b. French, q. II. Priest Of the District OF Co
A. whalon, Grand King elect, at his left.
Next these were Y. W. Hancock, q; King
ofhcers OF the other Chapters,
The table was laden with ne suSstsntlals ~, ii
and delicacies Of the season, the Dill OF are
oysters~Stewed oysters, fried oysters, raw
EntreesSBecf tongue, decore, a Ia mayon-
sIs iS 'G5Rf GRsksn Sfe .aiaG sa supreme ap VIII"
Relishes = worcestershire sauce, French
mustard olives, young onions, eatsup, pickled
cream, lady fingers. niberts, apples, almonds,
oss Ice ice cream In
with the American colors, Masonic emblems,
portraits, &C., presenting very pretty appear
Captain /. A. Heald, with his American brass
band, contributed to the pleasure Of the occa-
sion with his delicious music at intervals
during the festival.
When all were seated Rev. WIN. Sharman
invoked a blessing, and Immediately the large
number OF persons began what ended In JUS
tice to the edibles, and good humor withsL
At the conclusion OF the banquet Most
Eminent High Priest Larner addressed the
assembiage 10 a very instructive and effective
manner, as follows:
CoMPANIoNs: In the name OF Lafayette
ing, and bid H you O. Welcome e here tonIsht greet
To each and every companion we extend the
right hand Of fellowship, and hail his pres
Priest Of this young and growing Chapter, II
becomes my pleasant duty to present to you
all around the festive board the compliments
of Lafayette Chapter. And with our compl-
ments beg you TO accept the warm and hearty
salutations we offer rs slight token OF the
esteem and Friendship we bear to you all. Let
ing that Masonic friendship, here pledged,
shall never be broken.
1t was the custom In Europe and America,
htty ycars ago, to call the craft from "work
to etrcshmcnt," at the declaration Of the
High Priest Rcfreshment then did not mean
simple conversation between companions, but
food and drink for our fraters, such as work
men crave after severe labor. They met to-
gether around the festive board, and renewed
their pledges of good will, esteem, and friend
ship to each other. The cares and troubles OF
the world were hero forgotten, and happiness
ruled the hour. The chain Of friendship that
was never broken by petty disscnsions of
party and secular discussion; and so the whole
hold how Masons love one another"
These festive occasions among Masons
tended to cement them in the holy bonds OF
Masonry, which remained sealed to the hour
OF death. 1t was during this period that Free.
masonry secured reputation all over the
world, which we now enjoy. While these oe-
and about half Of the United States, they have
been sadly neglected in our Jurisdiction; and
this, in my Judgment, accounts in great meas.
and love among US that has % sometimes S' been
manifested by few, and for the credit OF the
craft BY a very few In our Jurisdiction. Let
ing around the festive board and exchanging
Masonic courtesies, congratulations, and good
cheer. until erotherly love possesses every
In honor OF the ancient custom Just alluded
to, the officers OF Lafayette Chapter propose
lat least such is the present determinstion,i
to observe these ancient landmarks and send
out their cards, and once a year they propose
to be at homen and, as on this OCCASION, in
vite every member OF our Chapter, the officers
of the Grand Chapter, and the elective officers
OF the subordinate Chapters to meet with them
and receive their salutations.
Companions, as we look into each others
faces here tonight, let us rejoice in the pros
tion. Such very remarkable prosperity was
never vouchsafed to any other Jurisdiction in
SO short time. Two years have not yet
elapsed since we determined to cast of The
yoke that held US in unnatural ties, and estab-
lIshed ourselves as Independent X. A. Masons.
The sequel proves that we were right In the
member of the great family of Il. A. aIasons
throughout the country And now, my com.
panions, in this the hour OF our prosperity let
us not forget that II 10 the time, above all
others, when we should be generous and for
giving. Let us try to heal all differences that
may exist growing out Of the establishment OF
Grand tlhaDter. and pxtenhinV tho i0h
Ions, invite them to again enter our circle and
US. In so doing we will not only exhibit the
true principles Of our Order, but will receive
the plsqdits Of our companions throughout
the land for being true to our obligations and
ever ready to forget and forgive the errors OF
our companions.
We extend our hands tonight to greet the
officers OF old Columbia and Washington
Chapters, the ever faithful Mt. Vernon, and
our twin sister Eureka; and our only regret
not have the pleasure Of also greeting our sIs-
ter, Potomac Chapter, of Georgetown. But,
companions, let US hope that long before an
other occasion OF this kind shall come Poto-
mac Chapter may be enrolled under the BAN
ner OF our Grand Chapter, where she properly
belongs and where her presence would be
we bid hearty welcome, and hope you will
all enjoy yourselves In our company. The
prosperity OF your own Chapters VIC shall
always rejoice In equally with that of our
own. Let neither envy or jealosy be har-
bored or tolerated. Let us be happy and united
forever.
In behalf of the officers of Lafayette Chap
ter their sincere thanks for the unanImIty
shown In their election. May our elections
always be as unanimous. The officers now
present their compliments, and ask the fra
ternal salutations OF one and all OF YOU
around this festive board.
Companion J. Edwin Mason, secretary,
read the toast In loud, clear voice, as follows
The Grand Chapter of the District OF 90
lumbia-Like Phnnix arising from Its ashes,
so our Grand Chapter exalts itself as In for.
mef days, ater eneountering persecution un-
Known in the history OF capitular masonry.
Response by the Hon. b. b. French, Grand
High Priest OF the District OF Columbia, who
SAID there was nothing remaining for him 10
say, since the Eminent High Priest had said
all that could do honor to the occsslon,
He hoped to see Potomac Chapter hack
MY! WIN nc dIand Chapter OF the District of
GRAND Chapter here as I, all The other state
Grand Chapters. IL. was 9isd to sec the Of
nSeis OF this Chs ser bring back the good old
Gn .woGEme Si the oiden daysgthat OF calling the
was ~ from labor TO refreshnentn That
ir - way they did in his own early Masonic |
rs. They met and feasted, and then they |
would part upon the square,
Columbia Chapter, No. 1.-The kind old
mother of all our Chapters. May her children
never forget their alma mater.
Response by Excellent King Joseph I.
Brown OF Columbia Chapter. He had always
considered old Columbia the "gem OF the
ocean,, especially In refreahmeRt, until he
PEELED to yield the palm. [Applausel
The speaker then alluded TO the despotisln
hhtpreYailed over Masonry in the oldcn lhY
ami he was pleased TO see Lafayette Chapter