New-York tribune., 1869-01-15
DINNER BY fHE NEW-YORK BAR TO
JAMES ". GERARD, ESQ.

A complimentary dinner was given at Dell
monicos. last evening" by the NewYork Bar TO James
Gerard, esq., of the Oldest If not the Oldest member
OF the profession in this city, who has lately rered from
practice. Some $50 gentlemen sat down TO the taoes,
among them some Of the distinguished Judges and
all OF the prominent members of the bar OF tins city,
Chancellor Zabriskie of New-Jersey, Prof heCosh Oh
Princeton College and David Paul Brown, esq., or Phir
delphia were the guests from abroad
The Hon. Francis B. Cutting presided and on his rgns
sat Mr. Gerard. The tables beautifully decorated
with flowers fruit, and confectionery and the dinner
was admirably served by Charles DelmoDico and proved
a great success At 9o'clock the cloth was removed,
SeIson Judre United states Supreme Court. Gov Hof
man VIM NJ Evarts, Judge JAS Ii. u. iatrobe OF Mary
nS or Mr. Gerars legal characteristics said that he
alw avs points. and discussed them with learn;
I TGe Teadng of this sentence excited great fun.
sPEECR THE Hon. FRANCIS B. CUTTING.
sad that the very agreeable privilege had been conferred
ap ap0o 90 Honorable to the Bar OF NewYorE
honorable to his friend Mr. Gerard and magnihsent
all I Rss that q he
usual he believed for him who proposed such senSi.
gentleman in whose favor the entertainment was given,
but he confessed to some IN Iong M 80 on
enumerate tho long catalogue OF his WORTH MS meris.
Cypress his senslbities aud much upon his
refined and delicate sentiments tApplausel Ihere
patent to all and which he could not help alludnc to.
I'm the first place during very long life through very
ernrd 10 forget that Kindness that Courtesy and thas
conciatory temper which had 9guished him through
his courtesy his concation which had him te
respect Of al at the Bar Beside tho unprotected could
with the same zeal which gave the richest and most
powerful lCheers He, in his long active, and stirring
ffe had been brought In contact with the slime which
ali in the profession had or less but no one
connected with Bar left 1t more pure than their
touched ~ the slime he had referred to- awyert it
never h os 70 encounter more @ as hs
more dangerous he was. Applause Bold. skini, ana
daring i attack he was wary cautious ana ~ aSS IN @
bad cause or urging good one, he displayed the great
est intrepidity and courage Laughter ana appia,edi
Mr. Gerard was greeted with three hearty cheers
SPEECH or JAMES W. GERARD. -,
Mr. Gerard SAID that his friends would stop smoking
for few minutes he would endeavor to give them some
fire. Laughter He had addressed various assem-
bages people up to 10000 on different occasions ana
he had mover quailed, felt modest. never int
dated nor was he now. Laughter and cheers But no
labored upder feeling he felt IL difficult 10 describe
was oppressed he was by the kindness OF ns
young and old friends, the members OF the bar anu 10
language which be possessed couddescrb the gratitude
he felt the beautiful compliment OF tins evenny ~
unexpected as he was afraid Il was undeserSea ss
around him. and acknowledgement that for lye anS
forty years he had endeayored TO MAINTAIN tne he honor
OF the Bar. loud cheers. He therefore accepea ,nS
SS WSuIa stop EaSshter some night law
yers were always ohjeetng daughter = Eo,ve e 10
Will take no exceptions J-tnat nc was WV
dictoes that he had bade the Bar "good night at the
Evsrts dinner, had torn himself from. rom a.,n them
forever, and there he among his frienus asan.
ready make another yaledictory. He answered inc
objection that from the daysof Roscus TO the preseh
slnie every when about retiring from the inimo
ttage took half dozen benefits. laughter ana ai
plase, and why could not he, who had played 80 many
parts upon the busy stage OF life, in tragedy IN meo.
drama In comedy and almost in farce have az least &
vaedctoes Applause It might be asked oy S sS'"o mo
why he retired One OF his was thsi nc naa ~
necessity TO work any longer. Applause ana augnteI
Another wanted and the thru was has no
went upon the Denocyac principle OF rotation n omeo
The next toast, The Bench was responded 70 U
Judge Samuel Blatchford He said the Bench had two
functionsone the consideration OF public order py tho
suppression Of violence and crime ana tne otne %
jucaon of disputesi in c. vi matters s
who copsttuted the community, and under tho hhgio
sa inrisndence Inc Thought they had succeeededi
reconcng the antagonsm which haa sssed oer IN ana
popular liberty. Applause. 80, , .,oa 10
number OF other toasts were read ana resPonaea
by David Paul Brown, David Dudley Field Luther ~
Marsh and Others, and at late hour the company
atod One of the pleasant features OF ,ne S t was
was the introduction OF the ladies' aver URo easA No"
over. to listen to the speeches.