The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-12-02
ST. ANDREWS.


,Ghc zone Hundred and Twenty-second Ami
yscrsury of the st. Andrews SOcictV-Addrcas
Of COs9nci A. Loudon snOwden, rxa6
The 81 Andrews Society celebrated its one
hundred and twenty-second anniversary In a
dinner given at Augustin's on Tuesday even
ing. There were present between fifty and
sixty gentlemen, representing the various iu-
\ terests and learned professions of the city. Mr.
1 Charles MacalIister in the chair.
The Chaplain, DIR. Blackwood, invoked Divine
blessing upon those present, and upon the So
ciety in its labors to alleviate worthy and dis
tressed Scotchmen.
1 After the dinner had been discussed to the
satisfaction of all present, the regular toasts
we're offered and responded to, by the gentlemen
present Among the toasts were:-"The I'm
mortal Memory of st. Andrew" THE President
of the United States" "The Queen of Great
Britain and Ireland" "The Army and Navy"
pennsylvania and its Metropolis" 'The Judi
! ciary," "Our Sister Societies." "Our Departed
4 Brethren "The Memory of Wallace Burns.
! and Scott" and ''The Lassies, God bless them"
The gentlemen responding to these were Rev.
DR.. Blaclwood, General Patterson, Hon. j. II.
Campbell, Aubrey II. Smith, Esq, DR.. r. s.
Mackenzie, john Gibson, Esq, DR.. Robert
Burns and s. T. Mckay Esq.
The fifth toast was "The National Govern-
4 ment, and it was responded to by Colonel A.
Loudon Snowden, who, after regretting the
labsence of distinguished gentleman who
4 observed that possibly the best view of the sub
ject he could take would be the influence of
Scottish literature, laws, and religion in shaping
the institutions under which we live.
After prcfacing his remarks by an eloquent
review of topics which naturally occur in an
kafter-dinner speech, he concluded by referring
4 TO the influence of the Christian Bible in form
ing the American character, inculcating the love
of law and order, and in The maintenance of our
institutions No country had been able to MAIN
tain free institutions that had banished the Bible
or prevented its blessed teachings from per-
meatng the masses. Civil and religious free
lnH w tbO tan oc
ksacred book have entered into the heart and
directed the thought of the people. Where its
Influence is not felt, not only in teectual supinc-
ness and moral degradation follow but govern
lments, undirected by its influence, fail to keep
Fstep with the march of the times and become
Ireproach and n byword among the nations. The
philosopher Buckle attributes the present de-
generate condition of Spain to climatic and
physical causes. Mr. Cox, Representative in
LCongress from New York. in late speech in
the Academy of Music combatted Mr. Buckles
theory, and claimed that Spain was the victim
EOf bad government; that her progress was i'm
kpeded, and her future darkened by race of
effeminates and proligates who sat upon her
throne. The speaker said il seemed to him that
= between the two opinions, that of Mr.. Buckle
Rhad at least the appearance of more philosophy
than that of Mr.. Cox. There might be some
thing in climatic and physical causes to in
tiuence the institutions and destiny of n peo-
pie, but to charge bad government was one of
the weakest of all charges. 1t is a truth that
I'VE do not think will be denied, that no stream
can rise above its fountain-head, and govern
ments, on the whole, in all countries, represent
the average intelligence and virtue of the
people.
No man in his senses can believe that great
heroic, and virtuous people would long endure
% be represented by such men as have con-
rolled SPAIN with but one exception, since the
lays of Philip. The cause of Spanish degrade
ion in the speakers judgment, was to be found
the spiritual vassalagc of the people. The
ong night of her weakness and folly has been
which rplipiOns nr
Oleranco was permitted to shine and if Spain
to-day entering upon new career, as he
oped she was, she is only entering upon it be-
ause she has thrown off the old garments of
uperstition and religious bondage, and declared
br religious freedom, which must be the basis
( civil freedom, there and all the world over
With an open Bible and free schools Spain may
ope, if not to regain her vast possessions. lost
" her intolerance and folly, at least to esta-
ish government which will secure the hap
ness aud prosperity of her people at home and
Ommand the respect of the world. Italy and
lustria may follow the same course with honor
nd profit to themselves. Indeed the most
essed and hopeful sign of the times is the
rowing down of old barriers that stood be-
Veen the people and their right to worship God
ccording to the dictates of their own con-
sence. From Scotland this country, and
hdeed tue world derived the first lessons of
beious freedom and the influence OF Scot
Ind in shaping American institutions cannot
overestimated or overstated. The very form
our Government she gave us through her
hurch, and the principle laid down at Mecklen-
erg by Scotch -1rishmen, before our own decla-
Etion was promulgated in this city, contained
not in words ut least in spirit, all the essential
fuths of American freedom.
The speaker succincty traced the history of
e country; its early contest for independence:
after struggle with the mother country the
highly obstacles our own people have overcome
clearing the forests and peopling the conti-
ent and the late glorious vindlcation of our
ational unity and honor when assailed by the
fiplyn OeluQcu
ymcn, and closed with glowing anticipations
pr the future, if the principles OF the men who
Md the foundation stones Of the republic be
lantaned by their descendants.
The next ttoast-"Pennsylvania and its Metro
olis"-was responded to by the Hon. j. II
ampbell, ex Minister to Sweden, in an eloquent
anner in which he portrayed in glowing terms
be rapid growth and progress OF our grea
kate and its metropolis, Philadelphia.
The seventh toast-"Our Judiciary'-re
ponded TO by Aubrey II. Smith, United States
district Attorney at Philadelphia.
"Our Sister Societies" es"-responded to by X
|helton Mackenzie, ESQ.