Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-04-20

Grand BANQUET to Ex-President John
SON at Memphis.

GRAND BANQUET to Elk President JOhE
/ SON at Memphis.
From the Memphis Avalanche, April II.
The citizens banquet last night, i
honor Of ex-President Johnson, was on
Of those occasions that mark an era in
mans memory. In years to come PEG
| pie will speak of ''The johnson Ban
quet" as Of thing unique; excellent t
the degree that scarcely admits ola plu
| Mira. This is speaking iu very higl
terms, We are aware, but those who wer,
present and saw the magnificent table
set out for the banquet last night, by th,
Messrs. Robbins & Co., the hosts of tht
princely Oyerton, will bear US out in the
assertion. The dazzling. the splendid
the magnificent always win the imagina,
ton and stamp themselves on the men,
ory-so it was with the grand toui
ensemble presented last night by the
banquet tables Of the 0yerton. i,s0
The vast dining room was lighted up
BY the four grand chandeliers. Upon
the tables, disposed in U form, were
placed at short intervals tall wax lights,
each one of striking blue, crimson or
orange. In this food of radiant light,
the glittering plate and the dazzling play
Of brightness on the cut glass were gor>
geous in their effect. Here and there,
at short distances, arose the graceful
forms and elegant of costly vases, cons
tanning flowers of the richest hues and
the most delightful perfume. In the
center-opposite the Chairman Of the
Banquet Committee, M. d. L. Stewart,
Esq, who presided--was a magnificent
ship, in sugar. Its hull and decks, and
sails, and even the graceful tracery of
the rigging, all sparkled with crystal ra-
dance, and it was gay with miniature
flags displayed from masts, and yards,
and bulwarks. The very napkins, as
they nestled, wreathed in fairy shapes,
in the glasses, cast gay and decorative
effect upon the table, being bordered
with brilliant crimson cones, of con-
fectionery gsuze which rose and
lowered in Lilliputian elegance to
height of over thirty inches. The Chr
nese pagodas, with their graceful min
arets and slender shafts, varied the
beauty of the ornaments.
At the center of each table, rot less
than two and half feet in length, ro>
bust figure stood upon its axes, another
beneath its arched dome, and enc at each
of the four corners. Among these more
arduOus efforts of confectionery skill,
appeared quivering jellies OF graceful
outline, hundreds Of dishes of bon bons,
CONNECTIONS, creams, and all the thousand
elegancies thst make q well spread ban
quet table appear like throne upon
which good genii have strewed gems and
treasures of bewildering beauty, spark
ling with gorgeous hues, and glorious
with all the grace Of form. The attempt
to give faint idea of the mere accesso-
ries of the banquet fall altogether below
the magnificent reality--how then should
we fail in attempt to tell what was the
banquet itself?
At these magnificently covered tables,
cleaning in refulgent lights, graceful with |
beauteous forms, gorgeous with contrast |
ing and harmonizing colors, were one hun
dred and fifty seats, and every seat had |
its guest. Those seats held, literally the
elite of the city. What the bar, the fac
ulty, and the learned professions gener>
ally, could furnish of polished attain>
ments; the haunts of commerce of those
merchants who are princes" and the |
arts OF the skillful, the in
ventive and the intelligent, were there
there to pay honor to statesman and
patriot, whose name has place the his |
tory of our land will ever preserve. At |
the head of the table presided the Chair
man of the Banquet Committee, NJ. D. |
L. Stewart, Esq. On his right was seated |
the honored guest of the city of Mem
phis, His Excellency, ex>President of the
United States, Andrew johnson. On
bis left, Hon. j. W. Leftwitch, Mayor of
The city, next to whom were F. RI. |
Cash, Esq: and Gen. Rufiin. On the ex-
Presidents right was Col. Williams, Of
Knoxville. At this part Of the tables
were seated the various committees, and
gentlemen who are personal friends Of
The ex- President
The second regular toast was as fol-
OWS:
''Our Distinguished and Honored
UuoSI '--DTauh With ali tue HOIiOTS Il
Music-"Hail to the Chief"
Ex-President johnson, on rising to re-
spond to the toast, was greeted with pro-
onged applause. He spoke as follows
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen in
rising to respond to the toast it is simply
or the purpose of rendering my thanks
Ior the compliment expressed ia the
.oast, and for the cordial manner in which
i has been received. My reception in
he city of M emphiS and the compliment
you have paid me this evening, in this
my adopted State, will ever live bright in
my memory. l rose for no other pur-
pose than to tender you my thanks for
he cordial manner in which the toast has
been received Loud cries OF go on,
20 on, and speech, speech. " Gentle
men, | must insist that you will allow
me to confne myself to the remarks
nave made, and assure you will listen
With pleasure to others who will address
you. Again, / thank you for the cordial
you have given me in Mem.
Dhis, and the compliments of this even
ing. Loud cheers, amid which Mr.
Johnson resumed his seat
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