The national Republican., 1869-06-26

soSs OF MIouIoAS.-Thc picnic at Ana
lostan Island, improvised by the Michigan
Society, on the Gath inst, was a very pleasant
affair. A large number OF ladies and gen.
tlemen from the departments Joined In the
nmusements Of the occasion, and all seemed
well pleased. The dinner got up by Mr..
Rhodier gave general satisfaction, and was
specially compllmented by several who sat
down to his well-flled board. The band,
under the direction OF Mr.. Chase, who fur
nished the music for dancing, was all that
could be desired.
Among those present were s. Y. At Lee
and q. Y. At Lee, Dan l.. Pierce and the
Misses Gangewer, Major Knox, Colonel
Tompkins aud ladies', Judge Clark and ladies,
J. Fred. Myers nnl lady, John W. Green
and lady, John Blass ~ lady, J. J. Gala
han and lady, NJ. Watson and lady, Mr.. Ar
mold and the Misses Arnold, W. d. Mack,
lady, and Miss Nettie Moore, Charles Brown
and lady, Mr.. Delano and lady, Misses Bling
ham, Brldgemau, Miss Dell, and Hattie Hlg.
gins, and many othcrs, whose names We did
not get.
VI. L. Higgins, esq, of the Sixth Auditors
Ofllcc, and president OF the association, at
the hour of asseu bling made the following
congratulatory remarks;
Ladies' and gentlemen, we bid you wei.
come TO all the privileges and enjoyments OF
this pleasant spot.
Our fathers, perchance, were "Sons Of
New England" and doubtless did their part
to make famous the "blarney stone" Of that
proud old Commonwealth; but, friends, ,ce arc
Michiganders, as some Of our good -naturcd
friends have been pleased to call us, or as
we have been allowed to name ourselves,
''sons OF Michigan" and, though hailing
from a younger Commonwealth than the
Gordon OF States which Is included under the
name OF New England, we arc none the less
proud of our surroundings. We have an
equal concelt with our older neighbors, and
take equal pride In whatever concerns Its
history and prosperity.
| said we had been called Michiganders.
1t is quite possible our fraternal relations In
this respect could have been expressed In
more euphoulous phrase, but l am quite
sure In none more scntentious; and while
We are not sentative as to tho particular cog.
nomcn we shall bear we arc free TO answer
to either, and therefore we are willing to
appropriate both, as each may suit our pur
pose.
But be that as 1t may, we arc here to-day
to please ourselves and enjoy the recreation
afforded by this quiet spot. We are here Ii
the spirit Of brotherhood and good nature Il
spend few hours In pleasant social inter
change. For the time being this is our camp
Ing ground; this Is our fortress, and these ar
our braves, and none to molcst or make afraid
Surely VIC can take pleasure here under thes
green leaves and In sight Of the broad rive
whose waters lave the shores Of the island o
whose green sod we tread. Let us accept tn
inspiration OF the hour talk logic with aC
quaintances, and practice rhetoric in our con
mon speech; while from the loopholes Of th
retreat we peep at the world without and
t. see the stir
Ofthe great babel and not feel the erowl.
Friends, We arc here to-day because W
choose 10 be. We are not castaways on
desert island; but we arc here with all th
beauties OF nature surrounding us TO max
US happy and content. We have a commo
purpose, mutual loves, and mutual asplr1
tions; and perchance we may express mutus
admiration. We certainly must think we
OF ourselves as as an association. We loy
our State and praise Its many virtues; and
am sure we shall be excused for doing q
much for Its "brave men and fair women.
Without further ado let US accept the situi
tion, and with
This genial intereh snge OF care,
Dive the falrest heart flower loom,
| To omen iInil this yerual blOom.b