New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-03-22
THE PRESS DINNER.


ing assumed the form of privilege to man. Eighty or
ninety Rentemen-editors reporters magaziniStS and
Observation-Disclosures nearly manyladies most OF them
representing the feminine literary talent Of the meropo
lis at public dinner IN which the ordinary social dis
tnctOns OF utterly ignored as the entire
company consisted Of gentlemen.
The liberation OF female presence during the posan
dial speeches the Burnss dinner few weeks ago In
this city, announced TO the world as startling nno
Naon for which the managers OF the affair received
much praise The New-YOrk press had anticipated tnH'
Innovation year. however by breakfast 10 "oh
the sOrosls Society specially invited, ana al "Vn
the ladies were not only allowed 10 Keep 'noN
seats during the speaking that followed io ea'ins'
but we're absolutely compelled to endure nYe nOurs
cannOnade Of rhetorical missiles hurleo oecVy az e
heads from all sides Of the room, by men VINO not only
ignored their feminine fraiy but presumed upon su-
perhuman endurance which neither sex possesses Flat
terng as such an acknowledgement OF womans
right and womans power must have been to
the sorosls, the breakfast was, after all,
mere enlargement OF the ordinary social Gus
tom which makes a woman dependent on her husband
or attendant gentleman for nearly every kind OF On
ertainment. The ladies had nothing TO do but TO eat
smile, look thor pretest, and be patient There was
radically novel principle involved, however In the Del
monico dinner last Saturday evening The ladies not
only listened afterdinner speeches, but they made
afterdnner speeches More than this, the ladies
not Invited to join the genemen the gentlemen were not
invited to JON ladies The ladies and gentlemen were
invited 20 JON each other. Most astounding inno-
walton Of all-fhat which is most significant TO
those who are interested IN the progress OF
wopaps rghsthe gentlemen did not pay for the ladies'
With tho natural generosity Of their sex, they allowed
those ladies who chose to do so TO pay for themselves
In all preliminares OF the dinner and throughout its
entire conduct the ordinary distinctions Of sex were ig
nored Tie result the most delightful convvia oc-
oaon which any OF the gentlemen, st least, have en-
toyed.
Among the ladies and gentlemen present we mention
the following from memory Mr.. J. ". simonton and
Capt Howell Of the Associated Press Miss Phoebe Cary,
Mrs James Parton Fanny FERN, Mr. Parton. Mr. Oliver
johnson Of The independent Mr. Augustus Maverick OF
The Ereniig Post. Mrs Elizabeth Oakes Smith, Mrs d. g.
Croly Jeunie juno, Mr. David G. Croly Of The World
Miss Mary Kyle Dallas, Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. WDbour
Mr. A. D. Richardson, Prot. schem Of THE TRIBUNE, Mr.
orve J. Victor, Mrs. Victoria Victor. Mr.. s. s.
Packard OF Pack0rds Monthly, with Mrs. Packard and
pirs Cleveland Miss Olive Logan, Mr. George Francis
Trait OF The RerOtion, etoetera; Mr. Junus H. Browne
Mr. r. T. COlbnrn, Mr.. James f. Mum
sOn, Miss Josephine Pollard, Eleanor XIX,
Slr. George Wakeman Of The World, Mrs. McCrum
Daisy Howard" Mrs. Carter Mr.. Oliver Dyer, MT ana
Mrs Andrew Jackson Davis Mr.. Lempriere. Mr.. Cum
uings " The Snl, Col Cook Of Gov. Hoflnans stan,
Col Thomas W. Knox, Mr. Gedney, Mr. A. Wellington
Tyler Of The Rural New Yorker Miss Susan Anthony
ATS. DR. Dinsmore Mrs. and Miss Gilbert Mrs Dr. Lozier
Wlth the usual delicaoles prepared by Delmonico,
uodest amount Of hight wine, good appees, and gay
Interchange Of repartee and smata tho dinner itself
Vas far more ENJOYABLE than most public dinners Of
which none but gentlemen partake Mr. j. W. simonton,
who had boon invited 70 preside, rose, when the fnal
coffee had been served and read letters from gen.
t,Deu who were unable TO attend. Mr. William Henry
Hurlbut gayo a cold in the head ample aOnement
Cor hs absence. He had been invited TO respond to tile
sentiment. Matrimonial Bliss" lie expressed his as
constituent 81 the assignment OF such toast TO bach
eor hat offered the following touching and eloquent
tribute the subject: had rather be married month
tlop IN We a cold In my head week"
Tue President then said that the usual order OF public
dining etiquette be reversed the present occa-
sion and tho first toast Of the evening was The Gentle
men" ue called upon Miss Olive Logan for response.
Niles Logan amid long and hearty applause from
both ladies and gentlemen. She much atonished
ct the assignment Mr.. Hurlburt had been Gentlemen
OF all subjects. about which she knew the
teas She had hesitation In speaking upon such
subject She had once been invited by Mr.. Packard TO
write about babies but she had never been invited TO
write about gentlemen. When she did write about |
the babies size had offended some OF them, she under
stood and she would be sorry 10 offend the gentlemen IN
che same way-especiay gentlemen could vote and
babies couldn't She would have preferred to talk about
her own ex-about Fanny Fern for instance, and about
Alice and Phoebe Cary whose sweet songs are warbled
over the whole land The Chairman had announced that
the hest speech Of the evening would be the shortest
speech and She shoud claim the prize by taking her
seat Tho prize awarded Immediately In the shape
OF II vigorous round Of applause.
Tue Wickedest Man IN New-YOrk--Mr Oliver Dyer
spoke IN defense OF Sensational Literature" The most
truly educational literature, he said, that which had
been produced without the intention Of creating SON
sation. There is and then exception, but as
rule either books magazine articles, written directly
for the purpose Of sensation failures The same Is
true Of sensational deeds OF sensational literature
Tho gallant sheridan thought of sensation" when he
was urging his foaing steed the twenty miles OF
dust that separated the leader from his defeated
Shedaas Ride" Is among the SENSATIONAL records
OF the great rebellion.
Mrs Carter then recited "sherlopn's Ride" from T.
Buchanan Read at the request Of the Chairman. The
poem was gwen with energy and nerve which called
forth great enthusiasm and commanded the closest at
tention OF an present
The following verses written for the occasion by
Mis- Alice Cary who not well enough to be present
read by Mr. Oliver Johnson, after first reading an
apologeuc note from the poetess
TwENTEIHsT. Saturday, March 90
LkDIEs AM GENTLEMEN: send herewith some III
hng foolish verses" Ito quote Capuers djectves, which
had expected TO have the honor Of reading 10 you my
cell But Fortune IN Keeping me from yOu has been KIND
70 me n this respects she has made II that in one
instance as least shall not be the sole reader OF my own
verses am therefore, not without comfort, though
an denied tho pleasure Of sitting at your feast tOnigi
And, with hearty congratulations 20 you, and profound
cegrct for myself have the honor subscribe myself
Your very humble contributor, ALICE CARY.
You tuov. ny friends through whose good GrsesIi
We meet around this board today
II has beeu said that embraces
Woman; but with your leave ssy,
Tile rather hollis IL special easss
THAI 10 general vAy
wowopes have beer esa1ed and vauut,d
PaNnsd on and Battered ever way;
Bot The hlEh hODOed place We wsntsd
4 ours IN sober truth todsyi
for sii the equal seat Is grsui.d
TIE equal night to pay
Pardon the o the shilling