Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-11-06
Glorious Reunion.
Magnificent supper and EEOspitali-
ties of w. Matt brown, etc.

ties of w. Matt Brown, etc.
There occurred last night one of those
events, the contemplation of which makes
the heart glad. 1t was one OF those occa-
sions that remind one of the good olden
time, when patriots and statesmen ruled,
and when great men and good men met to-
gether as citizens in genial and social inter-
change of feeling with each other; when
individual patriotism and public virtue oc-
eupied positions in the minds OF men ele-
waited almost sightless distance above per-
sonal jealousies and party faction. The
gathering last night had nothing OF the
partisan, nothing of the demagogue, and
nothing of the politician about 1t. II was
convocation of citizens, legislators, |
judges, jurists, governors, and an ex-presl-
dent, in obedience to impulses and feelings
higher, nobler, better and purer than these.
No man present at that social banquet OF
cultivated gentlemen thought of what party
he or anybody else belonged to, and we
question if for the time being he cared.
Every eve beamed with animation; every
face glowed with smile, and every palm
was open for a cordial grasp of that OF his
neighbor, his friend and his fellow-citizen.
The entire evening was replete with in
cidents of pleasing nature, upon which
we could dwell to an indefinite length. But
we must content ourselves with mention of
the main features Of the evening.
THE OCCASION.
The occasion was the acceptance of both
houses of the State Legislature to partake
of banquet given by president Andrew
johnson, at the Stacey House. His lofty
character, intrepid dignity, and unques-
toned patriotism, forbade the idea, even in
the minds of his political enemies, of at
taching any political complexion or signi-
fcance, to such reunion, and the Legis-
lature responded TO the invitation with
unanimity and good will, pleased with the
opportunity of showing in private life their
high appreciation of one who had done
them such signal and faithful services, in
the State and national councils. Invitations
had been extended to large number Of our
most prominent and influential citizens
who came in large numbers, and lent add
tional interest to the evening.
THE GATHERING.
At an early hour in the evening members
of the Legislature in groups and in couples,
walking side by side, increased by large
numbers of our citizens, who continued to
arrive at the Stacey House until after
| o'clock, when the large halls, sitting rooms,
etc, of the hotel were crowded with gen.
tlemen in pleasant converse upon the gen
eral and miscellaneous topics of the day.
ARRANGEMENTS AT THE HOTEL.
All arrangements at the hotel had been
made in exceeding good taste, and not a
thing was left undone that could have been
done to complete the enjoyments of the oc-
casion. The guests were ushered up the
| front stairway, at the head Of which, walters
| were in readiness to receive hats, ETC.,
which were taken charge of and placed IN
an adjoining ROOM Along the hall lead
ing to the west end of the building, the
| guests were conducted to the large and ele-
CANT ladies' parlor where the
RECEPTION
| Took place. The reception was most
| pleasant affair. In the center Of the room,
| the very type in mould, and form, and
feature, of true manhood, stood Mr. John
sor, his extended hand open to the grasp
of his fellow-citizens, who grouped about
him with the familiar expression of ''Mr.
President" His compact form, his coura-
| geous contour, his leonine head, his frank
and benignant smile, ali spoke a welcome
cordial as it was felt to those who were
present. No one could have looked upon
that scene presented to the eye, with his
immortal history for the back ground,
without feeling that Mr. johnson reigned
almost supreme in the affections of the
people of Tennessee.
THE SUPPER.
After the reception the guests were con.
Quoted to the dinning-room, where a dis
play luxurious enough for Metellus, with his
golden goblets and costly wines, burst upon
the sight. We cannot do justice to the
supper Arrangement. The vast dining
room sparkled and glittered, like the ira
ditional displays of costly courts. A hun
bred Of gas Jets illuminated the room will
dazzling brilliancy, intensified by the re
fraction from the fine wares and costly de
corations upon the tables. The columns
of the room, and the windows were twinet
and festooned with evergreens and various
species of adornments. Twenty ele
CANT tables were spread with costly ware
and groaned under everything luxurious
delicious and substantial that tn
epicure could suggest or the palate desire
Every variety Of game, prepared IN tn
most elegant style, was there. Dressed
pigs, as though they had been fashionet
with the skill of a scul ptor and decorated
with all the taste of fancy, were there Tur
KEYS, hams, venison and every variet
of meat, either fish or fowl, were in abund
ance, and most tastefully prepared. Pyra
/ mids of cake rose proudly from tie maj
labyrinths of delicacies about them. The
were wrought into endless varieties c
beautiful shapes and dressed with tn
cunningest skill. Nuts, and grapes, an,
| iellies, and fruits of the most luscious va
rieties were scattered and arranged in LAWS
profusion Teas, coffees, ices, creams an
every luxury was spread all around. Oysters
7 stewed, fried in soups and prepared il
, every style were abundant. Candies, figs
3 Juices and bonbons were in endless variety
8 One handsome large cake, beautifully dress
ed, in the centre of one of the front tables
had in large letters the initials "a. j.
: upon the top Opposite this Mr.. Johnso
r partook of the repast. Every variety {
wine was supplied in unsparing quantities
The sparkling champagne, the rich Nal
+ aga, the pure Catawba and every qual
r ity was there, The guests partook of tn
exhilarating beverage with jovial pirit
that prompted one to say, with the poet
Fill high the bowl with samian wine"
f There was but one opinion as Tegarde
the supper, that it was superbly magnif
| cent. We have certainly never seen it SUI
J passed in all its features, in elegance and al
rangements, anywhere. The Inequalities
f Mr. w Matt. Brown, proprietorof the STAGE
3 | House, were conspicuously exhibited o
the occasion, as well as that of his clerk
? and attaches. All of Mr.. B. 8 friends, an
9 they are legion, congratulated HIM on tn
success of the occasion and the surpassin
4 richness and elegance of the entertainment
( After heartily partaking of the SUMPTION
repast so bounteously spread before them
? the guests, near 500 in number, we
: pleased, departed to their homes, univel
sally delighted with an occasion that wi
= long be remembered as a brilliar
= and happy social event of ou
; | city. No remarks were made, and n
toasts we're INDUCED 1t being strictly
Y SOCIAL occasion, and the request of MI
johnson himself that, whatever might b
z the feelings of his friends, he desires
E nothing of the sort that could be torture,
4 into the semblance of political complex
ion. Thus closed the johnson banque
last night, without the occurrence of a
incident to mar the interests and enjoy
' ments of the occasion.
Z ----
TRAGEDY AT JOHNSONSKILE.
To the Editors of the Union and American:
JOuvSoN-yuJF Nov IL write TO DIV