Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-03-07
I ifIRsT-IEDITION.
the cLAYTOE HOUSE BANQUET.
"A Magnificent Spread and a Dis
r ,. ting suisbed Company.
The Toasts and Responses,
FULL REPORT OF THE AFFAIR.

| prosperous as the commencement OF the caree
of Our New Hotel, ''The Clayton House. Las
night, it was born amid the plaudits and in th'
presence of many of the distinguished Of ou
country, who honored it with their presence
and contributed 10 make the occasion one lonl
to be remembered in the annals Of our city.
Az an early hour of the evening, those favored
with cards Of invitation assembled, and prompi
to the appointed hour, half past seven O'Clock
and the tables were Immediately filled witt
guests . .srr ..l .a ..HIa
iHansl ~ THE TABLES,
| With one exception, we're ranged along the room
/ parallel to King ateeet the remaining one par
| allel with Fifth street, and at that end of the
hall. They were elegantly and tastefully deco
rated with growing plants as well as cut flowers
We noticed quite number OF handsome grow
| ing Nile lilies invases upon the tables. There
/ were also number Of plants that we took for
i orange, or lemon trees. Between these floral
decorations made dishes, to- be- eaten cold,
were placed, adding an air Of substantial and
| seemly beauty by their presence. Nor had they
been devised with inartistic eye. but constituted
in themselves decorative feature of no mean
| worth. There was music stand at the
| end Of the hail. nearest to Sixth street, from
which Hasslers band discoursed excel
lent music, tempting the toes OF many who were
present to riot against the sitting position
and demand room for the intricate movement OF
.'the Boston," The windows were draped with
| United States flags and added much to tie
beauty Of the tout ensemble.
DO THE LIGHTING N'
Is as near perfection as ia possible for man to
reach, every portion OF the room appearing to
receive an equal share Of light.
ss TaE BILL OF FARE.
From the oysters, ''even to the apples, was all
that gormand could wish, while the Government
java, at the end, was an addition that would
4 A.. - - 4zw
and would remand well beloved Falernian to the
shades. We must particularize somewhat.
There were oysters on the half shell, in patties,
and sauce there were st. Julienne and mock
turtle for soups salmon with obsters, ,halibut with
eggs Chesapeake shad boiled turkey, boned
turkey cold tongue; chicken and lobster salad;
giblet pies turkey WINGS with oysters fillet de
Doeuf; turkey again surloin Of beef yegeta-
bles generally terrapin in Phlladelphia style;
pastry of four kinds, and ices of two kinds
while oranges, grapes, bananas and apples, With
coffee and tea filled the bill"
THE ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
Judge Leonard e. Wales presided at the
banquet and upon taking his position at the
heau of tho table said it was a very pleasant
duty, and one that he was happy to perform to
welcome the guests TO this, Wilmington's new
hotel. 10 these days Of lqulck travel no town
or city can neglect to aiiow the question of
good hotel accommodations to claim it's enter
prise. The days OF the old fashioned tavern have
need something better. Travel is often driven
past city, or town, simply because no sufficient
accommodations are provided by it's hotels. Up
to this time, Wilmington has not been beyond
rcproach and while she has had preeminent
advantages, she has been behind her sister
cities on the question Of Hotels. But we no
longer have that reproach. For this triumph,
we are Indebted, toa great extent, TO our BUSH
ness men. The quickness OF the execution of
the plans have enabled us, at this time, to see
it's completion, while the excellence OF the site
selected, and the taste displayed in its erection
and its ornamentation and furnishing, deserve
the praise and thanks of our fellow-townsmen.
In Col. Sawyer We have also an earnest OF good
management. Within the last eighteen months
Wilmington has erected two puDlic buildings Of
which we may we'll be proud.
Before concluding, he gave his approval of
tho name chosen for the new hotel. Clayton
was beloved in his various offices, and attached
to the people Of his State, and let us earnestly
hope that the Eamesake may share the affec-
tions of the people as did the man. 1t Is just
tribute TO the memory of prominent man that
his name should be perpetuated in this manner;
and it has been done in the name Of the :" Re-
we're House." of Boston, the "AstOr," of New
York the Girard," OF Philadelphia and now
| by us in the q Clayton House," OF Wilmington.
In conclusion, he expressed his good WISHES
| that the enterprise now inaugurated might be
carried on, upon food tide Of public favor to
an abundant success.
THE ToAsTs AND REsPoNsEs.
Judge Wales then announced the first toast
of the evening-The President Of the United
States which was responded to by three hearty
| cheers. IaLE.s a sN agt=
3. The Clayton House: A hetel worthy our
| city, and an honor to the public-spmited men to
| when we owe its erection.
Response was made by VIM. s. Hilles Presi-
dent Of the Artisans Savings Bank, who said tina:
for one half of the building, the part represented
/ by the Artisans Saving Bank he could speak,
/ although he could not speak for the side OF
the First National Bank. The ground upon
| which the new hotel stands was offered for sale
and bought by the Artisans Savings Bank, who
| took into partnership the First National Bank
| an institution that he would recommend as part
| ner to any man going into business. The rest OF
this affair was, however, guaranteed by our bus.
ness men, who promised guarantee fund OF
several thousand dollars per year, without which,
| as banks never undertook TO be hotel keepers,
| the Clayton House would not probably have been
built. But their aid, and that of the architect
and workmen, had secured us our hotel, which
| Is good thing.
8. Delaware in honor Of whose distinguished
| son this house is named
Hon. John W. Houston responded and was
greeted with great applause Having returned
| Ihanks for the enthusiastic manner OF his recep-
ton, he said that there il an imposing combina-
ton in the selection Of the name for this new
hotel, which might we'll receive our commenda-
tion-that of an illustrious statesman and
magnificent edidce, all ia one combined.
He would say for the State that she, indeed
| could never hope to be one Of the great States
but she could be the garden State and he
chief city could be great one-a city with the
motto Of Excelsior, and one which could max,
| the State not only q garden, but garden O
paradise Perhaps he had been selected to repl,
to this toast on account of his well known and IN
innate acquaintance with Mr., Clayton, who il
houored by the rearing and naming OF this
| building. His acquaintance with Mr.. Clayton
commenced when he (the speaker) had jus
graduated from college, and he then became
! student Of law in Mr.. Claytons office. He sooI
} became intimate with bis preceptor, and througl
: him well acquainted with Daniel Webster
! who, with Mr.. Clayton and others, made
, galaxy of members in the Senate Of the Unite'
States which has never since been excelled il
the councils Of our country. He had known o
| the high opinion in which Mr.. Clayton had beeI
. | held by Mr.. Webster, and of the desire Of TIN
: latter gentleman for more intimate personal &C
Q | quaintance with the former. Mr.. Webster mad
/ special request that the speaker should brinl
r about 1 more intimate acquaintance betweei
: himself and MI. Clayton. This was, to some OK
t tent, surprise to Clayton, although not OF
disagreeAble character; but the sinking
lives OF both men prevented .any great degre
| of intercourse between them. On the occasion
v upon which Mr.. Webster spoke OF his desire 70
i. a more intimate acquaintance with Mr.. Clayton
he expressed very fully the high regard that h
had always entertained for that gentleman
i Long has Mr.. Clayton's memory waited for tn
d tribute due II, but the. present has nobly com
ii penSsted for the deficiency Of the past, IN na
V-lza.