The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-23
Celebration by the Descendants OF the
Revolutionary Officers.

In 1873 the officers who had served in the army
of the Revolution, looking into the future, founded
a society and named it after the old Roman Sena-
tor Cncinnatus, who, when he had secured peace
for his country, laid down his sword and devoted
himself to agricultural pursuits. They did this be-
cause Washington, when the war was ended and
CORVALLIS had surrendered to him at Yorktown,
betoOk himself TO the pursuits of peace, turned
the sword into the ploughshare and became
really second Cncinnatus. The first meeting was
called and presided over by Baron de Steuben, and
at the election Of officers George Washington was
elected President. Since that time this society has
lived by right Of prImogenture-the only society or
institution in the country where such right is
strictly adhered to. The society exists in the
raj States and in the State OF New York the society
which assembled last evening, at DemOnicos, Is
Fish, LID; Vice President, Williams. Popham !;
Secretary. William Irving Graham; Treasurer John
Ras Mancnr Hnfo 5onn
Physician, Alexander Clinton, M. ID.
In the absence OF the President Major Popham
presided. After some ordinary routine business
Major General Alexander $. Webb. President OF
the College OF the City OF New York, was intro
dress. General Webb, after speaking OF the objects
OF the society, showed by his remarks that in
honoring the memory of Washington the citizens
OF the country respected themselves. lie depre-
Gated the fact that IN this city people became too
much New Workers and not enough Americans
what should be the greater or national feeling
That the society should be really conservators;
that 1t was not the latter achievements OF gene
rails, not the late victories, nor even the memory
ana services Of the late lamented President, which
should control; that any enc who could pass
chdly by without henoring the name and memory
Of Washington would rise less q citizen to-mOr-
row than they cared to be; that there was
too great tsndenay and fatal tenden
detrment OF the greater; that the doctrine OF
States rights was perncious, and unless the state
be baneful, as our forefathers fought not for one
state, but foI the whole Union; that God himself
founded ts Union and who SHAH dare arragn it.
attention and at its close the company
present sat down to one Of Delmonlco's
removed, toasts were given and responded
to, as follows:-"The Memory Of George washing
natl rhe Union Of the states With the MOTTO o Of
the Society, 'Esto Perpetua;" absent Members,
especially the President OF the General Society
''rhe Sister Societies.; "The Press Of the
United states, the Contemporaneous Chronicle
Gers9 of s the ana At es
these and several other extemporaneous toasts had
been given and appropriately responded to, the
bled, after which all adjourned well pleased with
the evenings entertainment and feeling that an
other link had been added to the chain Of the his
tory OF the nation and of the society in particular
The Celebration at Cooper Union.
The annual celebration OF Washington's Birthday
by the students Of the Cooper Union was held last
night in the Great Hall OF the Union. The hall was
crowded to Its utmost capacity. Every inch Of
space was occupied. The celebration was very
enthusiastic one. and the speakers were constantly
interrupted by laughter, applause and cheers
Whenever the name OF washington was men.
toned by any Of the orators there was a tremen.
dous burst Of applause. The exercises were
opened by music by Eben,s orchestra Misa Sara
Geneva Chafa then read Washington,s Farewell
Address. Miss Chafa, who Is o pretty !, Young
lady, wore moving robe OF white,
and her dark, rich hair streamed down
her neck. Her eyes were bright and her
face expressed the noble feelings In the address
Her reading was spirited and highly suggestive.
and ladies and gentlemen all clapped their hands.
Mr.. p. Y. Mcclure then delivered an address on
Oppression in which he expressed the hone
that all men might soon be united In one grand
brotherhood.
Mr.. David Legare gave funny account OF
"Natonal Peculiaritesn Every nation, he said,
has its pecularities. A Chinaman who came TO
thsoo bto Arot dov nUh ircv