The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-01-17
The Caledonian Club.

The inauguration Of the new hall Of the
Caledonian Club, on the sth inst, was in ev-
cry respect splendid success. The hall,
notwithstanding its extent, was somewhat
inconveniently crowded, nevertheless the
most perfect harmony and enjoyment perva-
close Of the proceedings.
At o'clock the ceremonies were opened by
the Grand March, after which Chief Donald
Mackellar assembled the platform and adj
dressed the company as follows;
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: On beautiful
autumn Of the year which has just passed
away, when the sunlight was glimmering
through the whispering leaves, clarifying
the scere, and beaming upon thousands OF
happy faces, my friend and predecessor In
office, Mr. David tombstone, had the high
honor of inaugurating under peculiarly hap
py auspices, the Caledonia Park. Tonight,
when the leaves aud the flowers are all with
cred and dead, and the then green earth il
wrapped in its mantle of snow, the same
honor under different circumstances devolves
upon me in giving to you in the name OF this
society a most hearty and a most cordial vel
come to the new hall Of the Chicago Caledo-
niaG Club.
Our Games Committee deemed that at this
Inauguration sociable would give the most
general satisfaction, and think they were
right. | think it is good that Scottish men
and Scottish women, with their friends, should
meet together occasionally, for the purpose
of ENJOYING themselves nationally and ex-
changing with each other the cOurtesles and
amenities of life. Such meetings calcu-
lated to bring to the surface the best feel
ings of our nature, and to induce and pro-
mote friendship, in the truest and noblest
sense of the word. | mean that friendship
which is the mysterious cement of the soul,
the sweetner of life and solder of society.
and to which we owe much. Such meet
ings act as oil poured on the troubled waters
of life, calmly, subduing those asperities
of our nature which are more or less uHiortu-
nately the heritage of us all.
| am happy to say that | have the sane
ton of the Committee to inform you that
they intend to have several social meetings
here during the winter, and | sincerely hope
with regard to them, as well as with regard
to this, that the words of the poet may be
verified:
when the nights shall be filled with music,
Aud the that nfest the day,
Will fold their tents, like the Arabs,
And silently steal away"
Ladies and gentlemen, in your presence,
on this Sth day Of January, 1874 | name
this place the Caledonian Hall.
Immediately after the address dancing
commenced and was kept up with great spir-
it till the intermission at II o'clock, when an
hour and half was devoted to songs and re-
citations, admirably rendered by Mrs Geo
Y Smythe, Mrs kidstone, Ex-Chie. Davic.
tombstone, Clansman James Ratfn. Mes RS.
Chrichton and Pet RE, from Hyde Park, and
other ladies and gentlemen whose names we
did not ascertain. Perhaps the most notable
feature in this part Of the evenings enter
tainment was the exquisite rendition Of Carl
tons New Church Organ and How Read
the Morning Papers, by Miss Forest, eldest
daughter Of the Secretary. This talented
young lady rendered those pieces with Sc
much taste and admirable eocution, and such
a thorough appreciation of the authors, as to
call forth round after round of applause.
After supper dancing was resumed and kept
up till three o'clock. at which hour the pro-
ceedings were closed by the remaining guests
joining in Aud Lang Syne. and thus termi-
mated one Of the pleasantest and most enjoy
able social meetings Of the season.