Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-01-31
ROBERT BURNS.
Celebration by the Barns Climb OF
His Birthday,

Thursday evening. The attendance was eNcep-
tionally large and brilliant, and the programme
was so varied and attractive as to keep up the
interest during both the early and late hours
Among those present were Gen. sherman
Hon. VIM. b. Frye and Mrs FRYE, GER Gar
field, Hon. Horatio King, Col. E, q. Roudinot.
Auditor +. Il. French, Miss Winnie Ream the
sculptor; "Olivia" Mrs. Briggs; Mrs Fuller
OF the ST. Louis faes, Col. Richard Harrington,
and more of our best citizens with their hand
some wives md daughters then we have space
70 enumerate. The address of welcome was
made by the esteemed president OF the club,
Mr.. william X. Smith, as follows:
Ladies and Gentlemen, IL ls nv agreeable duty
as president of the Burns Club of Washington
TO bid YOU hearty welcome. We thank you.
one and all for uniting with us 20 honor the
name, and, II it be possible, to increase the
fame of him
"who sang of Scotis's loves and joys
As poets ne'er had sung,
And woke a strain which echoes down
The ages ever more.
American forest and Australian plain
Swell the imprisoned notes from shore % shore.
Immortal Burns! deep in the inmOst core
OF Scotis's heart, thy image lies ensnrinei;
Midst tears and smles, beloved more and more,
The poet and the priest OF human kind.
What needs thy name the aid OF puny art?
IL lives eternal in the human heart.
What wealth of glory Scotia owes TO thee,
Immortal Burns!
Her noblest one!
In the far west thy star hesperian glows;
In the far east il shines another sun.
Benz low. my boys. before tnle simple shrine
Bend low 10 Burns, TO poesy divine -
These lines, fresh from Aud Scotland, I
found as a contribution from Dunbar TO the
poets corner Of rural paper, published within
a month. They indicate clearly the true posi-
ton of the poet, and may be taken as proof of
the truth OF Thomas Csrlyle's prophecy that
time would but increase the fame OF Burns. His
article in the Edinburgh Reris1g, lS2s, contain
ing this prophecy, together with John Wilson's
great essay on the genius OF the poet, did much
to teach the people 10 think aHght about
Burns
Another glorious exposition of the poet and
a truly Christian examination OF the character
Of the man, was made by the Rev. DIR. Wallace,
just two years ago. IN a speech at the birthday
celebration in Edinburgh. This gentlemanis
intellectual strength seems worthy OF his famous
name.
This speech, together with Carlyle's letter
about Burns Clubs generally, being almleSs
things, with very little of Burns and a great
deal of self in them, induced US, as a club, TO
examine ourselves, and to thus make an effort
to eleva and give higher aim to our associa-
ton, the Burns Club as now established.
Ladies and gentlemen, with your kind CO.
oLeration We can make the Barns Club OF
Washington worthy of the man aud place;
worthy of the author OF that grand Declaration
o: Independence-
Worthy Of the home OF that poetical idea
"The rank Is but the guiDeas stamp,
The mans the gdwd tor a. that"
Ladies and gentlemen, words cannot utter the
gladness OF my own heart, and speak also for
those cOngenial cooperating spirits who have
worked and struggled together 10 sc, re this
magnificent meeting in honor OF our darling poet.
We are proud to have with Us those whom the
nation delighteth to homer with her highest
positions, to speak for the immortal author Of
"Scots wha haze WI Wallace bled."
Again let me thank you in the name Of the
club for your presence.
John I. Parsons, the favorite ballad singer,
followed with, "JOhn Anderson NV Jo," and
some encore songs. The president then read
the following note from Speaker Blaine:
FIFTEENTH STREET, 18th January, lSa4l
Thursday Evening. !
To Tie President ofthe Burns CLUB.
hoarstness which has been coming on me
through the day deprives me of the pleasure 4
had anticipated Of proposing a toast to the
memory OF Burns, and adding word OF intro
duction TO my friend, Gen. artield. My task
however, would be superhuous, even IL 4 could
be present, for the General needs neither intro
duction Dor commendation to the Burns club
He will speak to you in manner that will
make you thank me for considerably staying
away and not delaying his eloquent words.
The Scotch are always proud of their birth
and their blood; and this pride venture TO
testify will bear trsnsplanting, and can be in
herited in its full strength at least down to the
fifth generation. Wherever you find one who
Scotia you will find a hearty admrer OF
Burns. But genius is not confined 10 lands or
latitpdes II belongs TO the whole world and
to- night on three continents and the far-of isles
of the southern sea the memory OF the great poet
will be celebrated with admiration, enthusiasm,
and affection. In haste, sincerely years,
j. q. BLAINE.
Gen. Garfield was then introduced and spoke
Mr.. Garfield expressed qualification for the
opportunity OF turning aside for moment from
the exactiug duties of public life to enjoy a fes
tival in honorof man whose name is house
hold word in all lands In the course of his ad
dress he drew q comparison between three Of
the great song writer's Of the world. He said:
$40 appreciate the genus and achievements OF
Robert Burns, ii Is fitting to compare him with
others who have been eminent in the same field.
In the highest class OF lyric poetry three names
centuries of time, and the three men are Horace,
Beranger, and Burns. It is an interesting and
suggestive fact that each of these sprsng from
the humble walks of life. Each may be de-
scribed 81 one
who begs a brother of the earth
To give him leave to TOLL
and each proved, by his life and achievements,
that, however hard the lot of poverty, "a mans
a man for a that
Permit me to glance a moment at the char
acteristics of each. Horace, the son Of a freed
man, was born among the wild scenes and
simple virtues Of the Sabine country. His OPP
portunities for education were q eater than
either OF the other two with whom am COM
pairing him. But he began his career as q
treasury clerk, living on pittance that scan
tily furnished him with " bread and lentils;"
and yet, in that humble position, he laid the
| foundation of a fame whose glory shines down
across the ages with lustre ever Frightening as
the centuries advance.
The Roman language was the severe language
| Of law, of war, of stately oratory; but it was
| songless, until Horace came and attuned its
measures to the melody of the Tyre. He had n
right to boast that he was "the first who wed
Italian measures to aolian song" 1t may have
| been thought boastful in him, when, in the last
ode Of the third book, he ventured to predict
| that bis verses would be remembered as long as
the high priest of Apollo and the silent vestal
| virgin should climb the steps Of the Capitol.
| But his prophecy has been more than fulfilled.
I, fifteen centuries ago the sacred fires of Yesta
| went out, never TO be rekindled. For thou
| sand years Apollo has had no shrine, no priest,
| no worshipper on the earth. The steps of the
Capitol, and the temples that crowned it, live
only in dreams.
| But the songs of Horace are read and admir-
| ed in all nations wherever learning and culture
are cherish d. His pages glow to day with all the
| brightness and beauty that delighted the social
| life OF Italy eighteen hundred years ago.
Beranger, the second In the group, was
| child of poverty, born In an obscure corner OF
France: Catching the spirit Of liberty inspired
/ by the French revolution, he crowned the rude
| dialect Of Normandy with the glory OF immor-
| tai song. He not only .enobied his native
| tongue, but fred the heart OF France with an
| enthusiasm and fervor which only born poet
| Who will deny that Burns is no. on'y
worthy TO stand in this group, but that in m any
Il ree,ncfe IA oh outshiuee that of the Rom n