The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-07
THE SHAUGHRAUN.

THE TESTIMONIAL TO DION BoUcIcAuLr AT
wALLAcK s-JrDGE BRADY's sPExcH-REpLY
OF THE DISTINGUISHED AUrHoR-THE SUPPER
AT DEIMoNIco's
Last night wailack's Theatre was the scene OF a
remarkable demonstration on the part OF the
1rishAmerican residents OF this city. The occa-
sion was the presen tation OF testimonial to Mr.
Dion Boucicault by his Irish admirers, in recogni-
tion OF the services he has rendered TO the Irish
people in elevating the stage representation or
their character. Notwithstanding the Lenten
season, the house was damned to its utmost capac
ity by ladies' and gentlemen. The large num-
Der OF ladies present In all parts OF the
house gave the auditorium a remarkably brilliant
appearance and the warmth OF Mr.. Boucicault's
reception when he first appeared on the stage
showed that there was An electric sympathy in
tho air. When the curtain fell on the second act
the gentlemen OF the committee, who, for the
most part occupied seats IN the 'front.' row OF the
orchestra left their places and went behind
the scenes. There they were joined by
Judge Brady, who. during the evening
occupied Mr.. wansck's box. and the
organization having been hastily completed, the
gentlemen moved out on the stage. Here the
statue which was intended Tor presentation had
oeen already placed on pedestal 1t was, how
ever, covered from the curious gaze OF the au-
dience by green Dag bearing the emblematc harp
OF Ireland. When the applause which greeted
the appearance OF the committee had subsidized,
Judge Brady advanced toward Mr.. Boucicault,
who. In his red coat and wonderful boots,
looked remarkably picturesque, and formed
. rather amusing contrast to the back-coated and
whlte-tied gentlemen VINO had come to honor
him. Mr.. Boucicanlt was evidently touched by
this practical expression OF sympathy on the part
OF his fellow cOuntrymen, though he tried hard,
and succeeded very well, to look as ''cOol az a
cucumber
JUDGE BRADY's SPEECH.
Judge Brady, advancing some steps in front OF
the gentlemen OF the committee, addressing FIRST
the audience and then Mr. Boucicault said -
LADIES AND GENrLEMEN-The incidents OF the
evening are to De varied by q plot In which the
gentlemen you see here and myself are the repre-
70 play. have, indeed, piece to speak, and on
ITS delivery shall follow the glorious example OF
that tear 1t not in tatters. You will doubtless
wen understand me when ! say that IN this es
does all the tearing MIR. Bouclcault, to
hold, as y were, the mirror up 20 ma
ment Of which the artist may well be
proud. We who are not OF the profession know
little Of Its inner lis It's trials viclssltudes and
when, alter finished performance, moved by eX-
alted sentiment and noble deeds, we turn
hoiier purposes TO held, as It were, the
mirror up to nature, not only as an
brilliant elements OF strength, ana TO command
the attention and admiration, not only OF those
who enjoy at "nome, sweet home." the treasures
OF intellect which dramatic literature reveals, but
OF those who seek the play to see them Illustrated
to pluck rom Fame two garlands. either Of when
might shed sufficient glory for one man. II Is not
designed tonight, however to slgnalize the gen.
eral excellence OF your varied compositions out
to express thankful consciousness that you have
elevated the Irish drama by q just appreciation
ana itnra At tha rhntn non ior
to which 1T relates. In the character OF the
Snaughraun, for example, you have given us a
position cheerful, DuOyant, generous, enthusiastic,
sympathetic and com passionate, and who, though
chvairous and loving eager battle for the right
and ready i'll wit and strategy for iun or for emer
gency with MS heart inil OF fatn' yet open to Joy
his own path or that OF his lrends-One VINO Illus
trates the aphorism Contained IN the poets
The rank is but the guinca's stamp,
The mans the gowd Tor ~ that
We ask your acceptance OF this testimonial
Slight though 1t be, as an acknowledgment OF our
obligations to you. IL IS one In which people Of
this land, from Boston to Savannah and from New
YORK to San Francisco nave, Dy letter ana by tele-
gram begged TO unite.
We nope that you may live long to enjoy the
honors You nave 30 deservedly won.
Mr.. BOUCICAULrs SPEECH. =
Standing before you, Sir, Ieel very like Conn in
the presence Of me priest, when he Is asked,
"Well, haven't you word to say for yourself :"
and he replies, "Dlvil a one, your riverencer' l
had prepared some to return my thanks to you,
Judge Brady aud these gentlemen you so eo-
quently represent, and to you, ladies ana gentle
men, who nave come so kindly to adOrn this
SION with your presence; Out | confess did not
expect to ieel called upon to extend my gratitude
Acknowledgements all the ground between New
York and san Francisco. This SIR, Is the
That was conferred upon me once, nIty years ago,
when, upon entering the world, found myself to
| be an Irshman. But as had done nothing TO de-
serve that compliment, l cannot claim credit Tor
WORK OF which was not the author. You offer
me the most honorable distinction to which any
artist aspire, and that is the assurance OF his
fellow citizens that they perceive IN MS works, to-
eetaer with something that is sweet something
also That is good. When the mere pleasure oil
! witnessing performance has passed away, has
evaporated, as may say II there he sweet re;
1t to be composed OF pure, imperishable truth. l
have endeavored to tell the truth about my
country mean about what is beautiful and
good and innocent In :hat land; l have drawn
| portrait OF one you love, and l know right well
how much OF the feeling you exhibit here tonight
| how much more is due to the tender interest you
take In the subject he has, has chosen to n'.
ne American family there are swedes;
are represented but there is one more favored
| here than all the rest-one endeared to you by
ing weaKnesses-One, VINO, lying on the breast of
| TINS land. looks back to the Old country, and her
| adopted mOtner lS not JealOuS OI tnaC love. On
! the contrary, her great sympathzing neart beats
in unison with the same emotions for the AmerI-
heart strung with chords torn from the Irish
harp, and wnen touched those chords your eel-
ings flowed out to me; not so mucn TO the skill OF
the poet, but TO the instrument on which he played
! and TO the song he sung. On let me dlsca'm
! any pretenslOn as an actor to excel others
IN the deiineation of the Irish character:
| 1t is the Irish character as msrepresented
| by the English drarnatist that l convict
as libel. Il others have only had
| this libel AZ material wherewith to win your ap
| probation as comedian so much the more creait
| Is que to tnem Tor having made SO much out OF 80
| little. Iaccept your generous encouragement OF
| my efforts to do good rather than the good have
done. aud wish could ind better language IN
| winch to cOLhe my thanks. But when l try my
voice sounds false IN my own ears, because 1t fails
| to express what Is In my heart. thank you for
| myself thank you for those who are deHer
! than myseli-the sharers OF my PRIDE. Don't
measure my gratitude by the poverty OF my
| thanks. Let each OF you think what he would have
said in my place, ana give Inc credit for saying
lint E..nIa mn OF