The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-02-24
British steamship Memphis, was intro
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| British steamship memphis, WINS 'hoio
duced TO the audience. o.
He remarked that, considering the
kind interest that had been taken. and
the nature OF this undertaking for the
welfare of poor Jack, ne TEL
bound TO say Few worns
to express his gratitude and that OF tne
sailors present. He had often thought
whilst coming to this place, that some.
thing was necessary In order TO give
sailor some protection, and to counter.
act the evil effects of the numerous
grog-shops, which serve to ruin poor
Jack In body and soul. Sailors
are too harshly judged, by people
who know nothing about us; and SET
us down as being a wild. reckless,
good-for- nothing race of people, but
who never put out q helping hand to as
sist us. They do not know, as we know,
what IL Is to be closed up in the fo'cas-
tie of a ship for four or five months.
and after coming on shore there are men
ready to take every penny OF his earnings
and send him off to sea again. l admit
that sailors have many. failings which
are peculiar to them, but l say II Is
only necessary to extend to them q help
inc hand to overcome these failings. /
trust that this meeting will serve to ele-
vate the morals Of sailors and make
them feel there are better places
for them to pass away their time than In
grogshops.
The speaker concluded by saying how
happy he felt that the people OF New
Orleans had SO kindly come forward and
given such a hearty welcome to the
horny handed sailor. and hopefully
looked forward to a repetition OF this
good work.
The Scandinavian seamen. Of whom
there were some fifty or more present,
sang in harmony and with much spirit
one Of their stirring choruses. which
was greatly enjoyed and roundly ap-
pla,lded by the audience.
A notable feature Of the evening was
the singing by little Miss Blanche Will
hanson, a little lady about six years OF
age. in most delightfully."- sweet man
ner, a beautiful little ballad, "Mother.
What is the Birdie Singing?" which
took the seamcn by storm.
At the close of the entertainment, and
lust as the audience were retiring, one
of the seamen suggested giving three
cheers for the good people of New Or
leans, when then and there arose three
lusty, ringing cheers, such Us seamen
only can give. which made the walls OF
the Chapel ring and tremble again. and
conveyed to the hearts OF those who had
engaged in presenting this attention to
their guests the satisfaction of knowing
that their good work was most heartily
appreciated.
After these remarks and some more
singing the sailors were invited to a
handsome lunch, presided over by some
OF the fair ladies of this city.
The services of this entertainment
closed with singing, and one sailor,
James Simon, Of the British ship
Prince Leopold, received hearty APP
plause for the manner in which he sang
the famous white Squall.'
The hall was beautifully decorated,
and the entertainment was gotten up by
Mr.. Witherspoon, chaplain Of the Sea
mems Bethel. Miss Ellen Smith ac-
companied the vocal exercises on the
organ. A large number Of citizens filled
the hall, among whom were Gen. L. N.
Ogden, H. N. Ogden, Mr.. Raymond, Mr.
Markham and DIR. Mallard.
We hear Il is the intention of Capt
Mellon to give series Of concerts
aboard his ship during his stay in port
Centennial.
| IF ever a poor, innocent word, whose
composite career, hitherto quiet and TN
obtrusive. has been misused, 1t is the
one now rapidly becoming hateful to us
Centennial. Last year faint mutter-
ings OF the approaching tempest were
heard, the first Hateful tremors of the
coming avalanche were scarcely con
cealed; but now the storm has broken
in all its fury. Unoffending citizens
are required to purchase Centennial
matches; a bold, bad bootblack offers
a Centennial "shine;;" in fact, every
thing, from the prize saddle OF NUT
ton down to the humble but succulent
| buckwheat cake must be dubbed
Centennial as an additional. source Of
attraction. Until the breaking out Of
the present fitful fever the poor word
has done respectable duty as represent
ing the celebration of the hundredth an
niversary of the birth of some author
or scientist of cminence, such as Burns,
Sir Walter Scott or Humboldt, but now
il is employed to round sentences and
decorate conversation with the most un-
deserved cruelty.
Newspapers OF large or small circula-
ton are obliged to keep the wrctched
word standing in type Of every size,
from prominent large plea to modest
nonpareil, to meet emergencies: while
every lady or gentleman Of respectable
standing In society sees his or her name
advertised as on some Centennial com
mittee. either for balls, tableaux, private
theatricals, kettledrums, Lady Wash
ington tea parties, or the banner-in
short, we have all gone for the time cen.
tennially mad In some form or other. =
N. Y Herald.
| (vTTY ITEMS