The New York herald., 1877-12-07

I
When this had been sedately discussed and the
announced tho hrst regular toast:''SI Nichoiss''-
Across the many mile. tt.t
And many year ago.
ina In wonaerfui house u Ssns, snow; y1 "'''
aRtA As Christmas times arrive
Nr4. VIII doubtless be most glad to hear ~WT
The old mans still alive.
Music-"SL Nicholas March, H5 .t3a
Vice Presidents Rsmsen and De Peyster repeated
the toast and lines after him and Rev. Or. Schenck
rose respond. He liked the toast, he said, because
II thoroughly Dutch, though 81, Nicholas the
patron only OF this, but Of nearly all societies.
Tho old saint.was . man OF many aliases being known
as KRIS Kringle, Santa Claus and the Old Man OF
snow. The saint, too, was mentioned ~ the patron
Of robbers. He was born In Asia Minor In tho third
century and the last thing Of MIN was that
~ the Council OF Nice, whore ho slapped ad
yersary IN the face In tho course Of dispute with him.
aitor his birth he casped his hands ana raised his
eyes to heaven, MS returning thanks that nis pa
have learned 80 fast Vt this early day. and enec.
tivoly that ne would ouly take the breast once on
nnxs soS Of 81 Scns 70 ali manS Sss o
speaker would only relate icw After referring
casually TO the stories OF the saints fondness for child
rem aud his endowment aud protection Of maidens,
Rev. DR.. Schenck closed with tribute TO tho saint
oudy cnshrlncd IN chdhood's memories
The next regular toast was, ssThe President Of the
United States" In connection with this toast Vice
President Rsmson read the following telegram =:
4 resre. that my engagements prevent from dining
the 9th OF December tfl H. Is. HAYES.
letter declining the invitation TO tho dinner was
also read from Secretary Evarts
"rhc Governor Of tho State oil Now York" then
toasted and passed without . response, though
greeted with hearty cheers.
The fourth regular toast was the following
Tho City OF New York" Tho birthplace the Saint
Nicholas Society; no other snogy Is needed.
Music "Home, sweet Home
This toast Mayor Ely called upon to respond TO-
His speech was brief He said he could think OF moth
Ing that had not been sad at other festive occasions
and well said, 100. Ho hoped New York's sons would
always stand up for her. He GLAD that notwith-
standing the hard times AID business paralysis SO
many were present TO partake OF another '.square
meal y II had been year Of great cxctements,
among which no mentioned the Presidential
and railroad srike "a voice, "Rapid translt.'o
For tunately tho sons OF 81 Nichoas, who had
passed safely through all, were now assembled with
Unsuitable appetite and unqucnchabe thirst 10 do honor
10 his memory. #M.H.
The next toast In order waA:-
"rhe Army and Navy "(srsat In deeds, but small In
numbers May we never be derived OF peace
curity they anord . .
Music-''Rally round tho nag"
When the music, with which the voices OF the merry
bapqu e.ers mingled In swelling chorus, had dici
away General Horace Porter rose TO speak. r
Abiding to the absence of an officer or high rank,
who would, NC doubt relieve him oil this duty II pres.
ent the General said that though he had
variors military capacities, this was the nrst time
he ever served as substitute. he saw tho society
had mustered large force from the army navy
of force take the place OF deserters.
As he sat down to he rcn and succuent fare pro-
vided be was reminded forcbiy OF the inc:-
None but the brave deserve tho fare.
He said he .ot inclined, whom called tor response
10 the toast 10 dcvise some means OF Retreat no
approached tho task without moments preparation
In this eGaeavor he ict iortined on rejecting that
there one great lesson which tho lao war had
that was, that one may retreat successfully from
almost any position II he only starss In time