New-York tribune., 1879-12-23
THE NEW ENGLAND DINNER
ADDRESSES BY DISTINGUISHED MEN.

A Continent of Secretary Sherman on Ad-
minis;ratlon of President Hayes; and of Gen.
eral Sherman on the Army. Chauncey Nj
Depew spoke in regard 10 the State
of New-Y0rk, the Rev. DIR. Stors about
the later New-England, General Horace
Porter about the citizen Yankee, ind George
Augustus Sala about Old England. Addresses
were made also by the Rev. DT. Bellows, the
Rev. Robert Collyer, Joseph II. ChOate,
Governor Head, of New Hampshire Governor
Proctor, of Vermont; Governor Andrews, of
Connecticut, and others. The attendance at
the dinner was unusually large. and the in
terest and the enthusiasm were very great.
THE GATHERING AND THE SPEECHES.
The seventy-fourth annual dinner Of the New
England Society, at the Ffth-ave. Hotel last even
ing. was brilliant and successful The number Of
applications for places at the tables by men,
bers was unusually large, and many. even
among the prominent ones, were unable to secure
seats. About 300 members and invited guests were
present. Men of National reputation were scattered
all along the four tables which extended from
end to the other of the large hall. The president of
the society," ID. f. Appleton sitting at the centre Of
the raised table, had upon his right George
William Curtis. Secretary John Sherman. Junus S.
Morgan, Chauncey NJ. Depew. Commodore Nicho!-
SON. the Rev. Robert Colyer Henry A. Hurbut
Elliot c. Cowdin Joseph III. Choatc, Isaac II. Bailey
and William Borden. Upon tie left of the Presi-
dent were General w. I. Sherman, the Rev.
DIR. Il. $. Storrs, Mayor Edward Cooper, General
Horace Porter, George Augustus Sala. the Rev. DR..
H. w. Bellows Governor Proctor, OF Vermont.
Governor Andrews, of Connecticut, and Governor
Head Of New Hampshire
At other tables seated ex-Secretary Hugh
McCuloch, Justice Noah Davis. President NJ. B.
Anderson of Rochester University, the Rev. Dr. o.
II. Tiffany, Russell Sage. j. Pierpont Morgan.
Levi p. Morton. Cyrus W. Field. NJ X.
.Jesup. George Bliss. the Rev, DIR. Bridgeman.
Horace Russell, District-Attorncy Benjamin X.
Phelps O. b. Potter. Justice A. II. Lawrence, Judge
Hooper c. Van Worst, Daniel G. Rollins Dorman Ii.
Eaton, Elliott +. Shepard. and about $50 Others.
Nearly all of those at the raised table made adj
dresses
Not only did none of the speakers deal seriously
with any political issue of the day, but these sub
iects seemed even to be avoided with
some care. George William Curtis's address was
devoted to cxtolling the Puritan character and its
effect upon the development of this country. In
the concluding sentence, however in which the
speaker commended a reverence for the old Consti-
tutiona traditions of the forefathers some of the
listeners thought they detected the outcropping Of
Secretary Sherman was received with great en-
thusiasm. the cheering, applause and waving OF
handkcrchiefs not ceasing for some time after he
arose. Responding TO the toast of the President Of
| the United States, Mr.. Sherman made passing
illusions to the attacks npon the first Pres-
dents and Abraham Lincoln. The listeners showed
their appreciation of tribute 10 General Grant re-
turning from other lands laden with great honors,
| to have the blessings of his own people heaped
upon him; the applause almost as hearty and
vehement as when Mr. Sherman announced.
When he turned his words TO the President that
now is" the applause was renewed
| Chauncey ~ Depew made some humorous allu-
sions to the delicate sensitivcness of everybody
present about politics. reference TO tho
work of Secretary Sherman in effect
| ing resumption was warmly received. The
| lght-hearted disposition Of the New-Engand
soldier was illustrated by General Horace Porter by
| several amusing anecdotes his more serious sido
and his courage were earnestly recognized.
| The entire house rose to General w. +. Sherman
when his name was announced. His response TO tho
| toast of the Army asked the sympathy of
the audience with the 1000 soldiers in the Far West.
las brave and good any of our forefaihers," who
were doing more than any other Nation should re-
quire because their numbers were far too small.
When General Sherman said that he pitcd the
or get out of the way" there was hearty response.
| And when he asked IF we should sit down like q
parcel of fools and let them do they chose many
voices responded "No, no."
| George Augustus Sala enthusiastically
| greeted He expressed his astonIshinent at the
| rapid growth and development of American in
dusiries aud civilization since he made visit to
| America seventeen years ago. He thought that
100 years hence America would exceed grandest
| conceptions Of Nation. The Unanimity with
| which men of such antagonistic sentiments met
there TO pass social evening was source oil sur
| prise to him.
The Rev. Dr. r. s. Storrs, the Rev. DIR. ii. W. Bel
lows and the Rev. Robert Coyer extolled different
characteristics of the New England people. Adj
dresses were also made by Governor Head. Cover
| nor Proctor. Governor Andrews, Joseph III. Choate.
| and Others