Morning journal and courier., 1880-02-24
The Brotherhood's Celebration

Ellen Dreamer, Celia McGurdy, John McGinnis and Daniel Sullivan. The inmates were all charged with breach of the peace. Each was fined s1 and costs. The Brotherhood's Celebration. HOnOrimg the Natal Day of the Father of His COuntry-Interesting Occasion.
 The only public celebration of the anniver- sary of the birthday of George Washington was the annual meeting yesterday of the Wash ington Union Brotherhood, it's 21st annual gathering. A business session was held at Norman Rood's, Union street, and at 2:30 dinner was eaten at the Florence House. The members have not had finer celebration in several years. There were many handshakings at the business meeting as one and another of the old familiar faces, long absent from the city, appeared to view, and many were the happy greetings. The Brotherhood's strictly business session resulted in the honoring of the following gentlemen with offices for the ensuing year:
 President, Frank H. Harris; vics presidents, F. W. J. sizer of New York, L. Osterweis
 Secretary and treasurer, Henry E E y,st N oyIatt; t , J. c. Miles, Henry Smith, John 0. Mersick. Hneo' N. w. Thonpson. J. w Clark. a. M BradIeY P B. Moves, L. N Blydenburgh Julius Lester, Hartford
 The accession of the new members was a matter for congratulation not overlooked. MT. Oviatt the secretary, has many times been honored with that position and much satis- faction is felt by the Brotherhood with their possession of so efficient an officer
 In June, 1861, the club held it's first gather ing at the house of Uncle Eben Coe, Stony Greek. The following January there was meeting at Dwight building, when it was re- solved that for all future time February 22, Washington's birthday should. be the day of the annual meeting of the club.--In 1866 the club had increased to fifty members, and the name was changed to Washington Union Brotherhood. In 1868 the Brotherhood began to receive acquisitions from other States and it was deemed necessary to organize under a printed constitution and bylaws From this point the members from other States began to pour in, till at the annual meeting in 1869 the secretary had 25O names on his book. And thus, as purely social, convivial and fraternaI body, free from subjects having political or sectarian bearing, has the Brotherhood existed to the present time.
 The bill of fare was in all respects what the Brotherhood could expect from so accom- plished caterer as their brother, Landlord Bradley, the proprietor of the Florence; and few only of the choice dainties which the Brotherhood discussed were such agreeable temptations to appetite as green turtle soup, Stony Greeks on the half-shell, Kennebec salmon, turkey, duck, chicken, Malaga grapes, bananas, paper shell almonds, ice creams, etc., etc. The fine spread stirred the hearts of the assembly and afforded unlimited satisfaction. There were also three large and beautiful center pieces, adding to the fine ap- pearance of the bounteous feast. The large din ing hall looked ablaze with patriotism also The walls were adorned with American flags, while Washington's picture over the word ''Union" beamed down upon President Harris. About fifty sat down at the table, the head of which was occupied by President Harris and Vice President Osterweis. The foot of the table was occupied by the newspaper men who were present, and the center by MT. B. Moves on one side and Mr. John Ritter on the oth- er Among those present were Captain Elizur Thompson, George W. Pomeroy of Hartford, H. V. Edwards of Northampton J. Hanna of Northampton, Judge l.. N. Blyden- burgh, Nelson H. Bradley. Road Commission CT Coleman, Hemingway & Bradley, s. W. F. Andrews N. W. Rood, D. H. Klein, and
 
 already mentioned. Thomas Lawton, of Mt Carmel, the man who first gave the title of Washington Union Brotherhood to the organ ization, was present. Of the six original members of the organization two are living John c. Merisck and Smith Hemingway; both were present.
 The toasts responded to were as follows ''The Memory of Washington; ;" 'tThe Day we Celebrate, Distinguished as the Natal Day of Patriot" responded to by F. W. J. Sizer; ''Our Country, Large in Extent, Libe- ral in Laws, and the Best the Sun Shines Upon" responded to by Judge l.. N. Blyden- burgh in his usual happy style; ''Con- necticut, Quality not Quantity her Meas ure of Strength responded to by B. Moves; ''Our Organization, in Union there is Strength, ? responded to by Thomas Lawton.
 MT F. W. J. sizer favored the assembly with an original poem, finely given, as fol lows:
 WASHINGTON.
 We gather in harmony, gather with glee, From town and from country, from shore and from To meet at this festival-the birthday of one The pride of Columbia-the great Washington. We sing of his birth in this land of the free, Without royal purple ancestral tree son of her soil, whom Freedom raised high While his country beheid that her Savior nigh. While his troops from did coward1y turn, Who so boldly could chide them in words that could
 
 When victory had furnished his banners with light He returned reverent thanks to the Father of might The man for his times, and man for all time, Was this soldier this son of America's line In warfare so valiant in peace so content, 'Twould seem from the Gods he directly was sent. When called to be ruler, how steadily gowed That wisdom which nature had kindly bestowed; While a nation of freemen, with hearty acclaim, Twined the wreath of the soldier with Presidents
 name.
 His mission completed, his work nobly done, Crowned with grandest achievements that b1azed like
 the sun,
 He withdrew to Mount vernon's delightful retreat Where the husbandmans path gladly welcomed his
 feet.
 What example noble has the whole course of time Revealed to people? What country, what cline, Can point to such man, soldier patriot, sage? ulustrous fin manhood and honored in ngel
 Lodge and Society.
 concert and ball was given at Germania Hall last evening by the Swiss Society of this