New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-02-12
THE GATHERING AND THE SPEECHES.


The hour named for the dinner was o'clock but
most of the comtteemen were present long before
that time, to look after the proper reception and
introduction of the guests General Grant camo in
unattended few minutes after T. Ex-senator
Dorsey arrived almost Immediately afterward,
and the hero of Appomatox aud the Secretary of the
National Republican Committee took their positions
side by side in the parlor. A crowd of gentlemen
soon gathered around then making it difficult for
the members of the committee to introduce Anyone.
Senator Dorsey naturally he centre of at!rac-
ton and many and hearty the congratu latiODs
he received.
At o'clock all the guests had arrived, and at n
signal from the committee General Grant led the
way with tho guest of the evening on his ann. TO
the dinir groom. Next walked ex-Mlnster Slough
ton and John Jacob Aston. followed by the guests,
THE DECORATIONS.
The floral decorations by w. G. Wilson, of Four
teenthst. were elaborate. On each of the four
tables running at right angles to the main table was
a large basket flied with choice roses, violets
carnations and hyacinths. Pots of palms were sot
OH different parts of the tables From the centre OF
the ceiling hung canopy of smilax an the interior
of which were camellIas and capuchn roses Strings
of smlax ran out to the four chandeliers in each
corner of the room dotted with roses. tulips and
pinks. Under the central chandelier was beautiful
nlne-pointed star; one point was fashioned of
iacuuemnot roses and red carnations. another Of
canellias and violets, u third of hyacinth5 and
carnations and so on. There we're seven hanging
baskets of vloets. byacntbs and choice
roses. The pier glasses were decorated
with palm leaves and single festoons of smilax
tasseied with hyacinths, roses and tulips. The main
table was adorned with three large baskets filled
with choice roses. hyaCinths aud carnations and at
equal distances distributed pots of azAleas and
palm leaves.
Behind the seat of the presiding officer were the
American coors. outsprcal on the wall. In the
centre was the American sheld. Be.ow 1t an AncIi-
can flag WAS caught up double. Ga tue opposite
wall was the coat OF arms o. NcN-York dr4led in
the tional cOlcrs. The balcony was trInm ii with
hen!ock. In The centre the green vas relieved by
q star of red and white roses. From the balcony
depended baskets filled with tulips and carnations
and roses The but,On-hOe bouquets were of roses,
lilies of the valley and volets. In the reception
room and parlDr the chandeliers were drapcd wh
smilax On an easel rested an elaborate specimen
of floral handiwork. 1t was "a shield, Oh which was
the coat of arms of Indiana and Ii was nearly four
1eet high The rising SUM- the buffalo, and the back
woodsnan telling tree were wrOuS IN I'M
mort.lls jaccueminot roses. dried ferns, sea moss
and carnations, The shield Was b0rdcred with jac-
oueuinot roses pink tea ana Bon ocnc roses
The menu cards protty trilc', and were
finished and 4atn-lned i'll different lucs. On
one side was the American shield III gold and the
words Dinner III honor OF the y IN. :. W. Dorsey,
Given by Cu.zens of Ncw-YoIk. at Dclmonco'r.
february II, 1851" The card l;'c.i was gold
trimmed and decorated by hard. with the guests
name urintcd O1lqIrly across 1t. before the hchu
Tho names OF the committee were printed as lOiows:
linn Jacob Aston, j. Perpout Morgan, john ~
Stewart Levi +. Morton. Thurow Wtrd. Jesse
Sehpr,an. Frank Work. Ro5rr Lcnox Kennedy /.
: WINSTON Henry b. Hyde. ID. .. Nails, e'irand Is.
Cannon. William Is. Dinsmorc aud NJ. W. Cooper.
list Of tue invited guests, numbering nearly 800
followed.