New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-12-07
THE ST. NICHOLAS DINNER.
PLEASANT GATHERING AT DELMoNICOs.


ERNoR CORNELL, MR. DEPEw, HORACE PORTER
AND OTHERS.
The anniversary dinner Of the st. Nicholas Society
at Delmonicos last evening was preceded by the
interesting and picturesque scenes at
tendant upon the installation or Of
6ceis. These ceremonies occurred in the pariors
and the majority of the members OF tbs society ana
the guests invited to the dinner we're present
Aaron J. Vanderpoe before his installation
speech in the case of tho president. Judge ADra-
ham r. Lawrence, placed the three-cornered black
hat on the Judges head and then attempted TO
pass the orange sash over 10 to encrce his shoul-
ders lie concluded however, to put the sash on
first and afterwards to get the hat into position
After addressing Judge Lawrence In choice seieo,
ton from Netherandish literature, he Launched
into earnest and athletic account vi tne re-
sponsibe duties " hicb the Judge had undertaken In
ASSUMING his present Office. Judge Lawrence was
reminded that he was the president of the greatest
society In the world; that Holland, from when
country the old inhabitants " New YORK were
land from the invading ocean. The four yice-pres-
dents the secretaries the treasurer. the managers
and stewards all started In the performance OF
their ardous duties with words OF encouragement
At the close of the ceremony of install
elton. the procession was t horaod i hn
cornet player and small detachment of sqpernu-
merares uniformed In the blue aud yellow that pre-
vailed in Holland two centuries ago, Inc dining
room was appropriately decorated with flags those
of Holland and the United States beng arranged
over the main table surrounding the St. hlcholas
and the balcony on N the Ohe bS sde
ing. On the right and left OF the Presl-
dent were seated the representatives of the
st. Andrews and St Georges Societies and also OF
the Society of the Cincinnat. Among Others pres;
Horace Porter Stewart L. Woodford, Major Gard.
ner, Eugene schlefelin, John Fitch Commander
John + Dickson, William Belden, Dr; Divine, Eu-
gene Pomrro, Edward Patterson, Conelus Van
derbilt, William Rcmsen, Robert g. RemSen'
DIR. VandeIpOel, Is, njamin Swan, A A
Cohen, II. Knickerbacker,, john Hone, - jr,
James Van Wocrt, Thomas G. James, |. A. Walker,
f. A. Potts, +. w. Devoe and Dr; Anderson.
After the discussion of tne dinner Judge Law
renee rose and said that it had been usual on such
occasions 10 refer to the financial condition OF the
ciety But thus seemed to be hardly necessary
mount was the distribution of the surplus revenue
An invitation had been extended to Venus 10 be
present at the dinner, but She had sent wOrd that u
would be impossible Tor her TO attend on account
of previous engagements She was however, con-
fdently eXpecte to be on hand about 1904 A. D.
aud 1t was sincerely hoped that no member OF the
society would be absent. Although 1t was not pos
sible to have Venus present, he Aurora borrans
had kindly consen ed to appear. The president
then then w. the he REa' regular nj Aa Oa
Saint Nicholas. whose coming, IKE
that of Christmas, is always hailed with
joy" Mr.. Bogarts remarks were very brlei. lie
answer TO this initial toast more than anything
else because he served in the capacity of pilot
cngiue which marked out the weak places. A letter
was read from Presdenl Arthur, in which he ex-
pressed regret at his unavoidable absence on &C
count of his engagements.
Governor Cornell, i'll answering to the toast,
"The Governor of the state of New York.
remarked that when he spoke two years ago
at the 81. Nicholas dinner, his Trend, ChaunceV
~ Depew had informed him as state
secret hat General Porter would be on hand to give
lessons IN after-dinner speeches. But he was not
there. He would beg to excuse himself under the
Peual Code Mayor Grace salu in speaking to the
next toast, that Of Our City," that London and
other old of civilization were full Of the
weakness OF age, and he did not want to be nlsun-
derstood when lie said that the greatest danger mere
lay in increasing prosperity: Mr. o. WeGGRe1Inni
Minister from the Netherlands said that Holland
could not but feel ,P proud of N yha1 woI her
HE president then announced that Chauncey NJ.
Depew would answer the next toast, That OF
" Holland the Mother of Free states: history Is
her eulogy." Mr.. Depew was greeted with loud ap-
pause. lie spoke as follows:
Mr. PaEsDESE AND GFETshES the OF or TS
Shield s5 NICHOLS 81 the stae and by the sea"
of the Governors feel that occupy novel and inter
that the Governor in interpreting our little
BY which he was induced here, aud in speaking
thas 'he ST. beer %S s aug6ter ana
ion my Efforts At the Cooper InstlIuts in
Slate ticket-rsho1ts of Iaughterand equally glad
tnat he did mol reer to the exceedingly earnest efforts
the other side OF their Distret-Attorney ior inc
ter II there is anything that makes an American
travelling Europe feel Mt home, IL IL to fnd himself In
Holland While some other nations have done e1traor-
binary things Holland has done what had before seemed
possible. Other nations conquered men she conquered
nature While vikings sailed the sea in thslr ships
tine olanders grappled old Neptune by the throat and
dyked him out or their land. tAppuusel While among
the millions OF the rest OF Europe there were Only
thousands who could read or write out OF the rev
millions OF Holland there were not "A thousand
who could read and write lApplauseI'
Electricity and steam too extensive Tor the
Dutchlnen; 81 they have dotted their land with the
wiudmis, that the winds OF heaven may create wealth
for them What do we use wind for Why WOodord
and use it for such occasions this loud augnter
The president OF Northwestern railway uses 1t to get
back his stock at a lower dgure. tLaughterl
The next toast The Army and Navy" was re-
spOnded TO by General Horace Porter, who spoke IN
part - followS
MIR. president AND GENTLEMEN: fam surprised to
see so many OF the society here thought they
could spend the night as they nave the day III looking
through smoked glasses darky for the transit OF venus
on are accustomed 10 thai occupation. see before me
many faces which have beheld peerlng from the WIN
dows Of the Fifth Avenue Clubhouse, tbelr noses
attened against the plate glass, their eyes fastened
upon the sidewalks taking frequent observations tue
tTanss of different Venuses aughteII IL Is SAD that
no for lack OF the former we certainty haFo
plenty OF hardy sailors and an abundance OF water
thlnk what wOul0 happen our Ariny-tAe dread OF All
the WOrd-shOuld be Withdrawn frOm tAe
frontier and concentrated In our Popuous Easteld
States Why gentlemen there would be Just three auu
one half men 10 county. Loud laughlerl Every
township would fan to fighting for that hair man.
Laughter some railroad corporations have as many
men in their employ have In our army some
railroad think they are good as any sOuer even
as GOOD as the Sparap ThermOpy 9fOr they are de-
terInned to hold the pass. Applause and laughterl
Other toasts were responded to, as follows The
Navy" by Commodore Upshur; The FOUNDERS OF
New Amsterdam" by Frederic j. De Peyster; and
Our Guests" by Stewart L. Noodtord.