National Republican., 1883-09-04
THE OLD FLAG

Captured by Our Warrington Boys Mt To-
ronto-Convention OF the North Ameri-
can Sc. Georges Union-Internationsl
Courtosies and Amenities.
st. Georges societies havo existed in this
country from pre.revolutionary times. That
of Charleston, S. G., is LAG years old; that of
tho Philadelphia Sons of st. George, whose
st. Georges hall is one of the noblest edifices
in that city, and among whose members shine
tho ilustrious names Of Robert Morris, Benia-
min franklin, Gov. Penn, Bishop White, and
Judge Peters, is more than 100 years of age,
while that of New York is scarcely less ven
cradle.
Tho objects Of these St. Georges societies
arc largely benevolent aed somewhat social
They aim to benefit by advice aud pecuniary
assistance such worthy English immigrants rs
are stranded OH these shores and neod broth
cry helping hand, and also to bring those
citiEohs Of English blood and descent into
closer social relations.
Five years ago st. Georges society was
organized in this city, which now numbers
nearly 100 members In its brief life it has
done great good, and has never failed to re-
lieve any worthy case applying for relief
One year ago, when the North American st.
Georges union convention was held in this
city, tho hospitalities it rendered to the dole
gates were characterized by them as royal,
and were profered in the most public spirited
manner without regard to expense.
This year the convention was held In
Toronto, Canada, and the Toronto society,
, spurred by the example of our society, fairly
Wed with it in the splendor and in the whole
souled heartiness of its arrangements.
Tho delegates from our local st. Georges
society are Messrs George Francis Dawson,
the president of the society; William 5.
Roose Lewis Abraham. DIR. William Grinstod
Charles +. Benjamin, and - -Pomeroy, some
of whom have Just returned, delighted with
the reception given them by their Canadian
brothers.
They took with them beautifully painted
and enatneled cross of St. George on a shield
with the flags floating above and suitable
inscription, AS a memcnto for the Toronto st.
Georges society of their visit. In return the
Toronto society presented the Washington
society large and beautiful union jack-the
Fl rst British flag captured by us for many q
long year.
Outside the business of the convention, the
festivities lasted from Tuesday evening last
TO Friday afternoon. They opened Tuesday
evening in the Toronto city hall, which,
beautifully decorated with tho flags of
England and America. had been placed at the
service of the convention by the mayor and
city council, with addresses of welcome by
his worship, the mayor of Toronto President
Barlow Cumberland, of the Toronto st.
Georges society, and Lieut.. Col Dennison
TO which responses were made by President
Mason and delegates from other visiting st.
Georges societies, all of which were char
acterized by ability, fervor, and international
good will Later in the evening, at the
Toronto boat club house, the delegates par
took Of the flowing cup" and with speeches
and songs enjoyed themselves until bedtime.
On Wednesday afternoon, during u recess of
the convention some 200 OF the delegates
their ladies, and friends, sat down beneath
marques to enjoy the sumptuous hospitali-
ties of j. Hubert Mason, esq, of Toronto, the
president Toasts to the queen and President
Arthur were drank with cheers, and the
speeches made were of n very pleasing char
acter At the conclusion of the collation. the
party were taken in carriages through some
twenty miles of the beautiful suburbs of
the queen city Of the west' as Toronto is
termed. Thursday afternoon the delegates
were taken 10 a reception given by his honor
the lieutenant governor of the province at
government house, and subsequently by
steamer across the bay to Hanlans point,
where Hanlan gave beautiful exhibition of
fancy rowing, and subsequently around the
bay and to the grand buildings of the
coming industrial exhibition, which opens
at Toronto in few days. In the
evening at the principal hotel, the Queens,
some 200 sat down to splendid banquet,
which lasted until n. m. the next morning,
and at which many admirable speeches were
made-especially that of Gov. Robinson
and the best Of international brotherly good
feeling was exhibited. At the close of the
convention the flag was presented to our st.
Georges society, amid the cheers of all
present, and later in the afternoon Mr..
Dawson had the very significant and exclu-
sive honor paid him of taking luncheon with
tho governor and his son at the government
house. All the delegates were delighted with
Toronto and its St. Georges society, whose
hospitalities were princely. Nor were the
citiZens at all backward in attentions. Va
ri0us invitations were accepted to witness
the military maneuvers of the Queens
Own" regiment, to view remarkable clock
in one of the church towers, to view the hay
in the Royal Yacht clubs yachts and steam
launches, and several instances occurred of
delegates making purchas es only to find that
the sellers refused pay. The Canadian GUS
tom house officers even declined TO inspect the
baggage of Washington delegates. The heart
lest good will and amity prevailed every
where, and in everything. The chief work
of the convention, aside from such rs related
to tho encouragement of hearty friendship
between America and England, was the adop-
tion of a resolution requesting the st. Georges
societies Of Canada to petition their own par
Lament to enact u law prohibiting the land.
ing of immigrant children arriving from
abroad without suitable protectors and a re-
port recommending American st. Georges
societies to petition tho next congress to enac
q measure, similar to that introduced last ses
sion by Mr.. Guenther, of Wisconsin, for
national and international commission to as
simulate English and American laws touch
ing the comfort, health. and safety of emi
grants coming hither, was referred to tn
executive committee for action. The eleventh
convention of the n. A. St. Georges unioi
will be held at Chicago next August or Sep
tember.
Satisfactory Evidence.