Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-04-18
A NOTABLE EVENT.
The Second Annual Banquet Of
the IrOquois Club, Of
Chicago.
-Four Hundred of the Most Noted
Men of the Country in At
tendance.
The virtues of Thomas Jefferson
Beautifully Portrayed by
Brilliant Orators.
sD.oi.l cOrre.pOndenOe Public Lsdser.

The Iroquois Club banquet has been
held, and the event will pass into his
tory as very notable one, socially
and politically. The affair ssEo e4
at the palatiai Palmer Honse, on
Friday night. About four hundred
members Of the club and distinguished
guests iingled glasses to the interesting
toast, and partook of the elaborate and
choice yiands that covered the tables
in delicious and bountitul profusion.
1t is doubtful whether more select
and distinguished company ever before
honored the magnificent, aye, princely
appointed dining halls of the hotel by
their presence. The walls, pillars and
mirrors were artistically draped with
flags, banners and notices; banks aud
pyramids of rare flowers adorned the
tables and filled the hall With rare
perfume; the band played lively and
music, the stirring refrain
reminding the extensive gathering
that the occasion was expected to be
one of whole souled pleasure. At the
north end Of the dining hall there was
stretched raised table. To the CEN
ter of this the President Of the club,
e, NJ. Phelps, Esq, escorted Senator
Bayard, of Delaware, and placed
him on his right. Then to the SenG-
tors right were seated Hon. Thomas
povra Colonel w X Villas. of Wis
consin; Judge Lambert Frey, Colonel
w. Q. P. Breckenridge, of Lexington,
KY; Hon. A. f. Seeberger, ex-Sena-
tor Lyman Trumbull, Hon. james G.
jenkins, of Milwaukee; Hon. William
M. Springer, Congressman from Hi
nois; Mayor Carter H. Harrison, j Judge
]. G. Rogers, S. Corning Judd and
Judge Gary. On President Phelps
left we're placed Rev. Galushs Ander.
son; ex Senator James Broadhead, of
Missouri; j. w. Doane, the Chicago
tea Importer Hon. William H. Hurl-
burt, Of the New York World; l.. u.
Letter, the dry goods merchant prince
of Chicago; General j. Q. Black, Of
Illinois: Hon L. P. Wheeler, Of New
York; Judge T. Lyle Dickey, of Chi
cago; Hon. j. Sterling Morton, Hon.
I, NJ Shaw, of Sprinfeld, ILL.,; Hon.
j. {. Gregory, Hon. j. R. Doolittle
and Congressman R. w. Townsend, Of
Illinois. This table might be desig>
mated the seat of honor, but as one
glanced from this position his gaze
was rewarded by seeing many notable
and distinguished gentlemen seated
among the 400 seated at the sumptu-
ously laden tables spread throughout
the grand hall. Such we'll known
persons as Hon. John Oberly, Chair
man of the Democratic
Central Committee, Of Illinois,
and Congressman John F. Finerty, of
Illinois, and editor of The Citizen, of
Chicago, one of the best papers in the
country; ex-C Congressman w. j. Hynes.
Judge r. II. Forester. and Judge
Moran, three more of ChicagO's most
prominent citizens. Over the Presis
dents chair was hung, deliberately
draped aud festooned, a splendid oil
painting of the great Democratic
ehieftain Thomas Jefferson, painted
by Sharpless. Just above it was sus
pended 1.-The emblem of the Iroquois
club, a tomahawk, made OF Joyous
hued flowers, while in front of the
presidents chair rested 10 vernal
repose a pleasant sight-a mound Of
lovely flowers worked into the legend,
"Iroquois Club" At $3.50, President
Erskine NJ. Phelps gavel called the
assemblage to order. and 10 a neat and
appropriate speech he welcomed those
present to the cheerful Inequalities Of
the second annual banquet OF the
Iroquois Club, and invited all to par
take heartily Of the good cheer prepar
ed for their acceptance. When he
concluded. the ringing applause which
greeted his we'll chosen remarks fully
demonstrated that the company highly
appreciated the bonors rendered them
By the club, and the jingling Of
glasses and rattle Of dishes
that followed was gratifying evidence
that all present were doing ample jus
tiee to the delightful occasion. Let
me here say that Mr.. Phelps makes
one OF the best presiding officers
ever had the pleasure of seeing ofici,
ate. Certainly, on this occasion he
covered himself with laurels, and re.
Hected honor and dignity on the cluE
over which he presides. At little
after 10 o'clock the edible part Of the
programme was concluded, and the
oratory was begun by the President
introducing United States Senator
Bayard, of Delaware. In doing 81
President Phelps again extended thu
clubs most hearty welcome to its dis
tinguished guests, who had Joined will
them in,eelebrating the l43d anniversa
ry Of the birth Of that great and illus
trious refoFmer, statesman and father
Of Democracy, Thomas Jefferson
He said that this was the second an
nual banquet Of the club, and tina
since its first banquet its membership
had moro than doubled in numbers
That its influence had been used 70
the publication Of politics, and 70
perpetuating the principles Of tru
Democracy. This sentiment was re
0eiVed with cheers and prolonged ap
plsuso. Senator Bayard replied I,
the first toast Of the evening, "0u
Country" He discussed the sub
iect in learned and logical manner
and worthy of g great man and a gran
country, He dwelt earnestly and len
on the glorious advantages our Demo
cratic Institutions have over those {
all other nations, aud pointed out il
glowing language how the humblet
citizen of to day may be the most ex
| allied tomorrow. His eloquent apoi
trophe to our country's greatness wa
greeted with prolonged cheer
"Thomas Jefferson was respOndo
to by ex-senator James D. BroaC
head, of Missouri. His tribui
was a splendid picture Of the illui
trious statesman OF Monticello, an