New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-06-25
DINING IN LIBERTY'S HONOR.
A BANQUET FOR THE FRENCH OFFICERS
ENTERTAINED AT DELMoNIco's BY THE CHAMBER
OF COMM RCE-THE SPEECHES.

which for at least the guests were aDe 10
read the Whatever the French officers may nave
thought OF the entertainment which was provided TOT
them at the City Hail. they have been favorably
impressed with tho dinner given to them by the
Chamber OF Commerce. Demonico's ballroom was
never more brilliantly decorated eThe raised dais NJ
which sat the guests OF honor extended along the souh
side of the hall. Above 1t hung two portraits,
ono representing Washington, the other labelled
Lafayette" but presenting SO ugly lace
that nobody was Willing TO believe that the accom-
plished Marquis could have Borne any resemblance
to the picture. OF the French and American
colors everywhere displayed. They appeared on
the tickets on the men, tho walls; they served 10
the band whose music enlivened the dinner
and everywhere they arranged as to VpNy 'he
friendship and good feeling which now unite inc TWO
Nations The tables bloomed with flowers ana
sparkled with handsome productions OF the cohtecto
As might be expected ships were the favorte
designs, The ships almost as well represented as
/ the French and American flags. and they were all
marked either Isere OF L" La Flore."
The guests were little late in arriving but when 'hey
did come every one dazzled. For moment Amer'
cans forgot all about Jefersonian simplicity anu BIT"
nothing but blazing stars and crosses s"oeuS
| and gold lace. The officers were III luii
| dre., and IL became them extremely well. The
only persons In the whole company who could we WIN
them in excellence General stone, VINO apPe"iou
In full uniform, and Senator Eyarts whose sht Ho"'
displayed quantity OF pleats and rues reminding one
|
signal was given for entering the diningha the pand
struc. ND the Marseaise." and the guests walked III
soemnly two by two Charles G. Smith. vce-president
of the Chamber took the place OF host at the raseu
table. Admiral Lacombe sat on his right anu senator
Eyarts on his left The others who sat at this table
were s D. Babcock, the Rev. Dc Kay smith, Acting Con-
| sui General Bruwaert Commander Deltombes General
Horace Porter Dr. Fom6. OF La tlore; Lieutenant Ame
OF the Isere Commander do saune, f. X COuuer'' III
Amiaud, of the Isere Lieutenant de Barze ana COM
mander Parait. OF La Flore; David NJ. Stone, Hehera
| Stone and President Sanger, of the Board OF
| Aldermen It was evident that some OF
| the guests did not speak English and that
| some OF tho hosts did not speak French.
Sti in spite OF many long pauses and half finished
sentences the gentlemen on tho platform managed 10
enjoy anothers society and to great many com
pimentary things about France and America and the
| statue.
Among the 75 diners who sat at the other tables were
| Louis de Bebian Charles Mali, Belgian Consul at New
| York L. r. Thurber, Charles Remand. General L. r. d
| Cesnoa. Home Lee, sigourney W. Fay, Lorenzo IT,
WoOdhOuse, Thomas C. Acton, John Ericsson, John I.
Townsend John Il. butcher, Erastus Wiman Ambrose
Snow, c. C. Baldwin, George Wilson, James 5 T. htrana
ham, Professor yincenzo Bota. IL. I. Stockton L. 3 Al
Cornelius y. Bliss, John Sloane, General Stewart L.
Woodford Charles G. Langdon. Abram 5. Hewitt James
| w. Pinchot John T. Agnew, DIR. c. r.. Agnew,
| Charles l.. Tiffany, s. p. Avery. Roswell T. Flower
william t. Dodge, +. A. Potts, +. W. Taller, Josiah NJ
Flske, Joseph IL. NhUate, d. D. ~ f"'ttA ms
gins, Eugene Kelly, Joseph W. Drexel. oswald Otten-
dorfer, John H. starn. W. H. Robertson. Judge TrnaK'
5 V White. A C. Cheney. Captain c. VI. Chester u =
NJ Colonel c. VI. Church. Captain f. Palmer ex-Con-
gresham Cakins and J. H. whitchouse
Tie dinner passed pleasantly The conversation was
| general and many surprised when at last MI.
smith and rapplns for Order spoke tho opening
| words of greeting. lie said in substance:
1t is altogether htng and proper that Tie Oldest com
mercia institution Ia this city. ono which ante late, the
|
privilege Of extending most sincere and cordial Wei
come TO our honored guests represent the Govern
| ment Of France. TO Admiral Lacombe and bis stan To
Commander lie Same. OF the lseIe ana Ills officers ana
| TO all friends who have favored US wiih theIr
presence this evening. Applause.l And tins gentle
men. not the expression OF ordinary compliment or
courtesy. The arrival OF the snip iseie hearing .hs
| product OF the labor ana genius OF Bartholdi ihls
magnificent gilt OF France to America marks an epoch
in tie Of nations and has no precedent IN
history. On the part Of France II j. Tue sequel 20 anu
colonies In their struggle Tor independence
S G's and sIat sEFs o S II the ss
Jefferson wrote TIE Declaration OF lndepemd si
govern him el II man becomes yrant he ought to he
| detLroned." Nearly 100 years ago. when the hr't
mntterlngs OF the which introduced the great
drama Of the French Revolution began 10 be heard tha
| inusriOus orator and statesman OF France Count
Mirabcau, referring in the Naiiual As1eilny 70 te
political and commercial relations which SHOULD exist
| between France AMI America. said: =" Liberty trans
ported oy America has recrossed the ocean snd
established its empire in our own land We have assisted
the Americans 10 conquer their iyran we ought 70 learn
from them the ART OF preserving our own hplH, '
love simple manners and equal rights Is deeply I'm
|
with free brothers Of America viii tend to establish
| and confirm the same qualities in France. .-. -,
| Gentlemen, grand French name Lafayette zap
| pause, never mentioned by an American without
prooundest respect ana Affection Is insepaI9ny assP
lection Of the deeds OF those illustronS herocs OF
| huinanitv Washington. Lafayette and Franklin. fade
from the memory OF men, America can never cease to
acknowledge her obligations to France Tor that material
and moral assistance which came to us In the boar OF
| trial and made MS n nation; and 50. genemen II Is a
logical completion OF the work Of Lafayette That his
Mirabca after the lapse Of century. send this majestic
of Liberty across the sea not only TO enllsher tue
testimony To the
| friendship OF France and America. Applause
Mr. Smith finished his remarks by proposing tho first
regular toast Of the evening THE President OF the
Ua ed States" which greeted with continued APP
| pause and was drunk standing. Before the company
had time 10 resume their Mr. Smith proposed the
health OF the President OF the French Republic. Tho
cheers became still vocerous and all The diners
looked toward the Admiral and the French Consul as
they empticd their glasses Mr. Smith, however, gave
them no respite and quickly announced the third toast,
The memory OF Washington and Lafayette" which at
his recommendation drunk IN silence "Our Naval
Guests from LA Belle France" the fourth toast and
Mr.. Smith called on T. II. Coudert TO respond to It,
Mr. Coudert said few words in English for the benefit
whom French was not familiar then bianched
off into his native language, and made speech which
was loudly applaudcd by both Frenchmen and Amer
cans. Mr. President. N. rAdnirai NJ. e Commandant
and gentlemen" san he, " The lask OF responding TO
this has fallen to my lot although am the most
Insignificant Of all the asrants for the honor Senator
EVaTtS wanted TO make flcncn AZ
ready exhausted the snnrages of ali his friends In his
struggle the SeDatOrship and so he found this &C.
that his defeat accounts for the Jealousy that
his expresses, although fills me with the most
profound exuation lIaugherl IL Is great feather
Ia ones cap beat United states Senator. My task,
however, Is easyby means IS easy as his would
have been. If had addressed you in English, you
| wouldn't have understood him. and, II he had spoken
French you, you would nave undcrstOOd him stu
less Laugher.l III say that my task IL not easy, IL
is because remember the reception which you have al
| ready mad In NewYOrk. YOu have seen the harbOr
| alive gay with flags and sunshine. You have seen
worknien forgetting their daily bread and their daily
| toll, hOckng To greet you, anxious only To
| bid you welcome. Even II were some