The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-26
SCOTLAND'S GREAT POET.
Bobby Burns's Admiring Countrymcn Appro-
priately Celebrate His 127th Anniversary.

With crowded audience, a programme of
Scottish spirit, love and valor, the 127th ami
versary of the birth of Robert Burns was COM
memorated, last evening, at Masonic Hail. The
arrangements were under the auspices of the
Caledonian Quoting Club. and in every degree
they were carried out to give a most fitting
color to the event. From first
to last the audience manifested
the keenest enjoyment in repeated applause.
There were no decorations except fine Autograph
of the poet displayed on an easel on the stage,
and few selections from his most populsr
poems hung around the walls. Among the lat
ter were IA Mans Man for a'That," 1.-THE Best
Laid Schemes of Mice and Men Gang aft Aglee,
From Scenes Like These Aud Scotia's Grandeur
Springs" Better Wee Bresh than nae Bield"
and Should Aud Acquaintance be Forgot v
Millers orchestra gave selections of Scotch airs,
and the Apollo Quartet sang several numbers.
Other songs were given by Mrs. w. c. Lynn,
Mrs. S. L. Morrison, Miss Mary Downie, and the
Messrs O. W. Williams. Thomas Crawford Ora
Pearson, s. L. Morrison, F. M. Loomis and
Thomas Barnett. At appropriate intervals
Governor Gray and Mayor Denny delivered ad-
dresses, that of the former being review of the
poems and songs OF Burns, and of the latter q
short biographical sketch.
Governor Gray, In the course of his reference
song can never be sung in America without
awakening applause. for In it is the patriotic
Patrick Henry ring, Give me liberty or give
me DEATH" We know why it is Washington is
canonized in the hearts of liberty-loving people
throughout the world, but Burns was neither
warrior. statesman, philosopher nor historian.
Why, then, his famef 1t is enough to know that
he sang as no other Scotsman sang, before or
since his time. When Napoleon, the great EN-
peror of France, was born, Burns was an Ayr
of nd
wrestling with poverty. and when Europe be-
gan to tremble beneath 1.-THE tread of
the conquering hosts of the great
captain. Burns was dying; and yet where. out
side of France, If even there. is the anniversary
OF Napoleons birth celebrated. Burns was a
poet whose songs appeal to the deepest and
purest emotions of the humah heart His poetry
Is 80 fraught with passion, so instinct with
that the heart of every reader is touched By its
pathos or its mirth. Napoleon is dead He has
no followers. His empire has disap-
peared. His scepter is broken. Burns is
dead. but his empire is extending and is des-
tined to expand while the English language con-
tinues its conqucring march, and the army of
Burns's admirers is growing in numbers and will
continue to enlarge while the human heart shall
yearn for sympathy and love- while the children
OF cotters shall seek to quench their thirst at the
fountains of inspiration. and strive to walk the
highlands of poesy in full fellowship with those
who believe in the fatherhood of God Sand
the brotherhood of man. Continuing, the Gov
ernor culied from the poets works bright gems
of his genius neatly closing with stanza from
the memorable poem Should Aud Ac-
Quaintance be Forgot"
Mayor Denny's address was an eloquent tribute
to the peasant poet Sketching the salient
points of his life he expressed the highest ad-
miration for his songs. And of his virtues for
getting the erratic phases of his genius, the
speaker spoke in kindliest praise. Both ad-
dresses were warmly applauded, and after the
concert bal occurred. The celebration will
long have a remembrance from those who took
ma