Omaha daily bee., 1888-01-26
ROBERT BURNS.
Omaha Scots DO Honor to the Memory
of the Hard.

Last evening the Burns club gave their
annual banquet and ball at exposition hall,
and over 25O Scots and admirers of the great
peasant bard assembled to do honor to the
memory Of the immortal Robbie on this, the
129th anniversary of his birth. A delightful
time was enjoyed, and many graceful tri-
butes were paid to Burns and Scotland. The
decorations over the stage were simple, con
sisting of two American flags drapcd over the
British flag, in the center of which was the
portrait of the bard, whose natal day the
Scots delight to celebrate. In the center of
the hall were five long tables, all surrounded
by guests. The banquet commenced ut 9:3O,
and before the toasts were ended it was
nearly midnight. The programme was
headed with the following graceful senti
ment from David Knox
Each JOY or grief that lights the ee
Or melts the heart by turns,
Stands forth refined and gloriiiod
In Scotia's minstrel Burns.
Just before the banquet, the president, Mr..
Thomas Meldrum, i'll brief but fitting
speech welcomed the guests assembled to
celebrate this anniversary of Burns birth.
He was followed by Rev W. Il. Copeland,
who asked the grace. At the close of the
banquet Miss Elizabeth Penncll opened the
programme with the song "Caller Herrin."
She was warmly encored and most graciously
responded with "Ny Heart is Sair for Some
booy.n After music, There was Lad
Born in Kyle" Hon. John NJ. Thurston re
sponded to the toast, "The Memory of
Burns" He said in brief:
One hundred and twcnty-nine years ago IN
humble cottage in Scotia a boy was born,
well in body, but great of spirit. None knew
that then an angel of melody had come to
earth to play upon the strings of human
hearts. Nearly ninety years ago he died in
body but tonight throughout the civilized
world his memory lives This genius of i'm
mortal song awoke the slogan of warlikc
days. He renewed the memory of Wallace
and Bannockburn to keep the Scottish char
acter loyal, brave and true. He sang of
peace. He sang of Scotland's Mary, the un-
fortunate and lovely queen whose fate aroused
the sympathy of the whole world
He sang of nature and of natures God; of
bank and bral, of loch and surrounding cliffs,
of rushing rivers and eternal hills. He sang
of love, the divine nectar of impassOncd
beauty and made the miracle of love divinely
sweet. He rcjoiced in the convivality of So
cial life. He knew that our best happiness
springs from our inner self. He also sang of
the greater truth and the sublimer melodies
of man. He bent no suppliant ksoe to prince
or plutus, paid no attention to crecds or
priests, but believed and rejoiccd in the
justice and power of almighty God.
Mr.. Thurston was followed by Mr.. North
rup, who sang Here's Health to Bonnie
Scotland" The delighted auditors forced
him to return and he favored them with "Up
wi the Bonnets of Bonnie Dundee"
Mrs Pettis, mezzo- Soprano sang Bonnie
Woods o. Craighe." She, too, had to return
and give an encore piece. After music by
the band, 'God Save the Queen" and "Star
Spangled Banner" Mr.. John Wilson res
pondcd to 1.-The Land We Left and the Land
We Live In" He dwelt upon the memories
and scenes of bonnie Scotland and with equal
fervor told of the wonderful growth
of America and the principles she repre-
sented. At the close of his speech he was
greeted with loud and prolonged applause.
Little Maggie Meldrum, aged twelve years,
sang very sweetly "Afton Water" with the
encore 'Comn' Through the Rye" Mr.. A.
X. Gray followed with the stirring song
1.-The March of the Cameron Men"
After "a Mans Man for a That by tho
band Mr.. G.. M. Hitchcock responded most
gracefully to the toast "The Press"
The programme ended with songs, "Sea
and Shore" by Bowie, and "My Love is Like
the Red, Red Rose" by Mr. II. j. Pennell,
both of which were enthusiastically cncored.
The guests then adjourned to the balconies
while the tables were removed, and shortly
after midnight the dancing commenced and
continued until late hour.