New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-22
THE NEW-ENGLAND SOCIETY DINNER.

PREPARATIONS FOR A BIG GATHERING TONIGHT
THE SPEECHES AND THE SPEAKERS.
The New-England Society Of the City Of New-York
VIII this evening celebrate at dinner the 271st ami
vesary OF the landing Of the Pilgrims and the eighty
sixth anniversary Of the founding Of the society The
organization in this city has not only maintained a
dourishing existence since IL started. but 1t has
grown steadily year by year AS the older members
have died their places have been filed by their sons,
and thus family names have been kept on the rolls.
Then there constant additions to the membership
by the coming hther of who, with the requisite
qualifications to ancestry, seek association with this
honorable body
The annual dinners of the society have long been
famous for the speeches which have been such a
conspicuous feature of these gatherings To have a
seat at the guest table with toast respond to has
been object of ambition with many who has
gone to his feeling that life had really not been
worth the living because his hopes in that direction
had not been realized But 1t Is glarng light indeed
which flashes upon the brow of the orator who rises
to his feet for the first time that das to expose
himself to criticism Of his merits an afterdinner
speaker. There have been many disappontments bus
there have also been thrilling surprises. The
greatest of these perhaps was that which fol-
lowed the remarkable speech Of the late
Henry w. Grady, OF Atlanta. in 1856 He had
been invited to respond to the toast "The New South
From the beginning Of his address he uttered nothing
commonplace, and every word was listened to with
unusual attention, but one was prepared for the
startling eloQuence OF The peroratlon In which the son
Confederate soldier touched the hearts Of all
who heard him b. his beautiful tribute to the memory
OF Abraham Lincoln " the typical American" The
services Of the young Georgian that occasion In
creating stronger faith the part Of the North in
the OF southern patriotism, will probably
never be adequately estimated.
The New England Society in more recent years has
limited the number Of speakers, tus avoiding the con-
fusion OF gradual breaking up Of the gathering before
the speeches ended. Tonight the retiring presi
dent Perpont after two years OF service, will
surrender his office to his successor Daniel c. Rollins.
The first toast will be Forefathers Day. TO which the
Rev. Joseph W. Twchell, Of New Haven, Conn.,, will
respond. The other toasts and speakers will be- "Con
nectcuts Part in the Business" by Isaac II. Bromley
Gt is Nr Bromley's purpose to ea tort little bit of
recognition of that Commonwealth for whatever of good
ii may have done in the past for which Massachusetts,
has appropriated the credit Congressman John Dial
zell, of Pttsburg, who will speak New England In
Congress in Early Days; Chauncey NJ. Depew, who
will deal with The Crankiness of the Puritan: Gen
eral Horace Porter who will talk about "Sires and
Sons" and the Rev. DIR. W. X Huntington, who will
have something to say on "Unpalized Yankee No
TONS"
The dinner will be given In the large dinins-room Of
Sherrys. 1t IS expected that 400 will be
laid.