Telegram-herald., 1891-01-27
DEAR ROBBIE BURNS
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Over 90 scoschmsp and lovers Of the
scosch poet. Robert Burma, vita their
wives and sweeshsarts. took full pss-
session Of the Bridge street HOUSE last
night, and continued ia possession until
nearly $50 O'Clock this morning. The
occasion Was the l33d annivsfsxry OF
the birth of Robert burns.
At7:30 O'Clock the guests repaired 10
the dining room. there to 10 full JUS
tiee " the sumputaous spread pre-
pared for them. The banquet lasted
an hour and half. At . o'clock the
dining room WAS cleared for the rsndi-
ton OF the promised musical and liter
airy treat. A temporary rostrun mad
been erected in the northern end OF
the room, At the back OF which were IN
tertwlned the British and American
flags. In the center Of this hung the
words, welcome To ALL" while above
this hung the picture OF Burns. The
program has already been published IN
the TELE6RAM-HERALD-
During the rendition of the program
q memorial, with congratulations, was
received by President Muir, from the
Burns Club of Phlladelphia. IL WAS
vociferously applauded.
Mayor uhl was called away by busi-
ness engagements. and his greeting
ssThe Land of Our Adoption" was
read by David Forbes. IL was as fol-
lows:
To the Members OF the Burns Club:
GESrLEMES:---i much regret that a
business engagement out OF town will
deny me the privilege of uniting with
you tonight IN the celebration OF the
Burns anniversary, so dear to all the
sons and daughters OF Scotland, on
American soil. l said TO our mutual
friend, Alderman Sproul, more than
week ago, that by reason of this en-
gagemeut, would be unable to meet
with you. Permit me, however, To ex-
press the wish that this anniversary
may be as joyous and as profitable as
have been the many that have pre-
ceeded ii.
lie whose memory you honor, and
whose praises you sing, was pre-emin-
emily one of the people, and his men,
ory is by them held IN the highest
reverence. To use his own words, when
speaking To certain noblemen and gen.
tlemen Of his country, 'sThe poetic
genius of my country found me, as the
prophetic bard Eliza did Elisha-at
the plough. and threw her inspiring
mantle over me. She babe me sing the
loves, the joys. the rural scenes and
pleasures OF my native soil. IN my ma
live tongue; tuned my wild, artless
notes as she inspired"
81 was bred To the plough, and am
independent. l come to claim the
common Scottish name with you, my
iilustrious countrymen, and TO tell the
world that glory N the title. l come
TO congratulate my country that the
blood of her ancient heroes still runs
uncontaminated; and that from your
courage. knowledge and public spirit,
she may expect protection, wealth and
liberty"
May we not make our own the words
of Roscoe upon the death of Burns?
hear high thy bleak, majestic hills.
Thy sheitcr'd valleys proudly spread.
Aud. Scotia. pour thy thousand rilis.
And wave thy heath with blossoms red;
But never mere shall poet tread
Sinee he the sweetest bard Is dead
That ever breathed the soothing strain."
Yours Sincerely,
EDwrs +. UHL.
The toast ~Robert Burns" was re-
sponded to by =. F. Sitter, and bis re-
spouse is gwen below:
MIR. President, Ladies and Gentlemen:
IN responding to the toast which makes
the occasion for this social and merry
gathering. feel a conscious inability
either to do justice to the occasion, or
the genius OF that remarkable man and
poet the anniversary of whose birth
furnishes IL. And yet my whole heart
thTOls n sympathy with all the many
inspiring claims that surround both
this occasion and the memory of
Robert Burns.
Shakespeare we'll said: .sSome men
are born great, others have greatness
thrust upon them, and some achieve
it. The least thoughtful among you
will find no difficulty IN placing Burns
IN that class to which more than anv
other man whom | can now call to
mind. be SO justly belongs.
lt was not so much his tlne art OF
verse-maklng as that power OF bis soul
that could give voice to sil the experi-
euces Of common life that stamped him
with original greatness.
The poor mans cot. hrs horses, cows,
sheep, dogs, pigs, farming tools, ricks
OF corn and hay, beans and harley, kali
and potatoes. the frugal meal, the
h&ggis, ale, the poor mans wine. the
homemade clothes, the hoddln grew,
the blue blouse, patches and poverty.
toll and obseurity; toe cornwall meet
ings of old cronies. the tricks and sports
aud spells OF halloween, aud above all,
the dear society of weans and wife and
brothers and sisters and shall | say it.
lovers. beneath the touch of his charm
ing genius rose 10 plain and carried
with them the common people, 10
more independent and better man.
hood.
What though sn hsmelv fare We dine.
We'r heddsn cray ard n thsf,
Gle fools their silks and SnsveS their wine.
A msn's man for a thas-
Burns ~ss born. brought up. educs-
ted and associated with the iowlv.
Ii was nn education aud training that
was necessary IN order for him TO be-
come the champion OF their indepen-
dence and manhood. As such cham
pion he stood then. as he stands now,
without peer. This training furnished
him with all the necessary weapons of
inspiration for the warfare.
No one knew 40 well a. he how 70
reach the svmpsthies and the hearts
and the sspirstions of the common peo-
pie.
In sne great struggle for freedom the
world over his songs have gone forth
- =. ha-s{ With fhe fess fez<sf,r- ,sf