Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1894-05-03
CLUB MoNTCALM'S BANQUET.


The third annual banquet of the Club
MontCalm was held at CoOn'S April Is,
there being about 1875 members with friends
and invited guests present. The evening
from 1:3O to $3.50 was spent in the large
dancing hall where n musical programme
was rendered, consisting of selection by
the Montcalm quartette, solos by Mr.. Fred
Nilmairc, and several selections by the or
chestra Mr.. j. H. Roberge presiding at the
piano.
Promptly at 9:30 those present formed
ranks and to the music of the orchestra
marched down to the spacious dining
rooms, where Mine Host Coon had prepared
an elegant menu and after prayer 10y Rev.
J. \. Coathuel the guests were seated, the
orchestra playing several selections during
the supper
After the supper had been partaken of
and cigars passed President j. A. Gingras
raped the tables to order and in a neat
and well prepared address reviewed the
history of the club and gave a financial ac-
count of it. which showed it to be
in excellent standing. He concluded his
address by introducing as toastmaster of the
evening. Mr. r. j. Duhamel. who introduced
as the first speaker of the evening the Rev
j. NJ. Coathuel, assistant pastor of st. DO
marks spoke of the large amount of good
work the club has done in the congregation
and hoped he could be with them at their
next annual gathering.
The toastmaster introduced as the next
speaker Mayor W. j. Van Patten, who
said that he was happy to be present among
such a large number of young Canadians,
and only sorry that he could not give his re-
marks in the French language. He was
pleased to be among them because he
thought it was his duty. and concluded by
paying high tribute to the French hero,
Gen. Lafayette, and the French republic,
which had done so much for our country
during its troubles, expressing the hope that
the club would continue to hold these ban
quets every year.
At this point the quartette, composed of
j. A. Roberge, first tenor j, Farley, sec
ond tenor; y. j. St Pierre, first bass; and
F. Saltus. jr., second bass, sang "Where
Would | Be. 80
The next speaker was ex-Alderman j. +.
Painchaud, who responded to the toast
"Our Canadians Mr.. Painchaud, who is
considered the leading French orator in the
! city, responded to his toast in mastery
way, he being applauded several times.
Alderman J. f. Burke as a representa-
tive of st. Mays Benevolent society.
thanked the club for their kind invitation
and said that they could not have chosen
better name for their club than that of the
great commander, Gen, Montcalm, and paid
a high tribute to that great hero.
The next speaker was Gen. T. S. Peck,
| who was called upon to speak about Fort
Ethan Allen. y He said that he had
spoken so much about the fort he
was afraid the boys might call him
chestnut but said he would recite it
over again, and after paving a tribute to
| Gen. Montcalm. concluded by introducing
| Col. j. II. Goulding of Brattleboro who said
| that the thing he was most sorry about tonight
was that he was not born n Frenchman.
Being secretary Of civil and military affairs
on the governor staff, he spoke as repre-
sentative of the chief executive. Col Gould
ing was followed by Dr. Generoux, who re
responded to the toast "Our Ladies' - and
at the conclusion of his remarks the quar-
tette sang ''Slumber Dearest"
| The next speaker was Mr. John G. Bacon
president of the st. Joseph society who was
followed by Alderman j. II. Gutchell and
Mr.. \. A. Nantelle president of the St
Jean Baptiste society The quartette then
sang "Stars of the Summer night
Mr.. n. j. St Pierre. secretary of the
club, read letters of regret from Bishop De
Goesbriand Coadiutor Bishop Michaud, DR..
W. S, Webb and Mr.. j. l.. Southwick, and
after a selection by the orchestra the third
annual banquet of the Montcam club came
to close, being pronounced by all grand
| success.