Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-10-19
AN ENJOYABLE BANQUET.

The Junior Order OF United Ameri-
can Mechanics OF this City Enter
tain the Visitors with Banquet
The Menu and the Toasts Respond
ed To.
The members and representatives of
the State Council, Junior Order of Me.
chsnics, met ct Belle Haven Hall, on
south Fairfax street, at Z o'clock last
night and fsw minutes thereafter
proceeded to Odd Fellows Hall. Here
in their council chamber they spent
about an hour and s-half in quiet talks,
singing, etc. At 8 o'clock the mem
bers fell in line and proceed to the BAN
quet hal | below, where q scene OF
beauty confronted them. On either
side were long tables loaded down
with the delicacies of the season. Here
and there along the tables were ferns,
palms and pottef plants, and to add to
the beauty Of the scene quite q plumber
of banquet lamps had been placed
whose soft light seemed to shine forth
a hearty welcome. The hall was deco
rated with flags in profusion, and here
and there could be seen the Junior
flags with Welcome, Jr. o. q. A. NJ"
thereon.
As each member reached his seat
he was told to remain standing. Mr..
d. h. Naramore then took tlashlight
of the hall and members.
Rev. Mr.. Swaine, member Of the
State Council, then asked a blessing
upon the feast, after which everyone
became seated and the rattle of dishes
YVES soon heard.
Tho menu was as follows:
Celery. Badishes and Queen Olives; Key
port Oysters on hslf shell, Noriolks, fried ;
Lobster, miyonnaise Chicken, Lettuce and
Potato Saads; Roast Turkey, Cranberry
Sauce Tongue, Tcnderloin Roast Beef and
II an; Picked Onions, Chow Chow, Fed
Beets, Slaw and Pickles: Grapes Pears, Or
anges, Apples aud Bananas Swiss Cheese /;
Ice Cream, Assorted Cakes. Coffee and Cigars.
After each one present had satisfied
the cravings OF the inner man, the
sound of striking Of matches Was heard
and pulls OF smoke began TO ascend to
the ceiling in curs from fragrant cigars.
NaIionel Representative O. B. Hop
kius, as POSTMASTER, then called the
assemblage to order and introduced
Mayor George L. Simpson the first
speaker OF the evening, to respond 10
the toast OF "Our Visitors"
Mr.. Simpson said be was delighted
to be participant and guest of the
Junior Order of Mechanics. As he had
made one speech of welcome that day
ne had not prepared another one, bat
III behalf OF the citizens of Alexandria
he babe the visitors Welcome, thrice
welcome" and earnestly hoped that
their stay in the city would be a source
Of the greatest pleasure. Mr.. Simpson
was loudly applauded.
Toastmaster Hopkins mex, intro
duced Past State Councillor R4wson, of
Richmond, to respond to the toast Of
Our Country"
Mr.. Rawson was applauded as he
arose.
My Country, It's OF thee,
Sweet land of liberty"
America, my BROTHER said he,
''the land where We were born, the
land Of our pilgrims pride, is to US the
ouly country on the face of the earth
Europe-Russis, England, France and
other foreign nations produce kings
and queens, but cannot produce any
Hobsons, Deweys, Schleys or Lees"
At the mention of Gen. Lees name a
long round of applause was given.
America could also produce some of
the greatest things in the world-free
institutions. No country" be said,
'can stand by US" Here Mr.. Rawson
said be was like boy who had eaten
half dozen large pies, and was too full
for utterance. He thanked the men,
bers for their attention, and said at
some future time he would give the
brethren q longer talk on the great
subject, Our Country"
the POSTMASTER next introduced
Past Councillor W. S. Boyden, of the
District of Columbia, to respond to the
toast OF "Our Flag"
Mr.. Boyden said the members would
have to excuse his remarks as he had
prepared nothing, not knowing that he
was to make an address until his
arrival. He asked What does
our flag mean. Does it mean only
q piece OF bunting, to be thrown
down in the mud after use? No, Too
many had tried that and failed, taking
for example our late war. What was
the loss OF life to US compared to
reuniting the South and North under
one flag? He was pleased to be with
bis brethren OF Virginia and resume mis-
fraternal relations. He hoped that they
might ever meet under one fsg-the
Stars and Stripes.
Rev. Edward D. Stones toast, "Our
Schools" was next introduced. Mr..
Stone said: "Our schools, one of the
greatest institutions of the world, were
looked forward to for our Presidents,
Senators aud Representatives. What
should be taught? Virtue, liberty and
patriotsm-our grand and noble prin.
ciples." "a priceless boom" said he,
was liberty, and we should stand like
Stonewall Jackson to protect it. a
power was ever lurking that would like
to curtail our liberty and throttle our
schools" He thanked God that there
was band of men who would stand By
the school house and shed tie last drop
of blood in its defence.
Mr.. Hopkins then introduced Mr.. W.
D. Hill, of South Boston, to respond to
the toast, "Our State" Mr.. Hill was
given an ovation before he began to
speak. He said he hailed from Hall.
lax and, beipg a country boy, felt kind
of out Of place among many city folks.
He thought, therefore, that some one
Il u rhonlA a VA ham calnnfod "a mo la