New-York tribune., 1899-12-23
PILGRIM DEEDS RECALLED.
THE NEW-ENGLAND SOCIETY FEAST A.
BRILLIANT AFFAIR.
EX-JUDGE ROWLAND PRESIDEs. AND
SPEECHES ARE MADE BY ADMIRAL
SAMPSON. GOVERNOR woLcoTr.
JOHN BARRETT AND

SAMPSON. GOVERNOR WoLCoTT.
JOHN BARRETT AND
OTHERS
In the short space Of six years from now tn'
New England Society will have completeo
round hundred years Of existence. and II Is not
a rash prediction TO hazard that the members
OF the society will fttngly celebrate the occa-
sion The rub comes in thinking how they VIII
celebrate IT. Certainly 1t cannot be with ban
ouet alone II the centenary is TO be marked
with something out Of the ordinary. In the
annual commemoraton Of their socetys BIRTH
day and the anniversary Of the landing OF the
Pilgrim forefathers the members have reached
the height in elaborate display and generous
hospitality in the matter OF dinner giving.
In neither Of these particulars is the annual
banquet OF the New-England Society surpassed
by any other OF the many brilliant feasts wnich
go to brighten the long winter months In tnis
city. Last nights banquet, the ninety-tourth
in the history OF the society. went to prove this
II was an evening of unusual brilliancy, while
the banquet hall OF the Waldorf Astoria, the
scene of many splendid entertainments, has
rarely been adorned with much color. with
so much foliage and so many blooms it was
last night. Consequently accomplishing all this
upon mere anniversary, it becomes interesting
to know what the members Of the society Will
do when the time arrives to pay observance to
their centennial.
However, that occasion is half dozen
years away, IL may for the time being take care
Of itself. The question of the moment IL last
nights dinner. Apart from what may be called
the usual surroundings of big dinner-an ap-
petizing menu, entertaining speakers and ex-
pensive decorations-it was again strikingiy
demonstrated last night in the makeup of tho
company, the girth." speaker aptly
put it. to which the Purtans have grown. In
cluded in the five hundred and more people
who assembled last night TO keep green the
memory of the day Upon which the rugged little
band Of ocean weary travellers landed upon
Plymouth Rock. to pay tribute also to the
heroic fortitude and inspired persistence which
enabled those Pilgrim Fathers to lay the founda-
tions Of religious liberty In this country for all
time. were men whose names stand for all that
is best and most prominent in all circles of So
ciety in this city
Last nights dinner was laid at the Waldorf
Astoria where the society seems to have found
a permanent home. In its time il has feasted
in many places. In recent years II met in turn
at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, the Madison Square
Garden Assembly Rooms. in Delmonicos and
Sherry's. and in 1896 went to Mr. Boldts hos
tery where. for the time being, at all events,
1t seems inclined to remain.
ELABORATE DECORATIONS.
The large hall of the Waldorf-Astora never
looked better than it did last night prom
inent feature in the decorations was a display Of
silk embroidered banners beariag the coats OF
arms of the United States and all the New
England States, and the flag of the mother
country, England. all draped in the colors OF
the United States and surrounding the seal OF
the society. which hung over the speakers
table. The balconies about the room
hidden beneath fans and draperies of American
colors. while silken National banners surmount-
ed by metal shields and golden eagles adorned
the tall columns and pilasters about the sides
and ends Of the room.
Flags were conspicuous everywhere, and en-
phaszed the patriotic feelings and speeches Of
the evening. In honor Of Chrstmastide green
garands and floral effects entered largely into
the decorations. Masses Of floral pieces. cut
flowers and smax were placed at intervals
along the tables.
Ex-Judge Henry F. Howland presided With
him at the table of honor were Rear Admiral
William T Sampson. Governor Roger Wolcott,
of Massachusetts,: Major General Wesley Mer-
ritt John Barrett, ex-Minister Of the United
States to Siam: Captain French F.. Chadwick.
L. s. N: Colonel Charles A. Woodruff, L. s. A:
Professor William r. Terrett the Rev. DR.. Will
lam H. p Faunce president Of Brown Univer-
sity: the Rev Charles Cuthbert Hall. president
OF Union Theological Seminary: Professor
w. Gordon McCabe Augustus Thomas Judge
Morgan j. O'Brlen, president OF ST. Patrick's So
ciety; George Gray Wsrd. president Of st.
Georges Society; Frederic De Peyster Foster.
president Of St Nicholass Society; Robert b.
Roosevelt president Of the Society OF the Sons
Of the American Revolution: Frederic A Ward.
president Of the New England Society Of Brook
lyn Tuns G. Bergen, president Of the Holland
Society; Milton !. Southard. president OF the
Ohio Society; DR.. William NJ. Polk, president OF
the Southern Society; julien T. Davies. president
Of St David's Society; the Rev. DR. Edward II.
Krans president OF the Canadian Society: Fred
eric j. De Peyster president OF the Huguenot
Society and Daniel F. Appleton. Horace Rus
sell Cornelius ~ Bliss J. Perpont Morgan and
Charles c. Beaman former president OF the
New England Society.
RICHLY ENGRAVED CARDS.
The invitation and menu cards were richly
engrossed. and represented scenes connected
with the early days OF the Pilgrims. The souve-
mir Of the occasion was miniature New-Eng-
land we'll with bucket attached TO windlass
and the surface OF the water depicted by the
insertion Of an oval mirror. In the course OF
the evening references were made 10 the South
African war. The patriotism OF the society was
marked a few years ago. when one OF the speak
ers remarked in effect, that we are proud or
England but we are prepared TO fight her when
she is in ,he wrong" That in the present In
stance the society is in sympathy with England
was made manifest last night. when references
20 Great Britain and her Queen were cheered.
THE CHAIRMAN'S INTRODUCTION.
Ex-Judge Howland opened the oratory OF the
evening with a characteristically witty speech
which caused an almost continuous flow OF mer-
riment In the course OF his address he said: