Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-12-02
COUSINS IN NEW YORK.
Delivers Scholarly Address on Robert
Burns Before ST. Andrew Society.

under the auspices of the ST. Andrews
society of New York. The United States
had been searched for stars of the first
magnitude to address the assemslage OF
cultured Scots who comprise the men,
bers of the society.
The limits of Delmonico's proved all
too narrow to accommodate the throng
which had assembled and besieged the
banquet committee for tickets. The
tables were therefore set as annexes in
the side rooms by the order of the presi-
dent. Andrew Carnegie. and nearly all
the important Scotchmen partook OF 81.
Andrews hospitality.
The banquet hall presented a scene OF
bewildering beauty. In the spacious gal
lery reserved for the ladies were group
ed many Of New York's fashionable and
wealthy daughters OF Caledonia
Promptly at o'clock President Andrew
Carnegie, arm in arm with Sir William
Anderson, led the procession Of mem
bers and distinguished guests into the
hall The guests of honor on the raised
dias included besides the gentlemen
above named; Hon. Seth Low, mayor
elect of New York, Samuel Clemens,
Mark Twain" Judge Henry's How
land, president of the New England So
ciety, Col, John j. McCook, prominent
ly mentioned as the coming secretary OF
state. Rev D. H. Lorrimore, New
York's favorite preacher and arator ana
just on President Carnegies right, Hon.
Robert G. Cousins. of lava.
The Scottish keynote was struck by
the bag pipers in full kits, tartan
plaids with spartan and daggers COM
plete who paraded the banquet nan,
sans intermission piping to old Wen
known airs which from inlmoria nave
fired the hearts Of all true Caledomans.
Above all fiuttered the royal stand
ard OF Scott and England intertwined
everywhere with the stars ana stripes
AS the feast proceeded the ortnooox
Scottish dishes dear to the hearts OF aii
Higlanders and Lowlanders made their
appearance in quick succession. A vol
lev OF cheers greeted the huge plates
and platters Of steaming "Haggis
which quickly vanished into the hun OF
hungry Scotch stomachs, attesting the
toothsomeness OF that celebrated dish.
When cigars and coffee finally an
nounced the satisfying Of the inner
scotchman Mr.. Carnegie rose to re-
spond to a touching tribute made by
member OF the floor on the presentation
to President Carnegie OF an engraved
testimonial OF thanks from the society
in Acknowledgement OF gilt by MT.
Carnegie OF 100000 After orlet
speech from Mr.. Lorrimor. the way was
cleared for the great speeches OF Marx
Twair, and Mr.. Cousins. The great hu.
morist was in most happy vein ana
outdid himself in rapid fire OIL VII
and anecdote fun.
New York has heard Mr.. Cousins
often on political and other topics. This
was more in the line Of q literary treat.
Cousins has quiet style; but none the
less effective. He does not talk with ms
arms, but with his mind. There Is no
one like him. Cousins first had them IN
rapt silence; then in uproarious laugh
ter over his citations OF brilliant pas
sages from Burns; then charmed the en-
raptured banqueters with his matchless
eloouence. Speaking Of Burns friendli-
ness to the American colonists cause
and OF his power OF satirizations he
quoted these lines:
poor Tommy Gage within cage,
Was kept at Boston ha' man;
Till Willie Howe took DER the knowe
For Philadelphia, man.
WI sword and gun he thought SIN
Guild Christian blood to draw, man;
But at New York wi knife and fork,
Sir-Ioin he hacked sma,' man.
.Of all the minds which In that illus
trious eighteenth century ran the gamut
Of philosophy and sentiment Robert
Burns was perhaps the most original
and unaccountable; not great in prose,
sas Samuel johnson, nor so majestic and
classical in verse as Byron, but OF all
men most unique and unexpected. what
right had staid. old Scotland to prlng
forth such surprise, to shock herself and
wake the world again?-this peasant
product Of poor soil. first humming IN
the daisies, then soaring 'mong the stars
this plowman plying mice ana put
ting wisdom in the mouths OF dogs and
SAYING grace in epigrams-thls un-
schooled farmer lad, Turing a the lassies
with his matchless dreams and capti-
waiting men and women. kings and
Queens and lords and a. the titled folk
with his irresistible philosophy-thts
minstrel Of mankind, sounding with MS
witching harp the coming OF the dawn,
brushing the day from the heather as he
rose. startling and enhancing all the
living things of earth with the mystic
strains OF life and love, OF hope and
doubt, of pathos and Of happiness; and
lust there, at his great meridian, leav-
ing the world in mist of tears and IN
the hushed and eager contemplation OF
his glory wishing that he might go on
to the evening twilight, rounding out
the spheres OF his splendid genius.
And this is the youth who started IN
the world with poverty and dreams-the
soul which came In an infant sinner
and went in an infinite song"
The honors of the evening, however,
were easily carried off by Congressman
r. G.. Cousins of Iowa, who rose to his
feet amid cheers. His address to The
Genius of Robert Burns" was surprise
even to those who had listened to him
on other occasions in New York. Begin
ming in rather conversational tone, the
speaker easily led his auditors into the
environment Of the Scottish bard until
Burns seemed to speak to them in the
very room and his presence permeated
the throng OF jewellers. From the mo-
ment Mr.. Cousins began speaking until
his close he was followed with intense
and rapt attention. punctuated by
cheers and outbursts Of spontaneous ap-
plause.
Mr.. Cousins touched upon all phases
of Burns life and character. During
the life time Of Burns" said Mr.. Cous-