Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-03-19
THE A. o. H. BANQUET.

Young Mems 5odslity Lyceum Hall
last night when the Ancient Order OF
Hioernisns OF this city and their friends
gathered for the purpose OF celebrating
the birthday of Irelsni's patron saint.
The occasion had long been anticipated,
and preparations for tho celebration
had been going on with will for some
time. The committee and their coad-
tutors had worked assiduously and had
anticipated everything which could 10
any manner add to the joy OF the oc.
casion. The whole affair was decid-
ed success and passed off 10 the most
agreeable manner.
The lower floor of the building had
been set apart for the assembling OF
the members of the order and their
guests, and between seven and eight
o'clock they began to gather. The
handshakings and greetings 80 charsc-
teristic of such gatherings we're earnest
aud unfeigned, aud every one imme.
diately felt "very much at home"
Some time was thus whiled away in
pleasant conversation and cordial greet
ings and interchange of pleasantries.
While all this was In progress dazzling
scene was being prepared in the main
auditorium above. Tables had been
spread and the hall most appropriately
and tastefully decorated. The Irish
and American flags placed in the form
of the letter X with the Shamrock be.
tween the two and wreaths of the latter
at the base, were mcsi co lspicuous,
while on the stage flowers, palms and
exotics added greatly to the scene.
Pictures OF Saint Patrick and George
Washington looked down from the
stage, while the beautiful s!lken ban
ner recently presented to the order
shone prominently. The tables were
most temptingly spread and were being
literally loaded with choice delicacies
of the season. About nine o'clock the
words "Come, all things are ready"
went forth, and the officers OF the as
ISOLATION locked arms with their invit.
ed guests and led the way to the BAN
quet hall. The members OF the order
folio we'd, and ell having taken their
places at the tables the company was
called to order by Mr.. E. NJ. Birrell,
president of the Hibernisns, when Rev.
Father Cutler asked a blessing upon
| the feast, A few moments later all
| had been seated and hearty discussion
| of the @ aborate spread followed.
The following was the menu, which
had baen prepared in the most inviting
manner by Mrs. A Rsmmel & Sons:
Celery, queen olives New York MillpoHd Sc
Iect, and Norfolk oysters, raw, picked and fried
bisque OF elm soup, turkey, crspbhry sauce
prime ribs of beef, smoked be tongue oliver
ham; lobster, chicken, shrinp and potato
salads; lettuce. picked onions, cold slsw
gherkius, chow chow, cheese straws, banquet
waters, Saratoga chips; ounce and currsni
jelies; tsngerines apples, bananas, grapes
and pears; cafe noir, cigars.
Course followed course in regular sue.
cession and enjoyable conversation
that aDimating adjunct to banquet
was 10 evidence. Everything proceed.
ed 10 the most agreeable and satisfac
tory manner the best of cheer prevailing
and nothing whatever occurring to mai
the Joy of any one present. The last
stage of the feast-the circulation o
fragrant cigars finally reached
and again the president raped the as
ssmblage to order. Attention bavinl
been secured, Mr.. Birrell made brief
but interesting address, in which ht
cordially welcomed all present. HI
also spoke of the steady growth OF the
Ancient Order Of Hibernians in th'
city, it's present prosperous condition
and the encouraging prospects before IT
At the conclusion of his address he 10
troduced Mayor George l.. Simpson
who was to respond to the toast, "Ou
City,"
Mr.. Simpson arose and was received
with applause, and upon It's subsideDce
proceeded to make an entertaining anC
appropriate response. He reviewed The
history of the city, during which ht
called attention TO the fact that since
the birth of Alexandria some OF bel
most prominent people-merchants and
officials, had been Irish citizens. He
closed by extending a hearty welcome
to those present from other cities tc
Alexandria. The Mayor took his seal
amid much applause.
Mr.. r. i. Downing was the next
speaker. He responded to the senti'
ment, "Our Order" aud handled it in
| mastery manner. He thanked May.
or Simpson for the kind expressions be
had made toward the Irish citizen, and
proceeded to portray the objects and
aims of the Ancient Order of Hiber-
mans. He showed 10 succinct and
interesting manner the work accom-
plished by the order and lis steady and
healthy growth, Mr.. Downing subse
quently alluded to many noble deeds o.
members of the Irish race, and closed
by reciting "Erin's Flag" poem
which was much enjoyed.
Hon. J. F. Rixey ives then announc'
ed. He was given an enthusiastic
greeting. His theme was "Our Coun
try,n and be was thoroughly at home
with bis subject. Mr.. Rixey IVES at biz
best and his response was apt and
much enjoyed. He said he had at
tended number OF banq1ets recently
but never had felt more complimeDted
than haying been invited to be guest
of the Hibernisns, by whom he had
been so cordially received and with
whom he had spent such a pleasant
evening. He expressed his earnest
wishes for their welfare and spoke Of
many heroic deeds OF sons of the emer-
aid Isle. In the course of Mr.. Rixey's
speech he gave a rapid review of the
country's history and dwelt upon the
\ a,irrino events of the mast three wears
during which Columbia had undergone
such an unexpected and startling tran.
sition. He did not like tie phase, "a
world power,n as now applied to the
Irn;ta1 Stotaa "a annnrdinU IN his idea