Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-03-18
THE BANQUET LAST NIGHT.


LYogUM HALL SCENE OF AN INTER
EsTING GATHERING.
1t was generally conceded that the
banquet and surroundings attending
tle celebration oil st. Patrick's Day by
Alexandra Division, No. /, Ancient
Order of HiberDians, exeelled ell
previous attempts of that organization.
and those who attended are profuse in
their praise OF those who managed the
affair. II was q decided success 10
every particular, and the sffair will
long be remembered as one of the mort
festive scenes ever witnessed 10 Alex
sndrs. Every thing 10 connection with
the celebration was carried out With
precision; and the conceL tion was good,
excellent taste displayed aud every de.
tail carried out to perfection. The ball
had been beautifully decorated for the
occasion with the flag OF green and
harp Of gold, entwiued with the Stars
and Stripes, and profusion of paine
aud ferns. There were many vAri-
colored lights which augmented the
scene greatly. The tables were ar.
ranged 10 the shape Of the letter Z aid
we're also prsttlly decorated. Arranged
on the stage at one end ofthe hall were
pictures Of st. Patrick, Pope Leo XIII,
George Washington and Rev Father o.
Kane, the founder OF the Lyceum. Music
mad been provided for the occasion
q striDged orchestra, uUder the leader
ship OF Prot. E. r. Dunn, having been
secured, the invited guests we're re
ceived by a committee of the local d.
vision, and at 9 o'clock were escorted
to the banquet hall. Covers were laid
for 1876.
The company having been arranged
Att 10 tables Sir. Edward NJ. Birrell call
ed the assemblage to order, and after he
had delivered an address of welcome
Rev. Father Cutler invoked blessing
upon the feast. The participants were
subsequently, seated and the discussion
Of the following menu, which had been
prepared with the best culinary skill by
Mrs. A. Rsmmel & Sons, was discussed
with evident relish:
Celery, queen olives, New York rock
4ways, raw, Rammel's fried, selects
plckled, oyster pattits a la Seton,
roast turkey. cranberry sauce; tillet OF
oeef, oliver ham. beef tongue, lobster
mayonnaise, chicken q 10 normsnde,
prawn, yinaigarelte; psutos. ramouladt ;
radishes, Florida tomatoes, Waldorf rel
sh, pearl onions, pickles, chow chow,
cold slaw, cheese straws, Saratoga chips,
banquet waters, Vienna rolls, rsspber-
~, grape and currant jsllies, pears, or
aDges. bananas, taDgerines, apples,
mslaga grapes. Cafe noir, cigars.
The feast proceeded for about three.
quarters of an hour 10 most happy
strain, during which the most eDlivenine
conversation was carried on. Finally
Mr.. Birrell, who proved so etiicier
toastmaster, again raped the company
70 order sud announced toat Mayor
Simpson would respond to the toast,
"Our City," The Mayor arose amid
much applause, and 10 his usual easy
and thrilling manner enthused his hear
ers with what might be termed his Chief
d'ouve. He went into many details
concerning the city and drew a num-
Der of pleasant pictures concerning
Alexandria and the numbers who have
figured in the city's history in by-Sone
| years. His speech was justly appreci-
ated end he took his scat amid much
applause.
Hon. Thomas M. Patterson followed
in response to the sentiment, "O1r
Country" His speech was also q
masterpiece aud was listened to With
the closest att sDtion. He pictured the
Uoited States 10 its past aud present
history and sulmstsd his hearers TO the
highest pitch before he concluded
de took his sest amid applause.
"St. Patrick" was toe next toast,
aud Rev. VIM. a. McKeffery, of Win
chester, arose to respond 10 place Of
Rev. John A. Conway, who WAS I'M
avoidably vented from being Oh
hand. AS soon as Father McKehery
began it was seen that he was master
of his subject, and by the time he con.
cluded it was generally agreed that HE
encomium on the life OF IrelaOd's
patron saint was one Of the best ever
heard In this city. His euIogy was ex-
baustive in its nature, fitting and de.
liveTed 10 an interesting and thrilling
manner. He was much applauded.
Hon. George p. Foster was the next
speaker. his subject being the Irish
American Citizen" He enlisted close
attention throughout his speech and
handled his theme with marvellous
skill, evoklng great applause.
Hon. John F. Rixey was next called
ha n Z IA
He arose amid the usual earnest sp-
pIauss which greets him In Alexandra,
and made 80 Interesting speech. His
graphic descriptions OF the Old Domin.
ion produced much effect upon his
hearers, and when be took his seat the
marks of appreciation we're loud and
prolonged.
sour Order" was most happily re.
spcnded to by Mr.. NJ. P. Riley. While
bis remarks were particularly interest
or to ell HiberDiaps, they were most
instructive aud Ell srtsining to all pres
emit and much that be said will long be
remembered.
The last feature of the programme
was a series OF Irish songs by Mr.. ].
B. Swift, of Missouri, after he had
made an interesting and pathetic
address. He was, as On former occasions
10 Alexandria, listened To- very closely
and enjoyed throughout. The applause
he at times received was hearty.
1t was nearly midnight wnen the
company adjourned, all highly pleased
with the scenes thrsugh which they
had pas ed, and unanimous 10 the opin.
ion that the celebrs on of st Patrick's
Day, 1902, was 80 epoch 10 the history
Of Alexandria Division, Ancient Order