Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-26


the festive board at Freund's, and paid
tribute in songs and speeches to the mem
DRY of Scotland's famous bard. 1t was the
annual banquet of the Caledonian Club, an
organization of resident ScOtch-American
citizens, who for many years have met an
nually in remembrance of the anniversary
of this event. so dear to every Scotchmans
heart.
The officers of the club are: Robert Low
chief John McVey, first chieftan; William
Jardine, treasurer; Thomas Shelton, re-
cording secretary; William Nisbet, finan-
cial secretary; Dr. Thomas Miller CORE
spending secretary; James NJ. Leckie. H.
brarian; John r. Smyth, guardian.
Introductory Address.
About fifty guests sat at the banquet Ia
bic. which was presided over by Capt. Rob-
ert Armour. At the head of the room stood
large painting of Robert Burns, giving
additional inspiration to song and speech.
In his opening remarks Captain Armour
paid a glowing tribute to the memory OF
Burns, and declared that. to the majority
of Scotchmen, conviviality and Burns on
January % are SO closely associated that it
may not be out of place to say that to a
number of thoughtful students and lovers
of Burns the day is tinged with q certain
amount OF sadness. While certain aspects
of his writings and character lend them
selves to conviyiality, his life as a whole
was such tragic one. fraught with such
pathos and struggle, that, to a sympathetic
individual, pity and sorrow keep convivial-
ity within bounds. When we think of his
eXuberant fancy. his nimbleness of wit,
his frankness and naturalness, his impul-
sive 1arge-heartedness. and then think of
his struggle to keep his impassioned tenn
permanent from overlapping the barriers of
prudence and CUSTOM the speaker said,
we can find hundred excuses for him,
and our criticism is lost in admiration, in
sympathy, ay, in love for man who with
all his faults of passion, was still man of
integrity
Referring to his immortal writings, Capt.
Armour declared: What visions are called
up in our minds as We pass over them in
our recollections.
in fancy, We see Tam Shanter, his eyes
starting from his head and his hair raising
his guild blue bannet,' gazing through the
window of Alloway Kirk and seeing the
witches therein. Now his eyes were en-
riched as he looked at Nanny in her scanty
attire and ionged, witch as she was. to kiss
the 1oupin'' and wanton 'cutty.' We
can see the hellish legion sailying out after
poor Tam. while he, On his noble mare,
Maggie. tried to gain the 'keystane o. the
brig where she left behind her ain grey
tan. We can see 1t all SO plainly that we
feel, toe, as IL we had been there and had
been peepiHg through the window DIR.
Hornbrook, with his smatteiing of medical
knowledge; Holy Willie trying to serve God
and Mammon; The jolly Beggars' with
their meaiy duds-all pass before us. In
the cotters humble abode We see the big
ha' Bible" brought down; in fact, the whole
Is so real to that we feel as If it had
been a part of our own personal expert
ence."
Immortal Memory of Burns.
The address of the evening was delivered
by Rev Donald C. Macleod, d. D., his SUBJ
ject being 1.-The Immortal Memory OF
Burns. The story of Burns life and
struggles and his influence upon the
EngIish-speaking world was told briefly and
In an easy. forceful style. The speaker
dwelt upon the literary life Of Burns and
showed by an interesting analogy of his
works that there was not sentiment OF
the human heart that is not touched by
his writings Not alone did Scotchmen
vcnerate his memory and adore his lyric
verses, but wherever the English tongue is
sDoken his lines are read and loved. His
heart was filed with love for humanity,
said the speaker, and everywhere through
out his verses this striking sentiment was
revealed His life's aim was for a grander
humanity and greater love for all man.
kind.
tryman, Scott, have long since passed
away. the influence of their works will
continue to go down the ages and cheer
and improve the hearts of men, Burns
memory is stamped indelibly upon the
hearts of those who have read his de-
lineations of character and human life"
The speaker linked Burns name with
those of Horace and Berringer as the
three greatest lyric writer's the world has
known OF all the great writers who have
charmed the world with their interpreted
tions of human life and its varied emo
lions there was none but Burns today who
lived so strongly and dearly in the hearts
of his countrymen. For where. in all the
wide world, but even two or three of his
fellow -countrymen are gathered you will
find upon each recurring birthday ami
versary the willing tribute of loving
hearts to his great and everlasting
genius.
Ciansman 'Scottie" Smyth responded to
the toast "Our Adopted Country" and
right royalty did he sketch the wonderful
growth of America. The scope of his adj
dress was too long to permit of more
than a brief a1lusion to the great epochs
of our material and social progress. but
he dweit long enough to delight his hear
ers with a splendid testimonial to Its
greatness and power. The features of his
address We're loving tributes to the meme
DRY of Lincoln, Garfield and Mckinley
and he entertained all with q deIinea tion
of the principles that actuated the lives
of the dead statesmen.
Toast to President Roosevelt.
/ DR.. Thomas Miller responded to the toast
The President, which was drunk by all
standing. DIR. Miller's address was brief
and to the point, in which he extoiled the