THE ORDER OF UNITED AMERICANS. WASHINGTON'S BIRTH-DAY.-The annual celebration of Washington's Birth-day by the Order, was this year conducted on a scale truly magnificent and creditable. During the entire previous day the rain fell in torrents, which continued to deluge the city until near daylight on the morning of the anniversary; and although the rain then ceased falling, dense masses of black clouds continued to hang above until after 10 o'clock A. M. Every indication of the weather seemed to forbid the possibility of holding the contemplated procession; yet, in spite of these discouraging prospects, the several Chapters began gathering at Washington Square as early as 9 o'clock. At 10 o'clock, a delegation of about fifty members of the Order from Boston, together with a company of the brave Massachusetts volunteers, under command of Captain Ben. Perley Poore, were escorted into the Square by Company D, American Rifles, commanded by Captain Wm. P. Moody, and assigned a place on the right of the 1st division, the escort remaining with them. In consequence of the unpropitious state of the weather, the country Chapters in this State were but slightly represented, but there was a noble delegation from New-Jersey, comprising about two hundred and fifty members, which made an imposing appearance on the right of the 2d division. This delegation was received at the ferry, and escorted to their place in the column, by American Chapter, No. 6, of New-York. We regret that our Brothers of Connecticut could not make it convenient to accept the invitation of the Committee of Arrangements and unite with us. The line having been formed by the Grand Marshal, General Henry Storms, assisted by his Aids, in four divisions, according to the programme published in our last number, at half past 10 o'clock the line of march was commenced, passing out of the east gate of Washington Square, through Washington Place, down Broadway to Chambers-street, where the military escort fell in, and thence through the Park, passing in review before the Mayor and Common Council. At the review the procession was augmented by two divisions under the command of Deputy Grand Marshals, Major Generals John Lloyd and William L. Morris; making six divisions in the entire procession. In the two latter divisions were the venerable Society of the Cincinnati, Soldiers of the Revolution, the Veterans of the war of 1812, Officers and Soldiers of New-York regiment of volunteers, Officers of the Army and Navy, several Benevolent Societies, and a large number of our amateur military companies, who made a fine appearance. At about 10 o'clock the weather cleared up finely, and the day became one of the most beautiful of the season. From the Park the procession moved over the route as published, and arrived at Tripler Hall at 2 o'clock, where it was dismissed, and the Order, or so many as could gain admittance, entered the Hall, for the purpose of listening to the oration, by the Hon. Brother David E. Wheeler. Notwithstanding the bad weather and the muddy condition of the streets, about two thousand and five hundred members were on duty in full regalia, forming a procession of United Americans nearly two miles in length,-in fact, the procession of the Order was the great feature of the day, and comprised about four-fifths of the entire column. For three years past this anniversary has been publicly commemorated by our Order alone; but on this occasion the Common Council, sensible of the propriety of a popular demonstration of joy on a day so fraught with happiness to mankind, and especially to those who hail the stripes and stars as the symbol of their country, resolved to unite with us in our patriotic object, and through a joint Special Committee of both Boards, called upon our fellow-citizens at large to join in the demonstration. The Order having made its arrangements and chosen its officers independently, before any public action had been taken, the Committee of the Common Council cheerfully accepted the same, and appointed our Grand Marshal to superintend the entire procession, and the result appears to have been in the highest degree satisfactory. The day was ushered in with the streaming of national flags, the ringing of bells, and the firing of cannon. A national salute was also fired in the morning, at noon, and at sunset, by the Veteran Corps of Artillery, and in the evening the City Hall, and several other buildings, public and private, were brilliantly illumi nated. At Tripler Hall the scene was imposing beyond description. The vast amphitheatre, including both galleries, was filled to its utmost capacity with a brilliant audience, of which at least two-thirds were ladies-American ladies. The area was filled with members of the Order, in their sparkling star-light regalia, and the large platform was occupied by about two hundred and fifty persons, including the officiating Clergy, the Common Council, with their badges of office, the Veterans of 1776 and 1812, the Orator of the day, the Grand Marshal, with his Aids and Deputies, the Grand Sachem and Past Grand Sachems of our Order, and a number of invited guests. More than five thousand persons were present on this interesting occasion. The Oration of Brother Wheeler was patriotic, substantial and appropriate-reviewing the history of the Father of his country, urging his example and precepts as the day-star of political action, and breathing fidelity to our sacred Union. The Orator was interrupted with frequent bursts of applause, and as there are many thousands of our citizens who would gladly read the production, we hope soon to see it in print. Altogether, the day was a proud one for our country and our Order. The conservative spirit of our institutions was awakened, and many an American heart went to rest that night more thoroughly American--more devoted to its country than it had been before. United Americans, of New-York, in the celebration of the coming Anniversary of the Birth-day of Washington, if I can do so, without interfering with the arrangement already made, to participate in the general celebration of that day expected to occur, at the instance of the Committee of Safety, of New-York. It will afford me great satisfaction, I assure you, to meet on that occasion, in the true spirit of patriotic compatriots, "the many thousands of your Order, residents" of your city. Believe me to be, With sentiments of genuine respect, And friendship, Your fellow-citizen, H. S. FOOTE. Albany, Feb. 20, 1851. C. GOODRICH BOYCE, Esq., My Dear Sir:-I have had the honor to receive the very kind invitation you have sent me, on behalf of the Order of United Americans, to unite with them in celebrating the glorious Birth-day of Washington. My duty here, compels me to be always present in my seat; and I shall not, therefore, be able to join you, face to face. My heart, however, will be with you; and rest assured, that whatever distance separates me from those who are commemorating the fame of him who gave form and substance to the Union that we love, I cordially sympathize with them. I have made fidelity to the Union the touchstone of every public act, and the counsels of Washington the authority by which every measure should be judged. Allow me to propose as a toast: "The UNITED Americans of these UNITED States, may the bonds of neither be ever untied." Very respectfully, and truly, Yours, JAMES W. BEEKMAN, Of New-York. House of Representatives, Washington, Feb. 19, 1851. To C. GOODRICH BOYCE, Esq., Chairman, &c. Dear Friend :-Your letter, containing a kind invitation to unite with you in the celebration of the Anniversary of the Birth-day of Washington, is received. The object of your Asso Invitations to attend the meeting, at Tripler Hall, having been extended to several distinguished gentlemen, replies were received from the following, who were prevented by circumstances from attending, viz :-Ex-President, Martin Van Buren, Hon. J. Phillips Phoenix, Hon. Lewis Cass, Hon. James Brooks, Hon. Geo. Briggs, Hon. Sam. Houston, Hon. Walter Under-ciation is peculiarly applicable to the present hill, Hon. Daniel S. Dickinson, Hon. James W. Beekman, Hon. Henry S. Foote. We make room for the following:: Senate Chamber, Feb. 18, 1851. C. GOODRICH BOYCE, Esq., Chairman, &c. My Dear Sir:-It will give me great pleasure to have it in my power to unite with the Order of period, and must commend itself to every lover of his country and its institutions. My engagements here will forbid my leaving Washington till the close of the present session of Congress. With respect, I remain, &c., WALTER UNDERHILL. Washington, 16th Feb., 1851. Dear Sir:-I thank you for the invitation, so kindly tendered by you, to join the "United Americans" in their celebration of the Birthday of Washington, and the Anniversary of their Order. In return for the honor which you have been pleased to confer upon me. I can only express my sense of obligation, and say that, by previous appointment I am on that day to be at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and will not have it in my power to accept your invitation. With great respect, I am, SAM. HOUSTON. C. GOODRICH BOYCE, Esq., The following report of the Committee of Arrangements was presented at a subsequent meeting of Chancery, and the resolutions unanimously adopted. TO THE HON. CHANCERY, O. U. A., STATE OF NEW-YORK. Our The Committee on the celebration of the Birth day of Washington, respectfully Report: That, according to arrangements previously made, the birth-day of the Father of his Country was celebrated in this city with unusual demonstrations of joy. The civic authorities, animated with a true patriotism, seldom witnessed in these degenerate times, made extensive arrangements to celebrate the day in a becoming manner; and by co-operating with our Order, and placing all the arrangements under the direction of its Grand Marshal, all were thus enabled to participate in doing honor to the name of the greatest and best of men. Order formed the principal part of the procession; and although the unfavorable state of the weather caused a perceptible diminution of our numbers, yet your committee are of opinion that the display made was highly creditable to the Order, and will eventually prove beneficial Upon arriving at the Hall, which was crowded to overflowing, the procession entered, and was seated. After which, the programme (a copy of which is hereunto annexed) was gone through with, and the audience retired, evidently much gratified with the proceedings, and, your committee trust, benefited by the ceremonies. to us. Resolved, That the thanks of the Chancery of the State of New-York be, and the same are hereby respectfully tendered to the Hon. David E. Wheeler, of Columbia Chapter, No. 7, for the able and eloquent oration, delivered by him before the Order in Tripler Hall, on the occasion of the celebration of the 119th birth-day of the "Father of his Country." Resolved, That the thanks of this body are eminently due, and they are hereby respectfully tendered, to Gen. Henry Storms, of Washington Chapter, No. 2, for his valuable services as Grand Marshal of our procession on the 22d inst. Resolved, That the thanks of this Chancery be presented to the Rev. Dr. Campbell, for his kindness in officiating as Chaplain, on the occasion of the celebration of the 119th anniversary of the birth-day of the immortal Washington. Resolved, That the thanks of the Chancery of the State of New-York be, and the same are hereby respectfully tendered to the Rev. Ralph Hoyt, for his valuable services, in closing the exercises at Tripler Hall, on the occasion of the celebration of the 119th anniversary of the birthday of the Father of his Country. Resolved, That the thanks of the Chancery of the State of New-York be, and they are hereby respectfully tendered to the Special Committee, of the Hon. the Common Council, for their kind assistance to, and their hearty co-operation with the Order, in celebrating the 119th anniversary of the birth-day of the "Father of his Country." Resolved, That the G. C. C. be, and he is hereby instructed to send official copies of the foregoing Resolutions, attested by the G. S. and G.C. of the C., to the several individuals to whom they refer. All of which is respectfully submitted. C. GOODRICH BOYCE, E. B. BRUSH. New-York, March 3d, 1851. The following Programme accompanied the Report. WASHINGTON'S BIRTH-DAY. Grand demonstration of the Order of United Americans, at Tripler Hall, February 22d, 1851. The Order of United Americans having made arrangements for commemorating, in a suitable manner, the 119th Anniversary of the birth-day of the Father of his Country, the Immortal GEORGE WASHINGTON, by means of a Public Procession and an Oration, the Committee appointed for that purpose have made the following arrangements. In reviewing all the proceedings, your Committee cannot but feel satisfied with the result, and desire to express their grateful thanks to those who occupied the positions which reflected credit on themselves, and added dignity to the Order which they so ably represented. Your appropriated for seating the audience; the several Chap committee, therefore, beg to offer for your consideration the following: The entire Amphitheatre at Tripler Hall will be ters of the Order will occupy the area or ground floor. The platform will be reserved for the Rev. the Clergy, the Orator of the Day, the invited Guests, comprising the Honorable the Mayors and Common Councils of the cities of New-York and Brooklyn and other distinguished Guests, together with the G. S. and P. G. S.'s of the Order, in this, and other States-the Grand Marshal and his Aids, and the Choir. The Chancery will occupy the seats on each side of the middle aisle. On arriving at the front of the Hall the Procession will halt, and be received by the Committee of arrangements, who will conduct it, and seat the several Chapters, with their escorts, as follows: Those comprising the 1st and 2d Divisions will occupy the east side of the Hall, and those of the 3d and 4th Divisions the west side. The Musical Exercises will be under the direction of Prof. Reuben Munson, of Alpha Chapter, No. 1. 8. Glee. [Full Chorus.] EUREKA CHAPTER, No. 1, 0. U. A. At a meeting of the Chapter, held November 28, 1850, the following Resolution was adopted: Resolved, That a Committee of two be appointed to address the Chancery of the State of New-York on behalf of this Chapter, returning thanks in a suitable manner for the very beautiful set of Regalia presented to this Chapter. Whereupon Bros. R. D. Hart and S. A. Snow were appointed to compose said Committee. JOHN W. ACKERSON, Sachem. JOHN H. STILL, C. of the C. To the Chancery of the State of New-York, MOST WORTHY GRAND SACHEM In conformity with the resolution of Eureka Chapter, a copy of which is presented above, the undersigned, in the name and on the behalf of the Chapter, beg leave respectfully to present you their most hearty thanks for the very beautiful present of a complete set of officers' 9. Solo,-"Star Spangled Banner," Bro. Reuben Munson, and members' Regalia, of which they acknow CALIFORNIA.-At the first regular meeting of the Chancery of the State of New-York, for the March session of the present year, the members were unexpectedly gratified with an official visit from, and an introduction to, Brother Robert D. Hart, the founder of our Order in California, and now on a business visit to this city. Chancellor Hart favored the Chancery with a verbal statement of the rise, progress and prospects of the Order in the new State of the Pacific, which was listened to with eager attention and great satisfaction by all present; after which the following official communication from Eureka Chapter, No. 1, of California, was read by the G. C. of the C., and ordered to be placed at length in the chronicles. ledge the receipt. The kind regard shown by the present highest authority in our beloved Order, towards our new and yet struggling organization, we trust will prove the means of permanently establishing on the Pacific shores the patriotic principles under which we are so happy to be enrolled. Already the almost dying flame has been rekindled. Already a new spirit has been awakened; and already Eureka Chapter is placed almost beyond contingency on a permanent foundation. We may yet be compelled to struggle against the adverse circumstances so numerous in this country, which tend to retard the growth of institutions similar to our own. But we feel that the munificent impetus to our cause, and created a feeling of donation of your honorable body has given an interest, nay almost of enthusiasm, which must lead to the most perfect and complete success. With feelings of fervent devotion to the cause in which we are engaged, and a determination to do all that in us lies to procure the advancement and success of our Order on these shores, We are, most respectfully and fraternally, THE MASSACHUSETTS' VOLUNTEERS.-This fine body of men, who united with the New-Yorkers in doing honor to the memory of Washington, have left among us, on their return to their native State, a fund of most pleasing and gratifying remembrances. Their correct and gentlemanly deportment, while among us, elicited the warmest respect of our citizens; and their military proficiency commanded the admiration and applause of all who witnessed their evolutions. Their visit will be long remembered with pleasure by all, and especially by our Order and the battalion of American Rifles, whose guests they were, and who performed their duty, as host, in a satisfactory manner. Captain Moody's corps performed arduous duty in that short campaign, and we perceive, by a card published by the Volunteers," that their efforts were highly appreciated. On the day of their departure, the Volunteers had a pleasant reunion with the remnant of our own brave regiment, now in this city, and took dinner together at Tammany Hall, after which the New-Yorkers escorted the Massachusetts' boys to the boat, and gave them nine hearty cheers at parting. 66 MOVEMENTS.-Officers and members, in this and other States, are requested to send us information of any prominent event, in the progress of the Order, that may occur in their vicinity. This will enable us to keep the chronicles correctly posted. AN INCIDENT OF THE 22d. The Union commemorate, in a suitable manner, the AnSafety Committee of this city determined to niversary of the Birth-day of Washington, with Senator Foote delivered the oration, after which appropriate ceremonies, at Niblo's Theatre. cloth was removed, the usual toasts and responses a sumptuous dinner was enjoyed. When the went round; but when the Common Council of New-York was toasted, there was not a member of that body present to respond to it,--the members were at Tripler Hall, listening to the address of Brother Wheeler. The toast, however, was not allowed to " go begging;" there was a member of the Order of United Americans preFrederick A. Talmadge, who responded on besent, in the person of the Hon. the Recorder, half of the City Fathers, in his usual happy and WOODHULL CHAPTER.-We had the pleasure of assisting at the installation of the officers of Woodhull Chapter, Jamaica, L. I., on the evening of the 19th of March. The visiting committee, with a few other members, making, altogether, an omnibus load, left Brooklyn, behind four" spanking grays," at half past six, P. M., and arrived at Jamaica at eight o'clock. After witnessing the initiation of a new member, the committee proceeded with the ceremony of installation, and at the close of their duties retired A FEW WORDS TO BE CHERISHED.-The folto partake of a capital supper, at Remsen's Ho-lowing touching language, from the mind and tel. At a seasonable hour the party returned, having enjoyed a most delightful trip. Woodhull Chapter has about one hundred members, comprising many of the most valuable and influential citizens of Jamaica and its vicinity. SOIREE GIVEN BY THE "DAUGHTERS."--Alpha and Putnam Chapters, of the "Daughters of America," united in giving an elegant Soirée, with a Ball and Supper, at the Apollo Assembly Rooms, on the 5th of March last. We were able to be with them but a short time, but it was long enough to show us a large and happy assemblage. The company assembled presented a beautiful and animated appearance. The arrangements of this Festival were placed, we believe, in the hands of W. H. Smith, Esq., of Washington Association; and it was, of course, well managed and properly conducted. NEW-YORK CHAPTER, also, gave a Soirée during the month, which we were unable to attend. felicitous manner. pen of the pure and beloved James Madison, should be graven in letters of gold on tablets of silver, and upon the heart of every lover of his country. "ADVICE TO MY COUNTRY.-As this advice, if it ever see the light, will not do so till I am no more, it may be considered as issuing from the tomb, where truth alone can be respected, and the happiness of man alone consultweight can be derived from good intentions, and ed. It will be entitled, therefore, to whatever from the experience of one who has served his country in various stations through a period of forty years; who espoused in his youth and adhered through his life, to the cause of its liberty; and who has borne a part in most of the great transactions which will constitute epochs of its destiny. "The advice nearest to my heart and deepest in my convictions, is that the Union of the States be cherished and perpetuated. Let the open enemy to it be regarded as a Pandora with her box opened; and the disguised one, as the serpent creeping with his deadly wiles into Para dise." |