New York Celebration Of Paine’s Birth-Day

New-York Enquirer, 10 Feb. 1829, p. 1. Readex: America’s Historical Newspapers. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

COMMUNICATION.

CELEBRATION OF TH. PAINE’S BIRTH-DAY

By the Society of Free Inquirers—Jan. 29, 1829.

On Thursday, 29th ult. the anniversary of the birthday of that celebrated man was commemorated at the Shakspeare Hotel, corner of Fulton and Nassau streets. At 4 o’clock, a numerous and respectable company of citizens sat down to an excellent dinner, prepared in Mr. Stoneall’s best style. On the removal of the cloth, the chairman, Mr. Joseph S. Cannon, delivered a very eloquent and appropriate address, which was received with the most enthusiastic applause. After which the following toasts were given from the chair :

1. Thomas Paine—Respect to his memory, whose good sense, dauntless mind, and inimitable writings, will be revered so long as liberty shall be considered a blessing to mankind. Song—In a Mouldering Cave.
2. The memory of Gen. Washington, the father of his country, who declared the writings of Thomas Paine contributed more to the establishment of our independence than himself and army combined. Song—Hail Great Republic.

[The above toasts were drank standing, in silence.]

3. Equality—May an equal share of education be bestowed upon our daughters as on our sons, so as to become the competent, as they assuredly are the most influential instructors of youth.
4. Miss Frances Wright.—The gifted Heroine of liberality, the zealous advocate of Truth, the fearless champion of liberty, the chaste and eloquent orator : May she meet the approbation and support of every intelligent citizen, whilst she nobly continues to combat error, and to cultivate in usefulness the prolific soil of the human understanding. [Song—”The Banks of the Dee.“]
5. The Memories of Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Joel Barlow, Elihu Palmer, Ethan Allen, De Witt Clinton, and all the bright luminaries of thought, who have labored for the public good in this and in other countries. Drank standing—in silence. [Song—”The tyrants fall.“]
6. The Liberals.—They are convinced that all persecution for opinion, is the result of an erroneous education.
7. Reason and Philosophy, supporters of the divine standard of Truth—May all who acknowledge their supremacy, cultivate peace and good will in the domains of philanthropy. [Song—”Says Plato, why should man be vain.“]
8. The Rev. Robert Taylor—A deserter from the church militant, who fearlessly combated her errors, and for advocating truth, now incarcerated in a dungeon ; may his intellectual lamp still burn brightly, & enable him, with increasing success, to demonstrate to the world the folly of faith—”in existencies unseen, and in causes unknown.” [Song—McPherson’s Farewell.]
9. The March of Mind—Superstition may check, but cannot arrest it.
10. Halls of Science instead of Temples to Idols—To destroy superstition and enable man to walk happily in the paths of useful and rational knowledge. [Ode—To liberty’s enraptured sight.]
11. The voice of Nature—Our faith, the result of her dictates; our practice, the result of our faith.
12. Robert Owen—The great philanthropist, whose object is to destroy bigotry and oppression—to drive drones from society, and promote the happiness of man; why wonder we that an interested priesthood is jealous of him. [Ode—The morning’s dawn shall truth reveal.]
13. A Free Press.—Guardian of the liberties of man.

14. The American Fair—But few more beautiful, none more virtuous : May they surpass all in the acquirement of just knowledge. [Song—I knew by the smoke that so gracefully curl’d.]
15. The friends of Liberty throughout the World—And especially all those met in social harmony like ourselves, this day, to commemorate the memory of a man, whom a Washington, a Jefferson, and a Franklin honoured—the renowned author of the work called Common Sense.
16. The American and British People, principally from the same stock—may their respective governments ever harmonize; each endeavoring to cultivate that spirit which will produce the greatest good to both nations. [Song—Hail Columbia.]

After the regular proceedings of the day, many patriotic songs were sung, interspersed with the following volunteer toasts:

By Lieut. Smith. Col. Johnson, and the members of the U. S. Senate, wisely refusing to legislate on a religious question—a noble example to the legislators of all nations. Cold water thrown over fanatical fire. [Song—From the rocks where our fathers, &c.]

By James D. Merritt. The Genius of the Constitution of our American Republic—which recognizes no particular religious creed, but equal justice to all mankind, founded on the immortal basis of truth, which is neither fraught with mystery, nor miracle. [Song—”Loch-Na-Gar.“]

By Mr. Anderson. Manly moral courage to all men, to combat error, and advocate truth, even at the risk of bigotry’s frown!

By —— Frazer. The Free Enquirer—May it ever remain as it now is, “devoted without fear, without reserves, without pledge to men, parties, sects, or systems, to free unbiased and universal enquiry.”

By William S. Cannon. The orthodox majority of our State Legislature—who bowed to the dictation of a presbyterian synod—Let Col. Johnson, and the Senators of the United States, hide their hetrodox heads ! ! ! Air Lullaby—”Hush my babe, lie still and slumber,” “Holy angels guard thy bed.”

By John Lawton. Richard Carlisle, of London—the intrepid advocate of reason’s cause—the friend of man—the foe of kings and priests—who, regardless of consequences, be they penalties or dungeons, steadily pursues his course in the promulgation of truth! [Song—”Flee fetters, chains and slavery.“]

By —— Tolly. Common Sense—It destroyed in our happy country the divine right of kings—shall it not also, when associated with liberality in the same country, destroy the baleful influence of every drone, not excepting lawyers and priests?

By Capt. Arcularius. The small * Starr—Which lately passing its zenith stood over our legislative assembly, having led the wise men of the Dutch Presbyterian synod to the capitol of the state! [Song, “Oh! think on my fate, once I freedom enjoyed.“]

N. B.—The party broke up at an early hour.