The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-14
Dinner to the Hon. II. p. FIenniken.

The citizens of Uniontown. Pennsylvania, gave a
dinner the 18th of January to the Hon. RoBrRr
p. FLESsIKEN, late charge daffaires of the United
States to Denmark, the occasion of his return to
this country; and some hundred or more persons
mostly the immediate fellow citizens and friends of
the honored guest, of all parties, professions, and
pursuits-joined in the festvity
JOHN M. AUSTIN, esq., the senior member Of the
Fayette bar, presided. and assisted by Gen
eral HENRY w. BEEsos, JOHN DAWSON, ESQ.,,
HueH GRAHAM, esq, General JOSHUA b. HOWELL,
and Colonel JAMES McILvAIsE, as vice presidents
JAMES BARNES, the early friend and instructor
of the guest, and ANDREW STEWART, Mr.. F.'s
steadfast patron and legal prcceptor, were seated
near him.
The President having stated that the distin-
guished guest was student in his office, and
welcomed him in the name of the people of Fayette
county, Mr.. FLESSKES responded in most elo-
quent terms, and concluded with powerful appeal
in behalf Of the pcrpctuity Of our Union.
AT "a subsequent stage of the proceedings, the
President (who, ever since he had announced that
Mr.. FLEsSIKEs once his student, had kept his
eye on Mr. sTEwAsT) was about to call for more
music, but he intercepted.
The Hon. ANDREW STEWART rose he said 10
question OF privilege not 10 make speech, but
to vindicate his rights While ! admire the elo-
quent and elegant address Of President and the
noble speech Of our distinguished guest, (said he)
claim by our President an honor which will
never yield without struggle. understood you,
sir, 10 claim, not merely that our honored friend at
your right had read law in your Office, (Which is
all very true,) but that he had been your student.
Now, sir, as 10 this say, in the language Of the
Frenchman You do not one petit but one grand
larceny Il sir, claim the property in question, il
not 40 ouo at all events from the stump. And with
his leave, will state the grounds OF my pretcn;;
sions-which promise you shall be at least as good
as those Of the Danes 70 Be pvogsnitorsi MIR.
Flenniken-' With all my heart-procecd sir. y
Then, under leave will state, that some twenty
one or twenty-five years ago, when travelling "a
voice Electioneering) among the Monongahela
hills in Greene, ] lost my way, and socing young
man (now our honored g7icst) in the woods fell
ing from hs stump large oak tree, asked him the
favor to direct the way TO the Republican Ferry
He threw down his axe and said, Sir, will go
with you and show you the road He did 30; and
| was 80 much pleased with his mien and intelli-
gcnce, that, Mt parting, ] told him IL he would
come and live with me, would make a lawyer Of
him. He modestly thanked me, and promised 10
think Of IL, saying he would first consult his
Their, (his father being dead, } and his excellent
friend now at his side, in whose service a
cbanic be then He did so--they conscnted--
and In a few months afterwards he came 10 my Of
hco--to my bousc-snd claimed the fulflment Of
my promise and undertaking. ! wss glad 10 sec
him, and entered AT once upon the discharge OF my
obligation. How well succeeded, here he Is 10
speak for himself [Checrs.l He was one Of my
household for nearly two years; on my application
he was admitted 20 the bar, and for several years
afterwards, and until he outgrew the gather Of my
narrow wing, he continued in my Office as my
partner in business. Now, I submit, whether
have not made out good case both TO the court
Glowing TO Judge Gilmorc) and 10 The country,
addressing the company Refute all these, Mr..
President, If you can.
"Mr. AusTIN.--I dewur 20 the indictment Of my
learned and plausible friend. His facts may all be
true, but they don't sustain his charge. True, he
has the right Of FIRST discoverythc squatters right,
but he abandoned his improvement. To speak more
apropos, he went of 70 Congress--left our friend
here a kind Of treasure boUe-I found him and
took him 20 my Office. submit, therefore, that at
most could only have Judgment against me for
irorer and conversion. fGreat laughter.l
'Mr. STEWART resumed Having, as think, sue
cessfully indicated my claim 10 Inc legal precep-
torship Of our distinguished guest, cannot sit
down without expressing the great qualification
have this evening had in being learner from his
lips. Truly and eloquently has he told Of the
coming redemption Of Europe, under the steadily
pcrvading influence of our free institutions And
concur heartily in the hope-thc belief that there
are those now around this festive board who will
outliye the despotic dynasties Of the old world
Mr.. S. continued in a most patriotic strain and
concluded by Offering The following toast
"The Union Of Ds States II is moral treason TO
compass or imagine its dissolution" Renewed
loud applause.
A number Of interesting toasts and speeches fol-
lowed, and the company adjourned at late hour,
highly pleased with the occasion which had called
them together.