The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1851-10-01
Lord Elgin's Speech at Boston.

sentiment in honor of the success of Enc
land was greeted with loud applause an
spoke as follows:
Mr.. Mayor and Genilemcn:-1ti is no
very customary with us for an individual l.
take it upon himself to return thanks for tn
toast which you have just now so cordially
so enthusiastically drank. feel an addi
uonal difficulty in rising to discharge tina
duty at this time, because have nj nv lef
hand gentleman who holds an impor,an
diplomatic station in thiscountry, ;sir Her
ry Crampton,) and from whom response Il
that toast would come perhaps more appro
priately than from myself. In obcdionc,
however, 10 the call of his Honor the Mavor
and in compliance, believe, to the wisho
of my friend on tho left rise to express il
the name of all British subjects here presen
for | feel that every one of them has al
equal right with myself tosnswer that ioas
Canadians, Englishmcn, ScotcLmen nnC
lrishmen-in behalf of them all, beg eav,
TO express our cordial and hearty thanks fol
the manner in which that sentiment has beer
received by you.
Gentlemen, as have tho honor 10 addres!
myself TO company, which consists in the
greater part OF ofpersons who live under differ.
ent institutions from myself, perhaps may be
permitted 10 observe that we British subject.
honor and respect our Queen, not only be-
cause of her exemplary character, but many
public and private virtues, and The singular
tact and frmness which has enabled her 10
protect tho well being Of her own people,
and secure the cordiahty and good will Of
mankind, but also because we recognize in
the constitutional and hereditary throne upon
which she is seated, the symbol Of our ma,
uonal unity, and the type of the continuity
OF our existence as II people.-(Applausc. }
Allow me, gentlemen, because there seems
10 be in America some little misconcepiion
with regard 10 cur characters and customs,
TO observe that we, monarchists though we
be, enjoy the advantages OF seligovcrnmcnl,
OF popular elections, of deliberativc assem-
bllesi with their attendant blessings of cau>
cuscs, stump orators and logTolings -
Oaughtor) )-and am moi sure but we some
times have little pipc-laying-( Renewed
lauehtor) )-almost if not altogether in equal
perfection with yourselves. | must own,
gentlemen, that was exceedingly amused
the other day, when one of the gentlemen
who did me the honor 10 visit me at Toron-
TO, bearing the invitation of the Common
Council and the Corporation of the City of
Boston, observed to me with the utmost
gravity, that he had been delighted TO find
upon entering our Legislative Assembly al
Toronto, that there was quite as much lib
erty OF speech there as in any body Of the
kind in this country (Laughterl Icoull
not help thinking that il my kind friend
would only favor US with his company in
Canada for lew weeks. we should be able
to demonstrate TO his entire satisfaction, that
the tongue is quite as "unruly member"
on the North side Of the line as on this side.
(Ronewod laushter.)
Now, gentlemen, you must not expect it,
for have not the voice for it, and do not
pretend 10 undertake TO make n regular
speech TO you, l belong to people who
arc VIGOROUSLY slow of speech. (Laughtcr.)
If any doubt exists on that subject, never
heard it and such doubts must have been
removed by the verdict which has been pro
nounced by high authority on that subject;
for distinguished member Of the American
Senate, who has lately been in England, has
informed his countrymen that pre.eminent
as John Bull is in many particulars, IN one
thing he always makes lamenlable failure
which is when he undertakes to try his hand
at public speaking. (Laughter.) Now,
gentlemen, deferrine as feel bound to do TO
that high authority, ind conscious that in no
particular do more correctly and truly rep
resent my countrymen, than in my stammer-
ing tongue and embarrassed utlerance ICON,
unued langhter). you may judge what my
feelings are, when am asked to address an
assembly like this, convened under the hos
pi'abe auspices of the Corporation Of Bos-
ton, believe 10 the tune of some four thou
sand, in this State of Massachusetts. State
which is so famous for its orators and its
Statesmen, State that can boast of Frank
Inns, and Adamses, and Eyerets, and Sum
ners, and Bigelows, and host of other dis
tinguished meni State, moreover. which
is the chosen home, if not The birthplace of
the ilustrious Secretary of State of the A.
merican Union. (Applauso)
But, gentlemen, although / cannot make
speech to you, must tell you in the plain
and homely way in which John Bull some.
times expresses bis feeling, when his heart
is full 10 overlowing-that is to say, when
they do not choke him and prevent his utter
ance altogether (sensation) i'm that homely
way must express to you how deeply CRATE
iul myself and allthose with me Ihear, hearl
are for the kind and gratifying reception we
have me in the city Of Boston. For myself
| may say that the city of Boston could not
have conferred upon me greater favor than
that which they have conferred, in inviting
NE to this festival, and in giving me an op-
porIunity not only to receive the hand Of
kindness which has been extended to me by
the authorities of the city and of the State,
but also the opportunity, which never had
before and perhaps may never have again,
OF paying my respects to the President OF
the Republic of the United States. Gap
piause) And although it would i'll become