Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1851-10-03
BOSTON RAIL ROAD JUBILEE,


Sharpe's Magazine.
! ------------------------------
BOSTON RAIL ROAD JUBILEE.
/ Speech of Lord Elgin, at the Corporation
Dinner on Boston Common, Sept 10Th, lcjl
The health OF QUEEN NIcToRIA being pro-
posed by the Mayor, LoRD ELGlS responded as
follows -
J Mr.. MAYOR AND GrxTLEmEN-Tt is not
very customary with us for any individual to
take II upon himself to return thanks for the
toast which YOU have Just now SO cordially, so
enthusiastically drank. | feel an additional
difficulty in rising to discharge that duty at this
time, because have at my left hand a gentle
man who holds an important diplomatic station
in this country, Mr.. Cramp,on.) and from whom
q response to that toast. would come perhaps
more appropriately than from myself. In obc-
dcncc, however, to the cal of his honor the
Mayor. and in compliance, | believe to the
wishes of my friend on my left, rise to cx-
press in the name Of all the British subjects
here present-ior feel that every one of them
has an equal right with my-c!f to answer that
toast Canadians. EnTiishmen. ScNtchmcn and
lrlshmcn.--ln behalf Of them all beg leave
to express our cordial and hearty thanks for
the manner in which that toast has been rcceiv-
ed by you.
Gentlemen, as have the honor to nd lress
myself to Il company which consiss in the
greater part Of persons who live under different
institutions from myself, perhaps may be per-
mlttcd to observe that we British subjects hon
or and respect our Queen, not only because of
her exemplary character, but for her many put-
lie and private virtues, and the singular tact
and firnness which has enabled her to protect
lp h.in of barD
the cordialty and good will Of mankind, but al
so because we recognize IN the constitutional
and hereditary throne upon which she is seated,
the symbol OF our national unity, and the type
OF the continuity OF our existence as people
tAppIause.
Allow me, gentlemen, because there seems
to be in America some little mlsconception
with rcTard to our characters AMI customs, to
observe that we, Inouarchsts though we be, en-
JOY the advantages Of selt-goycrnmcn', Of po-
pular elections, of delhcrltvc assemblies, with
their attendant blessings Of clucusCs, stump
orators and log roIilngS- Laughter and I'm
not sure but we sometimes have little pipe
laying Renewed laughter almost if not a.
together in equal perfection with yourselves
must own, gentlemen, that was exceedingly
amused the other day, when one Of the gentle
men who did me the honor to visit me ut To-
ronto, bearing the invitation OF the Common
Council ard the Corporation Of the city of Bos
ton, observed to me with the utmost gravity,
that he had been delighted to ind upon enter
inr our Legislative Assembly at Toronto, that
there was quite as much liberty OF speech there
in any body OF the kind in tins country =
laughter. could not help thinking tnat If
my friend would only favor us with hls com
pany in Canada for a few weeks, we should be
Ia, / lfsf ftAr
that the tongue is quite rs ''unruly member"
on the North side Of the line as on this side
Renewed laughter.
Now. gentlemen, you must not expect IT. for
have not the voice for 1t, and do not pretend
to undertake to make regular speech to you.
belong to people who are VIGOROUSLY slow
of speech Laughter Ii any doubt exists
on that subject, | never heard 1t; and such
doubts must have been removed by the verdict
which has been pronounced by hlgh authority
on that subject; for distinguished member Of
the American Senate. who has lately been IN
England, has informed his countrynen that pre-
cmlnen, rs John Bal IS IN many particulars IN
one thing he always makes Il lHmentaDlc fail
ure, which Is when he undertakes public speak
ing. Lnughtcr Now, gentlemen, dcicrnng
as feel bound to do to that hiIn authority, and
conscious that in no particular do more cor
rectly and truly represent my cuuntrymcn, than
in my stammerng tongue and embarrassed ut
terance, Cconcnucd laughter you may Judge
what my feelings are, wnen am asked to adj
dress an assembly like this, convened under the 1
hospitable auspices of tle corporation of Bos !
ton, in tins state of Massachusetts, state which
Is 80 famous for ITS orators and Its statesmen,
state that can boast OF Franklns, and AdamseS
AMI Eyeretts, and Summers, ana Blgelows, and
a host Of other distinguished men, a state,
moreover, winch IS the chosen ho'nc' II not the
brth-pa e. OF the iinStnons secretary OF state
of the American Cnon' lAPp'auSe
But gentlemen, although | cannot make