Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-03-15

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

-
third Congress in the Office Of the Clerk of
the House of Representatives OF the United
states, presented to that gentleman at his
residence beautiful Silver Pitcher and pair
OF silver Goblets, manufactured by the Messrs.
Calf of this city, and suitably inscribed.
About nifty gentlemen, in all, were present.
The presentation was made in the name of
his associates under Col. F. by Mr. John C.
Bowyer, who said:
or when our fellow-men turn aside
from the hustle and attractions of society," and
forgetting self, render a tribute of respect in
onering memorial of the heart typi6ed by
symbol Of art, there is something in the cere
mony which elevatss and gives dignity to
human nature.
As expressive Of our attachment and re-
spect, the pleasing duty devolyes on me of
rendering memorial significant of feeling
beyond that which ordinarily regulates social
intercourse We know not what vieisstudes
may be wrapt up in the future, or what day
may bring forth, as change appears to be the
order Of the day-nothing social or moral can
escape it, the dearest ties are snapped asunder
and In moment we are parted perhaps 10
meet no more.
Thus impressed, the gentlemen recently
associated with you in the public service have
gathered around you, not merely TO say fare
well, but In uttering that sentiment, to en-
body II IN something durable, and something
which may greet your eye as a token of un-
affected homage to Jour worth in all the rela-
tons of life.
Before concluding, allow me to say that
we have witnessed your career for years, and
in separating from you, we were rejOiced to
see that in the new sphere in which you were
placed oy the failure to organise the House of
Representatives, you won golden opinions and
gathered well deserved commend ations from
friend and foe alike.
=" In conclusion sir, permit me to say that
whatever may be your destiny, we feel as
suIed that lager field of usefulness awaits
you, and Judging from the past, We predict
that the cloud which now impends will soon
disappear, and ere long, under a brighter
sun We will Te-units to greet each other only
regretting the deLuston which caused our sepa-
ration.
1T now only remains to place these SYM
bols Of our regard in your hands, which. /
now do with degree of pleasure that finds
an echo In the bosoms Of all have the homo
TO represent.
Col. Forney responded in the following elo.
quent terms:
return my acknowledgements to the gen.
tlemen with whom have been associated in
the office of the Clerk Of the House of Repre-
sentatives of the United States for these chaste
and beautiful testimonials Of their regard :;
ana thank you, SIR, for the manner in which
you have presented them, and for the terms
IN which you have chosen to speak of myself
rejoice that can say with entire sim
ceTlty, that the full measure of confidence
and friendship, always felt and avowed by
those connected officially with me, has been
cordially and constantly reciprOcated on my
part. 1t is most grateful reflection, this
consciousness that although most of us met as
strangers, We now separate to be close and de-
voted friends. In the days which are to
come, give me such recollection az this;
prove that possess the confidence and affec-
ton OF those who know me best and have
known me longest, and the roar Of calumny
will pass by like the idle wind. What, in
deed, is the glare Of political popularity what
the applause Of distant and stranger friends,
ii there Is no basis in the endearments of fire.
SIDE and home, no ferYent sympathy amopg
those who knew us at school, or who have
gone with US, side by side, along the pathway
which leads 70 the grave
g Your allusion to the contingency which
called me to preside during the interregnum
before the organization Of the House, impels
me to say that the real value to me Of that
trying position consisted in the opportunity
which enabled me to disarm those with whom
had differed in politics. Some of them ex-
pected to find me an unjust partizan, because
was devoted heart and soul to the principles
OF the Democratic party. Sir, assumed the
duties imposed upon me by most unexpected
circumstances, and by a most unexpected de-
lay, without motive that was hot honest and
Just. 1t never occurred to me that might
be expected TO do a wrong to serve those RICH
teous principles upon which believe God him
self has set his approving seal; and I was
surprised to find that my course, such as it
was, should occasion surprise in others 1
was, however, profoundly sensible Of the ap-
prevail manifested by the unanimous endorse
ment Of the House after the election of
speaker; and am glad thus publicly to ex-
press my grateful sense Of this honor.
In uor1 in
debted, those Of you who have been removed
from ONCE by my successor, General Cullom
towards whom L entertain sentiments of high
respect for his courteous tire atment, to the fact
that you are identified with the Americ an De-
mocracy. 1t was the adherence Of that organi
ration to great and glorious principle in the
Congress Of 1854, which, while il united in solid
column, the tried and the true, concentrated
the leglons OF the opposition who threw them.
selves upon our forces, and in a moment of
panic on the one hand, and passion on the
other, swept the House Of its Democratic ma
Jorlty, and gave our adversaries the power
which they have not hesitated to exercise
Do We not all remember that struggle Of Is547
VINO cannot recall the raven notes that filled
the atmosphere with gIoans the dark pro.
pnecies OF ruin, and the exultation of our foes
when the Kansas and Nebraska bill became
law! The duty which called upon the Demo-
crazy to act could not be eyaded. Democrats
arc nut meie carpet Warrlors VINO Hourlsh best
In the beams Of power They are made for
stern and iron responsibility. 1t is their mis-.
sion to encounter grave and perilous errors.
to assert the right in the face of defeat, and
to grapple with wrong, no matter how terrible
or how strong it may be and If they 20 down
IN the conflict they must bide their time; and so
sure as their cause is just, they will rise again
The engineer Is not long disheartened at
the difficulties which impede his efforts to
open the wilderness to civilization lie calls
star eyed science TO his aid he inyokes the
stout arm Of honest labor to his side and
when the rocky way is once opened to the
tide Of progress, human blessings and liberal
laws travel in company with the genius of
steam, and the wilderness blossoms ike the
rose. SO it is with the Democratic party.
That party cannot hesitate at the obstacles
thrown forward TO arrest its advance IL
must go on at every hazard. The lion in its
path, whether 1t be faction or whether it be
fsnatIcism, must be removed or DESTROYED.