The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-09-08
From the WEtelrg Intelligencer.
COMPLIMENTARY.
Ssrenade to Senator Cald1oeH BIZ tie German
Republicans Of the CITY.

towards the close OF last week, a reputation
of our German citizens signifed to Senator
Caldwell that it would afford them great pleas
ure TO attest their warm appreciation of the
official stand which he had recently taken in
behalf Of the principles of the Republican party,
through the medium of complimentary must
cal serenade. Senator Caldwell, in reply, as
sured them that their complimentary proffer
was very gratifying to him, and that, on any
evening that might be convenient to them, it
would be his pleasure to have them visit his
house. Accordingly, on Saturday evening last,
about nine O'clock Professor Weber, with his
singing choir, and one Of the German bands
together with numerous others, Germans and
Americans, went out in hacks, wagons and
buggies, to the residence of Senator Caldwell,
on the National Road, three and a half miles
east of the city. Mr. Caldwell, with a number
Of his personal friends, came out from his resi-
dence, met the delegation at his gate, and warm
ly welcomed them to the inequalities of his
home
After song from the choir and tune from
the band, Professor Weber, on behalf of the
Germans, proceeded, in some well-tmed and
some handsomely expressed words, to explain
TO Senator Caldwell the moving motive of the
Germans, whom he represented, in coming out
10 compliment him with this serenade. He and
his fellow Germans were DESTROYS of expressing
10 Senator Caldwell their Joy and the great
qualification which it gave them to learn of the
honorable position which had been recently ten
dersd him, and which still more honorably and
manfully he had accepted, in the ranks of !" the
great Republican party" The Germans, for
whom he Professor Weber, spoke, were at
tached TO the great principles of that party, and
it gave them both courage and pleasure to vel
come TO their lead the same man who in other
times and under other circumstances they had
often delighted to honor with their confidence
and their votes.
Senator Caldwell, after very appropriately
acknowledging the honor which had been done
IN this little transformations bat heartfelt dem
onstration, said that it would be impossible for
him not to feel a lively interest in whatever
concerned the welfare of the German masses,
both in the city of Wheeling and elsewhere
No man had ever had better friends than the
Germans had been to him. He had from the
very first, and often since he had begun a pub
lie career, been indebted to their sympathy and
their votes for the honors which he had enjoyed
1t did therefore, this evening, give him a real
and rather an unusual pleasure TO hear from
them assurances that their friendship for him.
and their confidence in him, has not abated
but Increased, by reason of the step which he
had taken. No wonder, said he, that you Ger
mems and other laboring men feel an interest
In the progress and in the final ascendency Of
the principles of the Republican party II is
emphatically the party of the white laboring
men Of this country. While the Democratic
party is the favorite party Of the aristocratic
element in our Government while it promotes
the interests and follows the dicta Of the oil
garchical body of Southern shareholders, to the
prejudice Of the interests of free white working
men, the Republican party has made the inter
ests of our working men, of our small producers
in the soil and IN the workshops, Its fundamen-
tai basis. 1t was puzzle to him how any man
who wrought with his hands, and who valued
the dignity of the sweat of his brow, could
Tyaver in his choice between the principles oil
the two parties. Free labor never could be
honorable, never could command that respect
to which it was entitled, while ever it was dis
eliminated against, as between it and slave
labor. Whenever it was degraded to the leve
of compulsory slave labor, or as it had been I,
the Democratic party, subordinated, it mus
partake Of the degradation Of slave labor
Every man ought TO be able to see this. The
gaeat principles Of the Republican party wer,
the same that Henry Clay had contended for il
his lifetime, viz: encouragement to the labor
Of free white working men, whether tillers O
soil, mechanics, or manufacturers. So plair
were these facts becoming IN the eyes of The
people, and so tired were they now of the dis
asters and prosirations which have been brough
upon the industrial interests of the country
through the principles of the Democratic party
that they were about to rise up in their strength
and hurl their oppressors from the places which
they 50 unworthily occupied.
We do not pretend 10 give more than mere
outlire of Senator Cadwell's remarks. The,
we're listened to attentivcly, and frequently anc
loudly appiauded by his hearers. Alter its con
clusion, all persons were invited into his house
where most bourtiful collation., consisting 0
the choicest delicacies of the season, had beer
tastefully spread, through the agency Of his &C
complished lady. The whole occasion wa
creditable to all concerned.
As the feasting and general enjoyment wer
IN progress, Mr.. Z. Norton, who was present
extended cordial invitation to the company t
adjourn 10 has residence, and there continue th
social programme of the evening. This wa
done, and the band, to the stirring air of th
Marseillaise, took up the line of march. On
arriving at Mr.. Norton's, Professor Webe
turned to the Germans, and in their own Ian
guage explained TO them the position which Mr.
Norton had and still occupied in regard to thu
great iron interests of the city and country
He, in a happy and complimentary analogy
linked those traits of character which had en-
abled Mr.. Norton from small beginnings to ris
10 his present commanding position, to thos
material iron elements in which. from a boy. h
had been used to deal. Turning TO Mr. Norton
Prof. Weber formally introduced him to hi
fellow Germans. Mr.. Norton, in reply to Pro
Weber, warmly welcomed him and his friend
TO his house, after which he turned to the motto
of those elements of labor and laboring success
with which Prof. Weber had so happily identi
fed him. Mr.. Norton said that it was his chic
pride, and it was his greatest satisfaction. tina
whatever he was that was worthy of remark O
attention, had been achieved by his own hand
and head, through the free principles of on
American Constitution. The question of tn
dignity of free white labor was a practical on
with him. 1t was not theoretical or yet
"Bunkum" one. 1t was one which was a
near and dear to him as his life, and before h
would sacrifice aught of those convictions, i
politics, which in his opinion were to save FIRE
labor from degradation in this country, he woul
give ND life ITSELF He believed, as their distir
guished Senator had said to them, that tn
principles of the Republican party were esser
tally promotive of the best interests of whit
working men-and it was their duty, as it wa
their privilege, TO speak against and vote agains
any principles that would degrade them to tn
level of African slaves.
After Mr.. Norton had finished his remark.
his guests were invited back into one of tn
spacious arbors with which his grounds are S
handsomely adorned, where, as at Mr.. CalC
wells, the handiwork and iberality of woma
was again made manifest in the luxuries tina
oYerspread large table. The glee of the OF
cssion and the general run of enjoyment wa
kept mp until about midnight, when, on tina
hour being announced By Prof Weber, all pal
ties took leave, vel satisfied with the feast