New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-26
PRESENTATION TO AID. DAYTON

Last evening a large party Of the political friends
Of Alderman lsaac Dayton met TO pay their respects
to him at George N. Leonards Reading Room, No.
2O7 West Twenty. second street. As soon as thev
had organized Mr. Matthew McDougal, who presided,
addressed the meeting at length, referring
pecialIy TO the faithful career Of Dir. Dayton a.
member Of the Republican party, aud more pariicB-
larry 10 hi. position as u member Of the Board of Al
dermen. He next referred to the fact Of Mr.. Or
d. kes election as an omen of good for the future;
after which he presented to the guest Of tue evening
II silver sslver pitcher, and gobles in the following
terms:
| Mr.. Dayton, am commissioned TO deliver into
your hands this testimonial from your friends. Per-
nit me 10 read the inscription:
Presented 10 Lease DAYTON esq Alderman o. the SIX
teenh Ward b. hi, N nls IN ss,imony Of his-rices
as Republican and his personal worth a. citizen
In response, Aid. Dayton began BY saying that the
testimonial which he had the honor 70 receive at
their hands, was TO him inexpreseibly invaluable
and precious. lie felt that it came. not merely
by personal Partially, but from che heaI g
Of body OF gentlemen with whom he bad
been associated for number of years in strug-
gle TO rescue the Government of this country fron
the thIaldom of political flayery. He had been
assocte1 with these parties for years. been
striving to change this condition Of matters. He
then referred 10 the happiness it bad caused bin n
bs public service 10 receive the appreciation Of his
friends. Tie lie of Alderman be Intended, 40 lopg
be it, should be as honorable as II was wont
to be. He thanked bis friends of the Sixteenth
Ward for their vigilance, cordially, and zeal, for
their public services in the objects OF National State,
and City reform. They who lad made this present
alton were men VITO had been associated with him,
ready to make, in any honorable way, such reform.
Could aught be said TO add to the veius
that he should attach to il 7 Should il not on
that account be cherished by him aud bis, as an
herloomi Tie then made some patriot, references
70 the rebellion. HE sphere ercumscfibed but
1T was bis intention limited his opportunity might
be- TO represent the feeling OF the Sixteenth W ard,
which was opposed 20 corruption, and opposed 70
Treason in every phase and every form. lie sought
but single rule in bis official course, and that
was the rejection Of policy. He repudlsted
party acts simply party acts, but every sct coDdu-
i've TO public good elevated ard enhanced the oha-
ence of the party 20 which he was attached, while
act done purely from selfish or part san motive,
no matter how much sdvsntiged The indiv lual pecu
niaily, recoiled against the party who in6orsed it.
liz regard to the extravagaDt expenditures OF public
monies ne had aud would oppose IL relying for ms
tiieaon npon the reope, and he should tinue to
DO 20 in the capacity OF Alderman, any other
paeity. lie thought the tiue wouli soon come
when these corrupt city jobs would be
ut on end, and he would look back upon
lis career, conscious that be bad taken NO
Tart in any attempt to defraud the city. lie bad
discharged bi duty, bis whole duty and nothing bnt
his duty. He made reference to Mr.. Opdyke's cleo
ton being the initiative of radical change in our
City Government, aud as a check to the extrava-
gances which had characterized our municipal Affairs
for years.
lie then feelingly all lded to the high compliment
conferred on him by the presentation In the courss
Of bis remarks, Mr.. Dayton was frequently inter-
rupted by hearty applause, aud closed amid eUihasi-
as'ic cheering
The folding-doors were then drawn, aud bounti-
fully-suppled table presented itself or the apptca-
ton Of the guests. Tossts proposed and drank,
speeches made cheers given, and other elements If
a Merry Christmas. combined to make the occasion
memorable