Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-10-30


ting Mr.. Lincoln out as Geo. E. Pugh will
have in going to the border with so, 900 men.
viii Col(?) Wallace lead them.
Complimentary supper 10 Judge
Dillon.
The members of the Muscatne County
Bar, together with the officers of the District
Court and citizens Of the county, to the num-
Der Of about fifty, assembled in the parlors Of
the Echelberger Hotel On Wednesday even
ing, for the purpose of rendering to Judge
Dillon a suitable acknowledgement of their
appreciation of his worth as Judicial officer.
At o'clock the company proceeded to the
dining hall, where feast of good things was
in waiting. The company being seated, j.
Scott Richman, Esq, was called to preside
with the honored guest Of the evening upon
his right, and District Attorney Ellis on his
left. The inner man having been we'll re-
freshed to the entire satisfaction of each gen.
tlcman present, the cloth was removed and
the Independent Band introduced. Mr..
Richm n announced the regular toast of the
evening in the following order:
Hon. JOHN F. DILLON, cUs GUEsr.-The
accomplished scholar, the courteous gentle
man. the sound jurist and the upright Judge
while We regard his accession to the high
est judicial tribunal Of the State as an honor
we'll earned and deservediy bestowed, we can
not refrain from expressing our regret at
losing him in the nearer and more intimate
relations of District Judge.
Responded to by Judge Dillon as follows !:
My FRIENDS With unaffected sincerity
let me say that I am happy, thrice happy in
being called upon to meet with you on this
to me most interesting occasion. I would be
much less susceptible to the good opinion of
others 'lhtn am, or than l ought to be, #
should fail to be impressed with the great
compliment which the nature of the occasion
in Itself implies. Let me then assure you
that am happy 10 see the smiling faces of
my friends around me tonight. Let me
thank you from my heart for this additional
and most magnificent exhibition of your es-
teen, confidence and friendly regard.
1t is DeQuincy's remark that there is no
word in the English language more abused
by its indiscrminate application to comm on
objects and ordinary occasions than this same
word magnificent. But if this venerable
scholar and critic were here tonight, and in
my place, and could see as l do his friends
gathered around him to testify their regard
for him, he would exclaim as have done,
magnificent No word less fraught with sig
ni6cance, less burdened with meaning, could
do justice to the motives of his heart.
The celebrated historian, David Hume, in
writing an account of his life, which is pre-
fixed to some editions of his history, says: "a
man cannot long talk of himself without be-
coming yain-I shall therefore be brief"
The nature Of the occasion as well as the
kind sentiment to which l am responding,
naturally calls upon me to say something of a
personal nature, but I shall profit by Mr.
Hume's admonit:on and example aud be
brief.
Over twenty-five years ago, a mere boy,
came, or rather was brought by my parents
to Iowa, They were poor and were unable
to give me those educational advantages
which are now happily within the reach ol
ALL have resided in Iowa ever since.
expect to live and die in it. | know no Other
home.
Poor, unfriended and fiiendless, Iowa has
been to me bountiful and generous mother
owe to her a debt of gratitude which car
never cancel, her people obligations which
can never discharge.
Five years ago portion Of her people die
ne the distinguished honor to call m t.
preside over the District Court of this Dis
trict A new man. young and untried, re
solved then with Gods help would spare
no effort, no la Dor, however assiduous, t.
show that the confidence reposed in me was
not misplaced. 1 appreciated then as l dc
now the high responsib lity and the exalted
trust which was confided to me. I appreci
ated, moreover, how inadequately fitted
was properly to discharge duties of the place
accordingly set myself at once to the worl
of qualifying myself With the view of OBJ
tanning more thorough knowledge Of on
Reports, read them all carefully and as al
incidental result of this study, prepared my
digest of them. This work did chiefly a
night, and after having held Court seven o
eight hours during the day. Many tim,
and oft have toiled till one and two o'clocl
at night.
During the five years that have beer
your Judge have not failed to hold ever
term Of Court in Scott, Clinton ard jackson
counties and have uniformly opened them OF
the day appointed by law. l have faile'
only once to do so'in your own county, an
that was in consequence of sickness in m
family.
AS to the manner in which have dis
charged my duty it is not fitting that shoul
speak. Pardon me if from the high, and i
these days of strife for place, the unusus
compliment of reelection without oppos
ton, and especially from this testimonial te
night, l shall assume that ! have at leas
your approval. have found the place fs
from being "bed Of roses" or one Of ingl'
rious case.
In retrospecting the field can truly d
clare, as do, that l have never conscious
done an act which l would wish undone.-
Unavoidable errors Of judgment l have fr