Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-12-18
A MOST PLEAsANT AFFAIR.

A MOST PLEASANT AFFAIR.
In q few days one Of ClsvelEnd's most
honOred sons, leading advocate at her bar,
her most eloquent champion Of truth and
liberty, and recently her Representative in
the National congress-the Hon. A G.
Riddle,-Ein take leave of our city and de-
part to assume his new duties as United
States Consul at Matanzas. 1t was but ft-
ting, in view of this fact, that the numerous
friends Of Mr.. Riddle, in this city, should
testify, in some public way, their respect
for him, and their regret in parting from him.
It was with this object in view that they
rendered to him the farewell banquet, which
came of at the Angler House on Wednesday
evening. The affair was q splendid success.
The invited guests, some seventy Eve, per-
haps, in number, consisting of oIevsland's
best citizens, and representing ali the pro-
fessions and every branch Of business, as
sembled in the parlors Of the Angler, and
ehatted In easy and friendly groups, until the
announcement of Supper. Among them we
noticed Judge s. J. Andrews, who for the
first time for twenty-five years attended
banquet of the sort in testimony of his re-
gard for Mr.. Riddle. At nine O'Clock
they were marshaIled to their seats at the
commodious dining tables Of the Angler, and
called to order by the Hon. R. G. Parsons,
the President of the evening, in s speech of
force aud elegance, of which We present the
following abstract:
SPEECH OF MR. PARSONS.
have been requested to act as chairman
Of this social gathering, and for the honor
conferred return you my sincere thanks.
We meet tonight, without rel, ard to party
distinctions, to pay our respects to our old
friend, neiRhbor and fellow citizsn, the Hon.
Albert G. Riddle, who is about to leave us to
enter upon his duties as Consul of the United
States at one of the West India Islands. We
meet to say TO him " Good bye,"-to ex-
tend to him the friendly hand at parting-ts
wish him God speed upon his journey, and
assure him of our best wishes for his future
welfare, and to say how gladly We shall well
come him back to his home, when his labors
abroad are over.
Il will not be expected Of me that shall
st this time attempt anything like q sketch
Of the life or services Of the distinguished
gentleman. Ny first acquaintance with him
was in the winter Of ls49-5O, when, as mem
Der Of the Ohio Legislature, at that most ex-
citing and important session, Mr.. Riddle ar
rested and attracted the attention of the
State by the industry and ability with which
he then discharged his duties.
Subsequently, well remember his coming
to Cleveland, and enterir upon the practice
e Il sc. - - L..
land Bar. The members of the Bar around
me can bear witness that in all his relations
here he ever commanded their entire conf
dence and respect. As Prosecuting Attorney
of this County, Mr.. Riddle discharged his
task with singular ability and fidelity, and 1
can well remember how, after some eloquent
effort on his part, he had secured the convie-
ton of some unfortunate 7iolator of the Law,
have seen him weep over the culPrit when
he came to receive the awful sentence Of the
court.
While acting as a member Of Congress
from this District it may truthfully be said
that upon the Aoor of Congress he always
supported with unusual ability the principles
and wishes Of his constituents.
And here let me say, that while We con-
gratuIate our friend upon his appointment to
his new sphere of duty, and the public at
this kind are causes of graduation, yet they
are causes of SORROW and pain also. 1t is
sad and melancholy spectacle to stand on
| the deck Of noble ship and see your native
land rscediDg, and growing DINNER and
DINNER in the distance, and to feel that it is
uncertain when, il ever, you shall see it
i again. I we'll remsmber three years ago
standing one summer afternoon on the decks
Of the steamship, and watching, with eager
eyes, the dim outlines Of ny native land, as
the vessel shot swiftly out into the ocean.
And well remember how I felt when the
last vestigs Of it was gone, and there was
/ nsthing left to see but the horizon and old
ocean. looked up with pride and delight
to ali tAat was left Of home. Tho old tag of
our country still floating in the breeze,
seemed dear to me then, but has become
/ doubIy so since-sanctifed as it has been by
the blood of the brsVest, the truest, and the
nobIest in our land.
But gentlemen, will detaln you no long
er. We can only say, God speed you, old
| friend, or your journey across the ocean,
and send you safe bGsk again to your family
and friends; and when your little voyage of
/ life Il ended, may you find s safe and vel
come harbOT on the other side Of the great
river"
The brief and eloquent speech of Mr.. Par
sons was received well, and interrupted BY
frequent bursts of applause.
The splendid banquet, spread BY that en-
psrOr of caterers, Cslonsl J. P. Ross, next
attracted the attention of the company. Here
il the Bill of Fare, dsintiIy eloquent Of good
things. It shall speak its own praises. One
word Ietus add:-that it " kept the word Oi
promise" q" not only to eye and ear but to the
palate as well
BILL OF FARE.
SOUP.
Oyster.