Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-04-11

A PLEAsAHT EVENT II TIE LKADER W
TIcH.-A very pleasant affair came Of In the
nsWs-rOOm of the Leader office on Saturday
afternoon, in the presentation of an elsgsnt
gOld-hsadsd cane to E. CowIes, the prOprie-
tor of the paper. Mr.. COwles was hastily
summoned from the COunting-rOOm by the
sudden and startling announcement that
form had been pied, and fastening te the
nsws-room, found all the employees Of the
Leader-neWs-cOmpOs jOb-room- COM
pOsitOrs, Press-men, clerks, boOk-kseper and
editors-there assembled. Before he could
enquire the cause Of the unusual gathering
Mr.. E. G. Hardy, the commercial editor Of
the paper, and for years connected with 1t,
as foreman and typo, stepped forward
and addressed him as follows
{" Mr.. CowIes-I have been honored, sir,
by the employees Of the Leader, represent
ing all the departments Of the establishment,
in being selected to convey to you to. day, an
expression Of their respect and sincere good
will, and to ask your acceptance of q fitting
testimonial as an earnest Of this ezpfession.
You see here before you, sir, men of more
than ordinary intelligence-men who are
quick to discover and resent an injury, but
who are equally prompt to recognize and ac-
knowledge benefit or an act Of Ofjustiee, This
unanimous action on their part to-day,
giving as il does an unqualified and elo-
quent approval Of your past course toward
them, is one of the very highest oompli-
ments that could be paid an employer, and
this earnest exhibition Of good feeling can
not but prove gratifying to yourself, as I as
sure you the opportunity to give this evil
dence Of its existence is most pleasing to
them. It is eminentIy desirable, sir, that
this sentiment should be fostsrsd and en-
coursged, as it is only through such 3 spirit
that the relations between the Publisher and
his employees, so intimately connected are
they, can be properly and enthusiastically
balanced. And, sir, this feeling will always
exist where seIhshness is made subservient
to justice, and the spirit Of honorable con-
ciliation and compromise is permitted to per-
form its heslthful Offices. Let US hope, sir,
that in this respect the future will be cOun-
terpsrt of the past, and that no differences
will occur SO dif1eult to overcome as to mar
the harmony Of past and present associa-
tions.
With these remarks, Sir, permit me to ask
your acceptance of this cane, and in the dis
tsnt future, when those here collected have
been separated and forgotten to each other,
and many Of them, perhaps all, have passed
from earthly associations, if it should be to
you support as you pass down the hill Of
life, all the reward we ask is, that you will
remember kindly and with respect that plod-
ding yet patient mortal, the Printer, and his
no less indefatigabIe co-labOrers of the Print
ing Office.
Mr.. CoWles was taken entirely by surprise,
having received no intimstion of the intend
ed presentation. On receiving the cane he
responded as follows:
eKETLENEN-You have taken me somewhat
by surprise-sO much so that hardly know
how to express my feelings at being the re-
cipient of your friendly testimonial. You
will please accept my thanks for this beauti-
full gift, which I shall always prize highly,
not so much for its intrinsic value, as for
the motives that prompted you to present it
to me. Hoping that all of you may prosper
through this world, and that the present
kindly feeling existing between US shall al
ways continue, again thank you.
The cane itself is one Of the most elegant
that We have ever had the fortune to ex-
anime. Upon its head is the following in
scription:
Presented by the Employees Of the Leader to
MR.. E. CoWLES,
as amsrk ofrespeet.
April 9th, 1864