Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-03-09

PRrsExrArIOE.TO PHO CHArBIRLAIs, ESQ.
"A mest interesting and pleasing affair
occurred yesterday afternoon at the prin-
cipal Office of the Northern Transportation
Company, in this city, which must ever
be one of the most grateful and entertain
ing recollections Of those who participa-
ted, more especially for the reason that it
was one of the very few similar occasions
where true merit is justly rewarded. 1t
wss the presentation to Philo Chamberlain,
Esq, President Of the Northern Transport
alton Company, Of beautiful solid silver
pitcher, gob!ets and server, by the agents
of the company, the officers of the Buckeye
Mutual Insurance Company, and some 9TH
or of his many friends. The annual
meeting of the agents is now be-
ing held here, and the time was
most opportune for such an expression
Oftheir good will. Accordingly, during the
session of the agents yesterday afternoon,
business IVES interrupted by J. Myer, Esq,
the agent for the Company in New York
city, upon whom the duty of presenting
the testimonial had been devolved, and sd-
dressing himself to Mr.. Chamberlain, to
whom the entire affair was complete sur
prise, spoke as follows:
A boy born in afflueuce, reared in the lap
of luxury, with every advantage fer an ed
ucstion, with experienced hands to guide
and direct Linn, with business well estab
lished, having distant landmarks ready
for him to step into when he reaches his
majority, deserves no great credit even if
he is what the world calls successful, espe-
cially 30 when he is backed by Influential
friends and all the capital he requires.
Such, sir, certainly was not your case, but
quite the reverse. Your opportunities for
an education were such as the country
schools of yourssnative New England fur
nished half century age, with such time as
could be spared from the labors of the farm
for their improvement, you obtained your
education. With no business laid out or
planned for you by experienced hands, but
strict integrity to guide you-a mothers
prayer and fathers blessing for yeur cap
ital in trade-you left the parental roof to
carve your way in the world. and when you
reached this, then western, countrya third
Of century ago you found no business es-
tsblished to your hand, but all was new and
untried. Experiments had to be resorted
TO. With variety of successes and reverses
you have finally succeeded in establishib &
large and prosperous business, affecting
and reaching, in Its various ramihcetions,
hundreds of persons. A few of your per-
sonal friends, having viewed with admira
tion your courage and strict integrity under
trying circumstances, and what would to
toh Ia oh oil hill
thus adverse waves bore heavily upon
your mind, and as was sometimes feared,
would effect your not too robust constitu
ton. Wehave also noticed that your great
est care was not for yourself but all your
anxiety seemed to be for those who would be
affected by your misfortune, and while IN
der these difficulties you were kind and
generous to fault. In view of these and
many other considerations, few of your
personal friends have deemed this fitting
occasion to present you this silver Pitcher,
Goblet and Server, as token Of our affec-
ton and esteem for you, personally, for the
high business capacity and noble traits of
character you have shown in your some
what eventful career.
And now, Mr.. President, allow me, in be-
half of these friends, to congratulate you
upon the firm basis and successful results
of the business of the company over whom
you so worthily preside, and may we not
hope that the younger members of your |
staff will double their diligence and exer |
tions, and thereby lessen the burdens on |
have had to bear heretoforeP
Finally, we hope you and your good lady |
may cherish this memento while you live, |
and afterwards hand it down to your chill |
dren, that they may profit by the lessons it |
is calculated to inspire, so that when sccu-
mulating years shall begin to weigh you |
down, your sons shall, one by one, as they |
reach their majority, be fitted and ready to
take the position you now hold.
Mr.. Chamberlain, though without the
slightest expectation of such an episode as
had been thus visited upon him, responded
in an admirably thoughtful and practical
speech of ten minutes, which we regret We
are not able TO do justice to tonight. In
upon his association with the
gentlemen who compose the Company
over whose affairs he SO ably pre-
sides, he accorded them the very high
sst acknowledgements for the ever
faithful, ardent and energetic man
ner in which they had seconded his efforts
in directing the business over which he had
charge, and was free to confess that in no
Iman degree had the success of the enter
prise been derived from this cordial support
and undertaking faithfulness ou the part of
his co-workers. On the whole, he thought
that it would better become him
we're he able SO to do, to present to each
and all of those associated with him tes-
.imonial of regard and good feeling, but he
would accept the beautiful present they had
been pleased to give him, and he could as
sure all that it would ever be a treasure of
inc most sacred character both to himself
md to his family, he hoped for generations
yet to come. 1t would constitute land
mark in his life never to be lost sight of.
The articles, ss we have said, are of solid
Iilver, and were consequently very costly.
The pitcher bears the inscription: "P.
President Northern Transpor-
alton Company, from few of his friends,
March ssh, 1865" The gOblets and server
pear simply the letter &C." The articles
we're furnished by Crittenden: Altogether
. more agreeable affair of the kind we have
lever had the good fortune to witness, and
certainly testimonial was never more
vorthily bestowed.
STILL ASorHER CHANGE OF PRovosr MAR
n 1