Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1865-12-06
Serenade 10 Maj. Gen. N. P. Banks
THE MARINE BAND IN ATTENDANCE.
Address Of Ex.COv. Hahn, Of Louisiana
SPEECH OF GENERAL BANKS
Complete Endorsement of the Presi-
dents Message.

Last evening, about half-psst nine o'clock,
citizens Of Louisiana and other States, now
in Washington, headed by the celebrated ma
rine band, called upon Major Gen. BANKS,
at the Ebbitt House, to pay their respects.
Mr.. C. c. WILLARD, the landlord of the ho-
tel, learning the intention Of the friends of
the General, made n handsome display of
Chinese lanterns over the entrance of the
Fourteenth street balcony, from which the
speeches below were made.
Gov. HAHN, in behalf Of the Louisiana cit
izens present, after the band had played sew
eral fine airs, appeared upon the balcony
with Gen. BANKS, CHARLES SIXTH, Esq,
Collector of Internal Revenue OF New Or
leans, Gen. WALKER, son of Hon. ROBERT ].
WALKER, Hon. ALEX. II. RICE, NJ. c., Of
Massachusetts,, Gen. CLARK, Executive Clerk
Of the United States Senate, and others.
Upon the appearance Of Gen. BANKS he
was greeted with "Three cheers for the hero
of Port Hudson" given with will by the
large concourse of people present. The band
then struck up "Hail to the Chief,' after
which Gov HAHSspoke as follows:
"FELLow- CITIZENS: 1t gives me great
pleasure to introduce to you the Hon. N. p.
Banks, late commander of the Department
| Of the South, and the hero Of Port Hudson.
Although he is a member the councils Of the
| nation from bis own native State Of Massa-
chusetts, there are many loyal hearts, both
white and black, in the far-distant State OF
Louisiana that look up to him as their friend
and their protector. No man occupying a
military position in the South has ever done
more to develOpe the principles Of human
freedom or to advance the great cause Of pro-
gress and humanity than Gen. Banks. You,
fellow citizens, show your generosity and
gratitude in coming here to do honor to the
| man who has done more than any other to
establish the principles Of universal liberty
in the South, and 1t gives me pleasure to in
troduce him, that you may hear from his own
lips his eloquent words"
Amidst most enthusiastic cheers, General
BANKS began as follows:
GEN. BANKS SPEECH.
FELLow-CITIZENs: / thank you for the
unexpected and grateful compliment paid me
by this assemblage. recall my association
with other officers Of the Government in the
Southwest, and especially in the State ol
| Louisiana, with satisfaction. Although W.
encountered many difficulties and did moi
attain the success we desired, yet believe
that the policy adopted was the best for the
oountry-for the people of the South as wei
as for the people of the North-that ooulc
have been Instituted at that time Ap
plause. 1t had the endorsement of that
pure patriot, Abraham Lincoln, Applause,
and think that if we had been allowed th'
time that is necessary to establish important
measures of reform, Louisiana would have
solved every problem that now eInbarrasse'
the nation, and to the solution of which WI
must look for future prosperity. But we viii
not discuss the questions of the past. What
ever may have been its discouragements a9t
failures, we must now open to ourselves new
paths Of honor, freedom, liberty, and pros
perity. Applause You may be assured
that whatever it is my power to accomplish
for the welfare of Louisiana, whether in pub
lie life or us citizen, whatever can do 70
the people of Louisiana shall assured.
perform. Applause. shall be unsparinl
In my efforts to secure liberty, prosperity
and peace within the Union of States to tn
loyal men of Louisiana, both black ant
white. Prolonged applause.
We have no reason 10 be discouraged
the prospect before US. The problems ar