The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-02-10
Complimentary Supper to Senator
Norton, at Winona.
Mr.. NortOn's Speech ON the a..
caSlOn.

The Winona Republican of Monday
contains an account of complimentary
supper given to Mr.. NORTON on Saturday
evening BY about sixty personal friends.
Although the gathering was virtually sans
ceremonie, Il. D. Hurr, Esq, was called
upon to occupy the chair, and, a commit.
tee of three was appointed to wait upon
Mr.. NoRroN and invite his presence. In
due time that gentleman appeared; where
upon, for an hour or two friendly oongrat-
ulations and social converse passed the
time pleasantly away.
At 8 O'Clock the company sat down to a
bountifnl and admirably prepared supper,
furnished by the proprietors of the house,
Messrs. OooKRE1L 4 WILLIAMS, and served
up with their accustomed good taste. The
viands upon the board having been pop
erly disposed Of Mr.. E. S. YouMANs was
loudly called upon to speak, to which in
vitation he responded. He congratulated
Mr.. NORTON on his election, aud said his
friends all felt the truth of the promise
BLESSED are ye when men shall revile
you and persecute you, and say all manner
of evil against you, falsely" ilApplause I
They all felt that Winona had az last a
representative, at least in one branch of
the National Legislature, and that her in
terests would not be entirely ignored. He
also expressed hope and confidence that
Mr.. NcRroN's future course might prove
profitable to himself and honorable to the
State. az .sra a.l eci asa:1lif /
To this Mr.. NoRroN, being called upon,
replied: .sn r--.lo =. gls1.a
It would be pure affectation in me, my
friends aud fellow-citizens, to say that / take
nothing of this occasion as personal to myself.
1t will be accounted as neither egotism nor
vanity in me to believe that this welcome and
these friendly ceremonies were prompted, in
some degree, at least, by desire on your part
to testify personal regard for an old resident
of your city. Indeed, should feel thrt had
lived among you for now nearly eight years,
with but little purpose to myself if had not
made some friends who would feel personal
pleasure in my success. And if there is sim
gle fact in connection with the high honor
that has been conferred upon me more crafty.
ing than another, it is that there are those who
do rejoice as in the success of friend; that
these friends who were with me in adversely
are still with me when prosperity seems to shed
its pleasurable influences over my head.
But while there is this personal ground for
cOngratulation, there is another-not higher
nor hOlier, but OF o more material nature
which should not be over looked in our rejoice
ing, as citizens of Winona Whilst it is impos.
sible to say what particular conside may
have operated on the minds of particular MEM
bQrc in ms hoir IF n
represent them in the Senate of the United
States. yet have we not reason to believe that
some regard was had to the energy and enter
prise If the people of Winona?s / believe
that few, at least, desired to manifest the
esteem in which they held that young city,
which by the activity and intelligence of
Its Inhabitants, has become the pride and boast
of our State Toward such friends as these
we should always entertain q lively sense of
gratitude and esteem. ap f.rgea FL
In times past you, my friends, have honored
me highly; and shall never forget that my
present position is due to that more than to
any other single fact. Believe me, then, when
I say: shall not turn my back upon you. With
all my attachments for Winona and her inter.
ests, I trust shall ever-as you would assur-
edly desire that / should-deal Justly and
fairly by every portion of our State, and ex-
tend willing and a friendly assistance, in sd
far as my ability and opportunities will allow,
to the promotion of all her varied interests.
You have been pleased, sir, to remind me
that i am called to high position in the ma
tional councils at a time full of great danger
and difficuley. ] lam not insensible to the fact
in its highest import. And in reply to the
kind solicitude of friends as to what my course
shall be upon the various disturbing questions
that may arise during the next six years, / will
simply remark: # on earnest desire for the
countrys best welfare; if a due regard to the
sacred landmarks set up by the Fathers of the
Republic for the guidance of their descendants,
with the light these landmarks have had shed
upon them during the bitter experience of the
past four years; il careful study and diligent
endeavor in the path where duty may lead me
If these and such as these, are what you ex-
legislature. then pledge you that no effort on
my part shall be wanting to meet your high an
ticipations. Applause. And in conclusion,
pledge you further, that if any word or act
of mine can conduce to restoration-or re-
construction, If you please-of our battle
SCARED Republic and to placing it upon a sur
er and stronger foundation than before-pnri-
fed from all corrupting Influences; united In
feeling, In sympathy, and in interest, from one
end of the land to the other; freer in coDdi-
ton and loftier in purpose than it has been in
the time that Is past-then to this end shall my
voice and my humble influence ever be given.
Again, my friends, thank you for this kind
grceIlng ana IOr your presence mere tO-mgut.
Long continued applause
At the conclusion of Mr.. NoRroN's re-
marks, various other gentlemen were call
ed upon, all of whom briefly responded in
manner BETTING the occasion. Among
these were Messrs. Buck, SARGEANT, BEE
RY, YALE, LAMBERroN, ELY, Cole, MrroH-
ELL, PHELPS, DUNNELL HUFT, WHEAT and
The Republican says this pleasant gath
ering was broken up at late hour, every
one present leaving in the highest state Of
rational enjoyment The occasion will
long be remembered by those who partici-
pated therein as one of the happiest expe-
ences of their lives. aar sg4sd =
In the United States Court at Indian
apolis Monday, case was decided that
will go far towards stopping the exorbit-
ant charges made by claim agents for col
lecting the beunties and pensions due sfl.