Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-06-16


and Charles c. stockley on the part of the
Laty, Tellers.
On motion Of Rev. Mr.. Breck, the following
gentlemen were appointed the Relief Committee
for the assistance of Infrn aud Disabled
Clergy Rev WIN. A. NeWbod Mr.. Samuel
B'ddle and Mr.. Thomas W Shields.
The telors reported the ballot for Trustees of
the Bishops Fund, aud the Chair announced
that Mr.. Edward G. Bradford, Mr.. Franklin |
Fell, Mr.. George W. Cummins, Mr. William |
Read and Mr.. james Brown were duly elected |
On motion Of Rev Mr. Goldsborough il was
ordered that after the reading Of the minutes the
convention adjourn. The Secretary read the |
minutes Of the afternoon Asessicn, which were
approved The "Gloria Patria' was then sang
the Bishop pronounced the Benediction and
declared the Convention adj jourued.
Tar FELToS TESTIMONIAL On Friday last
committee OF gentlemen representing a meeting
Of the citizens Of Philadelphia aud its vicinity.
held some weeks Binca 10 that city, visited the
home OF Mr.. Samuel NJ. FELTON,, on the line of
the Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad, to
present to bin an eugrossed cory Of some rsso>
i9ilono unanimously adopted by them iu view of
his recent retirement from public duties in con.
sequence Of falling health aud also an elegant
dinner aod tea service of silver plate, as testi-
monial OF their appreciation OF his loyalty and
hdelity IN the discharge Of the important public
trusts committed TO bis care.
Among the gentlemen present were Messrs
john Edgar Thomson Charles Nlacalester. John
Welsh, William D. Lewis, John p. CroEier,
Frederick Fraley, Charles l. Dupont, Edward
W. Clark, Abram r. Perkins, and many other
prominent citizeus.
The presentation speech was made by NIr
William D. Lewis, Chairman Of the Committee
whose remarks were substantially as follows -
MIR. FELTON, The object Of the present visit
oy the gentlemen who surround you-a com.
mittee appointed by a meeting Of citizens Of
Philadelphia and vicinity, TO discharge this
duty-is 10 signify 10 a befiting manner the
estimation in which you are held by them. 1t
ls not, sir, for services rendered as the head Of
great corporation, from the active duties Of
which you have felt constrained to withdraw
because OF failing health, that we came to
address you, though not iguorant of the success
aud ability with which you have managed its
affairs.
We are impelled by a much higher motive
than could how from any pecuniary interest.
AS the representatives Of a community IN which
you have lived 80 long and aoeeptably. a COM
munity Of answering loyalty to the clusc OF
their country in the protIacted struggle through
which it has at length 50 triumphantly passed,
they could not see you retire 10 tho shades "
private life without asking your acceptance OF
some token to signify as well their personal
regards as their appreciation Of your patriotic
services.
VI your part in saving our martyred President
from the blow Of the assassin which was intended
to take bis life before he reached the Presidential
chair, there are others present besides myself
who had, at the time. personal know ledge ;
while the fact is equally known to them that
when the traitorous torch Of the incendiary had
destroyed the bridges on the southern portion
/ ant "a
from Washington, ii was by your suggestion and
mainly by your energy that the route by the
way OF Annapolis was opened to the National
Capital. 1t is only by those who we're cognizant
at the time Of the devilish spirit which, in It's
hrst as in its last stages, actuated the leaders Of
the late Rebellion, the most accursed in human
history, that services such as these can be
rightly valued.
AS slight memento Of the matters have
referred 10, have been deputed to ask your
acceptance Of the service Of silver plate now
spread before US, trusting that, on whatever
occasion you may see it hereafter, it i2ay bring
TO your MUD pleasant memory and sincerely
hoping that It may not bo long BEFORE with
restored health, you may again be able to
mingle with us in the duties OF active life.
Inc Secretary Of the meeting, Mr.. Thomas
kimber, Jr., then read the following resolutions.
which had been hand somely engrossed on
parchment and signed by oil the gentlemen Of
the Committee
AEsoLUrIoNs.
lRILADELPHfA, No 3Os WALNUT srREur
April IL, 1866 At a meeting of citizens of
Phiadelphia and its vicinity, held on the l7th
day OF April, 1865, Mr.. John Welsh was ca led
to the CHAR aud Thomas Klmber, Jr., appointed
oeeretary. The following preamble sul reso-
| lutlons were, on motion, Unanimous adopted
aud ordered to be pablishsd in the Journals Of
the city:
Whereas, 1t is now publicly announced that
MIR. Samuel NJ. FELTON,, who for many years has
80 ably presided over the Philadelphia, Whining
ton aHd Baltimore Railroad Company, and who
during the long and painful ordeal of our civil
strife, has, in that capacity, 90 emiuently aud
faithfully discharged every duty to his c5untry
aud TO this community, as we'll as to tue special
Interests N bis care, has recently been obig ed
to retire from that important position, aud to
withdraw from all pubic duties;
And lphersds, l; is vel undefstood that rapidlv
falling heath, the result of too great pressure
o. anxiety and care imposed upon him during
the late public emergency, is the cause Of his
retirement aud it is not deemed fitting that so
prominent and useful a citizen should, under
such circumstances, pass unnotioed and un-
honored into the shades of private life;
And whereas, 1t z matter of official record,
authenticated beyond question, and attested
by many now participating in these proceedings
that to MIR. Felton,, more than to auy other Alan,
is due the credit Of successfully opening the
Annapolis route to Washington, in April, 1861,
measure which contributed SO essentially to
the preservation Of our National Capital after
the destruction OF the southern portion of his
road by the Baltimore Seoessionists;
And Ohereds, 1t was, as we have the strongest
reason to believe, mainly owing to the vigilance,
energy aud skill Of Mr. FELTON, that the plot TO
asHassiuate President Lincoln on his way TO the
National Capital, in February, 1861, was dis
covered aud frustrated a crime the blackest in
our annals, which has at length been unhappy
oonsummated, and has filled the land with
mourning;
And phered' We cherish in grateful remem.
brsnce the unsWsrviug fidelity aud uutirng aud
watchtul zeal with which, not only IN these im-
portant Instances, but through all the earlier
stages OF the present great Rebellion, Mr. FELTON,
guarded the honor aud Interests Of his country
holding all other interests subservent /, these
as was shown in his memorable and courageous
response to those deluded men who threatened
the utter destruction Of the property in his
charge, II he continued to transport the national
troops, and which we wish here to record -
"The time has come,' said he on the l7lh of
april, 1861, when there must be only two
classes recognized in this country, Union men
n oHu Dtsu'"oh men for myselt DO not hesitate
to decide upon my duty in this trying hour il
is to stand by the Government and abide the
consequences. l shall therefore endeayur to do.
to the best OF my ability, what is required OF
me. II our road is disabled, the responsibility
must rest upon the wicked persons who do the
deed, and terrible retribation certainly will
await them.n
And Uhsrsas, While thus devoting his utmost
energies to the service Of his country it is well
known that Mr.. FELTON, determined, at the outset
OF the war, neither to accept for himself nor to
ask for friend Government contract or ofice
or any pecuniary advantage, in order that he
might more disinteres,ldly discharge his public
duties, to which resolution he has faithfully