The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-06-29
SPEECH OF MAJOR GENERAL r. P. BLAIR,
AT ST L0IJI8

whom were Major General Dodge, Ma
jor General Pleasanton, Colonel J. H.
Baker, Colonel Gage, Colonel Haynes,
Colonel Myers, Major Myers, Major Pat
rick, and many other military gentle
men, together with some Of the most dis
tinguished citizens of Missouri. Hon. 8.
T. Glover presided, and speeches were
made by J. o. Broadhead, Colonel J. H.
Baker, Hon. John Hogan, Hon. Samuel
Reber, Hon. James s. Rollins, Hon.
Wilson Primm, and Judge J. c. Moody.
The fourth regular toast of the evening
was as follows:
"Our guest, Major General f. P.
Blair: The companion.in-arms of Lyon,
| Sherman and Grant; the premier citizen
soldier of Missouri; the first to do bat
tie with slavery; the first to draw his
sword for the Union--let the State be re-
deemed and the Union restored; let us
remember his deeds and requite his SER
vices"
Major General Blair responded as fol-
lows;
Mr.. PRESIDENT AND MY FRIENDS
| Voices, "Get up in the chair"): The
danger is you will put me up higher
than can stand. (Laughter.) leone
to make my acknowledgements to you to-
night for your kindness, and at the same
time to thank you for all the kindness
which has been shown to me by the
people of st. Louis and the State Of Mis-
souri,. l remember-and how could q
man, placed under circumstances as
am, fail to remember remember, my
friends, when almost eighteen years
ago, ventured to speak against slavery
in this city, that was sustained by a
few, but very good friends, but that all
the people of the city treated me with q
federation and kindness which was ac-
corded to no one else in any Of the
Southern States. / remember subse-
quently, how after severe battle and
trial, the cause which then advocated
became triumph in the State. (Cheers.)
/ remember how it was hailed through
out the Union as symptom of reform in
the South. / remember also how the
gloom fell upon lis in the early days of
the rebellion in this city, and / remem-
Der how the people of this city rallied to
the old flag and maintained the Union.
| (Cheers.J I remember the kindness
with which was then treated by the
people of this city, and never as long as
I live will forget what they have done
for me, and the way in which l have
been supported and cheered and carried
forward by my friends and by the
people of this State. Cheers. l have
| thought of these things since Ihave been
| been away among "Sherman's Bum
mers.u Laughter and eheers.) But /
have always thought the time would
come when I could come back among
the people who had so honored me, and
who had so sustained me, to enjoy my
self. did not expect to see what be-
hold here tonight; but still thought
knew the people, and that could come
back among them, and find some old
hearts glowing with the same friendship
that cheered me in the beginning
(Cheers.) Many too partial and indul-
gent friends have named me in cOnnec-
zion with the names SO illustriOus in our
history, that it brings TO my face blush;
but at the same time, although an hum
BILE follower, was a cOmpanion-in-arms
OF those great and illustrious men. For
Uunately for me that was led by their
skill; fortunate for the country that their
skill was devoted to its interest, for
through these men as through any other
instrument of God, we owe the preserve
ton of our Union this day. Although
the first named-Lyon-fell early, yet
he did not all die when he fell on the
battlefield. Applause. His example
| lives, and made other Lyons made other
men to follow his example and initiate
his noble achievements. Then comes
| Sherman, who could not be dismayed
aho1s In, ~ oAr1 IH
he submit to the men of the bureau who
attempted to put him down. Loud and
prolonged cheering.) | can tell those
who attempted to destroy him upon
that occasion to beware of Sherman.
! (Cheers.) All who have met him have
| had cause to beware of him. Laugh.
ter and cheers.) All Of the enemies of
| the country have had reason to quake
and tremble before him. (Renewed
! cheering.) He has been assailed by no.
body except those who are the enemies
of their country. (Cheers.) ] cannot
find words, my friends, in which to
speak of that other greatAnd Industrious
man, the chief-the great chieftain of all
our military chieftains. (Cheers.) The
record so great and illustrious needs no
addition from anything that my feeble
tongue can essay to speak. Every SOL
der and every patriot knows and praises
him-even those who have attacked
every other man who has rendered SER
| vice to the government, dare not assail
him now, although they have done 80
heretofore. Cheers My friends, it is
not my purpose to attempt any lengthy
speech tonight; have not the ability
| to speak, suffering as am at this time
| from severe cold upon my lungs, by
which my voice is enfeebled-and then
| I am unaccustomed to public speaking.
! Laughter and Cheers.) have been
lately engaged in a far different business,
| if YOU can believe the representations Of
this gentleman on my right, (Mr. Broad
head, who has revived that old story
about the whiskey speculation. (Great
laughter.) made very good specnla-
ton that time. (Renewed laughter.
"Your friends are all sound on that ques-
tony My friends, the war having
closed substantially, great many OF the
men who have been engaged in it, among
others myself will very soon return to
the ranks of the people again-as high
privates-yet there has been one great
question, and one which has disturbed
the equilibrium of our government for
SO many years, that has been settled and
settled by the sword. Now, differ with
some Of my friends. / have fur ig my
eve, and / can look around and see
others. l read Q speech OF the Go
vernon of the State, delivered on re-