Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1866-12-08
A Presentation.

sor of this District, gOld mounted Cane.
| A committee to procure the cane was appoint
ed, consisting of the following gentlemen
Capt. CorriN, of Ravenna,
T. n. WRIGnT, of Morgan,
A B. CARLTON, of Burton.
JAMES REED, of Ashtabula was appointed to
make the presentation.
The meeting then adjourned to reassemblc at
Ravenna upon call OF the Chairman of the Com
mittee. Signed by the officers.
In accordance with the foregoing, notice was
given that the proposed token of respect had
been procured, and that the presentation would
take place on Tuesday evening the Sd inst. The
gathering was at the Taylor House. Three only
of the Assistants were absent, and letters were
received from them. Invitations had been ex-
| tended to several gentlemen, who were present
Among the number were Collector FAssLTr, and
the veteran editor of the POrtlge C0uuty De0,-
ocrdt, l.. w. HALL, Esq. The meeting was
called to order by the chairman, the cane-a
beautiful and superior article of workmanship,
of ebony, costing some $50, and bearing the
names of each of the Assistants, was brought
out, and the ceremony of presentation entered
upon by an address to the recipient, as follows :
Mn. BEEBE-You see around you your late
Assistants in the revenue service of the govern
mcnt. We have gathered here, not rs in DAYS
past when summoned to consult and settle upon
the best means of promoting the public interests
for by the mutations of human atfairs-poli,ical
affairs especially-our relations have been chang
ed. While we are retained in pacc-by how
brittle tenure, alas we know not--yOu are
no longer our superior ofiiccr-our official head.
But, while you are without the circle, we are
only hanging upon its verge. Offices, of late,
have come to be coupled with impetliments and
conditions, and in some cases, as your own for
instance, these conditions have been found too
hard for compliance, and not in perfect harmony
with the claims of manly Independence and free
dom OF opinion. The honor and emOluments of
Office, though seductive, and sometimes exceed
ingly trying 10 poor human nature are without
power to shake your purpose, or unsettle its in
tegrity. Retirement, with conscious rectitude.
is oil higher consideration with you, than Office
with compromise of principle. While, there
fore, we honor your course, we regret the
necessity that has interrupted the pleasant off
cial relations between US, and deprived the 60
Vernment of public servant it could ill-aifOrd
to spare. We could have wished that the
work SO favorably begun, and so ably prosecut-
ed under your administration, might have gone
on to its consumaiinn. Ifvigilance untirinT an
plcation and cOnsummatc ability, are worthy of
recognition and approval, you lave the estimo-
ny OF those most intimately connected with you
that these qualities were exercised by you in
their fullest measure. This assurance we trust
will not disturb the plcasantneSs OF your rcilec-
tions, neither will your self respect be diminish
ed by consciousness of the fact, that you have
been tried, and proved yourself superior to
temptation. In view of the circumstances thus
connected with your retirement, and the steady
and unqualified respect and esteem felt for you
we have been Induced TO make demonstration
of our feelings, and to ask your acceptance of
Arsn e
The object OF our coming together therefore, is
to make such demonstration. BY the Joint
contributions of us all, and bearing the name OF
each, this cane has been procured for your accept
ance. Although ii is fine piece of workmanship,
1t perhaps, has no intrinsic worth for which we
should expect you to value it, yet we indulge
the hope, that the spirit in which the transaction
has been conceived, and the pleasant associa.
tions connected with it, will not wholly fail of
your appreciation. On behalf of my colleagues
and myself, then, allow me to offer for your ac-
ceptance, this StdB, trusting that it may prove
to you pleasant companion in This the mcridi-
an of your days, and grow in your esteem as its
aid and support shall become the more needful
in your later and declining ycors. Wien in de-
scendng lfcs declivlies you shall seek it fri end
ly support, let it remind you of the high respect
and friendly feeling entertained for you by those
who this evening make this presentation.
To this address Mr. Bccbe, responded in the
following happy manner; ,.
Mr.. Chairman and Friends--Tle address you
have just made to me is of such a nature-so full
of friendship and goodwill, and wi,Iial so faiter-
ing, that l scarcely know what to say in reply
To say that thank you, but feeby expresses my
feelings have been associated with the most
of you in the discharge of a common duty to our
government for the past four years We com
menced under a law new to us all, and to the
people of the country and to have the satisfaction
of knowing that our duties have been SO dis
charged as 10 call forth the expression from our
chiet-the Commssioner--tlat no district in the
state had been better managed, is indeed great
satisfaction But far greater to me is the graft
ification of being able TO look back over the four
years of toll thu ough which we have PASSED,
and noting the promptness with which you
aided me in the discharge of my official duties
and the uniform kindness manifested towards
me- And now at the expiration of our official
connection, to be made the recipient OF such an
expression of your kind feelings, is worth more
than any Office in the power of the Executive to
bestow. This testimonial in and of ITSELF is of
small value to me compared with the expressions
Of friendship accompanying it. trust l may
never need it for physical support, but In aft er
years shall look upon il as a token of the good
will and friendship of those with whom have
been associated in years then past, and as my
mind reVerts 10 the scenes through which we
have passed, calling to mind one after another,
those whose names are engravened thereon and
the incidents more particularly connected with
them, 1t will revive the feelings of this hour and
cheer my heart anew and as time rolls on, one
after another will be called home, until per
chance may be left alone, still shall be with
you in spirit rs | look upon this gift | shall
cherish it and the kind and fraternal feelings
this night expressed, as long as have con
scious existence, and shall leave it to my
children as a cherished gift from those whose
names are inscribed thereon. Hoping that your
futHFe may be prosperous and happy, in con-
cluslon, tender you my heartfelt thanks.
Here followed brief, pertinent and becoming
addresses from III. l.. CARTER, of Brimfeld,
Collector FAssErT, and the editor of the
DeaOcfost, which We are unable now to give.
That OF MIR. HALL, was very happy effort, gen
erous, and graceful and gracious in thought and
expression. That of the Collector embraced i'm
portant statistics relating to the assessments and
collections of the district, which will be given at
another time.
At the close OF these pleasant and familiar eff
forts, the party repaired to the dining room and
sat down TO an excellent supper of oysters and
other delicasies- On returning to the parlor, an