The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-05-15

moon we gave detailed description Of the
handsome silver service which was to be pre-
,onted TO the Hon. Alexander G. Cattell, United
states Senator from New Jersey, together with
tbe circumstances which led to the affair.
According to the programme, the presentation
took place yesterday afternoon, and was at
tended with many incidents that will long cause
"A to be remembered by those who were present.
A3 O'Clock the contributors, in company with
n number of invited guests, left the West jersey
Ferry, in Camden, in carriages provided by the
oommittee having the matter in charge. Mer-
shantsyille, the residence of Senator Cattel, is
Vitnated about three miles from the bullt'up
Dortion of Camden, and is one of the most beau
tiFul suburban villages IN the United States. A
number of our prominent merchants have resi-
dences there, which in themselves are marVels
Of taste; while the surroundings are as romantic
"a nature and art combined could render them.
The party arrived at the spot at hAlfpast 3
O'Clock and wien all were gathered together,
the number amounted to about one hundred
and 6fty, including several ladies. Among those
present. New Jersey was represented by his
Excelency Governor Ward the Hon. H. M.
Couear, Secretary[oi State; the Hon. George M.
Robeson. Attorney General; the Hon. Edward
Bettle State Senator from Camden county; and
Mr.. Thos. W. Catte of Salem, the father OF the
Senator. Philadelphia was represented by the
Hon. Morton McMichael Mayor; Henry G.
Howell, Esq, High Sheriff; the Hon. Charles
6ilpin, United States District Attorney; the
Hon. Charles O'Nei Representative in Con-
gress; Colonel Henry H. Bingham, Postmaster;
Colonel VIM. B. Thomas; Major Henry W. James,
together with the most prominent merchants Of
,ry,o do nnA balO to
the same political organization with Senator
Cattell. Indeed, the whole movement from the
beginning, has been kept apart from the sphere
Of Ofpolitics, which were entirely ignored on the
occasion.
The Presentation
took place at 4 o'clock, when the large company
assembled in the parlors. The service was ac-
eompanied by the folio wing presentation letter,
signed by all the contributors, and executed ID
the highest style of penmanship:-
PHILADELPHIA, May a. lSG7.-Hon. Alexander G.
Cattell, United States Senator from New jersey
Dear sir:-A lew Of your personal friends, who hold
by you in the prosperity OF Philadelphia, aud who IN
SSmire the success Of yoTr straightioward eorts to
secure League Island as the United States depot for
you i'll accept the accompanying modest set OF silver
as a slight token of esteem and regard.
Address by the Hon. Morton McMIchaeI
When everything was ready, Mr.. Samuel I.
Candy, Chairman of the Commit on Presenta-
tiOn, introduced the Hon. Morton McMichael,
Mayor of Philadelphia, who addressed the re-
Cipient of the testimonial in his nappest man
ner, speaking as follows:-
The custom OF formally presenting substantial
gifts In acknowledgment OF special services mad
its origin in wise and laudable motives. AS con-
temporary approval OF merit IL not only rewards
the individual well -doer but also stimulates others
IN m Wpl lido as gn n oil ftS ira
rally Of kind that may be transmitted from gene
ration TO generation, they preserve memorials of
the transaction after the immediate actors have
left the scene and thus perpetuate what else might
be forgotten. This custom has long prevailed in
most civilized countries. In our own day, and
especially our own land, like many other good
usages, 1t has been carried to excess and in fire.
quent instances is so far perverted from its proper
design as 70 lose It's significance. Scarcely
week passes in which we do not read or hear of
so-caled "teslmonials" offered for reasons SO
frivolous, and to persons little entitled TO re-
Oeiye them, as TO excite our contempt or indipns
ton. But the abuse Of what is right in Itself
ought not to deter from its suitable use; and we
have assembled TO tender these tokens OF our an
probation TO Mr.. Oattel and, IL that were posi-.
Bile, with all the more alacrity and zeal because
such tokens are too often bestowed on the up-
worthy.
And here let me say that highly as estesm MIR.
Oattell-muc9 as l value his friendship for me,
and ready as shall always be TO show my friend.
ship for him-it thought this demonstration was
inspired only by personal feelings, and was in
tended only 10 accomplish personal ends, should
not be willing to take any conspicuous part in IL
I know it is otherwise. know that those who
nave procured these costly and elegant articles
have been controlled in doing so by public and
patriotic considerations. Far be it from me- no U-
ever, to suggest that our regard and affection for
lhe man nave had no share in this recognition of
his acts. On the contrary, they have had a large
share II MT Oattell were not the graelous ana
genial gentleman he is; If he had lot linked him
self to our hearts by numerous kindnassss and
coureslesi II In our social and business IN tercourse
we had not been drawn into sympathv win
nus large and generous nature, our sense of his
puollc deserVlngs, though IL might have bean
manifested in this permanent form UonId car
talnly not have been accompanied in its express
sion oy the good will which all OF so cordially
Our main object now is TO commemorate Mr.,
OAltells connection with an event OF great ma.
uohsl Importance. OF course am understood as
referring 70 the League Island question, l do not
propose 10 go into the details OF that controversy
Ihey are TOO familiar 70 require repetition. 1t is
enough 70 recall the fact that for years people
OF philadelphia were engaged IL a struggle TO in.
duce the national government 70 accept a vol.
untary donation what any other government
would have been glad to purchase at any price
Within the borders of that city, you do no
need 70 be told exists what by ali unpre
JUDGED observers is admitted TO be-geogra
phically, geographically and climatcally; whe
tner viewed IN It's relations to the river or tn
ocean, TO the fields of coal or the beds OF iron;
the supply OF labor from great manufacturIn
metropolis OF the supply OF food from an agrlcul
tural region OF inexhausible fertility-the fines
site LOT an immense naval depot, adapted TO moder
condlVohs ana necessities, that the world can far
nish. This site, thus favored, the Navy Depart
ment, most concerned and best qualified to Judge
steadily la9oLea 10 secure. hat 1t was not abl
10 do so snthcently indicates the formidable resist
ance made by sectional terests, operating throug
persistent misrepresentation, and the ylgoro1
and extraordinary efforts required TO Overcom
that resistance.
Time after time the enemies of the League IsIan
measure devised new schemes to defeat it, tim
after time its advocates were Obliged TO detect AN
hattie these schemes with renewed diligence an
energy. do not intend TO detract in the slighte
daSres from the labors and sacrifices Of other ger
fact Tvs aIu