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

ont OF season" Never daunted, never despondent,
he met every fresh attack with fresh condence and
communicating his own invincible courage to his
allies they fought on till they achieved the victory
TO all the good men and true who were ranged
under our papneTe our thanks are emlnently due;
but % IL was Mr.. Cattell's rare privilege to
consummate the triumph which, as a citizen,
delivering in his place, in the Senate Of
the United States, mastery argument
which no one conld refute answer, 1t is fitting,
the representative of the rest that he should be
singled out for exceptional honOrs, Gel MOS.
tunate was he that, after having borne himself SO
nobly under the Disadvantages of an unequal con-
fiict, he could thus at last, as their own peer.
within their own lists, strike down the hostiiities
OF those mtmbers OF Congress who had waged
malignant wer on this beneficent project, ana most
fortunate was the naval service Of the country
that at eucA juncture found such a champion.
Mr.. Cattel: 1t is now my pleasant duty, in be-
half of the donors, to transfer to your possesaon
this service Of silver 1t was made for Won; N he
longs to You; it will remain with you. But the
associations connected with IL and with this ga
thering viii belong TO and will remain with us
not less than with you. We shall look back To
this as an occasion when, through this instru-
mentality, we gave utterance to the warmth with
which we cherish you as a companion, the ear.
nestness with which we love you as a friend the
sincerity with which we respect you as a citzsn
and the admiration with which we regard you as
statesman AND may we not hope that when
your voice and our voices are mute in death, those
who come to MI our places, as they revive the me-
mories of this day, Will be prompted to good deeds
by the example which you have set, and the tri.
butte which we have paid to that example
The remarks of the Mayor were listened to
amid the most impressive silence, and at the
close were greeted with much applause,
Senator CatteII's Response.
On the conclusion OF the preseu taton address.
Senator Cattel stepped forward to respond, but
so great was his emotion that some moments
elapsed before he could find words to express
his gratitude. He then spoke as follows:-
Mr.. Mayor and Gentlemen-How shall 1 find
words to express my grateful ackno Wledgment tor
of yOur Kindly feelDRl Ii wara
possible for me to exhaust the entire language of
hanks should but ieebly indicate the deep emo
ton that stlrs my heart and Vainly strives to lind
suitable expression by the lips. Contessing my
poverty even in thanks, must content myself
with the OF those simple words, "Ithank YOU"
words of daily use, and often lightly spoken, bnt
still words of import and full OF meaning when
they come from the deep recesses of grateful
heart, burdened with sense of its obligations
l wish could feel that was in some degree
worthy of this magnificent testimonial. But it
comes am sure, more from the partially of you,
my kind and generous friends, than from any real
merit in HIM You thus choose to honor / some-
times think no man v as ever blessed with such
friends; and OF all the blessings which gracious
Providence has scattered along my pathway
through Life, thank HIM most for the KIND, faith
ful ard loving frlenns which He has given me.
Throughort the conrsA of a not uneventful bust-
ness lie of more tn-u thirty years, running
through seasons OF adversity as well prosperity,
with alternating PERIODS of sunshine and storm,
have been favored with he steadfast friendship of
such men as any one m sht be proud Of
Could there be mUTy fitting illustration of this
than the circumstances of to- day. 1 am
rounded by the familiar faces of friends who come
to add TO my debt of gra -itude Old friends, many
OF you, who, when w enty years ago l came
stranger 10 your beauti;ll city, and launched my
boat upon the sweeping tide of trade and COM
merce, took me by the hand, welcomed me to your
marts of trade, place. me in positions of trust
and honor, and sustained and encouraged me by
your friendly counsel and your words OF cheer.
And am fully CONSCIOUS, Mr.. Mayor and gen.
tlemen, that IL is to tins kindly feeling of my ge-
nerous friends which magpIfies every virtue and is
blind TO every frailty, mat Indebted for this
haan m an psip On lu
valuable, but in 'my hearts just estimation priced
above all price," as memento of your friend
ship and the enduring vidence that am honored
with your respect and esteem.
But l learn from the complimentary words of
your present ation address, as well as from the in
scripton that this splen did plate bears, that this
testimonial is presented by my Philadelphia
friends, in view of soma service which IL is thought
l rendered in the Senate of the United States in
advocating the acceptance of League Island for
the proposed naval station for iron clad vessels of
war.
have only 10 say on this point, that was an
earnest advocate OF that measure, ana labored to
the extent OF my ability to secure its success. But
in this did no mere than my duty, believing then
as do now, most sincerely, that l was serving
the best interest Oh the nation in urging the ac-
ceptance of this unequalled location, generously
rendered TO the government as free gilt by the
city of Philadelphia l remember to have said in
the course of my remarks on this measure in the
Senate, which you are pleased to call a "masterly
argument" that 1 fully agreed with the late AS
sistant Secretary of the Navy, Captain Fox in his
declaration ''that the map OF the world does not
ment of naval station especially in reference to
the building, repairing and preserving OF iron
vessels and iron clads AS League Island"
This is a strong assertion, but declare it to be
my candid opinion. And l learn that one OF the
scientific gentlemen composing the late Board for
the examination of League Island, a gentleIn an
who has had ample opportunity tor observation
on this point abroad, expresses substantially the
same opinion.
You are correct in Your statement, Mr.. Mayor
that the measure did not meet me in the Senate as
anew question. l had been familiar with it for
years, and had done what could as private cid-
Of the country TO secure the passage OF the Dill
l, consequently, took TO the measure naturally;
and, If you will pardon the apparent egotism,
will say that 1 consen ed, as soon as l took my
seat in the Senate to stand godfather to the BILL
determined 10 secure its passage, and 70 eight 1t
out on that line" ii it look all the winter.
The opposition to ii by those who favored New
London was positively malignant, and the most
extravagant statements were made TO prejudice
the Senate against the location. The friends of
New London occupied the time OF the Naval
Committee with their argument for three days.
Senator Foster, Representative Brandagee and
Mr.. Bowles the PAID agent OF the New London
interest, occupied in turn the floor. 1t happened
that was the only friend Of League Island
present. listened with all the patience l could
command to their argument, and then replied in a
speech of about hour, closing the case In half
an hour afterwards the Chairman OF the Naval
Committee came TO my seat and Informed me that
the committee would report Immediately in favor
of the bill, with but one member OF the committee
dissenting
In my judgment this was the turning point in
! favor OF League Island, and from that hour
| never doubted the passage OF the bill. II was,
however, held back so long that 1t required some
effort 10 get It up Tor acton at so late period o.
| know the result That League Island is to be the
| great naval station OF the nation, and, in my
opinion, the great naval station of the world,
| fixed TACT. That the nation will be the greatest
gamer is beyond all doubt but that the establish
| ment Of this great naval depot within the bound.
| aries OF your city will ada 70 your prosperity
| that II will give employment TO your mechanics
and laborers and tend to build up and populate