The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-22
BANQUET TO REvERDY JOHNSON.
Complimentary Dinner to Our Minister to
England at Annapolis, Md.-Speech Of Mr..
johnson.

ANNAroLio, July 81, AoVo'
The banquet to Reverdy Johnson this evening at
the City Hotel Of Annapolis was most select and
successful affair." The caterer was Colonel A. Morse
who provided an entertainment which Afforded COM
plete satisfaction to the assembled company The
banqueting hall was beautifully decorated
with American 1ags, and at the head OF the
room behind the chair OF the presiding officer large
British nag appropriately displayed, nanked at
either side by the Stars and Stripes. The room was
brilliantly Illuminated, and music was supplied in
abundance.
At the appropriate period OF the festivities Colonel
Joseph H. Nicholson opened the speaking by a
lengthy address, during the course of which he al
luded In the most complimentary terms to the guest
OF the evening. Mr. Johnson responded as fol-
lows
Mr.. CHAIRMAN, LADIES AND GENTLEMEE-l am
gratned to believe from this warm and friendly
greeting that you esteem me brother and my feel
ings tell me that am. native OF Annapolis where
all my youthful days were passed, every face and
name that you bear reminds me OF the happy days
that have had in this city. In memory recur to
the joyous hours spent here. There is not nook
corner Of the city that is not as familiar to me the
mates through its streets in search of amusement.
And alas how few, II any, remain of that number
The reelection Is melancholy one, but it is con-
soing to know that | felt for each the strongest
attachment and had i'm each a friend Here too,
obtained my education. st. JOINTS was my first
and only school. How gladly do | remember the
many hours passed upon its beautiful green the
earnest rivalry with which the boys engaged in the
sports that give youth delight and serve to impart
vigOr to the body and strength to the mind TO fit
both for the abOrious hours OF study. seem to
have now before me the venerable form o. President
Mcdowell, when with measured and stately steps,
he was seen coming from his dwelling, at
the foot OF State House hill. to the col
lege, and the scattering OF the boys, run
ming to their respective rooms within the honored
pile that they might be in their proper places on his
arrival. cannot, however, remember (how sad is
the thoughtD that any one OF the hundreds of youths
IA health a professors
who daily instructed us In science and incui-
Gated upon, us the happiness ANA duty Of
here, 100, that | first became devoted to the
study of the law. When reached the age Of Twelve
from the duties OF the college gave to attend
upon the several courts. My father, VINO
wished me TO adopt the profession On winch you viii
not, am sure, think il indicate in me 10 say ne
occupied a conspicuous and h0nOred place., advised
me to this course And to that and his other advice
am manly indebted for whatever success in the
profession may have attained. At that period the
General Court and Court of Appeals were located
here. The hrst, having jurisdiction coextensive
legal talent OF the State. Every Maryander
knows how great that talent was The bench
by the learning and integrity which give to
both their best claim TO respect aud confidence Well
do recollect, as some OF you must Also the venera
BILE form of Chief Justice Townley Chase, who pre-
sided for so many years over both tribunals. His
long, flowing lOcks-white "a unspOtted snow-his
mild and intelligent cOuntenance and winning man.
ner, all serve to give additional power TO the clear
but unambitious language in which his Judgments
were pronounced. And how vivid in nearly all our
memories must be the name and character of his
successor in the Court OF Appeals, John Buchanan,
the courteous gentleman, the profound jurlst and
terms of high praise the names OF Ar
cher, Dorsey and the other great men.
that high place. and 80 ably maintained its long
established reputation; but time does not permit.
And then or the bar OF the day. What cause have
we to be proud OF 1t How often, after obtaining
some knowledge OF the law, have | listened with
wonder to Martin, pouring out his eXhaustess legal
learning lie was as familiar with the principles
which are to be found only in the proound depts OF
the science as with those which float Its surface.
And then there was Pinckney. our native townsman.
To the legal erudtOn OF Martin he added the accom-
plishments Of the scholar, the high qualities OF the
ever attractive and at times startling and over
whelmng. And then there was Shaaf, remarkable
for the accuracy OF his technical knowledge and the
keenness OF his augmentation. The Keys, whose
charming speech think even now hear, were there
aiso-one Of whom cannot be forgotten SO long and
may that be fOrever) IA banner glittering with
stars shall 'wave DER the land of the free and the
home Of the brave" And, not to mention score OF
Others, there was fancy, peer of them ALL Never
did a lawyer possess more attractive manner,
press himself with more fautess rhetoric q
more seductive power. And when he was after
wards transferred its Chief to the Supreme Court
of the United states, these qualities were displayed
in opinions which will ever be esteemed the best
models OF judicial style. In addition to all
these recoections, which 1t Is so pleasant
to recall, there are other circumstances con-
nected with the history or city which will only
keep it fresh in our memory, but in the memory Of
the American people. Here 10 was that scene was
witnessed or unsurpassed interest-a scene display
ing greater patriotic virtue than before since is
had led his armies to victory and achieved for his
country freedom and independence, his work being
surrendered to his country the sword with which he
had accomplished II and at once retired TO private
life. Great as Is our admiration for his skill and
valor In the field IL Is as nothing compared with that
which entertain Tor thus GROWING act
OF patriotic virtue, and IL is for this
selves, win forever hold in love and reverence the
character OF Washington IA the purest and brightest
exhibited In tile tide of time IL was here too that
The first body OF patriots assembled to save
country from the perilous condition In which 1t
placed, because OF the imbecty Of the then
Through its weakness we were rapidly progressing
TO destruction. This first effort at rescue was unsuc
cessu, but on It's renewal IN Phadephia Its
happily yielded to by the peope) OF q form Of gov
eminent adequate in peace and In war to protect
ITSELF without violating the rights which It guaran-
tees to the citizen trespassng upon the legiti-
mate and necessary domain OF the States. Mr..
Chairman, the Naval Academy In which you take so
value to our country, have hope to be excused In
saying sol some pride In remembering, owes Its in
FAINT existence 10 small appropriation, which, at
the instance Of the then Secretary OF the Navy-now
our representative to the Court OF Prussia-was
obtained In part through my exertions, as your
SENATOR during my first term OF service in that
capacity. And have even still greater pride In
remembering that after the usefulness OF the in
stitution was developed and the adaptation OF
this city to such an establishment was demon
strated took active and successful part In de-
ieating It's threatened removal. ! congratulate you,
then. ana the country that the permanent location
OF the school IA Annapolis. l have said that
the school Is OF inestimable value to the nation.
This was proved during the late lamented civil
war; The value OF Its teachings was then illustrated
In the many battles which have made our navy
famous abroad as well a. at MUNICIPALITIES which
which can never die. Mr.. Chairman, permit me
again TO recur to st. Johns, my alma mater. ex:
press, am sure, the great qualification which all
who stand in that relation 70 her must feel In the
prospect that she will soon be In the enjoyment
OF her former fame Through q mistaken policy
and q violation Of her constitutional rights
as think-she was deprived Of rich endowment
that for 9 time placed her under an eclipse. But
more enlightened policy now prevails, and partial
recognition Of her rights BY our Legislature having
been made that eclipse will soon disappear and under
the care of her present able and accomplished
professors she will be seen to shine In ell her original
brightness and take rank among the nrst OF univer-
Stiles Mr. Chairman, sail In few days for Eng.
land from the port OF Baltimore. have selected
hat On N dpnarturp. Among other