The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-04-23
to tho Hon. Joseph II.
narreff.

4
TO a friend, and q just appreciation Of his ser.
vices as an official. The presentation consisted
Of a m agnincent magic gold watch, reversible,
OF Appleton Il Traey's make and finish, and
purchased OF the well known jeweler, Semken,
Pennsylvania avenue, between Ninth and
Tenth streets. Also an autograph album
handsomely bound, with the names Of the en-
ployees Of the depart mentj and a beautiful
Photographic album, bound In velvet and
elaborate gilt trimmings, the latter the gift Of
q few personal friends.
The presentation took place In the room Of
the Commissioner, Patent ONCE building, and
q large number OF persons were in attendance
to witness the interesting ceremonies.
Shortly after eight o'clock, the company as.
sembled, and, after the interchange OF civil.
ties, Hon. Jas. A. Morgan, chief clerk, stepped
forward and made the presentation address.
He said.
JrpoE BARNETT: while the Partially of
my associates confers upon me an honor which
highly appreciate and for which thank
them, 1t devolvcs upon me at the same time
duty both sad and pleasing. Sad because in
this brief life Of ours the occasion that sunders
ties cemented by the intercourse OF years is
always sad; and pleasing because we are pro-
fourdly sensible that that intercourse has been
marked only by kind words, helpful deeds, and
generous actions. Sad because we are re-
minded that the civil service of our country
iosesa pure and incorruptibe officer, and we
a firm and stesdfast friendj and pleasing be-
cause we feel assured, and know, that your
talents and energies will be exerted on a
broader field In the interests OF humanity, and
time cannot erase the recollection oil your
virtues from the tablets Of our memory:
Human sympathy is always beautiful, but
when we And 1t reaching down like mystic
chord through the various grades Of official
station and binding all 10 fratSTnai union, II
cellencc, "Kind hearts are more than coro-
nets and simple faith than Norman blood"
By this chain we have been united these many
years, and now that II Is to be severed, permit
me to express our united hope that you may
find one equally strong to bind you to your
friends in your new field OF endeavor. But,
sir, language Is not the only mode In which
the sentiment of friendship may be expressed.
II we have selected one that Is not unusual
wctiust Il will nevertheless not prove unac-
ceptable. The occasion OF your retirement
from the office of Commissioner of Pensions,
after having filled II with distinguished ability
for the last seven years, Is deemed hitting
one on which to present you testimonial Of
our rcgard-not because we deem II necessary
to bring to your mind a knowledge of the esti-
nation in which you are held by presenting
an article OF value-not because you would
prize one on account OF Its intrinsic worth
rather than as a representative OF our esteem;
but because we have learned that the path of
official duty is not velvet lawn enameled
with roses, but a difficult and rugged road,
and this testimonial will constantly remind
you OF our earnest efforts to aid you on the
way and diminish the burden OF your labors.
Your official career here embraces the period
of the last seven ycars-an cventful one in
American history. A great poet has said,
Better hfty years OF Europe, than cycle OF
Cathay.r Better the last seven years OF Amer
lea than fifty years OF Europe; for, sir, that
period will ever be luminous in the annals OF
mankind. Though 1t witnessed the destruc-
tion OF cities and the devastation OF States,
the dcsolntion of countless homes and 4 land
allied with graves, 1t also beheld the ma jestic
spectacle in support OF an imperiled nation.
ality OF a popular uprising, such as the world
had not seem the Advancement of civilization,
the enfranchiscment Of millions, and the as
sured triumph of republican institutions.
During this period 1t has been your Official
duty to dispense largely the munihcence Of
the Government to those whose valor saved
1t from destruction. and to mitigate the suffer
ing and sorrow which our late fierce struggle
As an evidence of our appreciation Of the
manner in which you have performed that
duty, OF your efficiency as an officer and your
purity, integrity and worth as a man, / have
the honor, on behalf of my associates, to pre-
sent you with this magic gold watch and chain.
II is not the offering of Obsequious parasites
who rush forward to hail your advent to place
friends, who deeply regret your voluntary
withdrawal from position OF responsibility
| and honor. As such we ask you TO accept It.
It bears the following inscription:
| presented to Hon. Jos. II. Barrett by his
| associates upon his retirement from the office
| of Commits sioner of Pensions, May, lsCs
| Deus te proitgdi"
At the conclusion OF the address of Mr.. Nor
gan, Judge Barrett responded as follows;
MR.. MORGAN AND GENTLEMEN: In accept
this valuable gift at your hands, can only ex.
press in plain language my sincere thanks. l
am grateful for the entime nts which PROMPTED
these manifestations, and for the manner in
which they have been presented here tonight.
There arc few presents that could be more
gratifying than the kind appreciation shown
me here to night by those who have been asso.
ciated with me. ! use no formal phrase when
! tell you that while memory lasts lwill never
forget this expression OF your good will. II
has ever been my satisfaction and my pride to
believe that for intelligent, assiduous and
cheerful devotion to the interests in charge,
no bureau of the Government has had A
clerical force superior to the Pension Bureau.
Were the past to be lived over again, |
should crave ever as an especial object OF de-
sire an enlarged and more social intercourse,
which the pressure of public duties the past
seven years has forbidden me.
leNpect, in few days, to be at distance
from you-perhaps never again to behold
many who are now before me. But, most
thankfully, take with me n pcrpetuated re-
membrance Of your faces In this album, and In
this, OF your handwriting, long familiar to my
to carry with me until the last day OF my
earthly life, will continually remind me OF
this hour, and OF our years OF pleasant inter
course. 1t will daily repeat to me your kind
senediction, b" Deus if prOiCgdi;" and would that
we might all be more truly conscious how we
and all our ways are In the hands OF the Pro.
whom nothing Is strong, nothing holy.
And now, my friends, with sad regrets vet
with the feeling that duty calls nc elsewhere,
It only remains for me to bid you all an aitec-
tionate farewell.
When Mr.. Barrett concluded, ]. T. Parsons
esq, favored the company with John Ander.,
son my JIG, ~ after which Hon. James A. Morgan
presented to the Commissioner the photo.
graphic album, the gift OF few personal
friends, TO which MT Barrett responded.
Mr.. ]. b. Dawson then favored all present
with a song, and at the conclusion, the Com
missioner was the recipient OF considerable
hand.shaking from his friends, and the assem-
blage dispersed.
The Nashville tTenn.J Press and Times gives
the names Of fifteen colored men in that city
whose aggregate wealth amounts to 500, 800.
1t also says that the Nashville Branch OF the
Freedmen's Savings and Trust Company holds
~ 900 for colOred depOsitoFs, which sum is
made up Of their small savings.
Tue GALAXY.-We have received from the
publishers, Sheldon y Co., New York, the MAY
number Of this popular monthly, which has
been enlarged and greatly improved in every
respect. For sale at the periodical stores.
THURLow WEED denies that he abscnted
himself from the Dickens banquet because
Mr.. Greeley presided. Mr.. Weed says that
Mr.. Greeley, the senior city editor Ia attend.
Ance, was very properly placed in the chair.
GOVERNOR FAIRCHILD, of Wisconsin, is in
the city, and located at the Metropolitan lie