The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1869-11-05

by the keokuk City Rifles in honor of our
new Secretary, formerly an officer of that
organization), which was participated In BY
the leading men Of Ill parties in that part Of
Iowa.
The second regular toast was
s0nr Honorcd Guest. General ". v. Belknap sse!e-
- sso n Se CO" nsoa
to which General Delknap responded - fol-
lows:
MY Fr;ends and Fapov.to,onsmen:
I can command no words to express fully
my gratitude for this undcscrved greeting.
Memory brings before me 70 many Of the
recollections Of the past, that time would
fail me did try TO tell of all the thoughts
Of our other days together, which crowd
upon ma The commencement Of the War,
the first formation of this company, the part
ing words as one and another dropped from
our ranks to enter the service of the coun-
try; We remember oil those scenes, and offer
our tribute on the honored graves of our
gallant Worthington and of the others Of
our company who will meet with 10 on earth
no more forever.
It would he affectation in me to say that I
am careless - to this gathering. At . time
like this, when IN unsolicited and unexpect-
ed honor has been conferred upon me by the
President, it is especially gratifying for me
toreceivc the best wishes Of those with whom
I have lived for years, who have known me
we'll Conscious am that the proper per.
Torrance of the duties of tue position filed
% nobly by Rawlins, CHod bless his memo
ry) and the long line of illustrious men be.
fore him, will tax the energies and efforts IT
myself, the humblcst man of all; but can
only give to the place the entire lal,ors of
my mind and strength, reliant, under Gods
blessing, upon the generous patriotism Of
the American people. A mans neighbors,
those with whom he has been in constant
companionsllip, are his closest critics, and
II the public conduct of the Office commands
hereafter the approbstion and sustains the
esteem and regard SO generously evidenced
here to night, will be content. From my
heart thank you, and wish for each of you
always, the best blessings of Heaven"
The succeeding tossts were responded to
by Hon. Thos. w. Clagett, Generals Wilson,
Bruce, Hills and Moore; Colonel J. A.
Mcdowell, Hon. J. D. Howell, and Others.
Hon. J. NJ. Love, Judge of the U. s. District
Court, responded to the toast-''Thc Judi
concluding an eloquent eulogy upon
General Belknsp as follows:
I'VE, who have known our friend 20
long, can bear witness that he possesses IN.
common aptitude and talent for the dis
charge of Administrative duties, and venture
nothing in the prediction which l make
here tonight in presence of this audience,
that he will administer the war Office with
such courtesy of de,ncanor, such . mastery
of details, and such signal ability, - to
eclipse the bright record of his military c.
rces. Mark my prediction. that q the end
Of his term Of service, there will no one
found In this broad land to inquire ''who 10
General Belknap!'"
The following very favorable notice Of
General Rawlins' successor, 10 from the
St Louis Democrat:
1.-THE appointment of General Belknsp of
Iowa, - Secretary of War in place of Gen'l
Rswlins, deceased, is surprise to the ooun.
try, and yet not an unpleasant ona The
gentleman selected hes IN honorable record,
both - soldier and . citizen; he 10 highly
respected by the people of Iowa, and has
discharged his duties Of Collector of Inter-
nal Revenue with conspicuous fidelity and
ability. Withal, he 10 thorough Republi-
can, and 10 no doubt familiar with the ~
lations of parties and men in these Western
States, 20 that his advice upon political mat.
ters concerning the West, will doubtless be
Of value In the Cabinet.
It 10 quite natural that officers having high
nnk in the regular service are disinclined
to exchange 1t for the temporary honor of .
scat in the Cabinet It 10 well understood
that General Sherman would only accept
the position temporarily, and though It ID
rumorcd that his dissatisfaction with the
Cuban policy of tho administration led him
to desire the selection of . successor, W
presume be has desired to be relieved q
early - possible, and would soon have been
without regard to any supposed or reported
difference Of opinion. Nor IL it strange thu,
other officers Of high rank and honorable
record in the army were not selected for the
reason already noticed. But General Bel
knap has % excellent . military record that
bic appointment will undoubtedly give great
satisfactiou to his former comrades In arms,
and We do not know that any other equally
qualified In that respect coad have been
suggested, whose political relations and
standing In civil life would have rendered
him equally suitable.
The appointment b the more gratifying
because Il gives to the Western States rep.
resentasive In the Cabinet Wehave repeat
edly urged that mere regard for locality
should never canss tho selection Of men Of
inferior merits for any position, bat whore
competent men can be found in diftren,
sections there 10 manifest psopriety in O
selecting Cabinet advisers - to secure . fl,
representation for all. It was felt, when
General Rawlins' death left . vacancy, tha,
the selection Of another eastern man would
n .