New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-05-17
dUF VIEDERSEHEN.

The dinner to Baron Gerolt last night was q
remarkable tribute to moral worth. There are
always enough anxious expectants for favor to
organize feasts and receptions for those who
are coming into positions of prominence and
power But it is very rare that the leading
men of the country unite in q testimonial to
one who has simply done his whole duty in
lifetime of faithful service TO foreign Gov
eminent. Baron Gerolt had lived so long in
this country, had gained such golden
opinions from every class of the people,
had so succeeded in winning the hearty
respect and esteem of all those with
whom he has been brought into personal
relations, that it was felt to be impossible to
allow him to leave our shores without some
manifestation of the public regard. The pro-
ject was adopted as soon as mentioned, and
the demonstration attained unexpected proper
tons. 1t became at last no less than formal
gathering of the men best qualified to be
called the representatives of the best character
and position in the commercial, social, and
literary world of New-YOrk, to express to the
venerable diplomat the sentiments of respect
and regard which he has inspired in the
country where for quarter of century his
lot has been cast.
A term of diplomatic service Of this length
would embrace in any country or at any time
many events of an interesting and original
character. But it will require somewhat
robust faith in his own memory to make Baron
Gerot believe, in his future hours OF rcmln-
iscence, in the reality of the strange dissoynS
changes he has seen in recent years In Wash
ingtOn. His memory covers the whole period
of the Kansas agitation, the Fremont campaign,
the stubborn movement of resistance and or
ganiZatiOn which redeemed the North and saved
the national honor in the election of Lincoln.
He saw the gathering of the war, the marshall
ing of the embattled millions, the bursting of
the cloud, the fluctuations of the struggle to
its triumphant close; and he assisted at the
funeral of Lincoln, as he had done at his in
augufatiOn.
Through all these wonderfully varied scenes
he retained the highest esteem and good
will of public men at Washington. He
is one of the few men who can say they
possessed the personal friendship of Buchanan,
Lincoln, and johnson, and their several Cabi
nets His position as a diplomatist saved him
from the necessity of political affiliations, and
his candOr, tact, and SauOir fare carried him
safely through every social ENHANCEMENT. lie
has probably not an enemy in the country, ald
hosts of friends. lie has always been devoted,
of course to the interests and honor of the great
nation he represented, but his respectful
and decorous treatment of the United States
Government in all matters of controversy was
always emphasized and made more attractive
by his well-known and steadast friendship
for our people. In the dark hours OF our
struggle for life, when many loyal hearts were
almost still with despair, and when the dplo-
matte body in Washington were active and
malignant enemies of the national cause, Baron
Cerolt never finched in his answering friend
illness, but with equal moral courage and far
seeing sagacity he defended the Government
and predicted its complete and final victory.
lie never changed ground during the whole
war. His faith in us was as great rs his faith
in the great German people, and he has seen
both triumpbantly work out of the dangers
that threatened them. Now that peace and
unity have come together as the reward of
loyal struggle alike to the land of his ale
glance and the scene of his honorable service,
he is ready to retire from that arena which
he has always graced and hOn0red.
The cordial good wishes of an entire people
will follow him over seas, invoking for him that
TRANQUIL and honorable evening of existence
which is the best reward of day OF honest
and successful service. No one who has known
him but will wish to greet him again; 80 we
close with the German farewell-AV Wieder
Sehen.