The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-08-02
Farewell Banquet to Minister Blng.
ham.


ham. Led.
Correspondence OF Pittsburgh cOnmsfeiAD
CADIz, ONO, July 81 1873.
The citizens Of this town, the home Of
Judge Bingham, gave banquet at the
Sherm!n House in his honor tonight, the
occasion being his departure in q abort
time Tor japan. The reception was
wholly without distinction Of party, and
most enthusiastic. A large transparency
In front Of the hotel displayed the ZANE
Of Bingham, and ELECTED great applause.
Many ladies grsced the occasion with Ap-
proving smiles. An elegant entertain
meut was furnished by Nj. Atkinson, Of
the Sherman House, and was enjoyed to
the iull by those present Hon. Fl. s.
McFsdden presided. Upon the removal
OF the cloth the President announced the
regular tossts-"Hon. John A Bingham,
our Minister 70 japan, the courteous and
accomplished gentleman; socially as
neighbOrs and citizens, we regret his de-
paliure; our loss will be the gain Of the
government" This was responded to by
Judge Bingham, as follows:
SPEECH on JUDGE BINGHAM.
Ladies and gentlemen, friends and
Ineighbors: For the cordial expression Of
your regard for me, and Of your interest
In my welfare, tender you my mosl
grateful acknowledgment I greatly value
the good opinion Of this community, in
which have so long lived. | count my.
self fortunate that 50 much Of my life has
been spent here in association with you.
About to be separated Tor time from my
native land, 1t Is q Joy to me that go
with the good will and good wishes Q!
those who have knownme best Through
your chsirman, you have been pleased 10
say that you regret my departure. Those
were graceful words Of the great Roman
Senator when speaking Of the loes Of his
iriend-"l feel that no evil has happened
TO him. 1t has befallen myself, If indeed
It has happened 10 any" In this hour
and In this presence, / appreciate this
beautiful estimate Of true friendship.
There 10 In it nothing false and nothing
pretended. Whatever belongs TO II Is
sincere. 1t shines with brilliant hope
over all the future. He who looks upon
Q true friend looks upon the image Of
himself Wherefore friends, though alb
sent, are still present; though in poverty,
they are rich; though weak, they are
strong; though dead, they are alive" In
the spirit of friendship you have expressed
the opinion that my official service on
which am about TO enter will be gain
10 the government OF our country. Your
wish Is doubtless father TO the thought
May your wish be realized, But allow me
70 add, that it is not for any man 10 gay in
advance how he shall acquit himself in a
new and untried trust All that l can
venture 70 promise myself IL an honest
endeaVor TO know and do my duty, rely
ing upon the favor Of Him in whom we
live, and who takes notice even Of the fall
Of a sparrow. Thus sustained, cheerfully
and hopefully l go to the post Of duty as.
signed me by the President, IS represent.
alive Of the United States OF America
near the government Of Japan, earnestly
desiring that by good offices may ad-
vance the interest Of our own country,
and the interests as well Of that great aud
growing empire Of the East Be assured,
my peighbOrs, that in that distant land |
shall cherish gratitude Tor your kindness
and affection tor Our common country.
Born and reared in this land, 1t Is not for
me TO forget that the United States Of
America, though the youngest, 10 one Of
the foremost OF nations, in the vastness Of
her domain, in the extent and diversity Of
her resources and productions, in the
rapidly Of her growth and development;
In the, achievements Of her intellect; In
her public charities; 10 her free presa; In
her. free schools and free churches; In her
railways and Ielegrapbs, and varied indus,
tries; in her complex but united and com:
pacted fabric Of justice, which il tor the
shelter and protection Of all by the power
Of an, and those grSceS OF lie which
adoEn and ennObl6 individual and col
leclive mar, the citizen andAhe State, let
America, BY her example, teach all ns.
tions that II Is their interest, as Il is,their
duty, TO help one another 10 cultivate The
works Of peace and the arts Of peace, 10
diHuse knowledge, 10 establish justice, TO
vindIcatO every right and redress every
wrong, 10 recognize and accept tho fact
that the human race, however divided
into naIionGliiieS, Is one great family OF
intellectual, moral and responsible beings,
capable Of indefinite progress here, and
encouraged TO hope for and aspire to an
immortal lie hereafter. 49,