Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1873-08-07
MINISTER BINGHAM.
Farewell Banquet to Him at
%. Cadiz.
Judge Bingham's Address-TOasts
and Responses.
CADIZ, O., July 81.

CADIZ, o., July 81.
That was an ovation to Minister, or,
as his t0wnsmen still prefer to call him,
Judge Bingham, in the Sherman House,
in this little town, tonight, of which
anyone might well be proud. More
than two hundred people, about half OF
whom were ladies, were gathered to
honor their townsman, who had in
many and responsible positions in an
unusually active and useful life never
made them blush but for pride. Oh
course the usual accessories of these
festive occasions were present, and
they were present too in unusual pro-
fusion and attractiveness. 1t is not
necessary to speak of the luXurieS OF
the table spread in the dining hall OF
the Sherman House, or dwell upon the
graceful festooning of evergreen about
the walls, the arch of welcome at the
entrance, the patriotic drapery of silk
banners, the witching .hues and fra
GRANGE OF the flowers which abounded
everywhere, the pink hood of the glad
iolius, the rosy keel of the sweet pea,
the mottled magnificence of the lily,
the fragrance of the rose, and the de-
licious greenery Of the myrtle and haZy
foliage of the smoke bush---all mingled
deftly in the thousand hued beauty OF
the bouquets and berderings tonight.
These were only accessories.
The center of the occasion was the
man whom the assembly had met 10
honor. Itwas an ovation, and in this
character it was evidently deeply APP,
preciated by the hero of the evening.
There was no half hearted honoring
here. The atmosphere breaihed OF
sincerity. 1t was the final offering OF
years of admiration and love; but it
was not as ar ovation that the. gather
ing most deeply impressed the behold
er or expressed the. feeling of the as
semb'y, or most keenly touched the
man to whom it was offered. This was
a farewell gathering. 1t was parting
feast, and regretful love overmastered
admiration in the hearts of those who
thronged the hall. Again and again,
as Minister Bingham was responding
to the toast of the evening, his VOICE
tremoled as he referred to his appro-
aching departure from his neighbors
and friends there assembled, and in his
eyes gathered adewy dinness, as he
saw Inc sympatnetlc moisture gllSten
in nearly every other eye in the room,
while all looked honest love and sorrow
back to his. f 1905 '.'" ,-'i@
When all had gathered within the
dining all, the Rev. w. Grimes, pastor
of the Presbyterian Church in the place,
invoked the blessing of God on the ek-
ercises. After the feasting, in which
all heartily partook, Mr.. ii. S. McFad-
den, an old resident of the town, took
the chair as President, and made a
brief speech, eloquently eulogizing the
character and historic work Of the hero
of the evening, and prophesying a SER
vice worthy of John A. Bingham g
past, and very valuable to the country.
He closed with the toast: "EIon. John
A. Bingham, our Minister to Japan.
The courteous and accomplished gen.
tleman socially. As neighbors and
citizens, We regret his departure. Our
loss will be the gain ofihe government ;
Minister Bingham replied as folloWs;
Mg. RINGHAM's ADDRESS.
Ladies aud Gentlemen, friends ard
Neigh6Ors:-For the cordial expression
of your regard for me, and Of your IL