The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-05-31
QUEEN vICToRIA's BIRTHDAY.



The following speech was delivered by
Jas Warrack, Esq, British Vice Consul.
at the banquet gwen by the British resi-
dents of this city, on Friday evening. May
23d, in honor Of the Queens birthday
Mr. Chairman, and Gentlemen
In returning thanks for the kind and fiat
tering manner in which the health of Her
Majestys Minister at Washington, and that
of Her Consular Representatives has been
proposed, and the hearty manner in which it
has been received, feel glad Of the opportu-
nifty afforded me Of being able 10 express my
high sense Of the services rendered by Sir
Edward Thornton, to Great Britain, to this
country and to the cause of progress and
civilization by having co-operated with our
President in inaugursting and carrying out
the enlightened and conciliat ny policy which
ended in the adoption of arbitration in the
settlement Of national difficulties, instead Of
the old and barbarous appeal to the sword.
This wise and common sense treatment
fleets credit not only on the President of the
United States and the British Ambassador
but on the cabinets Of England and the
United States, and it is to be hoped, that the
example set by those two great nations will
have its influence, and lead to the general
adoption of the principle by other countries
know that this policy Of General Grants has
been fully appreciated by the people of Great
Britain. and that the marked and exceptional
welcome given To member Of his family on
her late visit was intended as expression
of the feeling Of the country, and as the most
delicate way OF paying direct compliment to
the President, and through him to the people
Of his country; and when we consider the eN-
clusveness Of the "Uupper Ten Thousand,
aud the Divinity that doth hedge King,
this will be the more fully appreciated.
do not suppose that at any former period
there has existed such thoroughly good and
friendly feeling between the people Of the
United States and Great Britain, and this is
principally to be attributed to the policy pur-
sued bv the President, which has lei
to the amicable settlement of two questions
one of which the San Juan boundary some
wears ago presented serious difficulty If not
actual hostilities between the two countries
and the other, the Alabama claims, which
might. at any moment. have led to the same
result Both Of these were, happily, settled,
and (if not to the entire satisfaction OF some
parties in England) the awards have been in
both cases, accepted in that candid and fair
spirit Which characterises the English people.
and the damages will be paid promptly, and
| NAV add with cheerfulness, and a feeling Of
relief proportionate to the great danger which
has been averted by mutual good sense and
/ forbearance When we think Of the results
| of a war between two such nations, humanity
| shudders at the consequences to both, and OF
the effect on the progress OF civilization and
religion throughout the world.
Met together, we are, to keep alive the
memory Of the old country the occasion is
opportune for giving expression to those
! kindly feelings which exist between It and
the country Of our adopted homes. In keep
ing alive this feeling we do not render our
selves less fitted for fulfilling our duties as
| citizens or residents Of the land TO which most
| Of us have transferred our allegiance, with
| our loves Unlike the children Of Israel who
| could not tune their harps by the waters q
BablVon, we are in a strange land from chose,
while they were there by compulslon. They
merely transferred their harps, while We carry
with us our hearts.
feel proud of being the local official repre-
sentative Of a Queen whose private virtues
and Conscientious discharge Of her duties
have sndeared hsr to her own people, and