Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-09-18
sERENADE TO THE GOVERNOR.
He is Visited by the EQUAL Rights
League.


His Speech I'm Response to the Sere-
nade-Address Of District Treasurer
Hopeful View Of District Affairs.
Last night the EQUAL Rights League OF the Dis
trict met at the Office of the NeW National Era,
on 18th street, and, headed by the Marine band,
proceeded to the executive office, corner nth
Governor ' sbepheSd serenade arT sHfer
the band played "Hail to the Chief and other
appropriate airs, at the conclusion of which the
dows, and was introduced to the crowd by Mr..
X. W.. Thompkins. Governor Shepherd ad-
dressed the company as follows:
al heartily thank you, fellow-citiZens, for the
compliment thus rendered me. 1t is gratifying
to me to know that my appointment to the Office
OF Governor meets your appreciation. Entering
upon the discharge of its duties with but one
object in view, and that the interests of the peo
pie, it will be my aim so to administer the trusts
confined to me as to win the approval of all
right minded men. The events of the last two
years have proved that on the part of our
citizens there Is no lack of pride, energy, and
means that we are alive to the progressive
demands of the day, and that, loving our coun-
try, we will do all in power to make
this our home worthy the great nation whose
capital 1t is and must ever be. Let us continue
and complete the work so n0bly begun, and the
recognition which always follows deeds of
enterprise is assured. In days gone by we were
elassed as sluggards and paupers. Now we can
with just pride boast that we are citizens of
Washington, place more complete and mag
nifcent in its improvements than any other on
our continent.
81 know that naturally there is considerable
anxiety as to the expense involved in our under
taking. A property-owner and taxpayer my
self, selfish motives, if none other, would iu-
duce proper caution on my part. Invested here
are the fruits of twenty eight years of unremit-
ting labor ,tand these surely would not sacri-
flee to a taxation which would sweep them
away, never, perhaps, to be regained Appre-
ciatng the question to its full extent, it shall be
my aim to protect the interests of all; and my
nrrnIr finfN IL ga 10
trial is over. instead of fearful exposures OF cor
ruption and fraud, such as have characterized
the history of the commercial metropolis of the
Union, the people of the United States, ire
spective of section and party, will point to the
nations capital as at least one place where a
municipal government has been honestly, judi
cl0usly, ard energetically administered, and
where results have been achieved in magnitude
Of the ocean,
AT the conclusion of the speech the members
OF the league, all of whom were colored men,
were invited to the Governors rooms, where
they were severally introduced by Mr.. Tomp-
klns. After the interchange of congratulations
Mr.. John Thomas johnson, treasurer OF the
District, addressed the Governor as follows:
ADDRESS OF j. THOMAS JOHNSON.
"Goyernor Shepherd As citizens of the Dis
trict OF Columbia We are here tonight to offer
our congratulations upon your accession to the
gubernatorial chair. Feeling, as we do, a lively
interest in the controlling power of the District,
ana especially Its executive, the rumOr of the
resignation OF our much-beloved friend, Hon.
H. ID. Cooke, caused US much anxiety, but, hap
ply Tor us, our torebodings are all dispersed by
his EXcellency the President comprehending the
situation, and, seeing the emergency, elevated
you to your present position.
Governor, some present here o-night have
known you from childhood. You have grown
to manhood almost-aye, Immediately under
their eye they have marked you graphing with
every honorable enterprise, financial and COM
mainly, and to build up every ehartab Bile insti-
tuition having for its aims the advancement of
earv history of tSe Oh nS IN dee
the new regime, OF in this, the era of civil
and political liberty, we greet you as the
vanguard of the great republican party,
on whose banner is inscribed even-handed
justice to all. We feel, sir, that in yourself we
have one well qualified to receive and be
Clothed with the mantle of authority worn by
your much beloved predecessor-one who will
so direct the local affairs of the territory as TO
insure in its results the greatest good to the
greatest number; so that in the future your past
Will be reflected in the contamination of those
grand and comprehensive improvements which,
under your directions, are inaugurated, and the
territory OF Washington, the land which gave
you birth, shall be a city worthy in every par
ticular to be the proud metropolis of the Amer
ican nation. And now, sir, permit me, in be-
half OF those here present to tender our hearty
cooperation to advance the best interests of the
government, national or local, and pledge our
tealty to the same, not as black men, nor as a
black mans party, but as men in the full sense
OF the term; and should your honor learn that
we sit in council and choose our company rest
united nnf
combined to injure.
And now. sir, long may you live to enjoy the
honors OF well-spent life, and peace and pros
perity ever attend YOU"
THE GOVERNOR REPLIED
that he appreciated deeply the compliment paid
him, coming from the source it did. He was
aware of the difficulties which were to beset him
IN his new position, and would strive to meet
them as became man. He did not believe the
difficulties were so great but that they could be
surmounted by the cheerful support of the peo-
10 at nrfG hat Ias,0. A.
the capital of the nation a great prosperous
and beautiful city. He believed that the great
work accomplished by the people of the District
would be recognized and appreciated by Com
gress. He had always held the idea that when
the representatives. of the people in Congress
assembled saw that the people of the capital of
the country evinced disposition to help them
selves aid would be afforded them in the work
He, with his fellow zens of the District do
not desire to appear before the country as beg
CARS. They only ask that while private ind-
Vlduals were paying their share the general
government, who were part owners of property
here, should pay its proportion.
He was sorry that his appointment to his
present position did not meet the approval of
the independent press of the country, 50 called.
but consoled himself with the thought that
about this time last year the same press was
dissatisfied with the nomination of PIesiaent
Grant, and with all its power was opposing his
election. The people had by the evidence of
their will, as proved by their ballots expressed
their confidence in President Grant by placing
him in the Executive chair of the nation; and
the President, he was sure, would never bv his
act do anything that he would not be willing 10
stand before his countrymen and uphold.
In concluding. the Governor spoke of the
great interest he felt in the advancement of the
interests Of the District All he had was here,
and he was well content to stand or fall with II
He believed that when the account is stated
the record of the government of the District
of Columbia would stand without parallel in
the history of this country as having done more
work of improvement, better, IN less time and
for less money than any municipal government
in the United States
At the close of the Governors remarks the
and withdrew.
TIE POLITICAL Keeting of Re-
publican Disorders IN the Eighth DiSfrict.-A
meeting OF the sth district republicans who are
dissatisfied with the nomination of Mr. Chase