National Republican., 1876-09-04


plicants for printing contracts. Loud laugh
teri And had he been, my word for it, he
would have lost much of his reputation for
stoicism, If nothing more. [Applause.l
But, my friends, "all's well that ends we'll"
The fight has been bitter and protraetei, and
my adyersaries are welcome to all the honor,
all the advantage, all the satisfaction they
have achieved, either in ambush or the open
field. Blow after blow was aimed at my repu-
tation as an officer and citizen, but the shafts
fell harmless. Party hatred, like vaulting
ambition, is liable to overleap itself. The
very cTowning act of the contest-that which
was predicted as certain 10 lead 10 my down.
fall-the repeal of an obnoxious law-returned
to plague the inventors. The proposed victory
of the adversary proved his defeat. The Presi-
dent, thanks to HIS sense of justice, nomi-
mated and the Senate (being in accord with his
views of right) confirmed me to fill the va
cancy that occurred under the law that was
intended to be my executioner, and thus
MY TRIUMPH WAS RENDERED COMPLETE.
But enough of this. must pay my respects
to you, gentlemen, who have honored me with
this mark of your respect and esteem. To you
and your fidelity to duty am largely indebted
for whatever of success has attended my du-
ties and labors as the head of that branch of
the public service to which you relate. 1 prize
your good opinions above all things else except
the jewel of every mans eXistence-personal
honor. This mark of your respect will be
cherished in the casket of memory among the
most delightful and valued incidents of my
public or private career.
Having already intrenched too far and too
long upon the enjoyments of this delightful
hour, must close. If have wearied your
patience, forgive the trapsgression, and l will
cease by expressing the fervent hope that each
and all of US now present may escape the
troubles and trials of partisan Investigations
and prosecutions, and that your future may
guide you into the paths of peace, prosperity
and happiness. [Long continued applause.]
When quiet was once more restored Mr..
Stitt proposed 1.-THE United States Senate"
and called upon Major Ben Perley Poore to re-
spond. No brief report can do justice to the
witty and inimitab!e speech of the "chisf of
the Indian Hills." His remarks were bub-
bling over with humor, and kept the company
conyulsed with laughter. His illusions 10 the
investigation of Gales s. Seaton were exceed
ingly timely and very amusing.
''The District of Columbia" was responded
TO in an eloquent and pithy speech by ex-G Gov
erner Shepherd, who intimated that he had no
apology to make for what he had done for the
District, but was ready to do more in the same
line If he could get chance. His allusion to
the President as ''the man who never goes
back on friend" was the occasion of genuine
applause.
"The Press" was appropriately and wittily
responded to by the veteran, Mr.. Gobright
The near approach of midnight. and the in
disposition to encroach upon the holy time of
the Sabbath, caused the omission of several
regular and volunteer toasts, and the last and
best. woman, Lovely Woman" was given,
and appropriately, as we'll as quite touchingly,
responded to by Mr.. r. W. Claxton:
At 12 O'Clock the company passed around
the head of table, and each took formal per-
sonal leave of their guest. As the members of
the company separated they Joined in three
hearty cheers for the Public Printer, and three
more for Ex-Governor Shepherd. and declared
that they had just concluded the happiest en-
tertainment of their lives.