Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-04-06
Alefarloria Gazette
FRIDAY, APRIL Z, 1877
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thomas.

1t was stated in the GaZette's Richmond cor.
| rcspondcnce, yesterday, that Lieutenant Gov
crnor Thomas had been presented with cane.
Mr.. John ". Daniel in making the prcscnta-
tion said:
Governor Thomas, before you vacate the
chair which you have filled SO acceptably to the
people OF this State, and to your associates
here, beg leave to engage your attention in q
matter which has elected no debate, but for
once, even in this forum Of conflicting opinions.
is the result OF q unanlmlty Of sentiment
amongst Us.
My fellow senators have dcvolved upon lie
the agreeable task Of presenting to you the
cane which hold in my hands. 1t bears the
inscription: "ro Lieut. Gov II. W. Thomas,
from the Virginia Senate OF 1867, and is
intended as q simple token of their high re.
spcct for you as their presiding officer. and
their warm personal regard for you as friend.
You, sir, have been long in the public SER
vice of this Commonwealth. \ on have been
identified at different periods OF your career
with all three Of the chief departments Of gov
ernlnent, and will! various branches of these
departments. Ia the perturbed times OF the
civil war you held high offic, of finance; you
have time and again filed a seat in the Gen
eral Assembly; you have worn the crml0e OF the
Judge, and now you occupy the second eXecu'
tive station in the people gilt.
1t is not my purpose to offend your senslb.
ties by uttcring the language oi culogy 10 your
presence, but it cannot fail, sir, to be source
of Just pride and satisfaction TO you, as it Ger.
tainy is to your friends, that 10 all of the I'M
portant, and difficult, and delicate responsible
ties which you have shared you lave preserved
the respect Of all, aad that Go shadow OF re.
proach has ever dmmel q bright and honorable
namo.
The Senate Of Virginia whose functions arc
exercised 10 this old capitol, Ike the great river
which flows in full view Of lis classic pOrtco, i
a continuous body, hjwiog on from year to
year, but its constituent parts are undergoing,
like that stream, ccasGicas change; anu those
cl Us who compose It today can but rea!!Io
that to morrow We will be gone, and will, 10 all
human probability, never be assembled all
again together.
In cow parting fro!n one another, and sever
ing the relations which they have sustained 10
you, they have desired to express III some form
their appreciation Ct your character, and Their
sincere good wishes i5r your welfare; and the
cane which | nrw p:cscn! 10 ycu is designed to
betokon these feelings. The gift IS slight
one, but it is the olitrug ol unaffected friend
ship, and pray It's acceptance at your hands.
"With eye Unbalanced and natural ioroc un
abaled" you are atlil enjoying the faculties OF
vigorous manhood, and hope may long live to
serve the old Commonwealth which you have
served SO long aud WELL but when tho years
have thickened upon you trust this memeuto
will serve to recall the faces and forms Of ab
sent friends, and that as you lean upon 1t It
may be pleasant 10 you TO remember that So
The Senate Of Virginia was wont b lean upou
your sound and discerning Judgment
In accepting this gilt the lhoutcnanl Go''
ernor said -
Senators, confess that have been aSrccn
bly, surprised at your action, without any pre-
mouition to me- iu presenting me with Tins
beautiful cane as mark ci your appreciation
of NV services as your presiding officer durlng
the past two sessions of the General Assembly
| gratefully accept this token Of your regard,
and shall ever priZs it as constituting one OF
the brightest and most pleasing "reminiscences
Of my long services 10 The councils OF tho State.
The gentleman from Campbell, who has given
EXPRESSION 10 your wishes ani ftc'la9s, IN his
elcuuant remarks, has ki0diy referred 10 rhy
services in the three departments Of tic gov
erument of the Statr-its legislative, judicial
and executive aud / beg leave to assure you
that in all have cndcavored to promote the
honor anl prosperity OF our beloved Common
wealth. Your beautiful gilt viii, ia my de-
cIininc years, when it shall be the prop or my
falling lubs. bring t. mind the remembrance
OF our agreeable asjociatiou-. and my prayers
for your individual prosperity. | will traOsmt
it to my children | trust, With nothing upon
nv part TO diminish or blot the remembrance
of the esteem for me which this token OF yours
must ever call to !ainI. Gentiemcn, thanking
you again, accept at your hands this memen'o
of your appreciation.