The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1877-08-09

When Judge West went home from
the Cleveland Convention his neighbors.
without regard to party, held a meeting, |
to congratulate him. He made the fol |
lowing little speech, which we believe |
has rarely been surpassed:
Judge Lawrence. for the kindly words
you have uttered, | thank you. Capt
Price, for the cordial sentiments you
have expressed. doubly thank you. Ny
neighbors and friends, the magnitude
and heartiness OF this unexpected greet
ing overwhelm me. ] have no words in
which to express the depth of emotion il
has stirred within my heart. You can
bear me witness that neither by word or
act did / ever solicit or ask the position
with which i have been honored. You
can bear me witness that not one OF you,
my dearest, closest friends, did | ever in
fuence to bring about the result. pre-
sumo you did not know, as did not, that
my name would come before the Conven-
ton until aft,r had departed for Cleve-
land on Monday morning. without a sim
gle accompanying friend but my little
son. set off, only feeling a profound
concern for the condition of my country,
and trusting that, possibly. might con-
tribute something TO advance its welfare
by taking part in the deliberations Of
the good and earnest men whom / knew
would assemble on Wednesday.
As Unexpectedly there. as here. / met
with cordial. hearty greeting. Gentle
/ men with whom / had served in the
/ House of Representatives came and prof
Tered their support, il should suffer my
name to go before the Convention. Gen
tlemen with whom | bad served in the
Senate in like manner gathered about
me. Friends with whom | had beenDas-
sociated in the Executive Department of
the State, and other positions of public
trust. rendered me their cooperation.
The kindness and warmth of these
friendships OF years touched and decided
me. ventured and success resulted.
IL was an honor worthy OF one more de-
serving than
Now | have returned; surrounded by
this multitude Of my friends and neigh
bors, gathered without distinction, to
greet me home. Here are those who
have known me longest and best. Here
are the friends of seven and twenty years
of active labor. and. here are my rivals
in the battle of life am, unfortunately,
endowed with few negative character
istics. Ny opinions are generally con
victions; my actions affirmative. possibly
too aggressive That in the uttersnce of
those, or the execution Of these. / may
at times have provoked resentment, or
manifested seeming harshness, is possi-
BILE. IL, in the struggle of my manhood
and the conflict of opinions. ! may have
given offense, / now, here in this pres
ence invoke your forgiveness.
To you. Judge Lawrence, / now say let
the past be forgotten.
To you, Capt. Price, whom | have aid
ed, honored and loved. but who have,
for brief season, seemed alienated,' !
say, let bygones be buried. | say 10 you,
neighbors and friends OF my own politi-
cal household, but family express my
emotions, when declare for the hearth
ness and the generosity Of this welcome
sincerely thank you. From you, my
neighbors Of different political faith, |,
whose presence is the expression OF an
earnest and disinterested friendship. the
cordialty of this greeting is touching,
and to you, my colored friends. ! beg to
make NV most grateful acknowledge
ments; for the kindly aid of colored men,
delegated to the Convention. i am in no
inconsiderable part indebted for the
honor conferred To one and all, with
out distinction Of color or race. or opin'
ion, return my heartfelt thanks for the
friendship manifested, and the welcome
extended, and whether successful or un
successful in the final contest for the
palm. the recollection OF this pleasant
incident in life's battle will be cherished
as the dearest and sweetest in the mem
ory Of him who, quarter of century
ago, came into your midst a youth &C
fortune and to fame unknown, and
whose career has been before you as ar
open volume, to be read of all men
Good night.
The best of feeling prevailed. and the
Republican candidate received rounds o
applause. At the conclusion Of thu
speeches, Judge West received the con
gratulations Of his friends and neighbors
aud great numbers pushed forward t.
take the Judge by the hand. The meet
ing dispersed with rousing and repeated
cheers for the Republican nominee.