The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-04-05
Complimentary Dinner 10 A. Il,
GOShOFn.

1
by some one hundred and twenty-five
prominent citizens; among those present
from abroad were T. s. Harrison, ESQ.,,
Chairman OF the Citizens Centennial
Committee Of Philadelphia; Col. Myer
Asche, Assistant Secretary Of tho United
States Centennial Commission, and Priv
ate Secretary Of the Director General;
and Robert Cox, Esq, Of Philadelphia;
Mayor johnson, Hon. VIM. s. Groes-
beck, Ex-Gov. Noyes, Judge Force, NJ.
llalstead, Esqy and others Of this city.
Ex-Attorney.GeneIal Taft presided.
After bountitul repast, Judge Taft
made an eloquent address Of welcome,
claiming the origin of exposilions for
ancient Greece in the 0lympian games;
referring to the interest awakened in
America by the expositions Of later
years, and mentioning the interest sur.
rounding the Cincinnati exposilions and
her musical festivals. He was frequently
interrupted by applause.
In reply MIR. Goshorn spoke as follows:
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen After
an absence Of almost four years, engaged
in an important National work, Ihave re.
turned to renew my interest in the affairs
Of my city. did not expect, nor have
thought that deserved the distinguish
ed recognition which you have extended
TO me this evening. Therei is no compen.
sation more valuable to the citizen than
the endorsement Of his public acts by his
friends and neighbors. Your friendly
words and earnest expressions Of apprO.
val Of my public services have affected
me most sensibly. | appreciate in the
fullest manner your Kindness, your
friendship, and this cordial and sin
cere welcome to my home. | thank
you for the compliment of this occasion
and for the distinction which ii conveys
TO this community and to the country.
| am not unmindful Of how much am
indebted to the citizens Of Cincinnati for
their confidence and for the official posi-
tions l have held here and elsewhere.
When / was appointed by Gov. Hayes
and commissioned by the President Of
the United States as Centennial Com.
missioner from Ohio, and more especially
when | was chosen Director General OF
the International Exhibition OF 1876.
The public understood and ! was glad to
acknowledge that these positions OF trust
were offered me in recognition
Of my connection with the Gin
cinuati Industrial Exposition. To
the experience which acquired in that
enterprise | am indebted in large de.
gree for whatever OF success and honor
has ensucd from my labor in Philadel.
phia, and to that enterprise are we in
debted this evening for this pleasant
meeting. When | was solicited to assume
the directlon-nf the Exhibition in Phila.
delphia in the spring Of 1873, had grave
doubts Of the expediency OF accediug to
the solicitation. The project was sur.
rounded by embarrassments that seemed
insurmountable. 1t had been author.
lied by Congress, and had been pro.
claimed to the world; but it was without
means and without governmental SYM
pathy or support. But already the good
name of the Republic had been involved
in the enterprise, and realizing this !
determined to join my labors with those
who were struggling to sustain the honor
OF our country. 1t required courage and
abiding faith in tho ultimate success Of
the undertaking. There we're found
at that time citizens Of ,Phila-
delphia ready to give generously of
their time and money They supported
the Exhibition when itwas most in need,
and 10 them is due more than to any
other the great honor that resulted to the
country from the success of the Exhibi-
tion. | am glad Of an opportunity, at
my home, to acknowledge their kindness
and hospitality to me, stranger in their
midst, and to thank them and my associ-
ates Of the U. S. Centennial Commission
and Centennial Board OF Finance, and
my faithful officials for their patient and
unceasing cooperation with me in the ad-
ministration of the duties conIided to me.
lneed not speak to you Of the trials OF the
administration, Of the magnitude of the
labors, and Of the happy results of the
Exhibition. These are now matters of
record. l may be permitted, however, to
express the conviction that the Exhibi-
tion promoted international comfy and
gave the representatives OF all the civil
lied nations an opportunity 10 study and
appreciate our institutions and resources.
That it elevated the foreign estimate Of
the American character and of the prac.
tical ingenuity OF our people, and that it
gave the people OF the United States a
better knowledge Of themselves, OF their
opportunities, Of the richness Of their
heritage, and Of the cultivation, taste, and
accomplishment OF other nations. IL
was an appropriate ceremony, conducted
by n free people in the COMMUNICATION
Of most important epoch in the history
OF our country. The nations OF the world
came to Join us in a celebration that will
be remembered for all time, as an occa-
sion Of peace and good will. May the
concord and harmony OF that assemblage
OF the nations, remain with us an endur-
ing monument Of international fra
ternity, and OF the happiness,
prosperity and contentment Of our
united country. But gentlemen II
arose to acknowledge your friendly
greetings and not to discuss the events OF
the past year, with which my name was
associated. l pray you, therefore, again
to accept my sincere thanks and gratitude
for your great courtesy, and to ask you
to Join me in wishing our citya brilliant
future. May she succeed in every enter
prise she undertakes and may there
arise here for the enjoyment and cultiva-
ton Of our people, and as a national out
growth Of Jour own International Ex-
hibition Of .lS7G a grand museum oil
science and art. The London exhibition
Of 1851 gave to London the South Ken.
sington Museum, May our exhibitions
give to Cincinnati similar institution, q
permanent attraction and an honor 10
our city.
The following letter from President
Hayes was read:
"WAsHINGToN, April2.
"GentlcmCn: 1t would give me much
pleasure to accept your invitation to be
present at the complimentary dinner
rendered by the citizens Of Cincinnati to
Hon. A. I, Goshorn, in recognition OF
his eminent services as Director General
Of the United States Centennial Exhibi.
tion. Official duties, however, require
my presence here. ! join cordially in
the general appreciation of the distin-
guished ability with which his arduous
and important duties were discharged.
"Very truly yours, r, B. HAYES"
Letters we're also read from ex.Presi.
dent Grant, Gov. Young, Of Ohio, Gov.
III a r1rnnft 81 Dnnn,vIunns, n. w