Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-31
Tribute TO our Presidents.

The seventy fourth annual dinner of the
New England Society was observed last
week at the Fifth Avenue Hotel in New
York. Among the prominent speakers was
Secretary Sherman who, in response to the
toast to the president of the United States"
responded eloquently, as follows;
have, during my official life, personally known
six presidents OF the United States Their DAYS
seem to be fleeing and passing away. Among
them probably the one most abused was the one
already named by your eloquent and distinguished
citizen, Abraham Lincoln Cloud applause), man
who bore Tor four years the cross Of the American
people, and whose martyrdom will be read with
tears by nations yet unborn. tApplause) The
only one OF these presidents now living IL the H.
lustrious soldier and citizen, who, having con-
Quoted great war and won many battles, battles
greater than any In modern history, including
even those fought by Napoleon Bonaparte, and,
after having served his country for eight wears
and received all the honors the American people
have ever given to mortal man. now, after max
ing the circuit OF the globe, returns with blessings
heaped upon him In every language OF the civil
lied world. Cheering and applause All these
presidents have not been equally distinguished,
and probably will not be equally remembered,
but there Is not one OF them who has not been
true to his country's honor a. he believed Il and
saw II at the time For ninety. years. the great
u
by men selected by the people, and no one OF
them has disgraced the honor conferred upon him
in the way that has been common in countries
where the king or the president or the ruler for
the time being holds his seal by hereditary de-
scent The great principle Of the selection Of the
highest magistrate by the people has been en-
tirely justified by the experience OF the American
people
And now trust you will not deem 1t aniss for
me to say n few words OF honor and respect for
the president Of the United States that now is
When President Hayes assumed the executive
functions, yea, before he assumed them, he was
encompassed with difficulties that his predecessors
did not have For the first time-for the second
time perhaps might say-for the first time n
great doubt existed as TO who was elected presi-
dent and no doubt the gentlemen now here may
have been and the entire American people were
divided upon the question az TO who had been
elected to the presidency But the very fact that
this question was settled by tribunal organized
ior that purpose In peace and quiet is the greatest
triumph OF American civilization. (Lond ap-
pause). When he entered upon his office he
found two states in which were opposing parties
prepared for deadly conflict, and, though men
have dlf cred as to the mode and manner In which
those difficulties were avoided and evaded, yet
believe 1t Is the common Judgment that President
Hayes acted In this respect with wisdom pru-
dence and to preserve the peace Of the American
people His administration commenced when we
were involved in financial difficulties Of serious
character. Nearly all industries were impeded,
and all over this broad land were parties demand
ing legislative interference. Our currency was ir-
redeemable its value was less than was promised ;
but such has been the policy adopted by President
Hayes that all these evils have been removed, and
now peace and plenty spread themselves all over
the country. Men who were idle are now busy;
artisans are receiving fair wages and you In this
great mart OF commerce are receiving the fruits
Of this boundless prosperity, and should be thank
iul to the man who by his firmness aided In bring
ing this about No doubt many causes have con-
tributed to this; our large crops and the absence
OF crops In foreign countries the surplus OF five
years OF hard times and the boundless resources
OF this great country Of ours. Yet after all, you
must admit that it was by the firmness Of the
president of the United States that the measure
which tended to promote this result was finally
brought to a successful issue (Applause). The
president Of the United States has given you an
honest administration. Your revenues have been
faithfully collected. Your ordinary affairs have
been conducted we'll In the purity OF his life and
the conduct OF his private affairs he has stood the
type. OF American citizenship, upon which only
republican institutions can live.