The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-09-07
GAnFIELD AT HONE.


l2 O'Clock to-day a party Of commercial
travellers from Indiana, with their wives,
numbering in all i6rty-fve persons, came
on special cars TO Mentor and called at
General Garfeld's house to pay their re-
spects. TWAS very intelligent company,
representing every leading branch OF COM
mercial business. They assembled out on
the lawn in front Of the house, when the
General appeared at the door, and Mr.. G.
G. Webster was introduced and delivered
on behalf OF his associates the following
address:
General Garfeld-I have been delegated
by these friends, who have journeyed 80
far to see you, to say word in explana-
ton Of our presence here. Let me- ex,
press the hope that you will not consider
US trespassers. We do not come here as
the followers OF any particular political
party, nor do we come to testify to your
services to the country we call our OVID,
as that would be both presumptuous and
needless; for we believe that not only the
living nation, but the nations yet unborn
will testify to these things. But We come
as commercial men, representing many
interests in the State Of Indiana. Many
OF us are Yet young men, have but fairly
begun the great battle OF life, and We are
here to-day 10 pay our respects to you,
as one who, by his own efforts, has
raised himself from the poor aud lowly
boy to the proudest position In the land;
and one in the history oil whose life we
recognize many grand lessons for our
selves, and a constant source OF encourage.
ment 10 the thousands OF young men in
the land, who, beset by adverse circum-
stances, are struggling against those cir
cumstances up out OF the depths Of power.
ty towards better manhood. As kmeri-
cans, We do not believe that the Almighty
creates one man better or greater than
another, but we do believe and know that
men are born who take their destiny in
the hollow OF their hand, and with Gods
aid pursue the right and shape that des-
tiny to great ends, and as such one we
greet you to-day.
And now, with your permission, l will
introduce the commercial travellers OF In
dianapolis, their wives and their sweet
hearts.
General Garfield responded as follows:
Mr.. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen-l
can hardly say that you have taken me
by surprise, for was informed some days
ego that party OF commercial gentlemen
from Indiana would call upon me to-day;
but / am very pleasantly surprised at the
large number OF ladies and gentlemen
who have honored me with this visit. l
have listened with deep interest to the
addressed your chairman, snd give you
one and all my thanks for the compliment
which this visit implies.
Your chairman informs me that you
represent nearly all the leading branches
Of commercial industry in the State Of In
diana and some OF the neighboring States.
Few Of our people understand how vast
are the enterprises represented by our in
ternal trade. Almost every form Of human
labor contributes Its product to the trade
that fills our thoroughiares and supplies
our communities with the necessities OF
| life, and all are moved by the great main.
springoi labor. Permit me to illustrate its
magical powers. Eighty-four years ago
a company Of surveyors landed at
the north OF Conneaut creek, a
little stream that marks the boun-
Diary between Pennsylvania and Ohio.
They landed on the Fourth day Of July,
1896, and commenced their work by cele-
brating our national independence. There
are men now living who were boys in
their teens when this company OF survey
ors began their work. AT that time from
the Pennsylvania line to Detroit hardly
any smoke assembled from a white mans
cabin. The Western Reserve was an I'M.
broken wilderness. Three hundred mil
lion acres had just been purchased from
the State Of Connecticut for forty cents an
acre. To-day the Western Reserve fur.
nishes happy and comfortable homes 70
more than three.fourths OF mil
lion Of intelligent people. Excepting
few French settlements, the State OF
Indiana was itself an unbroken wilder
ness, but is now great and prosperous
community. Thousands Of miles beyond
your praries, wildernessess and noun
tain slopes smile with peace and prospect.
" and the attendant blessings Of civiliza-
ton. What has wrought this wonderful
transformation. The magical power Of
human labor. Through manifold. strug-
giles and dangers, through sufIeriugs and
blood, these blessings have been secured
to ns, and trust will be continued TO our
children's children. Applause.
Iventure 10 notice another fact. Every
stroke ofthe ak, every blow ofthe hammer,
every turn OF q wheel, every purchase
and every sale, and in short every effort
OF labor, Is measured by the standard OF
value fixed and declared by national law.
congratulate you as commercial men
that your government has at last restored
10 its people the ancient standard OF value
and has made II possible for people every.
where tosecure the blessing which bounti.
full hRrvests and prosperous times have
brought them by placing our national
finances on the basis OF specie values.
This fact forms no inconsiderable part OF
the security with which the great bnsi-
ness transactions OF the nation are carried
on, and you, as its representative, as well
as the laborers in the land ,.are sharers OF
these benefits and this security. lap.
plause.l
Ladies' and gentlemen, accept my most
cordial thanks for your visit. / welcome
you to my home and to the kind greetings
Of my family. Applause,
The company was then introduced 10
the General and his wife and mother.
They were cordially and pleasantly no.
eelved. They strolied through the or
chardA and grounds, and before taking
their leave q glee club, which they had
extemporized on the way, sang several
patriotic songs. At halEpast one they
took leave and went down the farm lane