The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1880-03-23
A PRHENTATION.
A Prominent Citi.en OF Butte Receives
an Arab Steed.


A few weeks ago a movement was inaugu-
rated to present our Republican brother, Mr..
J. H. Brown, wholesale liquor merchant,
with a valuable horse, as a slight testimonial
Of the esteem, reverence and love with which
he is regarded by the more intelligent citizens
of this metropolis. Considerable difficulty
was experienced in finding an animal suitable
to the occasion, and it became necessary to
import one for the purpose desired. A few
days ago a committee OF eminent citizens
waited upon the distinguished merchant, and
Judge Warren, on behalf of the population
of the Silver City, made the following brief
remarks:
Major Jas. II. Broun:
l have the honor, in behalf of your fellow
citizens, to present you with the beautiful
Arabian steed now before you. Your promi-
hence as a citizen of this community, your
generosity, public spirit aud sterling character
point to you as a proper person to receive this
trifling token of our esteem. The varied color
of this horse, you will observe, is emblemat-
ical of life. The white spots represent youth
and purity, which we hope may ever in the
future, as in the past, be your guiding star.
The brown spots represent the hOnored name
upon which your successful and brilliant
career has shed such immortal lustre. Mr..
Brown, this is no cayuse or Spanish buro.
The blood that flow through his veins is of
royal blue. He was imported from the plains
of Palestine for a special purpose and was
purchased from the stud of Murray Pasha at an
enormous cost. Through the courtesy of the
Congress of the United States, owing to your
distinguished services to the government in
paying a wholesale license, the horse was all
mitted free of duty. Your well known mod
esty may forbid your receiving this gift, but
we beg to assure you that it is a pleasure to
lis to make this present.
The recipient was visibly effected. He
was evidently not aware of the exalted posi-
ton lie occupied in the peoples affections, and
with a tear of mingled joy and gratitude in
his eye nearest to the committee, he spoke as
follows in a voice husky with suppressed
emotion.
Mr.. Warren:
In accepting at your hands this beautiful
present, donated to me by the merchants and
other admiring friends in the city of Butte,
1 cannot forego the opportunity of express
ing, though inadequately, my sense of admit
ration at the beauty of the gift and my deeper
sense of gratitude at the consideration which
prompted its bestowal.
From time immemorial the horse has been
regarded by man as at once the most beautiful
and useful of domestic an~imals-always ex-
ccpting ones mother-iII-law. And since the
day when Alexander mounted his Bucephalus
and rode forth with General Howard to cap
ture Chief Joseph and his band history is full
of touching instances of the strong attach
ments which have grown up between neil
and horses. Who has not heard Of the love
that existed between Don Qulxote ard RoZi-
mantle ? and Sancho Panza and Dapple? That
noble feeling still survives in the human
heart, and you, by your gift, have furnished a
fresh illustration Of its power over man.
Not long ago an eminent countryman-
eminent, did l say I should have said the
most eminent of our countrymen-was the
recipient Of two beautiful horses from the
Sultan of Turkey he took them. Did he
ever refuse? l am now honored in a similar
way by my fellow townsmen. and shall l re-
fuse? Not much. l canno ride double nor
drive tandem, like Grant, but l can initiate
his noble example by accepting all that you
offer, and l can initiate that other knight in
history, who would not look the gift horse i'll
the mouth.
Be assured, my noble, liberal townsmen
that l accept your gift, will carefully treasure
it, will never tire it with labor, and when l
gsze on its beautiful form memory will revert
to the donors, who, let me hope, will all in
turn experience the generosity they now so
l.vishly bestow. And when you hereafter
mount your horse, as ! shall do mine, remem-
Der to throw your chest we'll out, give your
arms IA free and rapid motion backwards and
forwards, and you'll not be easily bucked of.
And when the days work is lone don't forget
that a horse when tired generally takes a
drink. Let lis do like the horse.
Rowing Reds.