The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-11-22
GRANTS GLORY.
a DINNER In his HONOR BY THE
LOTUS CLUB.
WblteIaw Reid PrssIdes and Makes the
Address OF welcome, 10 Which the
General Responds In n Brief
But Happy Epeech-Other
Noted orators Follow:

Club gave dinner and drill reception u
night in honor OF Gen. Grant. Whitela'
Reid, editor OF the Tribune, presided. L
the course Of his address Of welcome Nj
Reid related au incident OF the first day
fighting at Pittsburgh Landing. Some on
said: at looks little gloomy, doesn't il
General?" shall never forget his quic
glance at the setting sun and instant reply
"0h, no; they can not break our lines 10
night, and tomorrow We shall attack then
with freah troops and, Of course, will driv
them"
It was eaid in tone Us quiet as II b
had been telling an officer TO see abou
putting up headquarters tents, with
quiet confidence as absolute as II he hat
been In BeauregaId's place instead OF hi
OWE. From that moment there was on
hearer, at least, who never doubted tina
the commander who, amid the gloom ant
disaster OF such al hour could calmly
reason out the certainty OF tomorrow
victory would vet be recognized, no
merely as great soldier, but as in any
sudden stress Of danger great man. !,
Well, continued Mr.. Reid, what shal
we do with him? Are we 80 rich in grea
men? Are we 80 fortified at every poin
with the widest experience and the lotties
devotion, that we have no longer any ust
for him? do not belieyeit. l do not think
any considerable number OF people In
either OF the great political parties be
lieye it. am not speaking as a partisan
That have never been. Otter in civil
affairs | have not been able 10 follow
where he led, and the general himself
would, / fancy, be quite willing to give
me certificate for having practiced great
freedom OF speech upon that sub
ject, Speaking rather then for his
political opponents, for those a.
least Of the Republican faith.
am confident that l may venture SO
much. Let me say that no wish and nc
act OF theirs will be wanting to secure fol
the country the continued services OF your
guest. We believe the country would be
most unwise, unmindful alike OF her dig.
nifty and her interest II she failed to lay
claim to this service. Let me not be mis-
understood, am speaking wholly with.
out General Grants knowledge or that
Of any Of his immediate friends, or with
any reference Whatever to his interests.
These will be taken care OF any way.
This ia no blind, broken down Belisa-
rius holding out his helmet for
aims. 1t is question solely oil
what the country owes to itself. Can
1t afford to say we have no further use for
the experience gained at the head OF the
army and at the head OF the government.
Why, for example, should not the soldier
OF iAppomattox be borne while he lives on
the retired list Of the army. Why, indeed,
should we not create for him the rank he
has so conspiCuously earned, and make
him, while he lives, Captain General OF
the armies OF the United States. ABOVE
all, why should not the country say to
him aud to every retiring President,
"Henceiorth we wish your advice and
your knowledge OF our affairs in our high
est council, the Senate OF the United
States. You have the wisdom that
comes with experience, the moderation
that comes with the exercise oil powers.
Hencetorth your future is provided for,
let all your thoughts and all your care be
for your country, to the end"
To some such place the purpose 'of the
countrY.is surely turning, and neither
party nor precedent should be suffered TO
stand in it's way.
Well, gentlemen, you have honored too
much OF my voice already, and you have
lately discovered that, in spite 0i his life-
long efforts to conceal 1t, your guest Is an
admirable speaker. Fill your glasses.
There are Democrats and Republicans
here, Northerners and SOutherners, men
who wore the blue, and men who wore
thesgroy,s conservatives and stalwarts,
third termers and antl.third termers,
and possibly We have even some timid
soul in dread OF the Empire, but in ad.
miration for the heroes and In gratitude
for victory and peace we are all Grant
men tonight. give you toast that
has been honored by every campfire in
the continent, prayer that has been
breathed in every patriotic household:
Health 10 our Arst soldier and our first
citizen, General Grant.
The General was cheered for several
seconds as he rose. He responded briefly
as iollowsi
Mn. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN OF THE
LoTUs CLUB:-1 feel very much embar.
rassed in making any respousete the com.
plimentary remarks OF your President.
do not know what in the world have
got to say. I.auShter.l l do not want to
say that they are not desired. Laughter.
/ do not want TO convince you that they are
not, trenewed laugetOr) bnt II l stand
here i've minutea shail prove to you that
one OF the remarks, at least, Of your Presi.
dent is untrue without any effort on my
part, and that lie when he charges me
with being able to make speech. Laugh.
ter.
nave no doubt that all OF you will be
convinced Of the fact that 9. .misstatement
was then made before / sit down. RE-
newed laughterl Now, in regard to the
future o; myself, which has been alluded
to here, am entirely satisfied as l am
to-day. (Great applause,) l am not one
Of those who cry out against the Republic
and charge them with being migrate
lul. am sure as regards the American
people as a Nation and as individuals,
have every reason under the sun, II any
person really has, to be satisfied with their
treatment to me. loud applAuEe.)
Ihope to have many years yet ot life,
believe that ] am in quite vigorous
health; forly.eight years OF age and have
been for the last ten years, daughter and
II | can render my country any service,
in any way, should certainly be very
happy to do 1t. (Applausel But as am
OF the age OF forty.eight years / say an
beyond the period OF volunteering, and Il
| ain ever wanted in any way shall have
10 be pressed into service, daughter ant
applause but not being obstinate at al
great laughter) / shall have TO submit L
those who have experience in getting mt
any where that will be entirely comforta
ble to myself. Applause.
Now, gentlemen, thank this club, ON
and all, for the courtesies OF the evening
| / am sorry that am hoarse and have hal
bad cold and cannot talk longer AM
thoroughly convince you that what you
President has said is not so. A voice
at could be worss;" and loud applause.
wish to make one other remark. Ihav
been sitting by the side Of your Presideu
and have heard messages coming to hir
| from persons around the board, sayin
they wanted 10 speak. have about q
/ - 1afk a