The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-01-20
GEN. GRANTS SPEECH,

Some Good Hits at the NEWSPAPER Men
At banquet given last week by the New
York Press Club, a toast, the Republics
honored ex-President, was responded to
by General Grant, as follows:
MR.. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN OF
THE New YORK PRESS CLUB confess
to little embarrassment this evening in
being called upon unexpectedly to saw a
word before a set of such difident men as
compose not only the Press Club, but those
associated with the press of the country. I
thought this was an evening that was 90
ing to spend where all would be quiet and
good order, [applause], where nobody
would have anything to say. We all know
the characteristic modesty of the people
associated with the press. Laughter. I
They never want to enquire into anybody's
affairs laughter, know where they are 90
ing laughterl J, what they are going to do
laughterl, what they are going to say when
they get there, and really thought that Won
would excuse me this evening. But sup
pose you will expect me to say something
about the press-the press of New York.
the press of the United States, the press Of
the world. It would take a good deal of
time to tell what it is possible for the press
to DO. L confess at some period of my life
when 1 have read whatyou had to say about
me, that I have lost all faith and all hope.
Laughter and applause But since a
young editor (Mr. Foord) has spoken for
the press and has fixed the lifetime of
generation Of the newspaper men at about
twelve years, Applause and laughter, I
have growing hope within me that in the
future the press may be able to do some of
the great good which We all admit it is pos
sible for it to do. Applause and laugh
ter.
l have been somewhat of reader of
newspapers for forty years. I could read
very we'll when was eight years of age,
and it has given me forty years of observa-
ton of the press, and there is one peculiar
arity have observed, and that is in all of
the walks of life outside of the press, the
people have entirely mistaken their profess
sion, their occupation. Laughter
never knew mayor of city or even
councilman of any city, any public officer.
any Government official, I never knew
member of Congress, Senator or President
Of the United States, who could not be en-
lightened in his duties by the youngest
member of the press. Laughter I never
knew General to command brigade, a
division, crops, or army, who could begin
to do it as well as men far away in their
sanctums, and often wondered. I was very
glad to hear that the newspaper fraternity
were ready to take with perfect confidence
any Office that might be rendered to them
from President to Mayor. and I have often
been astonished that citizens have not done
so because they knew all these offices would
have been we'll and properly filled. Laugh
teri. Well gentleman, am very happy to
have been here with you and hope when
the new generation about twelve years hence
comes up that will dine with the Press
Club of New York City, and that will see
those Of this generation. who are SO we'll
fitted to fill all civil offices. have all been
chosen, and that there will be nothing left
then to criticise. I thank you, gentlemen. "