The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-05-19
ROBgKIsON SERESADEn
by the ThurIOW weed club OF Albany
Ho Makes u speech,

He Makes speech.
ALBANY, May lS.-It was announced
that the ThurloW Weed Club Of which Mr.
Barnes is President, would serenade ssna
tor Robertson In the evening at the Ken
more Hotel. Although heavy rain pre-
vailed'a large concourse OF people gather
at the hotel about nine o'clock to cOngra'
tulate the newly appointed Collector oi
the port Of New York.
The hotel was decorated with flags and
colored lanterns and the entire front was
Illuminated, The general committee and
large procession Of citizens marched
through the rain headed by q band Of
music Arriving at tho hotel the band
played several airs In the parlors, where
there were q number OF Senators and AS
Eemblymen. When the band ceased play.
Ing, P esident Barnes entered, with
OhAunCey N, Depew and Senator Sessions,
escorIing Judge Robertson. Mr.. Barnes
stepped forward and said:
FELLOW CiTI2RNs:-1t is my privilege to.
night 10 introduce 10 you a man whose
brilliant public career diSposes OF the
slander sometimes advanced, that none
can prosper In American politics unless
he sanctions disFeputable machine prac.
tiCes. Whether we look to his political or
10 his domestic lie, no stain can be found
on this patriots record. We have gath.
cred here to rejoice in bis success and in
the triumphant vindiCation Of old fashioned
Republican prinCipals. have the pleas.
ure TO present to you Hon. William H.
Robertsop, BY the grace Of all that is
good In the Republican party, Collector Of
the Port OF New York.
Senator Robertson was received with
hearty applause, and spoke as follows;
COLLECTOR RoBERTsoN's SPEECH.
FELLOW CITIzENs:-You have come
here tonight to congratulate me upon the
confirmation OF my nomination as Col.
leC!or of the Port OF New York. Let me
congratulate you upon the fact that we
have President whose intelligence, firm.
ness aud patriotism will protect the con.
sttlution from every assault, coming from
whatever quarter It may. l did not
seek the ColleCtorship, nor did
anyone atk 1t for me. visited neither
Washington nor Mentor. had no cor.
respOndenCe or communication directly or
indirectly with the President In regard to
1t. The bestowal OF the office under such
circumstances was exceedingly gratifying
TO me. During the pendency Of the nom.
ina,lon In the Senate, other events Of a
gratifying character occurred. l was much
gralItied with the early and judiCious ad.
vice Of the Ohlet Magistrate OF this great
State In respect to the proper disposition oi
that nomination, Inspired as that
advice was by high sense Of honor, sound
judgment and great practical ssgacity;
the advice which, II taken 10 the, spirit In
which 1t was given, would have strength.
ened, Bolidlhed, and made the Republican
party In this State invinClble. was also
gratided with the unanimous tender ol
thankBto the President for the nomina.
ton by my associates In both branch.
es ot the legislature, and with the like
unanimous request to the Senate for its
prompt confirmation. l was gratihed By
thegenerous support whichthe entire prets
OF the country, with rare exceptions, gave
the President In the contest that resulted
In my confirmation. was grAtihed with
the almost universal expression OF the
Republicans and Democrats everywhere
throughout the length and breadth OF the
land, In confederation Of the Presidents
course throughout the entire affair. The
popular approval Of the Presidents deter.
mlnation 10 maintain bis constitutional
right has been such as was never vouch.
sailed 10 any other President. | venture
to say there is no neighhorhood with.
10 the Upited States, q majority oil whose
inh1bitantB are not 10 fall accord with the
President on that question. The abolition
Of the unit rule, the defeat Of the third
term, the proper establishment, oil the
principle Of district representation at Obi.
csgo,, and, reaftlrmed at Washington 10.
day, the constitutional right Of the Presi.
dent 10 nominate to the Senate and 10
have such nominations considered by the
Senate, arc hopeful evidences Of the dawn.
ing Of brighter day Ia politics when
Independence Of thought and indepen.
denCe Of action may be exercised within
the party TbY any loyal member
thereof without the certainty OF instant
death beneath the wheels Of the political
Juggernaut. Whengthat day comes, and
not till then, we shall have what you and
every other good citizen hiss long and
earnestly desired, government by the peo.
pie In conclusion, let me say that l
shall In the discharge OF the duties Of this
Office, as have In the dischare Of the du.
Ties Of every other olfcs held by me, take
cAre that the interests Of the people re,
CeiVe no dstriment. thank You for your
congratulations aud the honor you have
done me on this occasion, and bid yon
good night.