Arizona weekly citizen., 1881-01-22
Gen Grant at the Press Banquet.

Gen Grant at the Press Banquet.
 Press Telegram from New Ycrk.l
 Mayer Grace, John F0ord. ot the New York Times, Gen Grant, Hugh l. Hastings. of the Commercial Ad- vert.ser, Henry Ward Beecher, Gen. Sherman, Samuel Carpenter, 6eneral Eastern Passenger Agent oI the Pvnn- sylyania Railroad, were among the number present at the ulhner of the New York Press Club. The dinner was most pleasant aliair' In response tn the first tOast, nc President of the United States, q let- ter of regret from President Hayes was read.
 The toast, 'The Republics honored ex President" was responded to oy Gen. Grant, as follows:
 "Mr. President and Gentlemen ot the New York Press Club: l con fess to a little embarrassment this evening, in being called upon 10 say a word before set Of such ulIn- dent men as compose not only the Press Club, but those associated with the press of the country. l thought this was an evening that was gong 10 spend where all would be quiet anu good order [applausel; where nobody would have anything to say. We all know the characteristic m0desty ot the people associated with the press ILaughterl. They never want to in quire into anybodY's affairs iaughterI j. know what they are going to do [laughterl, what they are going to say when they get there. l really thought you would excuse me this evening" but suppose you will expect me to say something about the press, the press of New York, the press of the United States, and the press of the world. IL would take good deal Of time to tell what it is possible for the press to do. Iconfess, at some period Of my life, when l have read what you had to say about me, that l have lost sll faith and all hope Laughter and spplause.l But since a young editor (Mr. FoOrd) has spok- en tor the press, ana has fixed the lifetime of a generation of the news paper-men at about twelve years lapplause and laughterl, l have a growing hope within me, that, Tn the future, the press may De able 10 do some of the great good which we all admit is possible for it to do. Laugh ter and applause. 1 have been some what of a reader of newspapers for forty years. could read very well when 1 was 8 years of age, and 1t has given me forty years of observation Of the press, and there is one peculiarly I have observed, and that Is, m all of the walks of life, outside Of the press, people have entirely mistaken thelr profession, their occupation. Laugh terl never knew Mayor of city, or even a Councilman Of any city, any po- lice officer, any Government official, - 1 never knew member Of Congress, Senator, or President of the United States, who could not be enlightened in his duties by the youngest member of the press. Laughter. l never knew a General to command ori- gade, a division, a corps, an army, who could begin 10 do 1t as we'll as men far away in their sanctums, and I often wondered. l was very glad to near that the newspaper fraternity were ready to take, with perfect con- uul Ol44CC hhehs " WIZ dered to them, from President to Mayor and have often been astonish- ed that the citizens have not done SO, because thej know all these offices would have been we'll and properly filled. Laughter Well, gentlemen, ! am very happy to have been here with you, and l hope when new generation, about twelve years hence, comes up that I will again 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 the civil offices have all been chosen, and there will be nothing left them to criticise. thank you, gentlemen.
 Gen. sherman, Henry Ward Beech CT, Mayor Grace, and other gentle men also responded to tOasts. Many letters of regret were received, includ- ing one from the Chicago Press Club.