Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-08-21
GOVERNOR BUTLER at A
PICNIC.
A Few Remarks on the Tewhs.
bury InvestigatiOn-His ADx-
iety 10 Dance.
BIZ TeIegraph 70 tho Tribuno.

D9 AoioBIdpn W INV 1IlDunes
BosTON, August l6,-It is said that
Governor Butler has never visited the
Institution at Tewksbury. 1t was
thought that as he had accepted an
invitation to attend to-day a town
picnic at Tewksbury, he might look
upon some of the horrors which he
claimed we're perpetrated in the insti-
tuition, but his coachman, in driving
over from Lowell this morning took a
route which carefully avoided the
house. He arrived at Bellevue Grove
near Hackett's Statifp at about 10
O'Clock. and was greeted by an assem-
bly, of 300 citizens of the town. The
Governor was conducted to platform
in the pavilion, and was presented for
maly. After a few Introductory re-
marks he said:
1t has been said that | have rem
dered Tewksbury famous. There is
no thought of a single inhabitant of
Tewksbury, born and bred here, not
brought here, that Tewksbury has be
come already famous or infamous, as
the case may be. Nothing, in the
long and laborious investigation into
the affairs of the State institution
has been shown against the health
fulness Of Tewksbury, against the
propriety Of the conduct of its inhab-
itants, of the class born and bred
here and gathered here outside Of the
institution; and it is remarkable
fact, and one upOn which | found my
justification for what | have done,
that in the hour of its trial and need
the managers Of that institution did
not dare call upon single iuhabitant
of Tewksbury to come into court and
say whether it was a good or bad in
stitution. Applause. Generally,
when men are attacked in their con
duct or reputation, they summon iu
defense persons who have known
them for many years, If they feel quilts
less, and so when | have the good
opinion Of neighbors, they say whether
i am a good or bad man; and the re-
markable fact, | say, was that in the
laborious investigation, that with the
summonses for the Commonwealth in
the hands of the defense, not one in
hAbitant Of Tewsbury was brought in
before the committee 10 say thar this
institution was we'll managed. ZAP
plause.l Now, my boast has been and
it is the boast, trust, Of every we'll
conducted man, that when | have
asked the Endorsement of anybody, OF
either public or private acts of mine,
have net gone away from my neigh
hoFs and friends but have asked those
around me, so long as | could receive
the suffrages of the men in the city
where ! lived for more than fifty six
years, when they say they have ponii
denoe in me never trouble myself
and my friends TO And out what other
people said they did not know. They
said what they pleased. Lies ard in
nuendoes never avail in any contest.
There are always enough Of them and
the good name Of Tewksbury has not
suffered. The fact | have told you is
a sufficient justification.
| Now | have detained you too long.
have one thing to request. What
ever | be or may be hereafter, my
! home is just across your border, and
| ask OF you a repetition Of this invi-
tatiop. ! want so be here when |
shall have al day to be with you and
will take care that l will have it.
want to come here again, and if am
not too old | expect to see the bright
face Of your children, and | should
really like to dance, and l hope next
year | will have an opportunity. !
have not forgotten how to dance my
sell, although my business has been
lately to make other people dance,
/ Laughter and applause should
| like to have a chance 10 come here and
dance. and if some young lady won't
dance With me, there are some of my
compatriots who will dance with me,
and we will hsvea dance in spite OF
young ones LGreat laughter. And
now | give you all my best wishes for
your health, prosperity and happiness,