Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1884-05-08

McCoy's Speech at the Aberdeen Banquet.
Ipswich Gazette: The following un.
assuming but appropriate remarks were
made by Hon. q. 7. Mccoy at the recep.
ton rendered him at Aberdeen, in rela.
ton to his contest with the soon.to.be.
ex-governor:
Fellow Citizens: The many manifes.
tatlons of your kind feeling toward me
and the deep interest you have taken in
my behalf in the long and vexatiou, con.
test recently ended, merits and receives
my most hearty appreciation and most
humble thanks. Three years ago last
February, my dear friend, the governor,
commenced his warfare upon me in a
most relentless manner, assailing me in
the press and before the de.
partment at Washington, and has
kept it up ever since. I
never under.estimated the strength of
my opponent. but never believing that
the time had come in this country that
might made right" and always feeling
sure that time would set all things right,
L joined issue With my friend, the cover.
nor. And right here wish to state that
there was no compromise iu this matter,
the reports in the newspapers to the
contrary notwithstanding. The governor
came to me in the interior department
about two days before the hearing was
had before the committee, and requested
me to withdraw three certain affi-
davits filed by me. for the reason
that they reflected on him. stating that
If would, he would be friend of mine.
| refused to do 80. He then told me that
his boys would never confirm me if | al.
lowed those at1idavits to remain. He
said that large portion OF the senate
was composed of men who we're in the
house while he was sergeant. at arms;
that be had been their banker and be.
friended them, and they would stand BY
him. This was the last talk we had.
We went before the committee, and
the governor then filed lot of papers
and spent over an hour, defending MIN.
self aud trying to convince the commit
tee l should not be confirmed, after
which was allowed to reply. During
the meeting the governor became salts
ned he had counted without his host,
and at the close, got up and, with that
magnanimous spirit and heart endowed
with that commendable quality of man
known as charity, told the committee
that If they thought best, he would con
sent to my confirmation. Think of oul
noble, generous governor condescendine
to allow the o. S. senate the privilege Of
acting, in matter of this kind, as to
them seemed best.
am under lasting obligations to the
people of this territory for the manner il
which they have stood by me in this con
test, but in no locality has that support
been rendered ir more dIgnified man
ner and effective way, than by my new
made friends in this district; and fee
as though your action was sustained
within tue closed doors of the highest
tribunal of the land, last Wednesday, 9
week ago.
In the future my best efforts will al
ways be given towards advancing til,
best interests of this territory. As il
the past, my home shall be among you
and desire the aid and advice of 20,
all in the discharge OF the importan
duties that have been lntrusted to me
Again thanking you for this expree
sion of good feeling, am at your com
mand.