Daily Los Angeles herald., 1884-01-06
nAncock n wIlmIMcYoM.
Public Reception Enthusiastic We'll
come e-Address by Rev @. 8.
JJuaIav


come-Address by Rev. @. 8.
Linsley.
EDIToR Los ANGELES HERALp:--
On the eve of his departure from Will
mington an enthusiastic reception was
rendered to Gen. Hancock by the citi-
zens of Wilmington and vicinity at
Willey's Hall. The illustrious guest
was introduced by Gen. Banning, who,
in few well chosen words, alluded to
his long acquaintance and thorough ap-
probation of the man who came to
Wilmington twenty-five years ago a
modest young officer, then Captain in
the army, and whom he had bidden
God speed, with the remark that "if the
rebels didn't kill him he would come to
good end. They didn't kill him and
here he is tonight. Fellow-citizens,
Major General Winfield Scott Hancock. /"
Gen. Hancock responded by thanking
the citizens OF Wilmington for this EXPIRES
sion of their good will, and feelingly
alluded to the time when, as young
man, he came to Wilmington and
made miny pleasant acquaintance,
among whom was his friend Ly his side,
General Banning. He was glad to note
the many improvements, especially in
the harbor, where great aud necessary
work has been accomplished, chiefly
through the efforts Of General Banning,
who Las done mere, said he, than per.
haps any other man to bring this work
about. He had 10 doubt that this har-
Dor Improvement woull go on to con-
pletion; appropriations would be made
and the government would give it proper
attention. He noted wonderful
growth in Los Angeles city since he first
saw it, aud he believed the whole SUR
rounding country would. in very few
years, become very populous and pros
porous country. He congratulated the
citizens upon the many improvements
which he everywhere noted, and closed
by saying that this pleasant demoustra-
tion on the eve Of his departure from
California was very grateful to him. and
would be pleasant memory to bis jour
ney's end.
After music by the band, an address
was given to General Hancock in behalf
of the citizens of Wilmington end vi
cinity, by Rev. C., s. Linsley, which
was substantially as follows:
GENERAL HANCOCK: In behalf of my
fellow.citizens, tine good people of Will
mingtoa and vicinity, am hidden to
extend to you our hearty welcome, and
sincere congratulations upon your return
to us after an absence of twenty two
years in the distinguished service of our
beloved country.
1 am not asked to extend to you "the
| freedom of the city, you have that al.
ready and more, in the freedom of the
biggest house and the biggest host in
town-General Banning. It may be q
| matter of surprise to you, General, as it
has been to me. that should be chosen
TO address. these remarks of welcome
| to You instead Of some one OF these
old warriors, who knew you in the days
| agone, and who are here to well
come you tonight. / can only account
for it in this way: The papers say
that you have an eye out for i'm
provements, and Wilmington. like most
Of the places in Los Angeles county, is
running somewhat to improvements, and
it may be because / am thought to rep
resent one of these improvements, that
the committee has awarded me the dis.
tingu;shed honor. do not know whether
in the palmy days of the early part of
the sixties you had any use here for the
''clergy;" but, be that a. it may, the
"parson" is here tonight to speak a
word OF welcome for his compatriots
and himself.
had often heard Of you in the Gland
of steady habits" from whence ! came.
as he "honored wearer OF all honored
name" II our good wife ever pre-
sents us with by, we shall follow the
example of our friend General Banning
and call him Hancock in commemoration
of this event. Ihave heard how the Major
of old comes back to us wearing upon his
well developed shoulders the insignia of
full fledged Major General. l have
heard, too, and who has not, Of your
military prowess. Of distinguished SER
vices ON bard fought tielus Of battle.
When Major Hancock left Los An
geles twenty-five years ago, re-
mark was made by good judge
of human nature, and that re-
mark has been handed down to his
tory, and to me: ''There goes man
who will make his mark in the Army Of
the United States. General, you have
made that mark, and the country day
has no more no .ored name than that of
"Major- General Winfield Scott Han
cock" General, there is no living Yam
kee butloves to spread the great American
Eagle, and we'd love to give you regu-
lar Fourth of July" General, "trainin'"
and all, but we forbear. Your remarks
have been brief, ours shall be the same.
But we cannot close without expressing
the wish we have heard uttered 80 many
times, tie last few days, viz, that Gen.
and Mrs. Hancock would come back
live in Los Angeles county. ! do not
insist on your coming to Wilmington.
though we'd like that well enough,
but you see. we have got one
General here already, and
he is big man too, and
don't know what in the world we'd d.
with bigger one. If, as it seems TO me
more than likely, the will Of God and of
this great American people shall be that
you shall be their their honored Chief
Executive, we say amen to that, and
come to MS when you are through. If,
on the other hand, the wheels of fortune
should revolve in some other way, may
they take this direction and bring US
your welcome presence to abide with us.
A few years ago we stood on the steps
of the beautiful new capital of Connecti-
cut and viewed the transfer of the battle
flags from the armory to the State
house. Every Connecticut veteran
OF the late war who could walk or be
carried was there to look after his col
ors. It was an affecting sight, and with
few Of those veterans had time dealt so
kindly - he has, dear General, with
you. May he continue thus to deal
with you. May your shadow never
grow Less. May you live long and die
happy. God bless you.
After the address, which was we'll re-
csived, General Hancock was presented
to the citizens, with many of whom he
shook hands and recounted many
pleasant reminder of his former stay in
Wilmington.
Wilmington, January 9th.