Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-08-20

sERENADE TO A PROMINENT CITIZEN OF WASHINGTON
Special Dispatch To THE EvEsrNe STAR:
LONG BRANCH, y. j., August 1.-The Washing
ton Light Infantry Corps, now stopping at Long
Branch, called last night on Mr. Samuel Norment
one OF the prominent progressive business men OF
Washington, at his hotel here and gave that gen.
tleman and his family a grand serenade. After
loud calls MI Norment came out upon the piazza
and made the following appropriate remarks:
Felioac- Citizens and soldiers: AS an honorary
Menoer or your Organization am most happy on
1nis occasion TO have the opportunity TO join with
othefs In extending TO you a hearty welcome 10
this seaShore resort, the most celebrated en- the
Atlantic coast We welcome you TO its br1ny
breezes. TO its hospita ity and amusements to tts
varied attractions but above gn to its bountiful
supply OF genuine salt water.
do not know when where the custom of
speech-maklng originated, not having examined
that far back Into history but one thing is certain
AND your gallant Colonel will agree wit me, that
IL is one OF the perquisites OF public men.
corps; am proud OF the grand structure you are
rearing La the city OF Washington-the Amory
building Not only because II is our home, but be-
cause IL Is The pretest city In the world the M
uonal capital
"A eoodly CITY, that.
0f Palaces and PARKS, OF fountains.
And miles Of pleasant shade"
1t belongs not to US alone. but 10 the people OF
The whole nation 1 once heard Gen. Geo. b. NO
tlellan remark publicly that lie had never thought
That Sufncient Justice had been done the truly
loyal citizens OF Washington, for the prompt and
tclNe part tney took In the defense OF the
national capital In the very beginning OF the war;
We were the first TO defend that grand old nag
TO us who have always lived there the trans
forna tion In the last twenty years from rustic sim
phcity 10 metropolitan elegance is perfectly won-
derruL in all the march and marvel OF enterprise
there is nothing To compare with H. Look at WASH
lngton In the spring OF 1865, when the President of
the L nited states reviewed Gen. Shemans battle.
SCARED army OF 100000 men returning from the
war, and look at IL now ia Its march OF improve
lnent and grandeur and see what a change has
been wrought! III Is fast becoming the pride VI the
nation.
But there is one thing they can DO down here In
Jersey that we can't do at home We can't vOteI
SO the politicians heed not bother US Try 70
proseyte US
In behaIr OF mine host and the guests OF this
hotel, VIII say that feel doubly honored in
having had this visit ana the charming music you
have rendered, and heartily congraI uute you upon
the welcome you have received at Long Branch.
ana may we all ever cherish In memory's urn the
scenes and Incidents OF this interesting occasion
see by the papers that on saturday the eth Of
this month, the last layer or stone placed upon
the Washington monument, whose shaft Is now
500 feet high, and whose top vies with the very
clouds above 1t. May II there lift its proud head.
as the memento OF nations gratitude, until tho
stars shall grow dim with age and the sun shall
cease TO shine!
How blessed are we 10 live in such an age as thfsf
An age OF light and knowledge. An age OF advanced
civilization and improvement one In which the
arts and sciences are moving forward with such
rapidity and with such gigantic strides IL Is said
that gratitude Is the memory or the heart. Let us,
therefore, cherish away down In the innermos6
halls OF our hearts constant recollection OF thes0
1neStimabe gifts OF a benefcent Providence In
The concise language OF Gen. Zachary Tay lor, when
called upon TO make a speech from the balcony Of
May you all have health and happiness, the whol6
or you" bid you goodnight