The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-10-29

ator Mcdonald, and without that gentleman
were here to release me | cannot accept NOM
inatiou at the hands of this convention"
Shortly after the Inauguration of President
Cleveland Gen. Black was appointed to his
present position at the head of the Pension
Bureau. and the manner in which he has man
aged this great establishment has gained him
nothing but praise from all classes. His own
personal energy, raightforwardness and hon
esty of purpose are felt throughout the several
branches of the Bureau, and his intention that
Every soldier or sailor who is entitled to a
pension shall receive it, and every fraud shall
be investigated and exposed" has been carried
out to the utmost of his cndcavors.
Gen. Blacks family consists of his wife two
charming daughters and very bright little
son, who constitute household upon which
rests the charm Of the most perfect concord and
happiness.
THE GENERAL AND HIS COMRADES.
The esteem in which Gen. Black is held by
his old comrades n-arms was shown recently
upon the occasion of reception in his honor
by Kenesaw Post, GAR. Danville, Ill. The
greatest cordiality of feeling was manifested,
and the addresses were of the most compli-
mentary character The following was Gen.
Black S response:
CoMMANDER AND COMRADES: As citizen, friend
and fellow-sOldier, / gladly accept this welcome
home 1t is, indeed, n sincere personal pleasure
which you have bestowed upon me.
suddenly called from your midst SIX months ago,
had time to meet but very few of you, time to say
good by to but very few of the men who had grown
up alongside of me, and with whom had grown
up from boyhOod to manhoodS estate.
Sudden call made the sudden response, and so
departed from your midst TO assume new duties in
a new sphere. had always felt and SeIieved that
in the hearts of this people and the comrades of
this Post had some little place you all certainly
have in mine. And, after six months of labor, re-
turn to tonight with my heart full of greeting
and Kindness and thanks
Of course, you do not expect from me anything
more than what have said to You tonight. There
Is no occasion for speaking III the middle Of march
Nobody ever expected that II volunteer, who lad
turned ont for threeyear term of oiice-of march
ing, of fighting-wouId stop in the middle of q
campaign to either tell what things he had done or
what he expected to do And you will not expect of
me tonight, know, recitation OF the things that
have tried to do, or prophecy OF the Things that
hope may accomplish. And hope you will be
content with the simple declaration that will try
to do all that heart big with the story of great
war. mind alive and alert to the misfurtunes that
follow i'll its train, and feeling pledged to the
supper. and advancement of those who were
wounded and broken and torn in that mighty con-
test wherein the thousands fell that liberty might
| lve-that all that can be accomplished with such
purposes, with such emotions. and with such feel
ings will try to do.
I humlly appreciate the majesty, the honor yes
the glory, that belongs to the great trust which has
been coniided to And am very proud, very
proud TO have been called from the ranks of kene-
SAW to take charge of the mighty solaces rendered
by grateful Republic 10 its bruised and their
sorrowins widows and dependent children. Jap
plause.i
Since time began there never conceived or
planned, or imagined so vast an endowment of
honorable bencfcence not to call II charity the
pension service of the Great Republic; there
never were armies whose changing, armed feet so
shook the round globe with their measured tread
toward the front of victory and liberty and honor ;
rs there never were armies that met such mai.ni-
fcent foemen; rs there never great cause
to be sustained: there never was great Il Re-
public tn be upheld, now. as the leuGtheniug
shadows fall upon CRAVING aud bowed heads, there
arises from the hearts of the people the most mag
niticent beneticence ever planned devised or exc
cutcd in Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty. Zap
plause.
The heapcd wealth gathered from that brain that
was stimulated almost to the point of individual
genius; tue garnered wealth achieved by all the
myriad toiling hands of labor in most fertile
populoua place, and in the richest mines that ever
gave their wealth to toll has been builded in the
devotion of loyal and loving people until IL rises
tower of strength standing four-squared to all the
winds OF adversely that may blow upon any bowed
and wcaried and broken head upon which the light
of battle and the and rents of disaster beat
in the past years. Applause.
Fellow citizens. to link ones name with the
worthy performance of such trust is glory only
second to that which belongs to him who in the
front of battle gives life that the right may live;
and to-day there burns in my heart no higher am
biton than to he the worthy trustee of free people
and the deserving of this Great Republic.
lCheerS.