Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-03-20


he best, but if these are not Sc. before the
quests in an attractive, even enticing
manner, the pleasure is but half realized. The
master hand of Mine Host Rockfeld was
mantle st in the combination of these essen
tials at the spread now under consideration.
Everything the home market is Equal to was
supplied and those of distant cities were |
drawn upon heavily to perfect such feast as
is seldom composed here, ard the manage
ment OF the Arcade were overwhelmed with |
An ample corps OF precisely |
drilled men served the guests with celebrity |
and in quiet, under the eye of the efficient
Montgomery.
At 1880 the company was called to order
by Mr.. John Foos, Chairman, and acting as
toast master, who said:
This is gathering of citizens assembled
together, having laid aside the cares of busi-
ness and partisan politics for the purpose OF
paying honor to a gentleman long in pubic
life, who has filled many Offices, civil and
military in the government. II is the prov
ince OF men to pay tribute to one who has
faithfully performed all the duties of life
| applause and we may give public expression
TO the high appreciation in which we hold a
distinguished citizen. | read tonight the
following toast: "Our guest and fellow cit
izen, J. Warren Keifer," and call upon Walter
L. Weaver, Esq, to respond. Prolonged ap-
plause,1 Mr.. Weaver arose and spoke as
follows, being frequently interrupted by
vociferous cheering and clapping Of hands:
MR. wEAvER's ADDRESS.
1t would have met with my unqualified
appreciation, las doubt not it would with
yours), if the gentlemen of the committee
had secured some one of greater gifts and
reader tongue than to respond to this toast
Without hope or preteuse Of being sble to ac-
quit myself in any meritorious manner,
deem it, however, an honor and pleasure to
stand here, and in behalf OF all present to ex-
tend hearty. a cordial, and a neighborly
greeting 10 our guest.
He has no need of any introduction to us.
Who he is, and what he is every one whom
can hope to reach already knows, and in his
presence, We can upon this festal occasion,
without humility aud without fiattery stand
with uncovered heads and bid him welcome.
With his sword he has carved his name in
the blood-ensanguined granite OF Libertys
temple, erected TO commemorate our country 8
history. Panoplied with patriotism, clad in
| the armor of enthusiasm, and nerved with
| courage, he, as an American soldier, rude in
| the arts OF war, but trained End educated in
the school of his country's peril, gave his
best efforts for the salvation OF his threatened
land. From the day that the Union flag sui
lenly and de6antly came fiuttering down,
| like wounded eagle, from the top OF Sump-
| ter's once proud walls, until the glad day OF
peace at Appomatox. when the last battle had
been fought and the far-famed and much
vauuted 'last ditch" had been found by the
| fleeing hosts OF the enemy-until the Confed-
crate capital had fallen, and the last troop
/ of armed men had surrendered, he
| lived in accordance with the stern
rules of war, leading the brave and gallant
men under his command on from victory tc
victory.
| First private soldier, then a commander
of battalion, soon a colonel, then command.
| ing brigade then leading a division, then
directing a corps-twice breveted for gallant
and meritorious service-four times wounded
but always in the field
Need l tell you wherelhe fought? Read o.
the first campaign in West Virginia; of the
subsequent ones in the Shenandoah Valley
of the invasion Of Kentucky; of the marct
through Tennessee; OF the bivouacs in Ala
bama; OF the battles and sieges in Georgia
of the fiery furnace of the wilderness; OF th'
mouth of hell at Petersburg; of Opequan, o
Fishers Hill, of Winchester, of Anrietam, 0
Cedar Creek. of Sailors Creek, Of Monocacy
of the hundred other battles and sieges auC
skirmishes of those campaigns.
But war to him was duty and not
pleasure The lite of a soldier in time o
peace, when not stern necessity, had no al
lurements, and the offer of high rank in th'
military service after the war-cloud bat
lifted, was declined, for more peaceful if no
more honorable ard luxurious pursuits. H,
unbuckled the sword, laid aside the military
garo ensauguiued from his wounds, unlocked
lis Law Office, opened his books, took up hi
pen and began lie again where more thar
four years before he had left it of.
The success necessarily incident to faithful
conscientious, earnest work, attended him
and as the year of peace stole quickly by th'
fame of the earnest, honest, hard-workinl
and conscientious lawyer vas added to tina
of the military hero.
Next be was called to the legislative hall.
OF his native State, and the imprint of hi
master mind is stamped in indellble lines il
the statute book of our commonwealth.
But a greater field awaited him. Elected
to the Forty-fifth Congress of the United
States, he soon, by his iearlessness, his pro
ficiency in debate, his tact and skill as par
hamentarIap, sprang into the front rank
Of those called to legislate TO
our country's interests. No gage o
of battle was cast down to him from any
quarter, that he did not have the courage Il
stoop and pick it up. No crusaderng O.
chivalric knight of medieval time was true
to the interest of his cross or king than wa
be, to the interest of his country. Meetinl
sophistry with argument, scorn and ndicul
with defiance, and covert demagogory with
open mutniy, he achieved in one term of ou
National legislature a reputation tor pluck
clear grit and ability that many could bav,
afforded 10 barter half life time for. Re
turned by bis district to the Forty-sixth Con
gress, be added fresh laures to those already
won. Again returned to the Forty-seventl
Congress, he was by the unanimous vote 0
his party elevated TO the highst position il
that body. Who would have thought, ant
many of you can thus remember him, tina
the farmer-boy of Mad River township as b,
patiently and conscientiously turned the iu,
row Of the virgin soil, would, err
he had outlived the half O
mans allotted three score years ant
ten, become famed on many
battle field. and before another decade haC
passed into history, would be called to pre-
side over the most powerful and august as
sembly on the globe? Under his guidanc,
aud direction as Speaker OF the House o
R. presentatives in the troublous times thai
followed, with only a bare msjority OF it:
numbers politically allied with him, he proved
himself to be no novice in parliamentary
proceedure-no Pha,or dragged by fiery un