Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-04-23
KELLEY BANoUETED.
The Minister That Decliaed to so to
Italy Makes speech.

RICHMOND, April 22.-The compliment
tary banquet tonight to Hon. Anthony
NJ. Kelley, the recently appointed United
States Minister to Italy, was grand az
fair. There were present leading State
and city officials, including Gov. Cameron
and Mayor Darlington, a large number
of the most prominent citizens and many
leading journalists. The Governor
Mayor and others responded to toasts,
and Mr. Kelley Acknowledged IN eloquent
and feeling terms the compliment paid
him. In the course Of his remarks he
said:
To have been chosen to represent the most
powerful republic on earth at the court OF a
| friendly nation would itself be an honor fill-
ing to the level the fullness of an ambition far
more eNacting than my own, This honor is
largely increased coming at period when, l
hope l may say wi thout Offending the sensi-
bilities, the hearts Of the American people are
throbbing with a pulse of deeper patriotism
and wider fraternity than nave in quarter
of century blessed and frightened our be-
loved country, and when public place derives
new lustre from the general rejoicing.
ITALY's REVIVAL.
The compliment is still further enhanced
by the fact that I have been credited to the
mightiest of the young monarchies OF Chris
tendon, to people thrilling with the marvel
to restore the golden days when the sous of
Italy lowered the portionless earth with the
sublimest manifestations OF human genius,
to sovereign whose wisdom and
skill are rapidly urging his young
kingdom to foremost place in the council
chamber of nations, and who, as we have
| been re minded tonight, earned the homage
of all men who honor true kingliness by
facing, In the interest of the humbest of HIS
subjects, the dread spectre Of pestilence with
calm fortitude and contagious courage more
,N,tv - .g.I.t
tie, and makes up the splendors Of
history, and here shall be
pardoned if | spend single
moment, since allusion has been made to 1t
in reference to matter which otherwise
should deem it due TO the prOprieties of my
position to pass by here, as I have done else
where and everywhere, totally unnOuced. l
refer, of course. to the camOr which the
champions Of free speech and free press for
sooth have raised over the position assumed
and avowed some fourteen or fifteen years
ago on the public question of the exclusion of
the Pope from the civil government Of Rome,
of which he was the sovereign.
HIS POSITION DEFENDED.
That position was simply fundamental
axiom of public law that the invasion of the
territory of peaceful neighbor, and the sub
version Of his authority constitutes violation
OF the rights OF that sovereign ana blow at
that freedom and equality of states which,
| by the common law Of nations,
are the essential, fundamental and
/ universal aJbFlDuIeb OF AL governments,
irrespective of age, or size. or power. In re-
/ gard to that position have no qualification
| to make. No honor could compensate me for
/ its abandonment. II is true and right now
/ and always. But another proposition Of pub
! lie law is equally fundamental that the ac-
| quiescence of the people Of an invaded state
| in a change Of sovereigns is, so far as the world
/ is concerned. the conclusion Of a public ques-
tion, and must determine thereupon the judgss
ment Of all the people. an to-day, ,ae are mill
lions of my countrymen, recognizing with the
| fullest loyalty the authority of the govern
ment my own State founded, on what l con-
slider gross and bloody violation of public
rights, committed against myself and them,
! but an authority fixed and made unalterably
| secure in the acquiescence of the people-an
| acqulescence which concludes the public
| Judgment OF the whole World.n