Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-05-08

gr { my inability 10 join the citizens OF Bur
lingtOn in extending personal congratulations
to them.
|. however beg to assure you of the great
satisfaction feel in knowing that the depart
urc of Mr.. Phelps TO "a post OF nigh honor ANA
great responsibility is to he marked in II fitting
manner by his personal friends, ncighbors and
A demonstration of this kind is rare in the
phlcgmatiC East and only occurs when Il gen
uine and honorable motive. akin to .enthusi-
assn, move. IT forward as in this instance.
We're it possible he whole state would bc with
mcnt, the Bennington Battle Monument and
the State Forestry Commissions, rs well as in
the State and National Bar Associations, have
shown him to be IL true VoEnonter and II true
Neutrality-suspicious. to preserve and honor the
historic memories of the State and to forward
the material interests of both state and Ma
ton. Although we may congratulate Mr..
Phelps upon his appointment, and the circum-
stances connected " it'll 1t, there is more reason
for concentrating the country at large that
the President has so unerringly selected the
best man for the exalted position of Minister
to England" that could be found within his
party. I'm addition To superior natural en-
dowrnents MIR. Phelps has "toed while others
slept" and so has such rare store OF accom-
plshmcnts, such wide and accurate learning,
sucn knowledge of men, law, literature, art
and current events. such Incompatible adj
dress, that he can move at the Court OF 81.
James with the same confidence. composure
preparation than would be required for his
appearance in ono of the courts of his native
county. May God smile upon hun and upon
his household and grant them safe return to
home and friends
Very truly yours,
JOHN l.. BARsTow.
The assemblage then adjourned to the
large dining room of the hotel, where an
elegant collation. had been set forth by
mine host Drew The tables were very
handsomely laid and the service excellent.
The collation. consisted of cold meats,
oysters, biscuits, jelles, tea, coffee, etc,
and was in every respect firstclass
spread and credit to the house.
After the company had assembled IN the
dining hail, the Mayor called out Hon.
John w. Stewart who was present, for
some remarks, before they proceeded to dis
cuss the collation., and after a little urg-
ing, he responded as follows
MIR. Stewards Remarks.
You will remember, may friends, if you
have read certain letter of advice, sent
to me by one of our friends, to honor whom
we have met tonight, on my entry into
laid down, was that | should make no
speeches. He has not obeyed the maxim,
himself 4; but has shown, that like one of
Shakespeare's characters, he could better
tell twenty men what to do, than to be
one of the twenty to follow his own teach
ingS"
But Twill make no speech tonight, for all
|
dent Buckham. In regard to our friends
alleged "Anglo-phobia," it has occurred
to me that it may have been perhaps
owing to his friendly reference in that
letter, to Guy Fowkes, the first of the dy-
namiterS. assure you, however, and the
people across the water, that his remark
on that subject was Il jOcOse one
Seriously, my friends, there is to my
mind some significance in the selection of
Mr.. Phelps. do not think such
an appointment was ever before civ
en- to Il small State, opposed in
politics to the Administration. If
this selection means the choice of the
best men for the posts of honor and res
possibility, and disregard of the notion
that the big States must have all the big
places, it is one of the most significant
facts in the history of our time. | believe,
myself. that it is II sign of progress, and 1t
is creditabe to the present admlnlStra-
ton and to its head.
/ am glad to express my personal graft
fication at this appointment Mr.; Phelps
and | were born in the same village and
we have been lifelong friends; | have
learned to not only to admire, but to es-
TEEN and respect him. 1t is Il qualification
and honor to all our people TO nave thls
honor fall to one of us, who is worthy to
receive it. | give him with you my best
wishes and Godspeed; and | knew he will
do credit to himself the State, and the
country. [Applausel.
The company then proceeded to discuss
the choice viands provided for the occa
sion. In spite of the number of guests
present, all were speedily and abundantly
served, and the collation. was pronounced
by all to be one at least of the successful
/ features of the occasion. After il short
time spent in further social intercourse
the reception broke up, the guests taking
ii reluctant departure, one by one, leaVm-
a. L,n al ~ II a
good wishes with the hOnored guest OF the
evening