The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-09-20
DINNER IN HONOR OF MR.. PRESTIss,

WASHINGTON, Feb. IL, 1888.
70 M Of Mss
member-elect to Congress from that State, but to
whom the Loco Foco majority. refused seat by
the casting vote of the Speaker. Mr.. Ward the
other left the city day or two since
on his return to Mississippi there TO prosecute the
new canvass, and it was only by. urgent solicita-
tion that Mr.. PrentiSs was induced to stay
and to partake OF this festival given 10 his honor
The dinner was well attended, upwards of a
on ~ eeng a
dinner was served up In excellent STYLE and the
band from the navy yard Il know not how pro.
cured) added much TO the liyeness and spirit of
Judge White presided at the head of the princl-
pal table ana S8uthard at the foot: Grittenden
sided at the two side tables. Webster had seat
near the center of the principal table. Mr.. Prem
Webster was first called upon for toast, which
he prefaced by speech which ielicited universal
applause. He was followed by, great many
others. Among those whose addresses were re
ceiyed with the most appreciation were Wise Davis
Of Massachusetts, Evans of Maine, Governor
sibility for this mark Of high honor which they
had conferred upon him.
He is a young man, not more than 81, very low
in stature and extremely lame, appearing to have
but little use of his left Leg He has fine intel
lectlal head and an open pleasing soIntenance
emphatic. His voice is loud and distinct, though
not very musical, and he speaks with great rapid
Ivy. but he COnDiutS TWO tuinSo WHICH rarely
| meet namely a very clear and logical understand
ing, and a vivid and playful fancy, and it is to
this combination that he is indebted for the at
Effectiveness of his public speaking. He leaves
today for Mississippi. The struggle there will be
| severe, yet can but anticipate his success.
His success was assured, and he was tri-
umpbantly returned. His first public ap-
pearance In Boston was on the occasion of
public dinner given to Daniel Webster in
1888 in Faneuil Hall. He was then visiting
Portland, and received an urgent invitation
to attend that dinner and speak, Tie OPEN
ing address on the occasion was by Gov. Ev-
erett. Then followed the hOnOred guest.
Among the distinguished speakers beside
Prentiss, who followed Webster, were Gov.
Ellsworth of Connecticut. Hon. Abbott Law
renee, Ex-Governor Lincoln and Hon. Peleg
Sprague.
In speaking of this dinner GOV. Everett re-
marked in letter: ''The company was much
the largest which ever saw assembled at din
ner In any permanent building, and with the
exception of the guest of the day, no one
was received with such enthusiasm as Mr..
Prentiss."
His two duels with Governor Foote of Mis-
sissippi, form an interesting portion OF his
| history. Brought up in an entirely different
| but when told that pluck was at stake, his
| Northern blood rose to fever heat. Both
| We're wounded, and Prentiss became lame
| for life. Subsequently he and Foote became
| great friends. His last visit to Boston was
| in lS49, just 40 years ago. He was then in
| the early stages of the disease which ended
his life, and one year after he left Boston on
his return to his adopted State, he died,
July 1, 1850