St. Paul daily globe., 1889-02-19
THE HAMLIN RECEPTION.

The Venerable Senator Accorded
an Ovation at the Union League.
The handsome club rooms of the
Union league, OH Sixth street, were
filed to their utmost capacity last even
ing, on the occasion of the informal re-
ception to Hon. Hannibal Hamlin, who
enjoys the distinction of having been
the first Republican vice president of
the United States, serving with
President Abraham Lincoln dur
ing his first administration. The
venerable senator was escorted to the
room about 1880 o'clock by Col. W. s.
King and a small party OF old time
friends. After exchanging greeting with
the officers of the league, Mr.. Hamlin
took his stand in the central parlor, just
under the big chandelier, where he re-
ceived nearly LOCO gentlemen, Demo-
Gratis and Republicans alike. Near him
stood w. III. Eustis and Col. King. who
acted as the Introduction committee.
There the old gentlaman stood for
three hours, his sturdy form straight as
an arrow and his white locks telling of
years rolled by, shaking hands with
visitor after visitor, stopping now and
then for a moments chat with some
time-worn veteran, or to give word OF
political advice to some young man.,
ambitious and full of life. Judge
Atwater was one of the gentlemen
of the old school who measured swords
with the first Republican vice president
of the United States. Thrust after
thrust was made On either side, drawing
forth laughter and applause from the
gentlemen congregated there. A dele
CATION of Methodist ministers ap-
preached Senator Hamlin during the
evening, and, after chatting for a few
moments, ID. j. Higgins made the fol-
lowing address Oh behalf of the Meth
odist ministers of the city:
"'rhe clergymen of the Methodist
Episcopal church in the city of Mime
apuliS resolved at recent meeting to
meet you here this evening, and to ten
der you their Christian greeting, and to
give you hearty welcome to our city.
Your long service in the councils OF this
nation, as senator and vice president,
your early adoption with others of de-
termined opposition to slavery, result
ing in the organization of the great and
successful Republican party, your
valiant and honorable career as
lieutenant of the greatest and
the most loved chief magistrate
of this nation, and your maintenance of
Christian righteousness during long
and useful life, all entitle you to our
strongest expressions of esteem and
veneration. We represent faction of
that division of the Grand Army of
Righteousness which has tried to serve
God and our country with honest heart
and enthusiastic endeavor-a division
which has stood in the front of every
moral contest, and which never turned
it's back to man or deyil-a division OF
Christian laborers which the heroic Lin
coin SAID sent more men to the army
OF the Union, and more prayers to
heaven for the success of that army
than any other.' Now receive, sir, our
sincere wishes for health and safe re-
turn to your home, and our prayers that
like another old hero you may be able
to say at the close of life, Il have fought
the good fight, and have kept the faith,
and then triumphantly receive the
crown OF righteousness"
Senator Hamlin responded in feel
ing manner, making touching speech,
in which he said that the present gen
Grafton did not fully appreciate the bat
ties which were fought long ago IN the
cause of God and the country. The
speaker referred to his past life, to men
who have gone before, and closed his
remarks with, "And now feel that l
have done what could. and am ready
to ask, 'Oh, Lord, let thy servant depart
now in peace.'"
Among the gentlemen who went to
the league rooms to meet the senator
were the best known and prominent
men in Minneapolis. All were glad to
do the old war horse honor. and they
did it with credit to themselves and to
the city. Mrs. w. S. King will tender
Mrs. Hamlin reception at her resi-
dence on Nicollet island from 2 to 5
O'Clock this afternoon. No invitations
have been issued, and those who desire
have the opportunity of meeting the
lady. In the evening Mr.. and Mrs.
Hamlin will leave for Chicago.