The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1890-11-21

I Alien g.. Thurman
throwing his shoulders backward, his
eyes sweeping the great throng that
had gathered to do him homage, he
spoke as follows:
| MI FnIsSDs:-Lct me say 20 you. in all
sincerity and without the least mental res
ervntion. that am not. nor shall be again
acandldate for ON ce.
The stiffness which for a couple OF
moments followed this declaration was
intense. 1t seemed as though every
one OF the thousand or more on
whom the words had fallen felt that
he had lost friend. Then as. with
trembling tones, the speaker went on to
say tina. be felt that he had been sun
GENTLY honored by his party. there was .
reversion Of feeling-the vast audience
could no longer restrain tsclf, every man
arose to his feet, napkins were waved.
and there went forth cheer after cheer
which might have been heard like the
reverbcrations OF cannon for blocks
away. And amid the enthusiasm the
statesman who had practically said
goodbye sank into his seat
The banquet itself was magnificent
affair. Nothing like 1t has ever before
been attempted in the Buckeye State.
The Fourteenth Regiment Armory had
been transformed into fairy land. The
raftefs Of its ceiling and its white
washed walls were hidden from view
BY thousands Of yards Of bright colored
bunting and silken flags and banners
innnmerablc. Around the floor. rising
u hs.r To-
ducts Of the hot-house. while above all
lowered majestic palms and fragrant
exotics Tho orchestra was hidden
from view in q mass offoliage which in
turn was surrounded with a curtain OF
smilax At the southern end OF the hall.
upon platform hcaped with palms and
roses IN bloom were crayon portraiture
statues Of cx-Prcsidcnt Cleveland and
the especial guest OF the evening.
Tho table OF honor rested upcn
platform running half the length OF the
hall Longitudinal with this there
were sixteen tables. each with accom-
modations for eighty guests. seated vis-
avis Every chair had its occupant,
while there were hundreds moro who.
finding IL impossible TO gain a place
upon the main floor. were content 10
view the proceedings from the gallery
II was shortly after eight d clock when
the cheering from the largo crowd which
had gathered on the outside announced
the arrival Of the distng guests.
and when the ex-senator. arm in arm
with President John J. Lentz OF the
Thurman Club appeared upon the
scene, closely followed by cx-Presidcnt
Cleveland and ex-senator Jos. Mcdonald |
the cheering was hearty and prolonged. |
MN Thurman sat on the right OF the !
ex-Prcsident. his son. Allen w. being
next to him. and then in succession az |
Senator McDonald. Don NJ. Dickinson.
". G. r Breckenridge. General Thos.
Ewing and Governor boyd. To the left |
OF the chair were seated Grover Clcvc-
land, General X. A. Harrison. bishop
John a. Wattcrson. Daniel Lamont ana |
Governor Jackson
Nearly two hours were occupied In
discussing the elaborate menu. and IL
was after ten o'clock when President
Lentz raped for order and in a few
well-chosen words proposed tho toast Of
Our Guest" Mr.. Thurman. on arising
70 respond. was greeted with uproari-
ous applause which lasted several
minutes. silence having been re.
stored. he spoke as follows:
lam not here tonight 20 make an elaborate
'peecb- am here to express In q few sen.
ences my heartfelt appreciation Of the
lonor you have 50 kindly seen nt to do me:
Q thank with my whole soul my nclxhbors.
ny fellow citizens Of Ohio and the distln.
pushed gentlemen from other States for
heir max % friendship and esteem. I am
lere at tho age 81 seventy seven 10 repeat
ny testimony 50 often given. of my conn.
lence Ia the bcncnccnt cffccts of free in~tl.
utiohs and my firsn belief Of their duration !
~ this continent and their gradual. but
ertain extension over other and larger
portions 81 the globe. I hope that
y not presumptuous In mo 10
ay that think that have
ONE 81 the necessary qualifications or !
gtne-s on thi. subject A. short a. my
~ has been. 10 comparison with the lives
\ nations. q has been long enough Tor me
see ~, nativc land, under frco institu. /
ions. inctcns- IN population more than
cvcn-foid: IN wealth In Il far, a very far.
tcatcr ratio IN extent ~ territory moro
han double ~ area; In the general we'll.
cling and prosperity Of It's people, ana IN
heir educational advantages aud religious
privileges, without rival IN the world: | {
nile IN ~ magnificent works OF Internal ,
Improvement. 10 wonderful agriculture. ~
reat mines and manufactures aud IL 4
'arvcious means Of communication, the
TeatIons Of science and skiIi sur. I