Los Angeles herald., 1890-11-14
THE OLD ROMAN.
Judge Thurman Ripe With
Years and HOnOrs.
The Entire Nation Does Him
Reverence.
Democrats From All Over the Land
Pay Their Respects.
His SeventySeventh Anniversary Made
the Occasion of a Great Popular
Demon rstration.
Associated Press Dispatches.

Associated Press Dispatches
COLUMBUS, o., Nov. 13.-The capital
of Ohio in the events of this day has
become veritable Mecca of Democracy
To this city have come the Democrats of
the country at large, to paw homage to
'the Old Roman" Allan G. Thurman,
on the occasion of his 77th birthday.
All day Mr.. Thurman has been the re-
cipient of attentions which few Ameri-
can statesmen have enjoyed after their
retirement from the arena of politics,
and to every caller, high or low, he has
extended with kindly smiles the general
hand of good fellowship. The magnifi-
cence of the celebration today, and the
banquet tonight, is token of the esteem
in which Judge Thurman is held by
the Democrats of Ohio and the country
at large. Throughout the entire day
every incoming train brought Demo
Gratis of prominence from all sections of
the United States, until tonight, the
scene can be likened to no gathering,
more than national convention.
Ex-President Cleveland.
One of the first to arrive this morning
was ex-President Cleveland. He was ac-
corded most enthusiastic reception by
the citizens who had gathered at the
depot, his progress through the streets
to the executive mansion being followed
by shouting crowd. Throughout the
day the ex-president shared with Judge
Thurman the fluctuations of the Demo-
cratic leaders who called to pay their
respects.
The ex-president first went from the
depot to the executive mansion, and
during the forenoon held public recep-
ton at the state house. A presidential
salute of twenty-one guns was fired out
side.
ridors of the state house were
thronged with people. Ex-Private Sec
retary Lamont, Governor Campbell and
many prominent Democrats were pres
ent at the reception, in the course of
which the enthusiasm of the people
knew no bounds. The remark was often
heard from men, while shaking hands
with Mr.. Cleveland: "You will be our
next president"
Cleveland and Thurman.
At the conclusion of the reception Mr..
Cleveland drove to Judge Thurman's
residence, and congratulated him on his
77th birthday, assuring him that the
Democracy of the nation were rejoiced
at his continued vigor, and hoped he
might be spared for many years OF use
fulness.
Judge Thurman replied that no years,
or future sets of years, could possibly in
crease the warmth of congratulations he
had received today from all parts of the
Z United States. Mr.. Cleveland then re-
turned to Governor Campbell's mansion,
where he and few friends were enter
tained at luncheon.
The banquet hall tonight was decor
ated in the most beautiful manner. The
celebration was under the auspices of
the Thurman club, which had charge of
all the arrangements Noticeable among
the decorations were large portraits of
Cleveland and Thurman. Among the
assemblage were senators and ex-sen-
ators, ex-congressmen and congressman
elect, governors, ex-governors and gov
ernors elect, besides gentlemen who
have distinguished themselves in vari-
GUS channels of public and private life.
Shortly after 8 O'Clock ex-President
Cleveland and Judge Thurman entered
the room, Mr.. Cleveland supporting his
venerable companion, who, further as
sisted by a cane, walked slowly up the
hall. mighty cheer, repeated, greeted
the two distinguished guests, continuing
until the chairman motioned them to
take their seats.
The Old Bandana.
After the party was seated, every man
arose again and waved the traditional
red bandana handkerchief IN honor of
"the old Roman" Mr.. Thurman bowed
smilingly to his one thousand admirers,
and Mr.. Cleveland did likewise as cheers
for him rent the air.
At the conclusion of the banquet Chair
man Lentz, of the Thurman club, made
a brief speech, introducing the toast
master, Congressman Cultivate. When
Mr.. Outhwaite delivered brief eulogy
on Judge Thurman, the guests arose to
their feet again, and the scene of wild
enthusiasm was one that would have
swelled with pride the heart of any
human being. 1t was five minutes be-
fore the ovation subsidized sufficiently to
allow Judge Thurman to respond.
Judge Thurman's Speech.
Judge Thurman responded to the
toast, OurtGuests. He said in the be-
ginning, he was not here tonight to
make an elaborate speech. He was here
to express his heartfelt appreciation of
the honor they have so kindly seen fit
to do him; to thank with his whole soul
his neighbors, fellow citizens of Ohio
and distinguished gentlemen from other
states for their mark of friendship and
esteem.
81 am here" said he, "at the age of
II, to repeat my testimony so often
given, of my confidence in the benef-
cent effects of free institutions, and my
firm belief of their duration on this con-
tinent, and their gradual but certain ex-
tension over other and larger portions of
the globe. Short as has my life been in
comparison with the life of the nation,
it has been long enough for me
to see my native land, under free
institutions, increase in population more
than seven fold in wealth, in a very
far greater degree; in extent of terri
tory, more than double its area; in the
general well-being and prosperity of the
people and in their educational advan-
Ftages and religious privileges, it is with
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