Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-11-19
OHIO'S GRAND OLD MAN.
JUDGE THURMAN'S 77TH BIRTHDAY

COLUMBUS IN GALA ARRAY - LARGE
THRONES PRESENT TO TENDER HOMAGE
TO THE ''NoBLEsT ROMAN OF THEM ALL"
MR.. THURMAN ANNOUNCES HI TIRE
MENT FROM PUBLIC LIFE-sPEEcH OF
MR.. CLEVELAND.
COLUMBUS, o., November 13.-To-day
marks the nth anniversary of the birth
day of Allen G.. Thurman, the "Old
Ro man" of Ohio democracy, and the demo-
Gratis of the nation have made the occasion
one to do homage to their distinguished
mentor. From early morning every in
coming train brought to the city a con-
tingent of prominent democrats from
abroad, and all day Judge Thurman was
the recipient of copgratulatory calls. Ex-
President Cleveland came in on an early
train and at once proceeded to the execu-
tive mansion. An hour later United States
Senator.elect Calvin S. Brice arrived at the
mansion and the Ex-President and himself
made an early forenoon call on the dis
tinguished Ohioan.
The old Roman was feeling remarkably
we'll, and told the Ex-President he hoped
still to weather few more years. "But,"
said he, 81 have lived long enough to find
myself more than appreciated by the many
kind friends who have remembered me on
this day, and no years could add to the
warmth of the congratulations which they
have showered upon me-" Mr.. Cleveland
assured Judge Thurman that the greetings
of this day, which came from all quarters
of the country, were but the spontaneous
expression of grateful people toward one
whore proved and answering career had
won for him alike the veneration of his
party and the admiration of the nation
"We hope, judge" said Mr.. Cleveland,
shat You may yet be spared many years
of usefulness, and to see fulfilled the
fruition of your doctrines and your teach.
ings."
Mr.. Thurman tonight announced his
absolute and unequ vocal withdrawal from
public life, The occasion selected by the
venerable statesman for this declaration
was the banquet rendered to him by the
political club which bears his name, in
honor of the seventy.seventh anniversary
of his birth. 1t was towards the close Of
an address, delivered at times with con-
siderable difficulty and in voice that
could be heard but few yards distant,
that suddenly gathering up his strength
and throwing his shoulders backward,
while his eyes swept the great throng that
had gathered to do him honors, he spoke as
follows
"My friends, let me say to you in all
sincerity and without the least mental reser-
walton, that am not, nor shall be again,
candidate for Office"
Ex-President Cleveland followed Judge
Thurman, answering to the toast "Citizen-
ship in America"
Ex-PREsIDENT cLEvELAND's ADDRESS.
Mr.. President and Gentlemen i:
follow the promptings of heart full of
devotion and veneration as / tender from
the democracy of the great State Of New
York her tribute of affection tor the man
whom we honor TO- night. | am commits
stoned to claim for my State full share Of
the glory which has been shed upon the
American name and character by one
whose career and example cannot be pre-
empGed and whose renown cannot be
| limited in ownership to the neighbors and
| friends of any locality. We contest every
exclusive pretension to his fame and great
ness, because he is neighbor to all the
people of the land; because he is the friend
of all who love their country; because his
career splendidly illustrates the best and
strongest elements OF our national character
and because his example belongs to all his
countrymen.
FAITH IN OUR DESTINY.
1t is fitting that those who have faith in
our destiny as a nation, who believe that
there are noble things which belong dis.
tinctively to our character as a people and
who prize at its true worth pure American
| citizenship, should gather here to night
1t is given US to contemplate the highest
craftsmanship, the most unyielding and
DISTINGUISHED devotion to the interests of
the people and the most valuable achieve
ments in the cause of our country's well
fare, all of which have been stimulated aid
accomplished through the influence and
lmpulso VI tiuCs fCAtOUJ otuIOt AluCIl-
| canism. We rejoice in the example afforded
on this occasion of genuine American
citizenship, revealed to US as a safe and in
fallible interpreter OF duty in all the emer.
gencies of long and honorable public
career, and as an unfailiDg guide to useful
ness and fame.
ELEMENTS OF OUR CITIZENSHIP.
In this presence and in the atmosphere of
these reflections We should not miss the
lesson they commend to US nor fail to renew
our appreciation of the value of this citizen
ship and revive our apprehension of the SEN
timents and conditions in which it has it's
rise and growth. And, first of all, we
should be profoundly grateful that the ele-
ments which make up the strength and
| vigor of American citizenship are so ma
turally related to our situation and are SO
simple. The intrigues of monarchy which
| faint tho individual character of the sub
ject, the splendor which dszzles the popular
eye and distracts the attention from abuses
and stiles discomfort, the schemes of CON
quest and selfish ACKNOWLEDGMENT which
make selfish people, have no legitimate
place in our national life. Here the plain
people of the land are the rulers. Their
investiture of power is only accompanied
with the conditions that they should love
their country, that they should jealoual,
guard and protect its interests and fai.
fame, and that all the intelligence with
which they are endowed should be devoted
to an understanding of it's needs and the
promotion of it's welfare. These are the
elements of American citizenship, and these
are the conditions upon which our free in.
situations were entrusted to our people, 10
full reliance, at the beginning and for all
time to come, upon American manhood,
conseorated by the highest and purest pa
triotism.
HOME INFLUENCE.
A country broad and new, to be subdued
to the purposes of mans existence, and
promising vast and independent resources,
and people intelligently understanding the
value of a free nation and holding fast to
an intense affection for it's history and its
heroes have had much to do with molding
our American character and giving it hardi-
L IL, L.