Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-02-03

| When IL was known tnat the uoNeInoi
and the ex-President had accepted the IN
yitation, there were many friends OF =, the
| former who urged him to withdraw. They
were the same. mostly, as those who adj
vised him not TO become United States
| Senator-those who are less his friends
! than they are enemies of Mr.. CLEVELAND.
| Az in the more important instance, he de-
| clined to follow their advice.
| HOW IT CAME ABOUT.
II is mistake to suppose that the two
gentlemen have been estranged since 1888.
| Irue il is their political paths have lain
| somewhat apart. During MIR. Cleveland's
| term of Office the Governor asked no Ia
vors: his name was not attached 10 the
petition of any man for ONCE. his duties
| kent him at Albany till the spring oil 1889,
| when he visited Washington, and, with Mr..
| Cleveland. was the guest OF Mr.. ana Sirs'
| Whitney at dinner. Again, when public
| dinner was given to Mr. Cleveland Ill TINS
| CITY after his term Of Office had expired,
| the Governor was present ana maze
| speech. They met again at the Gentebhiai
| ball in the Metropolitan Opera-House' ana
| but short time ago once more aJ INC
| funeral of August Belmont.
| None of these, however, has had or can
| have the consequences in the public mind
! that will follow their clasping of hands
| SATURDAY. night. Already the politicians
have put one Interpretation on Mr. Cieye-
| lands action-a denial of his belief In the
cruel stories that have been circulated
about Governor Hills connection with the
| campaign of 1888. No one here IN new
| York who knew the facts ever credited
| these stories but at least two members OF
Mr.. Cleyeland's Cabinet-ex-Secretary
| Fairchild and ex-Secretary Endicott-haye
been quoted as though they believed IN
| their truth. Their chiefs words and his
| toast 70 the health of the senator-eiect,
say the politicians, show that his comb
| dence in Governor Hills loyalty al that
| time was never shaken.
| There are Others VINO see in Mr.. Cleye-
| lands attendance and attentions recog-
| milton of the fact that the Governor IS the
| acknowledged leader Of the party Ill TINS
| state and desire TO conclllate him. Iho
| gentlemen who wero present all say that
the ex-President acted spontaneously IN
making his speech. IL was not on the pro-
gramme and Senator Brown, the host, was
as much surprised as any body else at the
turn affairs took at the close Of the dinner.
1t came about this way: Frederic IL.
Coudert, it had been agreed, was 10 propose
the health of the host. who twas expected
would reply. There was to be no formality
in this and the guests intended to dlsperse
shortly afterwards. just before the end OF
the dinner, however, Mr.. Coudert, who was
| SlIIlnH UtAI W MI. OltNN VILE ~
Judge Truax, who evidently conveyed q
message to the head OF the table. Senator
Brown left his seat and talked with Mr..
Coudert for minute or two His face was
aglOw with Joy and satisfaction when he re-
sumed his place between Governor Hill
and Lieutenont-Governor Jones.
THE gentlemen at the other end OF the
table expect some extra speaking" he SAID
to his companions. He had been let into
the secret of what was coming, but SAID no,
thing further. Then Mr.. Coudert proposed
the health of Senator Brown and the host OF
the evening replied in his best vein; he
thanked the guests for their attendance
and told how he was ever happiest when
his friends were happy around him.
There was pause for moment after
the applause had subsidized. MIR. Coudert
looked at Senator Brown and Senator
Brown looked at Mr.. Coudert. The latter
gen tleman arose and said that, though II
had not been arranged 70 have any formal
speeches made, still he felt that there
would be no improperly. but, on the con,
trery, that every one present would feel
that it would be most fitting 70 have one
of the distinguished guests OF Senator
Brown, the ex-President OF the United
States, say few words.
Mr.. oLEvELAED's WORDS.
Mr.. Cleveland did not appear at least
disconnected when he arose to speak. He
was upon his feet almost before Mr.. Cou-
dert had resumed his seat. His remarks
were delivered in q forcible manner, and
the guests unite in saying that his praise
OF Governor Hill was given with much
feeling and sincerity. According to several
of the prominent guests, Mr.. Cleveland
spoke as follows:
1T was with much pleasure that i &C
cepted the invitation to be present here
this evening. And while approaching the
honor Of attending this banquet, you will
pardon me for referring to my first intro
duction to the Manhattan Club,
ago. / had then just been elected
to discharge the untried duties and
unknown responsibilities of the Office oil
Governor of this State. The Manhattan
rendered me reception at the old club
house, corner Fifteenth street and Fifth
avenue. / had the good fortune TO meet
on that occasion distinguished members OF
the Democratic party from nearly every
State in the Union. They gave me good
words of cheer and encouragement and
entered upon the duties of an honorable
and exalted Office buoyed up with the kind
words and wishes of those whose acqualnt-
ance had formed at that reception.
"Since then ! have passed through de
vious and crooked paths, through Albany
and Washington, until now find myself
occupying the highest position vouchsafed
to any individual IN this broad land
namely, the station of a private citizen. y
After thanking the host, Colonel Brown
for being responsible for his presence al
such an elegant banquet and suspicious
gathering, Mr.. Cleveland then continued
about as follows:
Before concluding my remarks / desire
to propose the health of distinguished
4 II r =. k..A- -.
who has discharged the responsible duties
Of Governor If the Commonwealth to the
eminent satisfaction of the people, one
who has been rewarded for his sigma
fidelity 10 public interests by an election
TO the high Office of senator in the Con
gress Of the United States. propose the
health OF the Hon. David Il. Hill"
GOVERNOR HILLS REPLY.
1t was an entire surprise to Governor
Hill. lie was not taken aback, however
but Immediately arose and returned the
compliment. His reply, as well as several
of the guests could remember it, was as
follows:
Unjust apologizet TO our host and to you
gentlemen for having beer late. Ny cominl
here is fitting end to my evenings duty
the Twenty-second regiment armory, anC
now come here and find myself in tn,
company of such old soldiers as Colone
Brown and Northumberland Jones.
am indeed very glad to be here. the gues'
of Colonel Brown. who is one Of oui
staunnh Democrats. and royal entertainer
as well.
"In reply TO Mr.. Cleyeland's kind words
can only say that my highest ambition II
which have been elected in such mpp
per ~ 10 merit the same encomiums as b.,
slowed upon Mr.. Cleveland for his admin