The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-28
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DINNER TO MR.. MORTON.
The Retiring vice-President Honored by
His Colleagues In the senate.


WASHINGTON. Feb. H.-vice-Pres'-
ident Levi p. Morton was honored Tonight
as none of his predecessors have been.
The entire Senate without distinction
OF party united In rendering a comph-
men airy dinner and in bearing testimony
10 the admirable manner in which he has
presided over the deliberations Of the
upper chamber of Congress for the past
four years The banquet, which was
held In the beautiful dining-hall OF the
Arlington. was the best that skill and
taste could supply. The decorate MS were
most effective. and the company as dis
tinguished as could well be. inasmuch as
scarcely one senator Of prominence was
absent.
Among the other guests who partici-
patcd In the proceedings were ex-Sena-
tors w. NJ. Eylrts and T. w. Palmer,
General Alger. Mr.. Frank Hatton, Mt
j. V. DeGraw, Mr.. II. l.. West and MIR.
ii. c. Clarke. Senator Henderson. presi-
dent pro tenn Of the Senate. was chair
man and toast master. and his ready wit
and graceful rhetoric never once per-
mittsd the proceedings to flag. MeSsrs.
Hale, CockrelI. Evarts. Villas and other
orators were fully equal TO he occa-
sion.
The guest OF the evening. the Vice.
President, responded as follows:
There are events in the life OF every
man that stand out with some promi-
hence and make some imprint upon him.
that an indellibe impression remains
while memory holds its seat
This occasion. so fiattering 10 me,
the speeches so complimentary, your
cordial greeting and the hearty good will
expressed in such pleasing form shall
ever live within the book and volume OF
my brain. unmixed with baser matter
-Four years ago / came, through the
suffrages OF the citizens Of this great
republic, TO the high place, the main
duty of which is TO preside over the de-
Lucrative body. recognized as the highest
i'm the world OF which you the represen-
tatlves of forty-four sovereign States,
forming one powerful nation, are MEM
bers | brought to the position very
limited experience and but little knowl-
edge of parliamentary law, for the lines
of my life had been cast in places where
such knowledge Is not TO be acquired.
felt the full force of my shortcomings.
but relied with trusting confidence upon
that gentle forbearance that has ever
characterized the Senate of the United
States.
Experience has shown that my trust
had abundant foundation. that ! have
servcd the Senate acceptably (and / am
fain to believe so from the earnest rec
ignition you have given me here and
elsewhere) has been because OF the gen.
erous and unseliish support received by
me from all members OF the body without
distinction of party and without bias
from political affiliations.
II would be lacking in the common sem
sibiities old not feel overwhelmed with
gratitude and express in the strongest
words that my tongue (too feeble TO eX-
press the full emotions Of my hearO is
capable of forming the thanks. the sim
cere and hearty thanks, with which | ac-
knowledge the compliments so generously
paid me.
II am greatly beholden also to the eff
cient officers and employees OF the Senate
who smoothing my way. have been the
guides along a parliamentary path by me
unexplored. and over many rugged road
10 me unknown.
'"rhe distinguished gentleman who VIII
IN n very few days succeed me has cause
for congratulation, and at the end Of his
service will have like occasion for salts
faction that the support and countenance
ever accorded 10 its presiding officer by
the Senate will be his. rendering the per
Torrance OF a grave and important duty
a pleasant and attractive function"
Mr.. Morton closed by a graceful allusion
to the retiring President, OF whom he
said:
'In a few days there will pass to pri-
vate hfe the man who won distinction as
a soldier in the period Of war and last
ing renown as a civilian in the time OF
peace A patriotic citizen, a safe coun-
sellor, thorough statesman. wise ruler,
the name Of Benjamin Harrison will
shine brighter with the light that comes
with every passing year
His remarks were received with every
demon straticn Of cordial approval.