The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-09
BANQUET SPEECHES.
Private John Allen Tells Congress
Why They Should Never be Quoted.
nc.rnSsinrnnl La

Congressional Record March g.
/ do not think any man ought to be held
down to a very rigid account for an after
dinner speech at banquet. Why, sir. 1
recollect not long ago L went to a banquet
In Baltimore where everything was so
good, where / was surrounded by many
big, rich men that by the time my turn
came to speak L felt SO well that | ad, d,
dressed them as "fellow-capitalsts."
surrounding banquet, If 1 did not know
OF the abstemious habits of my friend from
Tennessee, L would have thought on read
ing this speech that he had gotten some
what under the influences that affected an
other Tennesseean that travelling man
told me about meeting once in Tennessee
This travelling man was sitting on a coun-
ter talking to a merchant about selling him
some goods; he and the merchant got into
a general conversation, and, among other
things, he said to the merchant: II used
to sell goods in Kaufman county, Texas.
AT tins a seedy, vaSSed, ard-Iook1nS Eel
low, who was sitting on the counter, said:
Kaufman county, TeXas?" Yes, sir"
Did you ever know a man out there by
| used to sell John goods" We'll. sir, he
is my brother" "Ahl 1 am glad to meet
you.' yes. sir. John Williams is my
brother. How was John when you saw
him." ''Oh, John was doing very well.
He had good farm, with plenty of stock
on 1t; he was out of debt. and he was do
be back in Kaufman county at any time
and see anything of John, / wish you would
tell him that L am mighty hard up, that
my farm is mcrtgaged, and L do not be-
lieye l am ever going to be able TO raise
and educate my children. Times are mighty
hard with me, and / do not any chance
to get out OF debt; and if he is ever going
to help me, now Is the time"
After awhile this travelling man felt like
taking drink, and he invited Johns broth
er out TO take drink with him. When the
drink began to have its effect the man said
so you know my brother John out in
TeXaS?" Yes" "Well, when you go out
there say that / am getting along tolerably
well; that | amt making any great money.
but l am doing pretty we'll" They saunt-
cred around awhile and the travelling ynan
asked his acquaintance to take another
drink. Then the fellow began to warm up.
He said, 80 you know my brother John out
In Kaufman county, Texas% Yes" "Well,
If you out there any time just tell
him that am making good living and am
getting along first rate" Late In the even
ing my friend met the fellow again; he had
meanwhile had two or three more drinks
and was pretty mellow, so he said, You
are the gentleman that knowed my brother
John out in Kaufman county, Yes.
We'll, IL you should go back to Kaufman
and see anything of John, tell him, if he
needs anything, just to draw on me-" loud
laughter)
Now, under the influence of one of these
New York banquets, with all that they have
feels by the time that speaking begins like
telling the rest of the world to draw on him.
Q-aughter.) Therefore /, on my own motion,
would never quote banquet speech on any
body, because L do not think 1t is exactly
the fair thing