Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-21

and value than is ordinarily the case with
after-dinner efforts. Besides the personal
tributes TO the guest of the evening, they
contained much worth preserving concern
ing local history.
Col. Berret's Remarks.
Col. James G. Berret. who presided at
the banquet, in his address said:
THE object of our gathering here to-
night is to tender to our distinguished
guest assurances Of cordial welcome on
the part of the citizens of his native place.
1t must be highly gratifying to him. as 1t
Is to myself, to recognize these gentlemen
represeD ting the several classes who make
up the greatness Of every community, the
young men. the mid1le-aged. and myself,
the appropriate representative In point Of
years of the older men.
As one of the. Oldest inhabitants Of
Washington and having had associations
for many years with its public affairs
recall wildly the history of the times IN
which our honored guest was an active
narticipant. He came Into power first as
the chief of the board of public works uE-
der the administration of that highly hon.
orable citizen. Gov. Henry D. Cooke The
plan that our guest inaugurated If carried
out to Its logical end will render this cap
ltal what the nation has a right to expect
old world
When I remind you gentlemen that
cumstances most extraordinary, and which
would have had the effect of causing a
man OF ordinary courage to have quailed
IN the presence of obstacles, which, l re-
greet TO say. III the end could not be wholly
overcome, notwithstanding the prestige of
That extraordinary soldier who at the time
was at the mead of this government as its
President. and who 1 know considered 1t a
high privilege to stand by and sustain the
efforts of our guest in his administration of
the affairs of the city. Yet such was the
potency of opposition led by men Of high
character and distinguished eninence of
this community that the prestige of the
PRESIDENTS great name failed to give him
mat support to which his services entitled
MIN and the result was a voluntary exile
on the part of him who contributed so
much to make Washington what 1t now is
Gentlemen, time brings its rewards as
well as Its punishments. Seven years after
our honored guest left this city to find en-
ployment in neiShborng state he return
ed to Washington unheralded, but not I'M
known. A meeting of citizens was called
in one of the public halls to meet him. I
went there and 1 found representative
class of gentlemen such as I have never
witnessed in my long life at any public
meeting. The object of their gathering was
20 testify to their appreciation of the valu-
able services which had been rendered to
this community by Alexander r. Shep-
herd. The result Of the meeting was an
ovation. coupled with a tender of the free
dom OF this city to our honored guest and
such an ovation has never in my judgment
been accorded to any other man in private
life in this country.
Now did not agree with the change in
our form of government, but have lived
long enough TO see it's wisdom, but Con-
SreSs only went half far enough. The next
move they should make should be in the
direction of building up this beautiful cap
ital and making it what its illustrious de-
signers intended it to be. One thing to be
done should be to relieve it of all
personal taxation, the effect Of which
should be to bring upon US a popua-
ton desirable from every point of view.
After this is accomplished l would go one
step further. AS 1 grow older l feel that
l grow little more progressive in my ideas
and i'll this spirit I would relieve the peo-
pie of this city and of this District Of all
taxation. Qaughter) l would do 1t for
the great reason that SUCH action would
vinGicate n great principle. for which our
fathers of the revolution fought, and that
is no taxation without representation.
now call on my frien1, the ex-governor Of
the District of Columbia"
Mr.. Shepherds Response.
When Mr.. Shepherd rose he was greeted
with enthusiastic cheers, hosts and guests
rising to their feet and waving their hand
kerchefs. 1t was some moments before he
could speak because of the greeting he re-
ceived. Then he said:
1.-The best of books tell US that prophet is
not without honor save in his own country
ard his own home. This gathering tonight
and the honor you have conferred on me in
this banquet do not bear out this declGra-
ton. What could be more gratifying than
to receive honor and consideration such as
you bestow on me tonight. Here are gather
ed the friends and companions of my boy
hood and early youth. Others, who are the
friends Of my manhood. and who have been
my associates and friends in the various
private and public enterprises which have
helped to make this city national 1netropo-
lis and worthy the name of its tlustrious
founder-Washington. And 1 am glad and
proud also to meet many who differed from
me in the administration Of affairs mere some
quarter of a century ago, but whom the logic
Of events has transferred into friends.
II recognize and appreciate the lnanlineSs
and good feeling which makes them my
hosts on this occasion.
After all, to have the friendship and
good will Of ones fellow citizens in the place
of ones birth and where most of ones life
has been spent, Is about the best reward
that can come to any man, and no heritage
can one leave more lasting and more to be
desired than a pleasant, fragrant memory
of honest sustained effort in the line of duty
and unselfish development. 1 believe that
can say truly that in the sixty years which
have elapsed since my eyes first saw the
light in this my beloved native city that 1
have endeavored to do my duty in whatever
sphere of life 1t pleased God to call r1e-have
endeavored since arriving at mans estate
ingly to have turned my back on a friend or
toward q foe.
THAT have your kind and affectionate
consideration and that of my fellow-citzens
of Washington, well as thousands of
Americana who only know me as having
borne part in the regeneration Of our capital,
Is matteli Of intense satisfaction and de-
light to me, and can only thank you from
an overlooking heart, and wish you, one and
ALL all that Is good in life and hopeful In
the future
TOastmnster Parker.
Col. Benet then presented Mr.. Myron NJ.
Parker as POSTMASTER of the evening.
Mr.. Parker, before calling upon any speak
ers, said:
1.-THE POSTMASTER has an advantage be-
cause he Is never expected to make a speech.
but cannot fail to express my great appre
citation of the privilege of being permitted
to be present as one of the hosts on this oc-
casion. I was of the younger element of
this city at the time Gov. Shepherd was
making such a magnificent city, but l was
one of the loyal boys. and have grown more
loyal in my appreciation of Gov. Shepherd
as time has passed. and l take second place