The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-01-16
PRESENTATIONS.
Mr.. DOnnelly Remembered by His
u Friends.
tOf

A Pleasant Occasion at the Bruins
i1wiek Hotel.
A very pleasant little incident in con-
nection with the Farmers Alliance conven-
ton took place last Wednesday afternoon,
in the parlors. of lie Brunswick. 1t was in
the shape of a sArprise and presentation.
While Mr.. Donnelly was at dinner the
members of the two organizations gathered
quietly in the hotel parlors, and while the
sage was yet partaking of his frugal meal,
L. c. Long tapped him upon the shoulder
and informed him that he was wanted in
the parlors. Upon his entrance he was sur
rounded by as many of his friends as could
crowd into the room and Mr.. Long then
presented him with beautiful pen, in be-
half of the Farmers Alliance. He said
in making the presentation, that the
Alliance was proud in having the greatest
statesman, the greatest orator and the
greatest scholar in the United States for
their leader so long. eli spoke of Mr.. Dom
nellys achievements in the various fields
of politics and literature. THE pen is
mghtier than the sword" said he, land we
therefore present you with this pen that it
may be used unhesitatingly against the
enemies of your cause. May this pen
always be used in the honorable defense of
the principles you represent.
"Mr. Donnelly: have been deputized by
the Minnesota State Farmers Alliance to
present you a small gift as token of our
respect for you.
1--WE realize that it is through your I'M
firing work that this great organization
has been built up. We also know that your
labors have not been appreciated by the
mass of mankind, but this has been the
fate of reformers in all ages.
you must be content to know, that when
your LIES span has ended, when you have
crossed the mystic river to dwell on the
unknown shores of the great beyond, pos
terity will bless your memory, while those
grosser natures, imbued with the genius
of evil who have abused and maligned you,
will be forever forgotten.
1--WE read of Alexander the Great, Napo-
leon, Ceaser, Wellington and other mighty
read of Shakespeare and Jefferson, of Cice-
TO and Lincoln, and the many other intel
lectual giants, and believe that when
the glorious civilization which is now
dawning has spread it's white wings of
peace throughout the world the warriors of
the past will be remembered as the relics
of savagery, while the authors and orators
will be loved and revered as the redeemers
of the race from ;, barbarism, and your
name will stang hS[ With VI the greatest of the
earth. " ~
This mementod is IF little intrinsic value
yet it is the instruhent which has revolt
tionized empires, ahd made tyrants to
tremble on their throne for The pen is
mightier than The yWord.'
'Mr Donnely, in behalf of the alliance I
present you with this fountain pen, and
as the ink flows spontaneously from its
diamond point 50 may ideas flow from that
great intellect which God has given YOU
and may they be coined into words, and in
the future, as in the past, be in the in
terest of humanity, the upbuilding of civil
lization and in behalf of Gods chosen
poor" -
Mr. Donnelly,s arose. to respond but was
interrupted by Mai y, NJ. Bowler. who pre-
scented him with, a sold-headed cane an
. evidence Of the esteem of the Populists of
the state. He said: ga .....s... t,... t..s..,
Mr.. Donnelly,, /, too, have :. been COM
missoned by some CT your many friends in
the Farmers Alliance to present you this
cane as but very slight token of the
loving esteem in which you are held by
them.
Our friend Long has eloquently referred
to your fame an author and statesman
which has spread throughout this nation
and far beyond our shores to other coun-
tries. We recognize your signal ability,
your lifetime devotion to the great cause of
humanity, and more especially your efforts
in behalf of the farmers. the great indus
trial class that has contributed more than
all others to the wealth and advancement
of this great republic. and from whose
ranks have come our greatest statesmen
generals, scholars and men OF affairs. We
admire your genius, we honor you for the
great place you have made in history, and
we love you for your able and steadfast
adherence to our cause. l trespass upon
this occasion to say that it has been my
privilege to have known You much longer
and more intimately than most of your
friends here present.
'Some 81 years ago I went to your town
poor schoolmaster and was your neighbor
until 1873. l found in you a true friend and
wise COUNSELLOR The bond between us was
written in the fiercest days of the great
anti-slavery struggle, cemented during the
trying ordeal OF the great rebellion, and
has been halfowed and streng thened in the
after years by common political senti-
:nent, although we have not always adhered
to the same pOutlCal organization. L take
pleasure in testifying that you have been
a prodigious worker, always in behalf of
those who needed most and had the least
reward to give.
This memento, insignificant, though !:
be, represents wealth Of gra titude we'll
ing up from loving hearts. Take it, let it
support your ever shortening steps down
the decline towards the eternal shores
May you never have occasion to use it for
harsher purposes, but may your voice. as
heretofore, be potent against your enc
miles,"
Mr.. Donnelly arose to respond, and it was
evident that his eyes were moist and his
voice trembling slightly, and he was
perceptibly moved. Il can scarcely saw
anything so overwhelmed am L by surprise
and establishment" said he II am pro-.
foundly touched by the expression of your
kindness. This little event, simple as it.
may seem, gees to the depths of my soul
1 thank you for this expression of your
love and confidence. I assure YOU that T
have always tried to do right I know L
am not infallible. But I have done nv
duty to the best of my Judgment and abil-j
duty to the best of my judgment and ability
I cannot say how grateful l am for these
Of my life be it IF ore decade. or of two
or three decades,pthis pen shall never be
used save in the Interests of mankind /
am not used to a cane, but I will ATTEMPT
to use it peacefully. although if necessary.
l will not heSitateto use it on the heads of