The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-09-16
Receives a Farewell Banquet
Before Leaving Victoria.
THE MAYOR PRESIDES
4 GRAOEFUL TOAST TO THE RE
TTRING CONSUL.
GEN. ROBERTS MAKES HAPPY RESPONSE
'For He's a Jolly Good Fellow Sung by
Fourteen Prominent Citizens, and There
Were Various EuIogistic Ex-
nressions of Esteem.

were various CuiOS'SbC LIZ
pressions of Esteem.
Gen. w. =. Roberts, consul to Vic
teria under the Democratic administra-
ten, whose term has expired, is in Raj
eigh en- route to his home in Gates
county. Gen. Roberts is large and
successful planter and will return to his
plantation after his honorable career In
the diplomatic service OF his country.
He was the youngest Brigadier General
in the war between the States; was an
efficient State officer; and as an officer
under the Federal government has ad-
a&d to his reputation.
Gen. Roberts has many friends in Raj
eigh, having resided here during his
eight-year term as State Auditor, and
as member of the Constitutional Con
vention of 1875. They were all glad to
greet him back. He says the klondike
fever is raging on the Pacific slope, but
as soon as he finished his official duties
he gladly turned his face toward his
home and his people.
The Victoria Daily Colonist says that
Gen. w. z. Roberts was one of the most
popular officials the State has known.
and that there was general regret at his
departure. 1t contains the following ac-
count Of a banquet rendered him by
friends, which shows the esteem in which
he was held.
For he's jolly good fellow" was
the refrain that went echoing after Gen
eral w. z. Roberts. the retiring United
States consul. when he left Victoria last
night Fourteen prominent citizens sang
that sentiment Justify at frequent inter
walls during a farewell banquet tender
ed General Roberts at the Driard, and
besides that they gave the retiring Con-
sul various eulogistic expressions Of their
esteem.
"Hs Worship Mayor Re1fern presided.
There was the toast TO the Queen, and
then a letter of regret was read from
General Roberts's success in office,
Abraham r. Smith Said he:
II regret very much that a previous
engagement will prevent my acceptance,
and that / am. therefore. compelled to
forego the pleasure of meeting on that
occasion the representative citizens OF
Victoria who will gather at that time to
bid farewell to the genial and gallant
gentleman who has so ably and so sue
cexsfully represented the United States
I'm this beautiful city during the past
three years.
II shall esteem myself fortunate If,
during the time | may have the honor to
fiji the post so recently occupied by
General Roberts, / may be as fortunate
IS he has been in winning the regard
and goodwill of the best people resi-
dent at this important port, while at the
same time steadfastly endeayoring to adj
vance the diversified interests of the
citizens of the great American republic.
Social amenities such as those you
enjoy this evening tend to weld yet clos
er in mutual respect and affection all
people of this great continent regardless
OF political and geographical divisions,
and demonstrate anew what a British
admiral once declared, that blood is
thicker than water and true man is
honored for "a that"
1.-THE President of the United States
was responded to by the Mayor, who
spoke briefly but fttingly Of the close re-
lationship between Canada and the great
country to the south of us. expressing
the wish that the ties between the coun-
years 20 on.
s"The toast to General Roberts was pro-
posed by Mr.. Thomas Earle, M. p.
"It is my sincere pleasure" said he,
ito DO honor to this genial gentleman
who has SO popularized himself among
all our people. Business men especially
have had occasion to come frequently
in contact with General Roberts, and
have ever found him most courteous
and obliging. At all times, whenever he
has had opportunity he has put in a
good word for Canada and for British
Columbia. We are only doing Justice in
wishing him health and prosperity"
"Here they sang, For He's a Jolly
Good Fellow" and gave three cheers for
General and Mrs. Roberts. Then Gen
eral Roberts responded with much feel
Ing. He spoke OF his early impressions
OF Victoria and Of coming 30 far away
from his home. He said it reminded
him at that time of n boy in North
Carolina who had been travelling on
mule-back with his father all day.
"Oh, pap" said he, 'sif this YER
world is as big the other way as it il
this, it's whopper." But re soon felt
in his residence here that the Canadian
soil was his own.
Since l have been here [ have ex-
perienced the kindest and most polite
treatment from everybody" said the
nothing but the most splen-
did courtesy from the most common
'longshoreman to the greatest man in
the land. | sever nay connection here
with regret. and as / go back home you
may rest assured that whenever I hear
that the Dominion and Province are
doing well, it will always win from me
feeling of heartiest gladness."
an conclusion General Roberts pro-
posed the health of the Mayor. This
was drunk standing.
"May he live long and die happy"
said Mr.. Rosenberg.
"And may he have good roads to
travel on before then" supplemented
Mr.. Johnson.
"The next toast was to Hon G.. f.
Pooley, also proposed by Gen. Roberts.
Mr.. Pooley responded briefly, comment
ing especially ON General Roberts's ex-
pressed determination to return here in
the spring with an army Of men bound