a very pleasant memory to him, and 'whatever
years may yet be allotted to him—and may
they be many—he willnever forget this gather
ing of his Wends and neighbors. And why?
Because he can appreciate at its full worth this
manifestation of the confidence he enjoys and
the esteem in which he is held by those among
whom his life has been spent. However fierce
ly be may be maligned by those who know him
least, he will remember with pleasure that they
who know him best neither doubt nor forsake
him. [Applause.]
There is, perhaps , no surer test of character,
Of what a man really ' is than the deliberate, well
considered judgment foimed of him by his
hOme people, those among whom all the days
of. his .manhood have been passed and with
whom he has been associated socially and in
busioeQs. Here, then, have come together,
alike irrespective of party tie or partizan affili
ation, the old man with hie experience and the
young man with his hopes, the neighbors and
the immediate fellow citizens of our honored
guest, to give a clear, distinct and emphatic
utterance of their belief in his integrity as a
man, his usefulness as a member of our com
munity and his fidelity to his convictions of
duty when in official position. There, sitting
by his side, as be has just told us, is the friend
of his earlier and later years—ode of the very
few left among us who has known him from the
day the orphaned boy, seeking work, came to
our capital, though penniless, yet with the
stout heart of a man, to enter upon the battle
of life. There is the friend of a lifetime, whose
confidence has been unshaken during all the
years that have elapsed since he who is become
the Representative of our Government, to
stand in the court of t/ e Cz ir, was the humble
printer boy. We are all here, on the eve of
the departure of our friend and fellow citizen,
to bid him the good-bye and wish him the
God speed. [Applause.]
Sir, he has referred to the malignant assaults
which have been made against him by his ene
mies. Thus surrounded by his neighbors who
know him, the shafts fall burtless at his feet.
When her is gone these cruel blows may still be
aimed at him ; but they will not reach him:
he leaves too many friends, who will not suffer
the absent to he wronged. When he returns,
he will show that he possesses abundant ability
to take careof himself and fight his own battles.
[Applause He hasbeen bitterly followed by his
enemies ; he has been cluse;y surrounded by
his friends. And this is always so with the de
cided, energetic, resolute man. The pasitive
man in life who continually presses forward in
the struggle with the world must, in his pro
' tress, come in contact with and pass over those
who are in his way. Such a one wins devoted
friends and makes carping enemies.
But, sir, whilst we will not forget the true
hearted, open-handed friend and citizen , he is
eminently entitled to our regard as a Pennsyl
vanian. To whatever depths of baseness his
vilifiers have descended, no one of them that
I can now remetober has been so false as to
challenge or doubt the devotion of Gen. Cam
eron to the interests ,of our own Common
wealth. Devoted to the Union of our fathers,
he was always a Pennsylvanian for Petinsyl
vania—Pennsylvania iu and of the Union. He
has ever exhibited a just pride in her vast re
sources, hec inexhaustible store house of min
erals, her manufactures, her farms, her schools
and her churches ; and moved by this pride
and his inextinguishable love of home, he has
sought, both in private life and official station,
to advance her prosperity and promote her
greatness. As Pennsylvanians we honor him.
[Applause.]
And now, sir, let him go away assured that
the loyalty and truth of Pennsylvania have
been in the past, so will they continue. From
wain our borders shall go forth no uncertain
sound as to (he suppression of the infamous re-
~hellion convulsing the land. Pennsylvania ha , ;
• given more than a hundred thousand of her
children as a free will offering on behalf of the
maintenance of our, government. Her army
has gone with the stern and fixed resolution
that. the Union shall be preserved, treason
...crushed out, and traitors brought to the rope.
.Our guest has mentioned 'a remark recently
.made to him by a lady friend of the head of
the . pseudo government of the Confederate
States, that Jefferson Davis believed that the
one-half of the men of Pennsylvania and New
Yolk would be with bim and his fellow conspi
rators in the disruption of the Union. Upon
what a foundation of sand did the arch traitor
build bis hopes ! How little did he understand
the people of the Keystone and Empire
States! Wby, sir, in their truth and honest
.frankness, they could not believe that men—
Senators sworn to support the Constitution (!)
could be so perjured as to raise the
bloody hand against it and against our
good. government. But Sumter awakened
them. When the dastardly assault was made
by armed thousands upon that little half-starved
garrison, and the national" emblem was sub-
jected to villianPus insult, then it was that the
North became aroused as a strong- man from
his sleep, and Pennsylvania and New York,like
giants linked arms and rushed forward to the
defence of the capital and the life of the nation.
Let us all take courage; the heinous crime of
treason will speedily be punished—let our
guest and all of us remember, whilst the blood
of our brethren—of his brethren—is crying aloud
from the ground to Him who rules in the hosts
of Heaven, and upon earth', that He has said
"Vengeance is mine " That vengeance is =-
ving forward and Southward like a pillar of
fire-by night, at the head of our armies. It is
moving with the grandeur and sublimity of the
storm in its wrath. Already the wail of the
despondent rebel is heard. Even now the kPy
of the Missiseippi valley is ours; the old fl..g
flies in triumph over the Crescent city, and
Baia the great North-west will again have ac
cess through its freed and opened channel to
the gulf. [Applause.]
Let, then, the minister to Russia depart with
fresh hope and renewed faith. Let him, when
away over the waters and across another conti
nent, as he stands near the Emperor of the
Rassias, that firm and fast friend of our
nation, assure that sovereign that our people
' are as one man in their devotion to the Union,
in this baptism of blood through which they
' are'p issing, and that they will sweep from the
face of the earth the traitor and his treason.—
Let'him be assured that our government will
pass 'through the fiery ordeal and come firth
- purer, better and stronger than ever. [Ap
plause.]
And, sir, let ns now say to our friend and
guest that he bears with him our wishes for his
prosperity and success in his mission. Whilst
he is gone he will hear of the advance of our
arms and of the 'valor of the sons of Pennsyl
vania. Already written upon the banners
borne in front of the regiments of our State are
names indicative of brave and brilliant deeds.
Already we May there read of Drainesville, Ro
'smoke, Winchester, Falmouth and Shiloh. [Ap
plause.] When he returns, may it be to meet
these same soldiers returned from the, battle
fields, once more having resumed the avocations
of peace. May he then learn fi am them how the
same flags have been planted over Yorktown—
"
how they have gleamed above the rebel capitol
'at Richmond, waved from the spires of Mont
gomery and floated again at Sumter, and, over
that nest of treason and traitors, accursed Cha
rleston. [Applause ] Let him come home to real
ize that again, everywhere, from our most north
erly limit to the Gulf, from the wild Atlautic
away off to the slopee of the Pacific, the brave
• old flag is honored and respected—its stripes
, wooing the evening winds, and its stare an
swering back the light of the stars in the
„firmament. May he return to live once more
-.
,among us, and to realize that our, people are
tina to their history, worthy of their fathers;
intf, that,.under the smile of the Omnipotent,
they leave made our "Union as imperishable as
the everlasting hills. [Applause.]
Hon. Thomas E. Cochran, Auditor General
of the State, was then loudly called for. He
rose and said:
MAYOR:—While it does me unfeigned
pleasure to:respond to the call that has Just been
I may say it is altogether unexpected.
made, lwa
snot even aware of the entertainment that
was proposed, and only arrived in Harrisburg
at an bout quite late, when, upon being invited
to come here, rcame with get at pleasure. I
recognized in the gentleman whom you and
citizens of Harrisburg have here assembled to
honor, one who has well maintained an emi
nent position in the history of our State and of
our country. I recognized in the .name of Gen
eral Cameron that of a citizen, who, in public
life, has been always remarkable for the inte
rest he has taken in every project or measure
of public policy calculated to improve the con
dition of the Commonwealth, to lift her in the
scale of sister States, and to make her promi
nent, influential and powerful in the Union,
which we all so love, And it is eminently fit
that, after having passed so many years of his
life here in his Dative State, when he is about
for the first time to voyage over the ocean sur
ges, and to spend some years in an honorable
and conspicuous position at a foreign court, that
his fellow citizens, who have know him long
and well, should meet around this board to
testify in the emphatic terms expressed by the
gentleman who has just taken his seat, their
confidence in his integrity, his. character, and
their respect for the publie services he has ren
dered to the country.
Now, sir, it does not become me to speak of
the individual in the terms which you here fn
Harrisburg may well use, for although I have
been for many years familiar with the name, yet
I cannot pretend to have enjoyed that familiar
intimacy with the distinguished guest of the
' evening which would authorize me to speak of
those personal qualities that have just elicited
such decided marks of approbation. I may,
however, as a citizen of this Commonwealth,
(one who has lived in it the largest portion of
his life,) submit my testimony that on all oc
casions when the interests of the State were
involved, throughout the public career of the
gentleman who is now about to leave us, he
has borne in mind as his cardinal object the
prosperity and welfare of Pennsylvania
first, but Pennsylvania not superior to
the great national interests of the coun
try. Pennsylvania as Dearest to his heart,
which was large enough to embrace the welfare
and the good of the whole nation. [Applause.]
And, sir, whatever detractors may say, and
however certain men may be willing at this
season, when the diverse and minute parts of
the governmental machinery have assumed a
certain regular position and operation—what
ever detractors may say about the transactions
of different bureaus during the early part of
the confusion and disseverance of affairs con
nected with the outbreak of this rebellion, yet
it must be borne in mind by every candid and
fair man that that great emergency came upon
a country wholly unprepared to meet such a
grave and overwhelming issue as was presented
to it at that time. That is no fair charity
which will permit any man to scan with an eye
to censure measures taken in that very great
emergency as he would scan them, very pro
perly and justly, under circumstances of a very
different character. Now, sir, we know how
we were in Pennsylvania, we all must be con
scious of the situation of this State at that time:
we had no military organization here, we
were without experience in military matters
and had to do everything on the pressure of
the moment, and that, too, when the enemy—
the rebels—were thundering at the very gates
of the national capitol. Was it possible for our
State government, without experience—was it
possible for us, without organization—was
. it
possible for us, without the men and the means
at our command, to make all needful and in
dispensable arrangements and preparations,
just according to the red tape formalities, which
were customary in the government at ordinary
times, when the nation needed no army but a
skeleton, to maintain the peace throughout
every section of our great Union ? Why, sir,
it is perfectly absurd for men to stand up at
this day and attempt to criticise, with a censo
rious eye, measures taken in the very extremi
ty of the national life, when it was at the point
of death. I say, sir, there is great injustice
involved in any censure of that kind, because
of transactions criticised under the circum
stances that I have stated. •It is an appeal to
the common sense, the fair judgment and the
candor of every man who is willing to look at
the matter fairly and without prejudice—'
it is a fair appeal to all that is just
and right, which authorizes us to say
that no such censure is proper, and to fore
see that no such censure will be sustained by
the honest, the fair and the candid judgment of
the people of this country. [lncreased ap
plause.] I do not know what selfish or im
proper motives may lie at the foundation of the
recent hostility to Gen. Cameron, but I cer
tainly do judge from the results that it could
not have emanated from a proper and judicious
discrimination, or a fair comprehension of the
state of things which existed, and which I have
attempted to describe, during Gen. Cameron's
administration of the lVar Depute , ent . I may
be permitted to say without vain boasting, but
simply as a citizen of Pennsylvania, that after
a period of doubt—a time during which there
were grave suspicions entertained in regard to
official operations here in this State—now, at
this time, in the judgment of the government
at Washington the affairs of Pennsylvania are
admitted to have been managed with greater
care and economy, and with greater prudence
than probably any other State to the Union, in
connection with this war. Well now, sir, I say
it knowingly, for I had an official relation with
this matter,that I do not believe there was a man
connected with the operations of this State who
possessed that practical knowledge and neces
sary drill which would enable him to discharge
those onerous and unexpected duties pertaining
to military matters according to discipline and
rule, or without making some mistakes. Yet
they were discharged fully and judiciously. The
single object was to promote the good of the
country, and the result has been that Pennsyl
vania stands higher, I apprehend, in the esti
mation of the Government at Washington then
any other State in this Union. The gentleman
in front of me nods assent to that. Well, now,
if that is so, why not apply the same rule to
the conduct of operations on the part of the
General Government as you would apply to
affairs in Pennsylvania? I know, and lam
willing to state here as an individual, that mis
takes were made in certain departmente 'of
Pennsylvania, and there may have been
mistakes made in the governmental depart
ments at Washington ; but those mistakes were
such as any man might make in the prosecution
of his business.
General Cannon - . If the gentleman will al
low me to interrupt him, 7 will say now what
I have had occasion to state already. I have
reviewed my course since leaving the War De
partment, and upon careful consideration, I am
free to state that during my official career in
the management of that Department, I did not
commit a single act which I would not do again
under the same circumstances.
Mr. COCHRAN. I have not the slightest doubt
of it. I have not the slightest doubt that every
measure or action undertaken by Gen. Cameron
was essential, at the time and under the cir
cumstances, for the welfare of the country.—
That was the point of my argument, for I am
speaking argumentatively. Under different
circumstances, the aspect of the case might be
totally different, and Gen. Cameron would not
have done what he did ;AKA we must take into
consideration the circumstances existing at the
time, and base our conclusions upon these
surroundings., . • • L - •
But I have dilated more amply on that sub
ject than I had any expectation of doing when
PrimoVivant° matt telegraph illottbap Ifternoon, Map 5, 1862,
unexpectedly called upon. I am very glad to
see that the time has come when the people of
Harrisburg have gathered around a citizen whom
for many years they have had reason to respect,
and who, when he is about to bid farewell,
they are glad to assemble here to bid God speed.
I hope the time will come when this country
will be restored in all its integrity and prosper
ity to the full enjoyment of those blessings and
privileges which, under the Divine Providence;
have been banded down to us by our fathers,
and I hope that when the gentleman who is
the recipient of our farewell greeting this even
ing shall return to this country he will return
to a re-united , and unbroken union, where
every American citizen will recognize every
other American citizen as a brother and as an
equal ; and where, from one end of this great
Union to the other, as it was Constituted under
the auspices of the great men who have pre
ceded our generation, he shall find the same
old flag flying, and the same institutions ex=
isting. And I trust that in that day not only
shall he find these to exist, but that he shall
return here when our affairs, socially and po
litically, are restored to their ancient basis, and
ourselves glad to greet him on his return to a
country which he will no doubt faithfully serve
in that quarter to which he is now delegated, as
he has heretofore served it in other official
positions.
Hon. Judge Peaasos was next called for and
spoke as follows:
Mr. Mayor, I have not recently been addicted
to anything like public speaking; , but there
are some matters to which I would call your
attention for a moment. We ought not only
to consider the present situation of affairs In
judging of a man's actions, but also the cir
cumstances previously connected therewith.
My friend across the table was called upon to
preside in the War Department at a time when
it was In the most distracted condition. No
previous preparation of any character had been
made for waging war or delending the country ;
he was called upon in an extreme emergency;
and now at the distance of many months, when
our army iii efficient and our navy triple its
former standing in strength and efficiency, we
should consider the actions of the departmente
of the government at Washington wholly in
view of the means at their command. At that
time preparations were making by the rebels
for attacking Washington city, yet the nation
was without an army at the . National Capital,
and with but limited means of bringing soldiers
upon the ground. The various departments of
government were filled with disloyal clerks and
rebel sympathisers who were awaiting an tp
portunity to do all they possibly could do in aid
of the rebellion. Especially, were these men
to be found in the War Department ; and when
Gen. Cameron took the chair of Secretary of
War, having uo confidence in his subordinates,
he was required to employ agents whom he
could trust. At' this time, when everything
has changed, it would. appear that men have
ceased to consider the extraordinary posture of
affairs that then existed, and proceed to pass
judgment upon his actions as coolly as though
he bad no pressing emergencies and overwhelm
ing responsibilities to meet, and as though he
had been able as was the present Secretary of
War to send twenty or forty thousand soldiers
to one point, and a like number to another,
Gen. Cameron "with difficulty obtained fifty
men to defend the capital.
Judge Pearson further referred to the diffi
culty experienced by the War Department in
organizing and equipping a large army, in pro
curing means of transportation for the troops,
etc. Yet in that most perilous time the gov
ernment had been accused of negligence, not
to say corruption, in the filling of contracts for
the sustenance of the army. This State ad
ministration was not long since an object ; of
censure for the indiscreet appliance of certaiu
, funds in clothiag and arming her soldiers ; but
a patient consideration of the circumstannea
attending the operations of the State Executive
and his officers had convinced the people that
all charges of impropriety were groundless.
Such was the case with Gen. Cameron. Had
the movers and supporters of the resolution
recently passed by Congress understood the
motives and objects of the Secretary of War,
or viewed them from the proper stand point,
they would have at least hesitated to pass cen
sure upon his official acts. That gentleman
could at least console himself with the reflec
tion that no one of his acquaintances or those
who knew him would pretend to say he bad
ever been found other than true to his country,
faithful to the interests of his State and dear
to his friends. [Great applause.]
Mr. DAVID FLEMING then responded to the
call as follows:
Mr. Mayor; After the able speeches you
have heard, I shall not undertake to say more
than a few words, especially with my present
feeble voice. I merely desire to bear my tes
timony from the observations I have made as a
private citizen, of the integrity and ability with
which our distinguished friend has managed
the affairs of the War Department during the
time of his administration. As has been said by
the distinguished gentleman who just preceded
me, we must look at things from the proper
stand point. Now, I remember very well that
just atter this rebellion broke out, that honor
able gentleman, (Judge Pearson,) who is not
likely to be moved by anything like sudden
disturbances, was then so much moved that,
contrary to every principle of his nature, he
was willing to connive at the selling of liquor on the
Sabbath in this town. [Laughter 13
Now, sir,• when that is the Case we do not
want anything to convince us of the state of af
fairs at that time. No man could then safely
predict that we would have a government to
day ; no man knew who of his neighbors was
faithful to the government. Here were soldiers
coming and going without arms and without
the likelihood of obtaining them_at Washing
ton. There was Gen. Cameron in the War De
partment required to find money and arms
without any assurance of obtaining either. I
think it was only the providence of God that
placed a man of his energy, business and in
dustry at the head of the War Department, in
stead of a man whose hands have been tied up
with "red tape" all his life, and who might not
be willing to undertake such a responsibility
without the usual red tape formality. I repeat,
gentlemen, my firm belief that the appointment
of Gen. Cameron was providential ; for certainly
history does not exhibit an instance of any man
who has performed the'same labor and brought
about the same results within the same length
OE time.
But in regard to what has been done by Con
gress, I have only to say that the advocates of
the resolution of censure upon General Cameron
are men who know but little about him. He
was where he could no longer serve them, and
I suppose they acted on the principle that a
"living dog is better than a dead Boa." i!ur I
did not intend to make a speech, being called
upon, I have said thus much for our diatin
guished friend ; and, when he goes to Europe,
I say "God speed" to him, and hope that upon
returning he will find our country happy, uni
ted and invincible. •
Mr. CHARLES P. Musson then made some re
marks referring to the boyhood days of General
Cameron and himself. He said that General
Cameron had ever been his friend and protector,
through whose pecuniary aid he was enabled to
start a printing office in this town, and for
whose assistance upon many occisions he felt
extremely. grateful. The speaker alluded, to
his declining health, and that it was with dffi
culty he could leave his home; but he could
not forego the pleashre of .again meeting his
old friehd; and assuring him of the gratitude
and friendship whieb would continue through
life.
-Col. A. J. Erma,
.District. Attorney, of the
county,. Was the 1 / I tZt 414 , Paer• He sand:
Mr. Mayor,l do not feel disposed to respond'
to the call, Icause the sentiment whloh was
pit announced by my elderly friend, Mr.
Muench, has stirred an emotion in my heart
which I think ought to be expressed. It is
simply this, that if I had my choice as to what
should be engraven upon my tombstone after
death, of all high sounding praise or lettered
sentences, I would prefer to have simply this:
"Here lies the poor man's friend." (Applause.)
When it happens that such an eulogy should be
'uttered of a living man,4n the presence of re
spectable and intelligent citizens, I think it is
the highest mead of praise that one man can
bestow upon another.
Well, now, Mr. Mayor, we are all here as
friends and citizens, gathered together solely
for the purpose of testifying our respect and
esteem for a philosophet and a statesman. The
motive is correct. It is one in which we cannot I
too frequently indulge—and one which, when
indulged, invariably gives encouragement to
merit and genius in every department of life.
It is this desire to win the applause of their fel
low men which gives energy and encourage
meet to the toiling young ; and every good
motive that finds an utterance in its execution
generates like motives in the breasts of others.
Now, then, what position does General Came
ron occupy in our midst ? He is a man who
was raised among us, and who has been con
nected with many of the internal improvements
of this town and county He has shown by his
energy and public spirit that he is possessed of
those true principles that go to make a great
and good man ; and we of Pennsylvania—of
this county especially 7 —are to-day the uncon
scions gleaners of the harvest which was sown
mainly through the Instrumentality of his
energy and wise foresight. For what are we
not indebted to these railroads, which he la
bored so earnestly to build ? They are bringing
to us the comforts, conveniences and wealth
that make our homes happy. We are indebted
to our friend and fellow citizen for the prosper
ity of our city and all the appliances of the
railroad system. What, though he was the
unconscious, instrument of securing this great
benefit to a community—what though he did
not know of the responsible and truly impor
tant position—he lives now, in the, Providence
of God, to hear it said that to him we owe, toe
certain extent, the prosperity of this State.—
That certainly is a matter of which be should
feel proud (Applause.)
I recollect it was but a few days ago that an
old man in this town was lying upon a bed of
sickness. He thought his days were numbered
and that his time had come, and naturally for
an old man his mind reverted back to his early
days, and how well do I iemember the eloquent
tears that spoke from his eyes when he referred
to the goodness and kindness always s h own him
by Gen. Simon Cameron, and said he, '.for all
that I have been worth through life I am in
debted to the encouraging help of that friend."
That man talked thus when he had but little
hope of ever rising from his bed of sickness ;
but he has been spared to be here and speak for
himself, and he has told us what he said to
myself in his sick chamber. It is a matter of
gratification in my own mind to have heard
hint use the expression: that General Cameron
was the poor man's friend, and more particu
larly is it gratifying to all of us here, when we
know it is the honest expression of an honest
heart.
Well, now, Mr. Mayor, who can fail to recall
in his mind many little instances be has heard
wherein our guest has extended a like helping
hand to other poor men ? Is there one here
who can truthfully assert that within his know
ledge, General Cameron mver said, be ye cloth
ed, or be ye warmed ; and yet did not give that
which was needful for the poor 4 Can any one
tell sue that any deserving person in poverty
or ever besought our guest and friend for
help without receiving that help? It is , true
that the greatest compliment that, can bepaid
to him, or that can be paid to any one of us,
leaving aside all intellectual pride, is just sim
ply that of "the poor man's friend."
General Cameron has filled many public
positions in life. He has been entrusted by the
citizens of this Commonwealth with many of
fices of trust, in all of which he has discharged
his duty faithfully. Yet he has been assailed
and ruthlessly' attacked - . What is his crime?
Why, Mr. Mayor, is it not a fact undisputed
and as old as the 'hills, that no virtue ever
yet raised its humble head, which calumny
did not attempt to hiss to the earth. As in
social life so it is in politics. Let a man rise
but a step above the herd and a pack of hounds
are upon his track to bring him down. Of
course in some cases the political opponents or
personal enemies of a man are actuated by those
high toned motives that lead men to recognize
merit wherever it may be ; but it has not been
the fortune of our friend to be so treated. He
has felt the sneer and scorn of his assailants,
yet, at the same time, with an endurance that
wins our applause and admiration; and he now
stands completely vindicated. [Applause.] I
believe that is our sentiment, that whatever
may have been the motives of the men who
started the resolution in Congress, whatever
may have been , the character of the men who
advocated its passage, still in our own midst,
where he has lived longest and is understood
the best, we must in , justice say, he stands ac
quitted with the assurance of our approbation
of his coupe, with the assurance 'he must feel
himself, and better than all earthly considera
tions the assurance of an entire acquittal at the
hands of the Great Judge of all.
But when that man took poisession of the
War: oftce, need I repeat the condition of the
country ?-need I repeat the shameful tale: our
forts dismantled, our cannon and arms stolen,
the treasury depleted, treason in every depart
ment; no man knowing in what he could
trust his fellow man Everything was in con
fusion, and yet out of chaos he brought order.
He did what I say, no other man under the
same circumstances could have done except he
had been raised up in the Providence of God
for that particular purpose. We saw the coun
try in that disturbed and distracted condition,
everything at sea, with nothing that we could
lay our hands upon to claim or call our own,
no man whom we could trust ; and yet out of
all this difficulty, he produced the harmonious
order that we see to day pervading our whole
country and army. We saw oar flag insulted,
and men
.of the south proving themselves
to be dead foal the glorious memories of the past
as well as the blessings of the present and the
hopes of the future, endeavored to separate this
Union. But, gentlemen, we are here to-night
to feel thankful that at that particular crisis we
all throughout the. North felt that thing could
never come to peas, because we knew and heard
it.from the hills and valleys of our own State,
that the genies mf liberty cried out against it.
We felt that all the glorious hopes of civilisation
plead against it; and we. knew that christianity
frowned upon It, and above all we could not
help but recognise the great fact that the physia
cal geography of this country spoke in charac
teni.of light as long as the Mississippi and , as
broad as the Atlantic, that separation should
never be. (Great 'applause.] And it was just
at that moment when all these sentiments were
caught up, when , that cry of liberty was heard,
when the hopes of christianity began to stir,
that that man made up, with a creative talent,
thegrand army of the Potomac, that swore the
Union should never be destroi , ed. To him it
is that we are indebted, to a certain extent, for
the creation of that army of the Potomac and
its thousands of soldiers who are now carrying
our bander to victory. Well,. there nothing
to be proud of in that ? Is there nothing now
for us, a American eitisetra, to feel proud of, as
we think to ourselves that the day may come
when the thistle of Scotland may wither t when
the shamrock of Ireland may decay, wh en the
filly of Prance may drooP, but the stars of
Auierina, like the Stars of heaven, will shine
with undimmed 'radiance, "amid , the crash, or
matter arid the wreck of worlds." (Applause,'
Now filr. Mayor, let theorists and
foreign statesmen inquire where the power of
this government exists. It does not exist on
the statute books: But we know, and this war
proves clearly and conclusively, that it exists
in the hearts of the loyal and true men of this
country. That is the life of this Union, and
this lite, likeilberty itself, remains concealed
until it meets its opposite, and then, when they
do meet, it flames forth like angry lightning,
to blast and blight all that oppose it. [Ap
plause.] ::Here, then, in the masses of the peo
ple, is our strength. It lies in the strong rands
and true hearts of those who are bearing our
arms, as it is to them we should look, under
the Providence of God, for a vindicatioa of all
our rights. Let us now be thankful that we
have a government that governs, that we
have a Constitution th it must and shall be
obeved—if not obeyed when written in
parchment, why then obeyed when clad
ini steel—and which will be obeyed at all
hazards and under all consequences ; and let
traitors know, it is now being written anew in
the blood of this nation, at the point of the
bayonet. These thoughts, I say, are started in
our minds by this occasion ; let us remember
that the present position of the nation, to a
, great extent, has been brought about by the
agency, the creative talent and endurance of
the man to whom we have met here to pay
our honor and respect. And when he goes be
yond the sea, on the other side of the conti
nent, and looks back here, I do not say that
the banners of victory from other States will
greet his vision ; bat I do believe—yes, I hope
and pray —that when he stands before the
throne of the Czar of Russia he shall be able
to say to him in plain Saxon-English: there
is no division here; we stand one and indivi
sible ; and no "pent up Utica" contracts Ameri
ca's powers, but the whole continent is ours.—
[Great applause.]
Deem Mumma, EN. then made a few re
marks explanatory of the gentlemanly kindiess
and friendly intercourse for which Gen. Cam
eron had become proverbial in oar midst. In
referring to the appointment of that gentleman
to a seat in the Cabinet of Mr. Lincoln, Mr.
H. stated that that appointment was secured
by the friends of Gen. Omicron before be had
any intimation of their intention. His wishes
were not consulted in the matter, and it was
only upon the solicitations of his friends that
he was induced to accept the position. In
conclusion be expressed the sentiments of all
who are acquainted with Gen. Cameron, in a
full and emphatic endorsement or his official
career, both as a Senator of the United States
and at the head of went constituted the most
important and responsible department of the
government.
Roar. L. Mummer, Esq., was the last speak
er. After what had been said in regard to the
esteem in which General Cameron was held by
those present, he considered it a work of supero
gation to say one word in behalf of that gen
tleman. He had merely to say that, as his
father's son, he would never forget the friend
ship of General Cameron. He hoped that the
honored guestof the evening would soon return
to a happy and prosperous land, to enjoy the
renewed friendship and regard of his fellow
citizens.
At the conclusion of Mr. Muench's speech,
Dr. Bally proposed three cheers for Gen. Cam
eron, which were given with enthusiasm.
These were followed by three more, as if to
confirm the first in their will and sincerity.
The hour being late, Gen. Cameron rose,
which seemed to be the signal for the ending
of the festivities. The company present then
individually took leave of Gen. Cameron, and
as he stood at the bead of the table, each, ap
proached, took him by the hand, uttered and
received a kindly word of greeting and parting,
and then retired. In these farewells, there was
much that was pleasing, as they illustrated
how noble friendship can become, ivhs.n it
binds men totzether in feelings of kindness and
reciprocity. The scene was both impressive
and eloquent—one thatwill long be remembered
by all who were present and participated.
Cciegrap
HARRISBURG, PA
Monday Afternoon, May 5, ISO.
4.1111 CAMERON BANQUET.
We publish, this afternoon, the proceedings
in fell, of the speeches delivered on the occasion
of the, banquet to Gen. Sinion Cameron, given
by the citizens of Harrisburg, at the Jones
House, on Friday evening last. We refer the
attention of the reader particularly to the
speech of Gen. Cameron, as furnishing facts and
adducing the record to prove that all the
charges which have been made in relation to
his mal-administration of the War Department,
were unfair, unfounded, and unscrupulously
malicious. It is the history of an assault such
as no public functionary ever withstood, while
it is also the establishment of a vindication,
which must forever leave his assailants in con
fusion and disgrace.
It is not necessary for us to refer at length to
the speech. It will go before the country on its
own merits, powerful in exposing the wrong
which has been done a faithful public servant,
and still more powerful in establishing the im
mense services, which its author rendered the
government in the hour of its peril. By the
time this paragraph is perused by the public,
Gen. Cameron will be on his way to New York,
there to take a steamer on Wednesday for Eu
rope. His absence from thiscountry will create a
void in business and society which cannot easily
be filled, because whatever his foes may utter
of him politically, no man of his age is more
active, enterprising and liberal in the pursuits
which tend to the development and prosperity
of the con.Ary, than General Simon
Catheron. For several years at least, he
will not be seen in - our midst, and for several
years, he will be devoted to the interests of
his country abroad, instead of conttibuting his
energies to that end at home. Dare we not
bespeak the fervent prayers of this community,
that favorable winds may carry him over the
ro u gh waves of the Atlantic ; that he may be
successful in his mission of patriotic duty ; ano
that he may reurn to his country, in
health and rigor and -power to renew his la
b Ors for a government which he Inerhere tofore
so faithfully-served.
Ins regularly quarterly session of the Court
of Common Pleas commenced this morning.
YOUNG KOERPER, the baker's apprentice,
whose mysterious disappearance from our city
last week was noticed in the Tusons.Ps, has
returned home.
=I:=1
FMB Cruses ron CAP/TA/ISM-By reference
to an advertisement in this evening's Telegraph
it will be seen that the "Novelty Iron Works,"
this city, are offered at private sale.
Tn Supreme Court of the Middle District,
commenced its sessions in the court room at
the State Capital to-day. The Fourth street
Bethel church case will be determined during
the present session.
ArraNnoN, Hors I—A special. mee Ling of the
Hope Fire Company, No. 2, will be held at
their hall this evening at 7 o'clock. Punctual
attendance is requested, as business of import
ance will be transacted.
Orr Eik.m.—The street sprinkler was in ope
ration to-day in some of our principal thorough
fares. We don't know who is to run the "ma
sheen" this summer, but it seems capable of
doing a great deal of good, and we hope it
will be liberally patronised.
I=l=l
New Music.—" General Halleck's Grand
March," with an excellent portrait of the Gen
eral ; "I have never been false to thee ;" "We
lo think thee at home," and "Warrior's Adieu
and Iteturn"—fine ballads—are among the new
pieces of music received at Knoche's " music
store, 93 market street.
A San ACCIDENT occurred in New Cumberland
on Friday last, by which a very interesting
child of John Worley lost his life. He was
catching drift wood, and while on a raft, thus
engaged, he fell into the river and was drowned.
The boy was between seven and eight years
old, and his body was recovered shortly alter
the accident.
DEPARTED POR EUROPE.—Hon..Simon Came
ron, 11. S. Minister to Russia, and family, left
here at 1:40 o'clock this afternoon via the
Lebanon Valley train of cars for New York, at
which point he will embark in the steamer
which sails to-morrow for St. Petersburg, the
seat of his mission. A large number of our
principal citizens assembled at the depot to bid
farewell to their distinguished neighbor, and
the leave-taking was of the warmest and most
cordial character. Several of his intimate
personal friends accompanied the General on
his way as far as New York.
AT A SRECLU MELTING of the south ward school
directors held, on the evening of the 3rd inst.,
the following resolutions were unanimously
adopted:
Whereas, In the wonderful dispensations of a
just Providence, Richard F. Worley, Teacher of
the . South Ward Bays' High School, has been
removed by death from the sphere of his use
fulness in the prime and vigor of young man
hood ; therefore,
Resolved, That this Board have heard with
deep regret the decease of one who has always
in his relations with them, proved himself a
good, a true and a faithful teacher.
Resolved, That the heartfelt sympathy of the
Board is kindly tendered to the parents and
brothers of the deceased, assuring them that in
their deep bereavement they have the satisfac
tion that his little life was well and nobly spent
and though gathered in the bud, he has gone
to receive the heavenly award.
Resolved, Thst as a manifestation of esteem
and respect for our young friend, this Board
attend his funeral in a body as also the school
formerly taught by him.
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be
sent to the family of deceased, and also to the
daily newspapers for publication.
I=l=l
Tam Ilemenis of General Charles F. Smith
passed through here last Saturday afternoon,
in charge of the Adams' Express Company.
The deceased was a Colonel of the Third regi
ment of United States Infantry, brevetted for
"gallant and distinguished conduct in the bat
tles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, in
Texas, May 9th, 1846," and again, "for gallant
conduct in the several conflicts at Monterey, in
Mexico, on the 21st, 22.1 and 23d of. September,
1846," and again, "for gallant and meritorious
conduct in the battles of Conteras and Cheru
busco, in Mexico, August 20th, 1847," and
recently, most highly distinguished in having
led the successful charge which resulted in the
surrender of Fort Dennison, in Tennessee.
He was stricken down by disease contracted in
his arduous service, and yielded his life at
Savannah, on the Tennessee river, while in the
service of his country, on the 25th of April
last. The remains will be interred in Laurel
Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, to-morrow. The
funeral will be attended by the Governor, heads
of departments, and all the military in and
about Philadelphia.
FUNERAL OF MR. RIOHARD F. WORLEY.-
The funeral of Mr. Richard F. Worley, took
place yesterday afternoon, and was attended
by a large number of his relatives and.-ftiends,
the Board of School Directors of the South
Ward and the pupils of the South Ward Boy's
High School, of which the deceased was teach,
er. The remains were 'interred in the ceme
tery. The deceased was a young man, whose
character, as it unfolded itself, by the gradual
and harmonious development of traits 'which
make the man of intelligence, the scholar, the
gentleman, the christian, inspired his friends
with hope of future usefulness and eminence.
From a child gentle, affectionate, obedient, as
he grew up, thoughtful, studious, holding
himself aloof from evil companions and forbid
den indulgencies, governing his conduct by
fixed principles ; always truthful, always relia
ble—performing more than he promised, and
claiming less than he merited; a favorite of
his companions, most respected and beloved by
those who knew him best. Alas, that one
should die with the I'dew of his youth upon
him," who so yearned, and was so earnestly
preparing to serve God, and his generation.
But the young disciple, withdrawn from earth,
is only transferred to a nobler field of ser
vice.
'rho youth, who, in the morn of vigorous life,
Was suddenly cut off, with all his hopes
In sunny bloom, and unaccomplidied ,eft
His withered aiin—gees everlasting days;
Before him, dawning risd, in which to inihieie
AU glorious things, and get himself the awns
That Jealous death too woo forbade oa aorta."