“The day we celebrate.” Responded to by Judge McKay of South Carolina.
“The President of the United States.”
This toast was received with great applause and drank standing.
Colonel Murphy in reply to the toast said:
=Mr. Chairman and comrades of the Mexican war, and Gentlemen.=--I
feel highly honoured, at being called on to respond to this patriotic
toast, in the presence of this important and representative assemblage,
gathered here to-night, to unite in common with our countrymen at home,
in celebrating this anniversary.
It is significant of the ardent patriotism of our people, that however
varied may be the character of our meetings, this toast to the
President of the United States is always drunk with enthusiasm and
unanimity. And you will, I am sure, agree with me, that the able and
high-minded gentleman, who now presides over the destinies of the
Republic, is a worthy successor to those who have gone before him in
his exalted office. It is a matter of patriotic pride to us all that
the pages of history have never yet been sullied by the misdeeds of
an American President, and the representatives for the highest office
in the gift of a free people have always been honored at home and
respected and admired abroad.
We can justly claim that our Presidents form an unbroken line of wise
and capable rulers, that leave indelible marks for good on the progress
of civilization in the path of liberty, justice, and freedom. As for
the present occupant of the White House, none can gainsay his devotion
to duty, his ability and character, and his conscientious endeavour to
serve faithfully the interest of our common country at home and abroad.
Whoever our chief magistrate may be, we may be as Americans, sure that
the national honor is always secure, and that our flag, the glorious
“Stars and Stripes” will always be among the foremost standards among
the nations of the earth. It can be truly said that our President is
at the head of a happy family. Differences may divide us on election
day, but at all times, love and reverence for our institutions, and
liberties animate us, the fires of patriotism, obliterating the petty
distinctions of politics, burn as brightly to-night in the North,
South, East and West, of a united and prosperous country, as well as
in the breasts of those around this board this evening. The public
utterances of the President mark him as a statesman, who appreciates to
the full the grandeur of our country, and the greatness of our people.
In visiting through the several states last summer, the brave men of
the South vied with the men of the North, in giving him an enthusiastic
welcome, and proving to the world that, when the occasion calls for it,
the spirit of loyalty and patriotism, and naught else, will be found in
every American heart.
It is a pleasing spectacle to us, and a source of surprise and
admiration to foreigners, that our President comes and goes, as an
ordinary citizen; respect for his office and person being as general
among our 75 million inhabitants that we need not even the slightest
display of force to with-hold his authority or strengthen his public
acts. This is indeed an impressive fact, perhaps unparalleled in
the history of any country, and a tribute to the stability of our
institutions, supported by the people’s will and dominated by a spirit
of justice and intellectual power. We have weathered a terrible storm,
but the timbers of the ship of State have stood the strain. Our past
has been glorious, and if we are true to our trust, we may look forward
with optimism and faith to the future of our country, now the light of
the world, and a beacon of hope to the oppressed of every land.
This elbow touch of cordiality and enjoyment with fellow-Americans on
foreign soil is a most happy occasion for us all, but the grandest
sight in this hall is our American flag, that symbol of beauty and
glory, the red, white and blue, which recalls to our minds so much that
is dear to our hearts, home, friends and native land.
I know I express as the feelings of all when I say we are better
Americans for having travelled abroad. American citizenship is a title
the proudest might envy, and it confers a distinction of inestimable
value on its possessor. Let us assimilate all we can of the art and
learning of the world, we freely draw from the treasures of her
historic past, but let us always cherish and strengthen those grand
principles of liberty, which the Fathers of the Republic fought for,
and for the successful working of which we pledge ourselves.
May we all take part in many more festivities, and may our children’s
children gather in like similar joyous meeting, to celebrate the
anniversary of this day, for the blessings God may vouchsafe to our
beloved country, glorious and united, under as wise and capable a
President, as now resides in the White House at the National Capital.
“The President of our great sister Republic, France,” for whom three
rousing cheers were given, and the song of the _Marseillaise_ sung in
French with great spirit, by Colonel Murphy.
“In memory of our dead comrades.”
COL. C. J. MURPHY,
OF BRUSSELS.