Exercises in Commemoration of the Birthday of Washington

the world could properly represent or properly express the gratitude in my heart for the kindness and consideration, for the warmth of feeling, for the sentiment that instead of being away from home I am at home, which have characterized my visit here on this occasion. (Applause.) But after the remarks of the chairman my embarrassment is so much increased, my trepidation is so much intensified, my modesty is so much shocked, that it seems to me the place for me would be under the table instead of standing at it attempting to talk. (Laughter.) He has referred to a delicate and tender subject when he has revived the old question, what shall be done with our ex-Presidents? A very prominent and a very influential visitor, in answer to that question, said, "By all means, take them out in a five-acre lot and shoot them." (Laughter.) That proposition has never met my support. (Laughter.) In the first place a five-acre lot is needlessly large; in the next place, it seems to me an ex-President has already suffered that which should give him immunity from any such thing. (Laughter.) Then there was a reference made to my recreations. When they are talking about this five-acre lot and shooting it seems to me that for an ex-President the saftest place is on the water in a boat. (Laughter.) When I received notice from your former president that lie thought it was desirable that I should appear on this occasion he gave as a reason the desirability of meeting you, mine host...