In response, General Preston (formerly Minister to Spain) recalled from the past memories of the Aztec Club in the valley of Mexico, where "we held our first meetings" thirty-four years ago.

"At that time the distinguished soldier on my right, General Joseph E. Johnston was a Captain of Topographical Engineers, and the presiding officer, General Grant was a young Lieutenant somewhere along the line of battle; but neither of them dreaming of the distinction and eminence the future had in store for them. But largely in his line of vision was the stately form of General Scott, the leader of all of us in the march of the ten thousand that ended in the conquest of the capital of a nation of nine millions of people, and where an example was set of carrying order and law and the forbearance of civilization in the midst of war in an enemy's country. There is no other such instance of moderation in the history of an English-speaking people as that exhibited by the United States after the conquest of Mexico by the army out of which the Aztec Club arose."

He referred then to the era of reinvigoration which had now come about in Mexico since the recent movement in building systems of railroads to traverse the country in all directions, and as to this, he quoted recent conversations with General Grant.

They were all agreeable memories that were incited by these reunions of the men with whom he had served in his youth and with whom he is united in the bonds of memory and affection. He made genial allusions to a number of gentlemen at the table, and in speaking of the force of journalism, he turned gracefully to Mr. Walter, who was seated by his side, as the "chief director of the mightiest press in the world, the London Times." In conclusion, he said there was not a soldier here who ever stained his sword, from Mexico to Appomattox.

THE CLOSING SPEECH
The closing speech was made by Mr. John Walter, of London, who said:

"I can assure you that I stand here to acknowledge the very high compliment that you have been pleased to pay me as a visitor in your wonderful country now for the third time, to be permitted to enjoy the great honor of being present at a gathering of this kind. We have in England nothing like this Club, except in the city of Oxford, known as Ancient Druids. I do not know what Aztecs may be, but I believe our society enjoys a name that savors somewhat of previous character. But the only club there to maintain its name, which I have ever heard mentioned to one that enjoyed a perhaps not very honorable existence, which was known as 'Mohawks'. I forget exactly the date when it came into existence. You have honored me as your guest today, and it happens that your club came into existence a few months later than the period when I entered Parliament. When an Englishman, especially a public man, discourses on his adventures to his friends, they do not think he is altogether in his right mind. A few weeks before I started on my voyage I met my friend Mr. Bright, and he said, 'I hear you are going to America; you have been there twice?' 'That is true,' I replied, 'In the first place, I came because I wished to see kind friends and they would not cross the Atlantic to see me. In the second place, I have the younger members of my family, whom I propose to take with me for the purpose of enabling them to realize by their observation some of the advantages I saw in former visits. Thirdly, I came because I know of no country in the world where an Englishman in public life can enjoy as perfect a holiday as in the United States.'

I have already met with many of these kind friends to whom I alluded, but there is one whom I had hoped and expected to meet on this occasion --- your distinguished and learned President. I was much grieved to read an account of his death in the papers only a few days before I started. It is amusing for an Englishman to visit the United States, and come across an American citizen whom he does not know. My friend on the left was acquainted with one of my school fellows, and to that way it is quite pleasant to find how many bonds of union there are between Englishmen and almost every American citizen. It is not for me to make a speech, but I cannot permit this opportunity to pass without mentioning the anxiety which your nation is at present suffering under the condition of the President, and there is not an Englishman who does not join heart and soul in the prayers that have been offered for his recovery. We know how rapidly events are marked in this country. It is now five years since I visited these shores, and I have no doubt that when I come again I will find this beautiful district of country surrounding us covered with cottages and populated by a large and prosperous community, and it will not indicate that many years have passed between now and that time."

General Joseph E. Johnston was then called upon, but the guests were informed that, if they wished to make the New York train from Philadelphia, they would be obliged to leave at once, and General Johnston said that, as he was the pink of punctuality, especially when railroad trains were to be considered, he would not think of detaining them longer. The party were then driven to the station, and were brought to this city in a special car.

Meetings Page | Previous Page | Return to Main Menu

Copyright Notice
Copyright © 2006, 2012. All Rights Reserved.