In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

128 MARK TWAIN SPEAKING -35Back home by late summer of 1879 and temporarily settled in Elmira, Mark Twain was promptly drafted as speakerfor a local political meeting. The press reported a large turnout, a large part ofthe attraction undoubtedly being the announcement that he would be on the program. Introducing General Hawley Republican Meeting, Elmira, New York, October 16,1879 I see I am advertised to introduce the speaker of the evening, General Hawley, of Connecticut, and I see it is the report that I am to make a political speech. Now, I must say this is an error. I wasn't constructed to make stump speeches, and on that head (politics) I have only this to say: First, see that you vote. Second, see that your neighbor votes. Lastly, see that yourself or neighbor don't scratch the ticket. General Hawley was President of the Centennial Commission. He was a gallant soldier in the war. He has been Governor of Connecticut, member of Congress, and was President of the convention that nominated Abraham Lincoln. [General Hawley: "That nominated Grant."] He says it was Grant, but I know better. He is a member of my church at Hartford and the author of"Beautiful Snow." Maybe he will deny that. It is not my province to enlarge upon matters generally. I am here simply to give him a character from his last place. As a fellow-townsman and dutiful citizen, I have a high respect for him; as a personal friend of years, I have the warmest regard for him; as a neighbor whose vegetable garden adjoins my own, why-why, I watch him. But that is nothing-we all do that with any neighbor. General Hawley is a man who keeps his promises; he is a man who always speaks the truth, and not only in private life but in politics; he is an editor who believes what he says in his own newspaper; as author of "Beautiful Snow," he has given us a poem which has added a new pang to winter. The public honor, public money, church property-anything and all things that are strictly public-are safe in his hands. I have watched him many a time, as the contribution box went by, and! MARK TWAIN SPEAKING 129 never saw him take anything out of it. Would that we had more such men in politics. Charity, compassion, benevolence, are inborn in General Hawley; he never sends a tramp empty-handed from his door, but always gives him a letter of introduction to me. But above all and beyond all, it can be said with entire sincerity, that he is a square, honest man-a square, honest man in politics, think of that-and I will remark here, in confidence, that he occupies an almighty lonesome position. General Hawley's public aspect is as creditable as his private one. As a member of Congress he has upheld our excellent President's hands; his voice and his vote have always been for the best good ofhis country; considerations of self have never influenced his policy; he has never backed down before a responsibility nor dodged one. As a citizen of the republic he is without reproach; in his faith in her institutions, in his pride in her greatness, in his affection for her and beliefin her high destiny, he is an American of the Americans. As President of the Centennial Commission, he carried through and brought to a successful issue an enterprise which has borne the fame of our resources and industries to distant regions, and made our country a respected competitor in markets where her rivalry was of little moment before. As Governor ofhis state, he governed well and righteously; as a soldier he earned lasting praise and honor. His public trusts have been many, and never in the slightest did he prove unfaithful. Pure, honest, incorruptible, that isJoe Hawley. Such a man in politics is like a vase of attar of roses in a glue factory-it may modify the stench if it doesn't destroy it. And now, in speaking thus highly of the speaker of the evening, I have not meant to flatter, but only to speak the plain and simple truth. I haven't said anything more of him than I would say of myself. Ladies and gentlemen, this is General Hawley. Text / Composite, based upon: " 'The Innocents' in Elmira," Times, October 19, 1879; "Mark Twain," Courant, October 20, 1879. "Beautiful Snow" / By John...

Share