He
raised himself from a humble place, unaided, under the stimulant
of a native and eager desire for excellence. He was always
regarded by the working people of Massachusetts as the type
of what was best in themselves and as the example and representative
of the great opportunity which the Republic holds out to its
poorest citizens and their children. He was a natural gentleman,
always kindly and true. From this trait and not because of
a want of fidelity to his own convictions he found as warm
friends among his political opponents as among his political
associates.
Gen. Banks was Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations
in 1869. He was then beginning to lose somewhat his oratorical
power and the splendid qualities which made him so important
a force in the history of Massachusetts and of the country.
But still on fit occasions he showed all his old vigor and
brilliancy. When the delegation gave a dinner to William
B. Washburn on his election as Governor Banks presided. He
kept up a running stream of eloquence and wit as he introduced
the different speakers and punctuated their remarks with interjections
of his own, which I have never known equalled, though I have
attended many like occasions.
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