ourtesy and regard.

"I always return with satisfaction to my home on the western slope
of our little city, and always enjoy the fresh air and picturesque
country around us, but, more than all, the cordial greetings of
old friends, with whom I have been acquainted since boyhood. It
will give me much pleasure, at any time or place, to meet you, and
to speak to you on current public questions, and I venture to name
next Friday evening.

"Very truly yours,
"John Sherman."

The gathering was one of the largest that had come together in
Mansfield for years. The evening was delightful, cool and balmy,
a bright moonlight adding attraction to the scene. A stand decorated
with flags had been erected near the center of the park, with seats
in front, and lights gleamed on either hand. I was introduced to
the audience by my old friend and partner, Henry C. Hedges, whose
remarks were too flattering for me to insert. In closing he said:

"Regarding you as our friend, our neighbor, our townsman, we are
glad and rejoice. We welcome you home, though your stay may be
only a few days, and we sincerely trust that, rested by your stay,
you may go back to your work reinvigorated, and that frequently we
may have the pleasure of your temporary visits, and in the future,
when your labors are finished, among us you may spend your old age,
honored and happy."

As my speech expressed my views upon important questions of that
time, I think it well to embody extracts from it as part of the
history of the then recent events, and my anticipations for the
future:

"The kindly words of welcome uttered by my friend and associate of
many years move me beyond expression. They recall to me the scene
of the early time when I came to Mansfield, then a scattered hamlet
of about 1,100 inhabitants, without pavements and without any of
the modern conveniences of cities and towns. As Mr. Hedges has
told you, very many of those I then met here are dead and gone.
I was a boy then. A generation has passed away, and the sons of
those I met then as citizens of Richland county now fill places of
trust and responsibility. I have every reason in the world for
being strongly attached to this town of Mansfield. You have always
been kind to me. Here I studied law, here I practiced my profession
for several years, here I married my wife, a native of your town,
here I have lived ever since, and when this mortal coil shall be
shuffled off, here, probab