and I trust also when these
gentlemen return to their own homes they will go back with the assurance
that the names of their ancestors who drew their swords for American
liberty stand in the heart of every true American side by side with the
greatest American names, and that, although a century has elapsed since
the surrender of Yorktown, still the gratitude of American hearts is as
young and fresh and warm to-day as it was at the moment when Cornwallis
hauled down his flag. [Applause.]

It seems to me also, gentlemen, that we have already given some
practical evidence of that gratitude. The independence they helped to
achieve has made the American nation so strong and active and prosperous
that when the Old World runs short of provisions, the New stands always
ready and eager even, to fill the gap, and by and by we may even send
over some products of other industries for their accommodation.
[Applause.]

In fact, we have been so very liberal and generous in that respect, that
some of our friends on the other side of the sea are beginning to think
that there may be a little too much of a good thing, and are talking of
shutting it off by tricks of taxation. [Laughter.] However, we are not
easily baffled. Not content with the contribution of our material
products, we even send them from time to time, some of our wisdom, as,
for instance, a few months ago, our friend, Mr. Evarts, went over there
to tell them about the double standard--all that we knew and a good deal
more. [Laughter.] We might even be willing to send them all the
accumulated stock of our silver, if they will give us their gold for it.
[Cheers.] It is to be apprehended that this kind of generosity will not
be fittingly appreciated and in that respect they may prefer the wisdom
of the Old World to that of the New. [Laughter.]

However, we shall not quarrel about that, for seriously speaking, the
New and the Old World must and will, in the commercial point of view, be
of infinite use one to another as mutual customers, and our commercial
relations will grow more fruitful to both sides from year to year, and
from day to day, as we remain true to the good old maxim: "Live and let
live." [Cheers.] Nor is there the least speck of danger in the horizon
threatening to disturb the friendliness of an international
understanding between the Old World and the New. That cordial
international understanding rests upon a very simple, natural, and solid
basis. We rejoice