HON. MARSHALL P. WILDER. 13 



Colonel Wilder responded in a clear and distinct voice, 

 as follows : — 



My Friends, — Language is too feeble to express 

 the gratitude I feel for the generous ovation with 

 which you are crowning the anniversary of my birth. 

 Mr. President, could I believe that I was worthy of 

 the praise which you have so kindly bestowed upon 

 me, I should feel that my mission on earth was 

 nearly ended, and that I was about ready to be 

 gathered to my fathers, like a shock of corn fully 

 ripe in its season. But no, no ; although I am some- 

 what advanced in years, I do not feel that my work 

 is done. Before I go home, I have something more 

 to do for those great interests to which I have given 

 so much of my life. You have spoken of my con- 

 nection with various institutions and callings, and I 

 thank you for remembering me as an old merchant 

 of Boston, for it is from this vocation that I have de- 

 rived the means to aid these other interests. Yes, I 

 am an old merchant ; I have been constantly in busi- 

 ness for nearly threescore years in this city, and I 

 beg to assure you, my friends, that there is no title 

 which I prize more highly than that of an upright, 

 intelligent, and enterprising merchant of Boston. 



