isfortunes in his upward career of
political life, which was singularly marked with disappointments,
notwithstanding he had lent forcible aid in making many a President,
he never has permitted the strongest opinion of his own talent to die
out from his mind; and now that that well-cultivated opinion is made
stronger by the all-important verdict of his eloquent worship, how can
he resist the real proof of his being a much-neglected great man? 'Mr.
Chairman, and fellow citizens!' ejaculated Flum, nervously. 'My
friend, the Lord Mayor, has paid a well and much deserved compliment
to our country, our country's institutions, and our country's great
minds. So, far, ladies and gentlemen, as that compliment applies to
myself, I may or may not have deserved it; delicacy and reserve are
always the noblest attributes of great men. But--and with all due
deference to those accomplished gentlemen of England do I say it--it
is to the democratic character of our institutions that we owe the
usefulness of those great minds, as reflected in our country's
greatness. Yes ladies and gentlemen, the democracy!--'

"Here Flum was interrupted by Sam Spooner from Boston, who sat at his
left, and with a gentle touch on the arm, reminded him in a careless
whisper, that Citizen Peabody, although a very unostentatious man, was
no democrat; nor was it certain the ladies would all be inclined to
father his adoption.

"Flum, somewhat nonplused, allowed a smile of endurance to invade his
broad inexpressive face, and rejoined with what he was pleased to
consider very nice wit. 'If Citizen Peabody,' said he, 'be not an
independent democrat I am exceedingly sorry for it--nothing more being
required to make him a perfect man!' At this the company set up one of
the very best-natured laughs ever rung out of human organs. Flum, not
comprehending its meaning, continued, ere it had subsided--'I hold
nothing more imperative than that our generous host, Citizen Peabody,
should at once declare his intention of not only becoming a round,
sound democrat, but joining the Young American party; which will in
truth be a more forcible proof of the purely democratic spirit of that
diplomacy he has so worthily founded, and which can now claim so many
happy results as its offspring. No system of diplomacy heretofore
established has been so redolent of influences tending to strengthen
the bonds of international amity; for, indeed, meats and drinks are
all-powerful.' Here so