COLONEL THOMPSON.
321
question in this theatre; and at the termination our friends will have the satisfaction of knowing that, although but seven years ago a few individuals—men unknown to fame —associated themselves together to form a society, the greatest ever recorded in this country—the anticipation of those who originally suggested it will be tenfold more than realized."
Colonel Thompson was then introduced to the meeting, and was received with loud applause. After alluding to his recent tour in Scotland, the gallant veteran said:—
"This is an ill time for any man to slacken when we seem to be moving so rapidly on towards the point which we wish to attain. Friends are multiplying everywhere, and enemies falling before us; they are doing a better thing still, they are joining us. (Cheers.) Look at your Premier. (Hear.) How much is he worth? A tribe or two, I suppose, at least. (Laughter.) He cannot help coming over to you; the commercial blood that is in him stirs him to take our side; and more than that, be sees that opposition is so foolish and hopeless, that a man who would maintain that character for good sense and prudence which he possesses, must be looking out for a safe port in time. With him will come whole shoals of those waiters upon Providence (laughter) who consider him their god, their Æolus and whichever wind he blows they are ready to sail before it (Cheers and laughter.) Your adversaries—what have they done for you? All that men could; and nobody could do more. Had you paid them to let down their cause, and told them how, you could not have done half so well as they have for you. You have all, I dare say, looked to the recent debates. Grease, lard, and butter,— these are what occupy the attention of the statesmen upon the other side of the question. The great subjects of national interest are dwindled, sunk, to such greasy things as these. (Laughter.) Shall I tell you what I recently amused your solemn brethren of Scotland with? I told them that when they had formed their schools in all their factory districts, and had taught the little boys to answer to the questions, 'Who was the wisest man? and who was the strongest man?' they should ask them, 'What is a government for? and then the little ones should pipe out, 'To put tar into our butter.' (Laughter and cheers.) Our immediate mission to Scotland was to invite contributions to the Bazaar; and when some have said to me, 'What may be your particular concern with that matter? How came you into that line, of all others?' I replied to them, 'This is a foraging party; why should
