VOTE OF THANKS TO MR LEWIS DAVIS.
Dr. EDWARDS : Mr Chairman, — It would have been far more agreeable to me on this occasion to be a silent witness to the extreme honour you have done to one of the most sincere and earnest and energetic-minded public men that it has been my privilege in a long life to have met. Mr Batchelor became known to me very soon after my arrival in Cardiff, and, though in no sense related to each other by kindred, we became close as brothers, associating most intimately in all that we felt concerned the public interest of the town and district. And it is to me an unspeakable gratification that, notwithstanding all the efforts that have been made to disparage the character of so noble an individual, the vast concourse of his fellow citizens here to-day is a proof ample enough for future generations of the esteem in which Mr Batchelor was held.
It is my privilege to second a vote of thanks to Mr Lewis Davis for having taken upon himself the distinguished honour and done us the distinguished service of unveiling the statue of our beloved friend. I heartily wish that Mr Davis may live long to promote, as he has done, and his brother before him, all that concerns the well-being of the masses throughout this most populous district.
I thank you for the patient hearing that you have given to the different speakers, all of whose remarks with respect to my beloved and ever revered friend I can endorse. (Applause.)
The proposition having been enthusiastically carried,
Mr LEWIS DAVIS said : There was no need to thank me. I feel it a sufficient reward to be present ; and I consider it a deep honour to have been called upon to unveil the statue. You, standing where on are, are in a better position to regard the statue than I am, but I have no doubt, from what I see and hear, that, as a work of art, it is eminently successful. You can see whether John Batchelor is not before you. (Applause.)
I am told it is a most excellent and striking likeness. I should be in a better position (the speaker was immediately beneath the statue) to judge myself if I were further away. If it does represent John Batchelor, you have never seen a more manly face in your lives, nor one more likely to induce confidence. He was born a master of men, and trusted in implicitly. People seemed to know by instinct that in him there was an honest heart which they could for ever trust. I hope this day will be long remembered, and that its influence will long be felt in the town of Cardiff. (Applause,)
THE SCULPTOR.
The CHAIRMAN : I want to introduce to you the author of the statue — a gifted Welshman, we are proud to say - (applause) - who has discharged the duty committed to his charge with the greatest possible credit to himself and his country, and to the satisfaction of the committee who gave the work into his charge — Mr Milo Griffith. (Applause.)
Mr MILO GRIFFITH : I beg to take this opportunity of publicly thanking you for the honour you did me in entrusting the commission to my care ; I will leave it for you to judge whether I have done my duty or not. (Applause, followed by three cheers for the chairman.)
VOTE OF THANKS TO THK CHAIRMAN.
Dr. EDWARDS : I beg to move a vote of thanks to the chairman.
Mr LEWIS WILLIAMS : I have great pleasure in seconding that proposal, which we should adopt with the greatest heartiness. As I look at that monument, I long for the touch of that "vanished band, and the sound of the voice that is still." I think it was John Bright who said in the House once, when speaking of his dear friend Cobden, "I little knew how much I loved him until I found that I had lost him." And that is the feeling of the friends of Mr Batchelor to-day - we little knew how much love and regard we had for him until we found we had lost him. (Applause.)
The resolution having been carried,
The CHAIRMAN : I am fully rewarded for any services I may have rendered by the vast concourse of people who have come here to-day apparently with singleness of purpose and one voice to join in the work for which we have met together. (Applause.)
The proceedings then terminated.
South Wales Daily News [325] [361] 18th October 1886.
