Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-05-16
senator Blaine's Address NJ the
Annual Dinner of the New York
Chamber Of Commerce.


held its annual dinner Tuesday evening
The most significant incident of the even
ing" SAYS the New York Tribune. twas the
unexpected appearance at the dinner of Sen
ator James e. Blaine. accompanied by Will
liam Walter Phelps, just at the close Of Mr.
Whites address. Senator Blaine was rccog-
nized as soon as he entered the hall, and his
name was called out from several quarters be-
fore President Babeock recognized him. The
guests generally arose at the mention of his
name. and he advanced, led by Elliot C..
Cowdin. to the Presidents table, on the invi-
tation of Mr. Babcock, amid round of hearty
cheers. He was conducted to a seat between
Pres Babcock and the Rev. DR. Bellows.
1t happened that the next toast which fol-
lowed that to which the Hon. Andrew y.
White, Minister to Germany, had responded
was the fifth Steam Mail Lines-keys with
which wise statesmen open foreign ports to
maritime commerce. The gentleman who
had been expected to respond to this toast
was absent, and Mr. Babcock with ready Wit
announced amid a roar of laughter that the
guest who had happened to appear upon the
scene would respond to it. Mr.. Blaine was
seen for a moment in earnest pantomimc eX-
prcssive at once of disgust at being unexpect-
edlv called on and discrimination to respond
without a moments warning. Evidently
compromise was arranged, for Mr. Babcock
shortly after announced that Toast . would
he passed over for the time being, and DIR.
Bellows was called upon, and subsequently
Mr. Chittcnden spoke while Mr.. Blaine was
getting his wind" as DIR. Bellows said.
When Mr. Blaine finally arose to speak-in
order the seventh instead of the fifth speaker
all in the audience arose in their places.
He was frequently interrupted by applause.
and at the close he was given three cheers in
response to call. Three cheers for James
G.. Blaine, the defender of American !om-
merce.
Senator Blaine's remarks are reported as
follows:
Mr.. PRESIDENT rise only to get ont of
the way. in order that this procession may 90
forward. Laughter. am a mere chance
conner and disturber of the programme, |
don't intend either to be made the butt of
fattcry or of wit by the next speaker. And
when came to read the toast or hear it read.
| really did not know exactly at what it was
aimed. If AT me il is to congratulate me on
a failure and not success; if it be contes-
sion on the part of the Chamber of Com
merce that it is their creed then it is the be-
ginning of the end of victory to come
laughter because if speak the voice of
A. 4 80 . ,t,. ,,,,, ,tl
New York in that text and that toast, | know
speak one far mighter than any that has
vet been raised in Congress, and have to
declare that if it be the will of the Chamber
of Commerce of New York and the
public of New York to initiate pol
lev for the revival and endurance of Amer |
lean commerce, then it is done. Applause.
And you will permit me to say. Mr.. President, |
spcakingas one outside ofthe Chamber of Com |
mercc, but coming from commercial State.
that commerce a. well as religion needs re- |
vival Laughter. Every other interest in
th, country for the last fifteen wears, even in !
Guiding those six or seven years of dark de- |
presson--cVcrv other interest has been gath 1
crng strength, and is ready now to march
forward to victory and success. save the com
mcrce Of the United States Applause and
DIR. Bellows saws religion.
'"tl' "0"''' "'N ~ ''"'i n'''''
'na'hpet u "''i'herce; ca are IN the haolt
OF he'Pin2 n"ohs' c"icui'aih4 PERCENTAGES
ctc'' anu l WI l"o'e so"c inquiries Win REFER
eh'e 10 american commerce. why twenty
wears aS"-br' beii""S can remember that
i'r oack-'Weh'n years ago, oI inc tonnage
engaged in the foreign trade of the United
STATES thr'e-lour'hs was american tonnage
vi the tonnage engaged III 'he nltcd states
-""i onc-iour'n !, american. IN lo'"- o.
brca' brlttin' Tue lcauihg conherclal hhtloh
OF me wori"' haa Ia me traae nttwcehthe mt
Ell states an" inc ni'eu hlhgnoIh p,lt ''o'ooo
IONS OF shlppihg-she had ''2"' 'ooo last year
hernahv but l"''"oo IONS 'heh-last year
she had 'oo'o"o, as great as Treat Britain
twenty years ago Norway ana Swcdentwen-
~ years ago hao out zoooo tons on shipping
IN ms trade-iast year they had sooooo tons.
Even Austria, accessible only by going around
lialy ana up the Adrlatlc, had no commerce
WIN this country twenty years ago III vessels
OF her owh-this last year she had 1000
tons
mlght go on IN the same way through the
whole list. In tins mighty increase of com
merce, from i,4oo,ooo tons TO over III ,oOo,ooo
tons IN Il single year OF shipping, the United
. hn nt tlR.tr. 4 "a.