New-York tribune., 1880-02-29
TIE SPEECHES.
THr WELCOME.

In introducing Codnt die Lesseps, the prcsi-
dent OF the club, Mr. REID. spoke us follows;
GENTLEMEN: There Will DC 40 mistake rs to the pur
pose OF our gathering We wish 10 eI,cu our hospitality
and pay best respects 10 great man who has done
a great work; llpplausel to the man WHO married
the Red Sea to the Mediterranean. and brought
white-sailcd shJs from The fleets Of all the
World TO the heart Of The Desert 10 gladden. the
nupuals fAppiauso lie needs no American uibdtes,
perhaps may even venture 10 say lac needs no Amer-
can triumphs to establish his fame. II already more
enduring the desert ne conqucred tarplause; ID
is as widespread the commerce hc enriched tchccrs
For what he has done, give him mOst cordial vel
and the homage OF our hearticst applause Wna be
proposes another mattcr.-nOt TO be dealt with
here. be dealt with lightly anywhere ;amatero Of
National aud OF Internatona concern. matter affecting
the policy which this Government has maintained for
nearly a hundred years. and 10 which people are
likely TO adhere tenaeOusly ~ the uiurc rs they
have done ia the past.
FIJI your glasses. then. gentlemenl We drink to the
dlplomatist wbo as Consul Consul General. Minister,
once SPAIN again to sWltzcrland, and then 10 Italy,
crowded the years Of mans ordinary activities with
faithful conspicuous and most honorable service 10 his
country. [Appldusel We drink to the Engineer who.
In old age projected created completed the Canal
(Cheersl We drink 10 this wonderful young old man,
who after seventy Ave years Of such career, Il still
seeking for worlds To conquer lapPlausc to the
gallant triumphant. laureled Frenchman. faithful son
y
his people helped to mako free Caeers.l We give him
the whole meaning OF our welcome when we say We
wish with all our hearts you were American !" The
health. gentlemen. Of the Wise cunt Ferdinand de Les
seps Prolonged appause
COUNT DE LEssEPs's REPLY.
After the ongeOntnued cheering had subsided, Count
de Lesseps. IN French replied;
MIR. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN or THE LOTOs CLUB: :
understand English better than speak IT, and have
,,nda yell la vbfc
dent has been kind enough TO make regard
TO myself. hope that you. In the way,
will understand the French use In re
spouse TO the too kind speech OF your presi-
dent better than some Of you perhaps speak
that language The emblem OF your society notice
Is the Lotos the Egyptian flower aud here, under Its
shade find rest and repOse.
There is Old French prOvcrb which says that
those who drink the wine together are
OF the same opinion, ana this same scntl-
ment is also found I'm the Old Roman
proverb " In pno peritus." (Applausel ! thank you
for having drunk my health IN this wine. the
tongue universal, and the wine which rep
resents exactly the character of the French nation
champagne lAppauscI came TO this couGtry, gentle
men, 10 explain to YOU ana TO the American people my
project II a canal the Isthmus " ireu spoke
the other day. before Society Of Clvl Engineers.
who, / may say, showed 20 the creates, consider
alton and courtesy.
1t Is America that has made this cala p0ss bio :;
10 ~ America, mean 10 say, that Orlgunt-
ed the idea. | am only putting into practl-
cal execution the idea which ncst
originated 10y Americans; and striving to com
plcto the communication across the 1sJhnus by IL
canal which th'y opened nip by the construc-
lion OF railway. II is merely com
pleton Of your own idea. The Freuch Commission. a
report OF which have published In all
tue papcrs, declares the enterprise Is pos
sible. Applause I wish 10 say 10 an Americans
that viii be for their Interest 10 favor tls project be-
csuso It's VIII be greatly - the advantage OF this
great Republic. liIcar. hcarl
/ am going 20 Washington on Thursday TO see the
President your great Republic and will venture TO
present 10 him the same truths thai have laid before
yOu IN NeW-YOrk / Will seek TO cay TO
him: "sr. come TO you to say
that consider that the power most Interested IN this
canal America and that therefore, wish to interest