The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-06-18
SECRETARY BAYARo.
He Receives q Cordial Reception in Law
rence-An Immense Audience at the Uni
versity-The Banquet.

T. Bayard, Secretary of State, had COM
plete ovation in this city yesterday. He
visited Lawrence upon the invitation of the
literary societies of the State University, be-
fore which he delivered an able address last
evening. The city was crowded with visi-
tors from all parts of the State, among them
being Senator Plumb Governor Martin,
Ex-Governor Click, Chief Justice Horton,
General c. w. Blair, Mayor Medley, of Leav-
enworth, Judge Humphrey, Senator Lowe,
Judge Otis and large number of Kansas
editors. A telegram from Senator ingalls,
announced that he was unavoidably delayed.
The city was handsomely decorated
with flags and bunting, and across MasSa-
chusettS street was stretched an immense
banner bearing the inscription Welcome to
Bayardr The distinguished guest was met
at Kansas City by a special committee
Saturday evening and escorted TO Law
renee where he was met by Mayor Poehler
and others and escorted to the handsome
residence of eX-MayOr BOwerSOck, on the
east side of Mount Dread, where he was
guest during his stay. Sunday evening he
attended the exercises at the University.
Monday Mr.. Bayard was escorted in car
riages to the various points of public inter
est in the city, among others the Indian
School. During this tOu. the
Secretary'S carriage was handsomely
trimmed with flags and bunting, and while
driving through the streets he received
perfect ovation. Lawrence had on her
holiday attire and her people, without party
distinction, united in doing honor to her
distinguished guest. During the day peo-
pie continued to arrive on every train.
The exercises at the University opened
with the oratorical contest. The first prize,
handsome edition of Thackeray's works,
donated by j. S. Crew, & Co., was awarded
to Mr.. T. F. Doran. Miss Maud Thrasher
received the GrOSvenor, prize, SO in cash.
A number of smaller prizes were also
awarded. Mr.. DOran also won the first
prize for rhetorical work during the year
and Miss Thrasher the second. The grand
event of the day was of course the address
of Secretary Bayard before the literary
societies. University Hall has seating
capacity of about thirteen hundred bu
every one seemed to appreciate the fact
that triple that number would desire ad
mit.ance, and long before the hour an
n0unced for the opening of the doors, the
steep incline leading to the University was
filled with people, each individual deter
mined to obtain seat by fair means or
foul. The doors were kept closed till seven
o'clock. By this time all immense crowd
had collected in the campus. As soon as
the doors were opened rush was made for
the chapel, and in an incredibly short space
of time the hall was filled, each determined
to hear the Premier. Before eight o'clock
there was not a square foot of space in the
hall unOccupied and hundreds thrOnged
the halls and Stairways outside, unable 10
gain admittance. Promptly at eight o'clock
Mr.. Bayard appeared escorted by COM
mittee of prominent men from diff
ferent parts of the State, and
was enthusiastically received. He
was introduced by Senator Plumb and de
livered his address, which was quite
lengthy, and listened to with marked atten-
tion with frequent Interruptions of APP
plause. To attempt to give a synopsis of
the address would be an injustice to the
orator, as only the whole address can fill
the requirements of the occasion. The
close of the speech was greeted with pro-
longed applause. Secretary Bayard, ac-
cOmpanied by Chancellor Lippincott. Sena-
tor Plumb and the members of the recep-
ton committee, then retired to the Regents
room, where a public reception, which
lasted for about half an hour, was held and
hundreds shook hands with the Secretary.
After the reception had been concluded the
Secretary and party took hacks for the hail
where the banquet given by the citi-
ZenS of Lawrence in honor of their
distinguished visitor WAS held. The
banquet was served in the skating rink,
the only place in the city large enough to
accommodate the guests. 1t was apprO-
priately trimmed with flags and flowers, and
along the hall were stretched three tables,
each capable of accommodating seventy
five persons. At the head of the center
table sat the master of ceremonies, eX-
Governor Robinson. At his right was Sec
rotary Bayard and on his left Senator
Plumb. In front of Senator Bayard vas a
box of immense Strawberries, labeled ITO
Hon. Thomas F. Bayard, a box OF
Republican Strawberries" Many other
prominent guests were also present
1t was eleven O'clOcS before the guests were
all seated at the banquet tables, and when
Ex-Governor Robinson responded to "Our
Guest" it was midnight. Governor Robin
son spoke in his most felicitOus manner,
referring to the many distinguished Men
Lawrence had entertained and the peculiar
circumstances attending their visit. He re-
ferred to the fact that time was Oblterating
all sectional strife and scars made
by the early struggles of Kansas
and the civil war, and men who
then met as enemies fraternized and their
voices harmOniZed in huZZaS for the old flag,
and recognizing the fact that our people
we're being converted as never before into
one brotherhood of American citizens and
our country into new Union without alloy
that promises to be one and inseparable now
and forever, as the exponent of this Union
he introduced the Secretary of State.
Mr.. Bayard responded in equally
as patriotic strain and expressed his pleas
ure at meeting the people of Kansas and
getting acquainted with them. He paid
a glowing tribute to the educational institu-
tons of the State He was glad to believe
from what he saw in the pleasant as
semblage then gathered and from state
mentS just made by Governor Robinson
that we have entered upon an era of pros
perity and good feeling which should glad
den the hearts of every American.
With the bitter fires of sectiOnalism dead,
what is then to prevent the people of the
United States from taking up the great
economic questions of the country
and deciding kindly, intelligentfy and
calmly, according to the dictates of reason
and judgment. Sentiments were responded
to by Senator Plumb and others, but owing
to the lateneSS OF the hour (abOut two
o'clock in the morning) part of the pro-
gramme was omitted and the assembly
dispersed. Mr.. BayaTd took the morning
train foT Washington.
The elitor OF a Buffalo (N. W
.,