Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-05-08
The Centennial Banauet.

Inc Centennlal banquet
The Centennial banquet at the Metro
politan Opera House, New York, was the
greatest banquet possibly ever held within
the recollection of man. Tho decorations
excelled even the splendor of the ball cee-
bration of the previous night. The stage
and auditorium connected in one contlnu-
Gus floor was the foundation of over
quarter of a hundred tables arranged IN
horseshoe fashion, with seating capacity
of Ell. hit hundred. Nearly eight thousand
wineglasses were placed at intervals along
the tables, and two hundred walters were
in attendance. The tables were deliberately
decorated. The menu was the best Of
everything that could be bought for money.
The chief steward, steated at central
point, directed every move of his subordi'
mates by means of electricity. at touch
of his bell, every roast was carved, every
cork was drawn, every course served
simultaneously. The cost of the banquet
is said to have been $50 600. Over the
Presidents seat, surrounded by American
flags, was suspended huge picture OF the
face and bust of the first President OF the
United States.
Gov. Hill delivered the address of vel.
come. ex-President Cleveland, responded
To the toast of s'Our People, Chief Justice
Fuller to that of the ''Federal Constitu-
tion." Gov. Lee to 'The States, "Mr. R. B.
HAYES to 1.-The Presidency" Senator
Daniel to 1.-THE Senate" Prof. @. w. Ell
lott TO ssOnr Schools and Colleges" and
Mr.. James Russell Lowell to ''Our Litera-
ture." Mr.. Clevelauds speech was re-
oeived with applause. and when he con-
Guided, the cheers of the house almost
drowned the Strains Of "Hail Columbia
from the band.
The last toast of all was ''The United
States of America" to which President
Harrison responded.
Governor Fitzhugh Lee, of Virginia, re
spending to the toast "The States" said
sin the great dome above, the heavenly
orbits may differ in magnitude, motion and
periodic revolution, but their paths are
| fixed and their laws immutable. The
States differ in size, in commercial pros
peiitY, and may say in their periods q
revolution, but the laws OF the United
States are the same for each, and Their
motions, though in some of the States al
times eccentric, must always be equal, II we
desire to preserve intact our American con
stellatien. Should the central body, thu
light of which constitutes day and it's 40
sence night, around which the earth anc
the planets revolve, and by which they art
held in their orbits, and from which comes
light and heat. do move as Brother
Jasper, of Richmond, says, and, moving
TOO much, march into the orbits of tbt
planets, eternal chaos would follow; or
should the planets depart from their routes
and break we'll known laws, eternal ruiz
would result. The federal head III cul
system of government is the sun; she
States, tbe planners; the fiat is regulated
by delegated pcwers-the second exercises
all rights NOT given to the first, excep
those specifically Prohibited. If The States
break from thair orbits and epcIosch upoi
the national government dissster and run
follow; il The national government invade'
the reserved rights of the States, Calamity
comes: so that observance on the part Of
both of this article 10 of the amendments
to the constitution assures the liberties o
the people. The republic of today should
be the republic OF the fathers-the United
States of 1888, under our present distin
guished Chief Magistrate, will then be thf
United States of 1S41, and 1889, when chs
sceptre of power was in the hands OF
William Henry Harrison and George
Washington. May it SO continue, and may
the contest hereafter batween the States be
for the promotion of commerce. and civil
zation, The progress of agricultural ano
manufacturing wealth and the develop
ruent of the arts and sciences, while each
State is laboring Of the same time to pro
mote the common glory of the United
States" In the course of his remarks
Gov. Lee said: "Vngiuia, in giving this
lIlustrious patriot to the whole country,
recognizes the fact that though one State
may contain the locality of his birth, and
the place of his burial, no one State car
bound bis boupdless fame"
Gov. Lee evoked enthusiastic cheers
when be rose, and his splendid voice filled
every nook Of the big house as be paid bis
tribute to the greatest son of Virginia. His
eloquent picture of the lne balance of the
powers of the individual States and TIA
general government was well received
Chief Justice Fuller read his remarks, and
therefore lost by comparison with the fine
delivery of Gov. Lee.