Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-05-01
THE BANQUET.
The metropolitan Opera House a Mag
nificent Dining ParIor

The banquet at the Metropolitan Opera Hous,
began at o clock land was magnificent affair
Inc stage and auditorium were con nected Il
make one continuous floor over which were dis
posed twentysix tables, forming six immense
horseshoes. Two central tables one witt
twenty-siX covers and the other with twelve
were reserved for the most distinguished guests
The Presidents table was at the junction of the
stage with the orchestra, SO that General Harri
son was IN full view. Each table was dressed
with the utmost care and skill.
1t was little after o clock when the Presi
dent, escorted by Governor Hill and Mayor
Grant. entered the great dining groom. They
were followed by Vice President Morton and
Lieutenant-G Governor Jones, of New York, and
other distinguished guests A the party walked
down the main aisle of the auditorium all O
the assembled diners stood up in recognition O
the Presidents arrival, and the band played
Hail to the Chief" The Presidents party
stood back of their chairs with bowed heads
while Bishop Potter made the openir G prayer
OF grace, and dinner was begun at signal from
the banquet directors.
1t was announce that Secretary Blaine was
unable to be present, and President Harrison's
address, which was at the end of the list, was
scheduled to replace Secretary Blaine's which
was half way down the toast list.
AT the conclusion of the int ocation, Mayor
Grant rose and read the list of toasts
Governor Hill was introduced as the first
speaker, and rose and welcomed the guests.
GOVERNOR HILL
Governor Hill in his address of welcome ex-
tended the heartiest greeting to all assembled
TO the President and his Cabi3et to all in au-
thority, to the ambassadors and to all citizens.
Governor Hill, in closing his address of well
come. said The sentiments of every true
American are expressed in the hope that fac
tion may not destroy, that prlde may not iniure.
that corruption may not undermine and that
Sectionallsm may not divide this fair republic,
but that its borders may be still further ex-
tended, Its commerce float upon every sea the
stars upon its flag be trebled its free institu-
uons live on and flourish and its liberty loving
70 vi @l,1
seltgovernment, so long as freedom itself ex-
lists and until time itself shall be no more y
lie closed with the sentiment, :. Keep God, the
falrest and noblest that lies beneath the SUM-
our country, our noble country, ever one.'
EX-PREsIDENT CLEVELAND.
In response to the toast, "Our People" ex-
President Cleveland said d" The mention of
people may well suggest sober and impress
slve reflection. Wherever human government
has been administered in despotism or oppres-
sion, there has been found among the gov
erned a yearning for a freer condition and the
assertion Of mans nobility. These are but the
faltering steps Of human nature ia the direction
OF freedom which is its birthright and they
presage the struggle of men to become free
people and thus reach the plane of their high
est and best aspirations. In this relation and
IN thelr cry Tor freedom it may be truly said,
the voice of the people is the voice of God
The influence of these reflections is upon me as
| speak of those who. after darkness. and
doubt, and struggle, burst forth in the bright
light of independence and liberty and became
our people'-free determined and confident
challenging the dignity of man and invok-
ing the aid and favor OF Almighty
Sod. In their supreme faith and rugged
strength, our fathers cried out to the world,
We, the people OF the United States in order
10 form more perfect union, establish justice,
insure domestic tranquility, provide for COM
mon defense, promote the general welfare and
secure the blessing of liberty to ourselves and
our prosperity, do ordain and establish this
Constitution for the United States of America
0ar 1a 4nlw
their free government, ard there need be no
fear that they have lost the qualities which fit
them to be its custodians- Let US lhen have an
abiding faith in our people, Let petuiance
and discomfort with popular action disappear
before truth, that in any and all circumstances
the Will of the people, however it may be exer-
eised. is the law of our national existence
the arbiter absolute and Interchangeable by which
we must abide. Other than existing situations
or policies can only justify themselves when
they may be reached by the spread of political
patriotic interest in public affairs. nl-natured
complaints of popular incompetency, and self
righteous assertion of superiority over body of
the people, are impotent and useless. But there
is danger, fear. that the scope of the words
our people, and all they import, are not
always fully apprehended. 1t is only natural
that those In the various walks of life should
see our people within the range of their own
vision. The rich merchant or capitalist, in the
center of wealth and enterprise hardly has a
glimpse of the country blscKsmith at his forge
or the farmer in his field, and these in their
turn know but little of the laborers who crowd
our manufactures, and inhabit their own world
of toll, and of the thousands who labor in our
mines Yet, in the spirit of our institutions, all
these so separated in station and personal inter-
est are one common brotherhood, and are our
people
/" The diversity of our interests, though source
of boundless wealth and prosperity, has a tend
ency to press our people apart. This condition
demands counter force of liberality and toler-
alton toward each other and an enlightened re-
contributes 10 the aggregate of our material
greatness. This centennial time which stirs our
pride by leading US to contemplation of our
also recalls TO our minds the virtues and
the unseltish devotion to principle of those who
saw the first days of our republic. Let there
now be revival of our love for principles
which our country represents. Let there be at
this time new compensation TO the cause OF