The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-05-02
THE BANQUET HALL.
The Scene at the Metropolitan
Opera House.
THE RESPONSES OF THE GUESTS
Ex-President CleyeIand's Happy Thoughts
The Observations Of Chief Justice Fuller
President Harrison's Remarks.

New YORK, April 3),-The Metropolitan
Ovkssa house was tonight the scene of the
second chief event of the great centennial
celebration, and the theatre of the greatest
banquet, possibly. ever held within the
recollection of man.
The interior decorations of the now his
torical building, excelled even the splendoI
and display of the ball celebration of the
previous night. The stage and auditorium,
connected in one continuous floor, was a
foundation for over quarter of hundred
tables arranged in double horse shoe faSh-
ion with seating capacity for 500. Nearly
eight thousand wine glasses glittered at
intervals along the tables, and POO walters,
as well drilled as so many soldiers, stood
ready to respond to the slightest wink OF
the diners The tables were deliberately
decorated. The expense of the dinner is
said to have been 49,, 600, the wine alone
costing nearly sixteen thousand dollars.
The bill-Of-f fare il print was eight inches
4 long and of French construction, being
. wound up with twelve varieties OF wine
and. three cordiaiS.
Over the Presidents seat, surrounded
by flowing American flags, was suspended
q huge picture Of the face and bust OF
. Washington.
At Mayor Grant right sat the President,
and Governor Hill was on the mayors left.
s Next to the President sat Vice-President
i Morton. The others were Chief-.uStice
Fuller, General S h fed Senator Eva is
{ EX-Rresident Hayes, Bishop Potter, Sec
retsSy Proctor and General Sherman. On
Governor Hills side were Judge Charles
Andrews, Admiral Porter, Senator HiscOck,
eX-President Cleveland, Speaker Cole, of
the New York state assembly; Hon. s. S.
Cox, Clarence Bowen, and Elbridge I.
Gerry.
1t was a little after o'clock when the
President, escorted by Governor Hill and
Mayor Grant entered the great dining
room They were followed by Vice PreSi-
dent Morton and Lieutenant Governor
Jones, of New York, and other distin-
guished guests Of the mayors tables. As
the party walked down the main aisle Of
the auditorium. all the assembled diners
Sstood up in recognition Of the Presidents
arrival, and the band played Hail to the
9Chief" The Presidents party stood back
of their chairs. with heads bowed, while
Bishop Potter made the opening prayer of
grace, and the d nner was begun at signal
rom The banquet director
Il was announced that Secretary Blaine
$ waS unable to be present, and President
HarrisOn's speech was put at the end of the
Hist, to replace Secretary Blaine'S.
which was half way down the toast list
(. At the conclusion Of the invocation, Mayor
Grant arose and read a list Of the toasts.
GOVERNOR HILLS WELCOME.
Governor Hill was introduced as the
First speaker and arose and welcomed the
guests. In closing his address of welcome
be saS:
''The sentiments OF every true American
sare expressed in the hone that faction may
not destroy. that pride may not infuse
that corruption may not undermine. and
hot 1r fiy-ilh r1iG flfss
republic but that lis borders may be still
further extended. It's commerce float upon
Every sea, and the stars upon its flag
81 rebled. its free institutions live on and
Siourish and its ibarty-loving people con
tinue to work out the problem of self-gCv-
ernment so long As freedom itself eXis 5, and
4 until time shall be no mOre.'