The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-01
The Grand : Centennial Banquet.
Eight Thousand People Drink
Toasts in Honor of the Event.
The Spirit of Our Great First Presi-
dent Pervades Everything.
A Well Selected List OF Toasts
Calls Forth Masterful Responses.
Ex-President Cleveland Strikes a Key
note In His Response to "our Peo-
Pile" - Chief-Justice Fuller and
Gov. Hill Awaken Admiration.

tennial celebration and the theater oil the
greatest banquet possibly ever held within
the recollection OF man. The interior
decorations Of the now historical building
excelled even the splendor and display OF
the ball celebration OF the previous night.
The stage and auditorium, connected in
one continuous floor, was the foundation
OF over a quarter OF hundred tables, ar
ranged in double horseshoe fashion, with
a seating capacity for 500 Nearly 5000
wine glasses glittered at intervals along
the array Of tables, and 200 wait
ers, as well drilled as so many
soldiers, stood ready 10 respond to
the slightest wink OF the diners. The
tables were deliberately decorated. The
chief steward stationed mt the Presidents
chair controlled an electrical wire in COM
munication with the chief cook, and at a
given signal the huge congregation OF din
crs started simultaneously with the din
ners Each course az to the time OF serv-
leo was regulated by electricity, thus
avoiding the custom prevalent at public
dinners OF serving portion Of the dinners
with light wines while the balance drank
champagne. The expense Of the dinner
Is said TO have been $50, 900, the wine alone
causing an expenditure Of nearly $4,000.
The bill OF fare In print was eight inches
long and OF French construction, being
wound up with twelve varieties OF wine
and three cordials.
Over the Presidents scat, surrounded by
flowing American flags, was suspended a
huge picture OF the face and bust Of Wash
ington.
At Mayor Grants right hand sat Gov.
Hill and the President. The others were
Chief Justice Fuller, Gen. Scholeld. Sen.
ator Eyarts, ex-President Hayes, Bishop
Potter, Secretary Proctor, Gen. Sherman.
On Gov. Hills side were Lieut. Gov.
Jones, Judge Charles Andrews, Admiral
Porter, Senator Hiscock, Ex-president
Cleveland, Speaker Cole, Of the New York
Assembly; the Hon. S. S. Cox, Clarence
w. Bowen. Among the guests we're, Exs
Secretary Bayard, Chauncey M. Depew.
Hannibal Hamlin, Mayor Chaplin, Of
Brooklyn; Philip j. Livingston, Senator
Higgins. A. Snow, j. J. Astor, Henry
Clews, Austin Crosby. w. w. Story, Stuy-
vcsant and Hamilton Fish, S. b. Elkins,
Gov. Foraker, A. NJ. Palmer, Russell u.
Harrison, Secretaries Tracy and Noble,
Postmaster General Wanamaker and Sec.
rotary Rusk.
1t was little after 8 o'clock when the
President, escorted by Gov. Hill and
Mayor Grant entered the great dining.
room. They were followed by Vice Prosi.
dent Morton and Lieutenant Governor
Jones. and the other distinguished guests
Of the Mayors table. As the party walked
down the main avenue OF the auditorium,
all the assembled diners stood up In recog-
milton Of the Presidents arrival, and the
band played HAL 10 the Chief" The
Presidents party stood back Of their chairs
with bowed heads, while Bishop Potter
made the opening prayer OF grace and the
dinner was begun at a signal from the
banquet director.
At the conclusion Of the invocation,
Mayor Grant read the list Of toasts. Gov.
Hin Was introduced M the first speaker,
and he rose aud welcomed the guests In
thcs, words
Fellow Counttymen--As the Governor
OF the State within whose borders were
heard the acclaims which greeted tho first
Presidents oath Of allegiance 10 the Con-
sttulion. | extend q welcome 10 all here
assembled. Welcome 10 you, President
Harrison, latest OF the line Of those distin.
guished men who have given the same
guarantee OF obedience 90 the charter Of
our liberties and failhiulness 20 the rights
of the people. Welcome TO your honorcd
Cabinet and 10 those chosen representa-.
tiycs Of all tho sister States, whose pres.
encc hero speaks anew the grandeur and
greatness Of our United States Welcome
TO all in authority Legislative, executive
aud judicial, civil aud military who In
their station, with honor and Justice, are
daily serving onr common country Wei
como TO all the ambassadors OF other ma.
tons who participate with us In these
festivities Welcome, strong aud brave
men, sons Of fathers who Yielded life,
who sacrificed fortune, who endured
soyercst priyaiion. that we might rejoice
In liberty. Welcome, fair and true
women, daughters OF mothers who gave
patriotic encouragement In days Of darkest
distress, who willingly devoted themselves
to suffering, that the infant Republic
might bo sustained. Welcome, those
from whatever elmo who have become
part OF OUT people, and who have contrib.
utod their share In maintaining tho pur-
poses aud increasing the CORY OF our com.
monwealth, Welcome TO all-citiEens
strangers, friends. Our display upon tho
ample waters OF this harbor, our parados
ia the broad streets Of this city, our ro-
jolcings in this banquoting hall, commem.
Oritc not only the fame Ut great prince
among men, not only the victories OF a
great captain among warriors, not only the
deeds OF n great statesman among patriots,
but they Commemorate FAR more. They
commemorate uho nativity Of Heaven.
born republic among the nations Of
the earth. Thcso religious ccrcmo.
mics. these arches OF triumph. those
banners uniuhcl, these trcasurrs Of
art, these songs 81 praise, these pareants of
Industry, these sccncs 1T rejoicing ia
which We Of this generation have now a
mart. all celebrate the giving aud the TAX.
ing of the solemn pledge 90 uphold tho
lbcrtv proclaimed. The heroes of the
American revolution are now departed
That ace OF prt.ctninent creative genius
hns passed away. but the country which
thoir yalor. slaic1manship and patriotism
saved and established, still proudly exists.
cnioying the blessings OF civil and religious
liberty, augmcniing In population. In.
cr,nsing In resources, Strengthening ia
mower. II Is prosperous, happy. indiyis.
| lille union. Its conientcd people are reap.
/ iuy the advantages OF laws made by them.
selves. we'll aud honestly administered.
Tho continents Of every true American arc
/ expressed In the hope that faction may
not destroy. that pride may not iniurc.
Z thai corruption inay not undermine and
that sect onalism may not divide this lair
Irpuhlc. bat that ~ borders may still I've
nrihpr extended, ~ commerce may
flourish ul,oa every yea. the stars upon iis
I ia, may ic ini,lcd, iis free institutions
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