Wichita eagle., 1889-05-01
THE BANQUET OF BANQUBTs.
Hundreds of Covers Laid for the Dis
tinguished Gathering.

NEW YORK, April 3G.-The Metropolitan
opera house was the scene of the second
chief event of the centennial celebration OF
the greatest banquet possibly ever held
within the recollection of man. The inter-
ior decorations OF the now historical build
ing eXcelled even the splendor and display
of the ball celebration of the previous
night. In the stage and auditorium con-
necUed in one continuous floor was over q
quarter of hundred tables, with seat
ing capacity for 500 Nearly 5000 wine
glasses filtered at intervals along the ar
ray of tables, and 200 walters as well
drilled As so many soldiers stood ready to
respond to the slightest wink of the diners.
The expense of the dinner is said to have
been 5000. the wine aggregating an eX-
penditure of nearly $4,000.
At Mayor Grants right hand sat the
president and Governor Hill was on
mayors left. Next to the president sat
vice-President Morton. The others We're
Chief Justice Fuller, General Shodfield,
Senator EvaIts, eX-President Hays; Bishop
Potter, Secretary Proctor, General Sher-
man. On Governor HIPS side were Lieu
tenant Governor Jones, Judge Charles An
drews, Admiral Porter Senator Hiscock,
ex-President Cleveland, Speaker Cole, of
the New York state assembly, Hon. S. s.
Cox, Clarence ". Bower and Eldridge T.
Gerry.
Among the guests were ex-Secretary
Bayard. Chauncey NJ. Depew, Hannibal
Hamlin, Mayor Chaplin, of Brooklyn,
Phillips L. Livingston, Senator Higgins,
tin Corlin, w. w. Aston, Stuveysant and
Hamilton Fish, S. B. Elkins, Governor
Foraker, A. NJ Palmer, r. B. Harrison,
Theodore Roosevelt, Secretary's Tracey and
Noble, Postmaster General Wanamaker
and Secretary Rusk.
It was little after 8 o'clock when the
president, escorted by Governor Hill and
Mayor Grant. entered the great dining
room. They were followed b. Nice-PTesi-
dent Morton and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Jones, of New York, and other distin-
guished guests of the mayors table. 1t
was announced that Secretary of State
Blaine was unable to be present and Pres
ident Harrison's address, which was at
the end of the list, was scheduled TO re-
place Secretary Blalne's, which was half
way down the toast list.
At the conclusion of the invocation
Mayor Grant rose and read the list of
toasts. Governor Hill was introduced as
first speaker. He rose and welcomed the
guests in these words.
Governor Hill in closing his address
said:
The sentiments of every true American
are expressed in the hope that faction may
not destroy. that pride may not injure,
that corruption may not undermine and
that sectionalism may not divide this fair
republic, but that its borders may still
further be extended, its commerce float
upon every sea, the stars upon its flag may
be trebled, its free institutions may live
on and flourish, and its liberty loving peo-
pie may continue TO work out the prob
:
dom itself exists and until time shall be
no more.
Following Governor Hills welcome ex-
President Cleveland was introduced and
responded TO the toast, Our People"
thus:
The mention of people may we'll sug-
gest sober and impressive reflections. The
subject was not beneath the Divine
thought when the promise was given TO
the children of Israel, Il will take you to
Me for a people or / Will be to you a God"
This idea of Divine relationship to a peo-
pie is also recognized in the fervent utter
ance, Yea, happy is that people whose
God is the Lord. > Wherever human gov
eminent has been administered in tyran-
ny, in despotism or in oppression there has
been found among the governed warming
for treer condition and the assertion Of
man : noolLty. These are but
the faltering steps of human
nature in the direction of the
freedom which Is its birthright and they
presage the struggle OF men TO become a
free people and thus reach the plane OF
their highest and best aspirations In
this relation and in their cry for freedom
ii may be truly said that the voice of the
people is the voice of God. The influence
OF these reflections Is upon me as | speak
Those who, after darkness and doubt and
struggle, burst forth in the bright light Of
and liberty and become
our people, free. determined and conf
dent, challenging the wonder of the uni
verse, proclaiming the dignity OF man aud
invoking the aid and favor of Almighty
God. In sublime 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
Tor the common defense, promote the gen
erai welfare and secure the blessings of
liberty 10 ourselves and our posterity, do
oruSln and establish this constitution for
the United States Of America"
nus our people" IN a day assumed q
place among the nations Of the earth.
Ihelr mission was 10 teach the fitness Of
man Tor self government and their destiny
was 20 outstrip every other people in
national achievement and national great
ness.
one hundred years have passed. We
have announced and Approved TO the
world our mission and made our destiny