Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-10-23
BANQUET AT THE GRAND PACIFIC
After-Dinner Speeches by Delegates
and Others on International
Subjects.
Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALD.

given this evening in honor OF the excur-
sionists. The room was decorated in a
most beautiful manner, with tropical
vegetation, etc., under which glowed
tiny incandescent electric lights. At one
end of the banqueting table was floral
ship, ten feet long, with the word "Chi-
cago" on her bow. AT the other end of
the table was train of flowers, and on
each side the name "North and South
American railroad" On one wall was
map of the Western Hemisphere, the
ocean in white immortelles, and the va
rious national territories in tinted i'm
mortelles. Opposing this huge piece,
and reaching from floor to ceiling, was q
great American shield of flowers, against
background of the flags of
the nations represented. Each
of the decorations was studded
with incandescent lamps that pro.
duced a brilliant effect. Beds of
roses we're everywhere; the lighting was
brilliant, the table dressing dazzling, and
the arrangements for seating perfect.
For two hours the admiring citizens
passed through the hall, then the doors
we're shut, the orchestra began it's work
and at Z 80 the guests were seated, SEN
ator Charles B. Farwell presiding.
AFTER DINNER SPEECHES.
After the banquet had been disposed
of, Senator Farwell spoke briefly in call
ing the assemblage to order. Touching
upon the matter Of the trade relations OF
the Americas, he said: "We must offer
to you our exports as cheaply as others
do, and to that end l shall favor such leg
islation as will bring about this result,
even to the extent of uninterrupted trade
between all the countries of this hemi-
sphere"
Governor Ffer, of Illinois, in brief
speech, then welcomed the delegates on
behalf of the people of the State.
Minister Romero, of Mexico, re.
sponded, speaking &C some length of the
progress of this country, particularly the
State of Illinois and the city of Chicago.
He said the delegates had been greatly
astounded at all they had seen, and as
regards Chicago, if they had not seen it.,
they would have been inclined to regard
its history as fairy tale, and even to
doubt the possibility of what had been
accomplished.
Judge Lambert Tree, ex- Minister to
Russia, spoke on, "Closer, Friendly and
Commercial Relations"
SENIOR ALFoNso's REMARKS.
Saf1or J. Alfonso, delegate from Chill,
responded to the same toast, and in the
course of his remarks said: 81 must,
with entire sincerity and franknees, con-
fess that everything we have seen dem
onstrates that the reports contained in
books of the resources Of the United
States, convey but faint idea of the
/ ,pEt - l.
this country as loving mother would
treat her child, and this should not be
lost sight of by the other nations that
seek inspiration from the example of the
United States, for when circumstances
are dissimilar limitations run the risk of
being illusionary and Ineffective, if not
absolutely dangerous. To the honesty
and good will of the peopls of the United
States toward mankind is owing in a
great degree the prosperity which seems
the more astonishing as we contemplate
! it the more closely"
Sehof Alfonso concluded by propos ing
the following toast: 'For the nation that
like this commends it's prosperity and it's
grandeur by proceeding always in q
righteous and honest manner"
DELEGATE FLINT's SPEECH.
Speaking of the importance of the
conference to the merchants of the
United States, Charles r. Flint, one OF
the American delegates, said the master
minds of this continent have always
recognized the natural alliance which
should exist between the independent
Governments of this hemisphere. The
dealings between the people of the
Americas should be direct without
foreign Intervention. For the want of
proper mechanism of exchange, our
purchases from South America are paid
for by drafts on London bankers. We
should establish our own standard, and
IT this Congress formulates system of
inter-American exchange and provides
for the coinage of dollar which shall
be standard for dealings between the
| countries whose representatives are here,
it will accomplish practical result, and
place in possession of the people coin
symbolizing the national fraternity of
the Americas.
PLEA FOR IMPROVED EXCHANGE.
Referring to our efforts to extend trade
between the neighboring States, Mr..
Flint said: "We have been met by the
stat ment that the members of the Inter-
national Congress are wasting time in
endeavoring to extend trade until this
country admits South American products
free of duty. In reply, l call your atten-
tion to the fact that the United States has
already reduced it's tariff so that over so
per cent. OF the produce coming from the
countries represented in this Congress is
admitted free of duty, which leaves less
than 20 per cent. with which to trade for
reciprocity. We purchased last year
from the countries south of us produce to
the value of $181, 100000. What is
deplorable is that to pay for that produce
we had to remit $112, 100000 in
cash to Europe where our south.
ern neighbors purchased over 80
per cent. of the manufactured goods
which they required from abroad. In.
stead of sending their orders to Europe,
we ask them to purchase of US in ex-
change for what we purchase from them,
the manufactured products and supplies
which we are showing them, and in
moving to extend our commercial rela.
tions, let US proceed by simultaneously
developing facilities in many directions
by perfecting an international system of
exchange; by showing that we can pro-
duce honest goods at fair prices; by
creating system of banking; by recip-
rocity treaties; by improving commu.
nication by mail and cable; by recogniz-
ing the true value Of facilities for trans.
portation by sea and by rail-"
CHAIRMAN BLANcHARD's ADDRESS.