Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-10-14

was magnificent After expressing tbs
regret that the chief executive WAS un-
able TO be present he apostrophized the
courage ana daring OF Columbus.
Continuing, the speaker said: 1T IA
not easy 10 separate from each other
and TO discriminate between the lnfiu-
ence which operate IN the old and IN
the new world. But without attempt
ing this task there are some features
which characterize tie United States,
TO which on this occasion We may point
with just PRIDE. In no other nation OF
the world is the religious faith which
go efficiently contributed 10 the success
of the first voyage OF the great dis
coverer, SO important In controlling
society, enrich lng its charities and ele-
vatlng the race. Ii Was IN the United
States that civil ana religious liberty
experienced its new birth. In no other
nation Is education so munificently
fostered and intelligence SO generously
ditfused throughout all classes. In no
other nation are the masses so fully
supplied with good homes, so comfort
ably clothed and SO well ted.
To-day the sixty-hve millions OF peo-
pie VINO inhsbit this land possess an
aggregated wealth far greater than any
other nation of the world. In the ex-
tent and value of their manufacturers
and industries they have no equal. Ia
its agricultural and mineral prOduc-
tions this country Is superior 10 any
other. In the midst OF our glorifica-
ton of Columbus and of our own gior-
itication, 1t may not be in the best
taste for me to hint at any short COM
| ings or defects of these United States.
But it is plain TO any intelligent citizen
that We have not yet reached perfec-
ton in either society or government.
l trust you will tolerate the mention of
one defect, possibly not the most seri-
Gus, but certainly of sufficient gravity
to attract the attention OF thought
ful citizens. In my residence
abroad the criticism frequently
made to me by public men and
Intelligent observers was the lax and
partial administration OF justice in the
United States. Too often have | been
made to blush at the recital, usually il
is true, III exaggerated term, of the
riots, lynchings and lawless execution
of punishment upon supposed cul-
prits, not infrequent III this country
Usually it Is the imperfect administra-
ton OF justice by the constituted au-
thorities which occasions. but never
| justlfies these law!ess acts; and back
of the derilect authorities may general
ly be found perverted pnbllc senti-
ment. Wide well grounded source OF
exultation 1t would be If to the list al
ready enumerated, we could make the
cleim that in this land justice was al
ways impartlally administered TO the
high and low, TO the rich and
| poor, without fear or favor"
President Arnold of ths board OF
aldermen responded to the toast: "The
City of New York" Mr.. &. F. Wahl,
Jr.. made u lengthy response to the
| Columbus toast America and it's Dis.
coverer." Governor Flower responded
| for the state of New York.
General Horace Porter, in proposing
tho toast, American PatrIotlsm,'
made one of his characteristic speeches.
"The New York leg stature" was re-
| sponded to by Assemblyman Schullzer
| Congressman Amos j. Cummings re-
| sponded for the congress of the United
| States In the absence of w. Bourke Cox.
ran. Warner Miller spoke in favor of the
Nicaraguan canal project as furthel
| development of the great discovery O
| Columbus. Neither of the ex-presi
dents of the United States took AM
oratorical part in the proceedings
which, though pleasant enough, were
| somewhat tame and long prOtracted.