The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1891-1893, 1892-11-16
THE ANNUAL BANQUET
OF THlE CHAMBER OF COnINEKCE
OF NEW YORK.
Distin2ntshed Gucsts-SeVeraI Toasts-
Prestdent-Eiect Cleveland Talks
of business ssniercsts-Meet-
ing of Political OPP


the chamber of commerce held at Del
monico's. There were many other hon
ored guests present, but none around |
whom so many interests were centered, |
unless, indeed, it were the Hon. Chaun.
cey NJ. Depew, who sat at the table Of |
honor next to Whitelaw Reid. Defeat |
seemed to sit lightly on the shoulders of
Mr.. Reid, and Mr.. Depew, when he
shook hands with Mr. Cleveland before
grace, allowed no thought Of the epitaph
he said in Buffalo he would inscribe over
the political grave of the President elect.
The annual feast of the chamber of
commerce is alwaysa a memorable one and
the worlds wealth, commerce and brains
are always represented at these gather
ings, but to nights banquet will go down
into history linked with the glories of re
cent democratic triumphs and the name
of Grover Cleveland
Three hundred guests were seated in
Delmonlco's large banquetting hall when
Rev. Dr. VIM. H. Vibbert, pastor of
Trinity chapel, said grace at Z :5l O'clock
On raised dias was placed the table of
honor, in the centre of which was seated
Mr. Alexander E Orr, the president of
the banquet. On either side of Mr.. Orr
were Mr. Cleveland and Hon. Charles
Foster, and among others seated were
Horace White Senator Carlisle. Carl
SchurZ, ex Governor Campbell, Solicitor
Hepburn, S. B Babcock, Mr.. DePew,
Whitelaw Reid, Rev. Dr. John Hall, W.
G.. B. Breckenridge, Rev. DR.. w. n
Vlbbert, Murat Halstead, J. G. s. Chur-
man, D. NJ. Stone, Hugh N. Camp, Viii
liam f. Havemeyer, Henry Clews, Jas.
McCreery, Jas. B. Colgate, Fraucis B.
! Thurber, John II. Inmau Erastus
Wiman, Paul Dana, Horace Porter, Aus
tin Corbin and several other prominent
gentlemen. There were several ab-
sentees. One of these Hon. Stephen B.
Elkins, secretary of war, was to re-
ply to the toast president of
the United States" Baron DeFava was
also expected but failed to be present
and this was the case with Hon. Frank
Hiscock.
1t was 8 80 when President Orr called
for order and made graceful speech.
Mr.. Orr concluded by giving the first
toast, which was responded to by Attor-
ney General Miller. The toast was ''The
President of the United States"
Secretary Of the Treasury Charles
Foster was next introduced. He spoke
of matters pertaining to the treasury
department.
The toast Italy was responded to by
Mr.. Sinclair McKelway, of Brooklyn
Commerce and Civilization" was
,, responded to by Rev. John Hall.
/ Hon. w. 9. F. Breckenridge, of Ken.
= lucky, responded TO The House of Rep.
\ reseDtatives."
$ AT the conclusion Of Mr., Brecken
: ridges speech, storm of cries fo
!, Cleveland" and "Depew" arose Mr.
n Depew arose smilingly and waving hi
:. hand, cried cleveland" Mr.. Cleve
land at last arose, and after the bursts o
applause had somewhat abated, tn
President-elect spoke as follows:
Mr. President and Gentlemen Il an
} exceedingly gratitied by the kindnes
and warmth of your greeting. 1t doe
not surprise me, however, for | hav
seen and felt on more than one occasion
the cordial hospitality and heartiness 0
!. those who assemble at the annual din
:: ners of our chamber of commerce. "
= all have noticed that many men, whei
y they seek to appear especially wise an
q impressive. speak of "our business inter
i ests" as something awful and myster
d ious; and quite often when propositio
% is under discussion, its merits are n
# longer apparent to those whose hair is Q
/. end at the solemn suggestion that ''ou
business interests" are lying i
g wait with numerous vials of wrath /
= complete readiness for those ShO arriv
Il at an unaccepted conclusion. am fol
N tunate in being able to state that my n
lation to the chamber of commerce of th
y y state of New York, though merely of
.S com plimentary kind, arising from hor
Of orary membership, has so familiarize
G. me with the business interests that
= no longer regard the words as meanin
4. a bloodthirsty beast, nor do | have col
stantly before my mind those childre
On in the Biblical story who were torn
Sc pieces by bears for discussing too muC
y, at random the badness of an ancicl
at prophet.
er 1t is entirely natural that my famil
on arity with business interests, ar.sin
from the relation to which | have r
ferred, should be of a pleasant sort ar
, free from fear and trepidation, for II
only meetings | have ever attended
. the chamber of commerce have been pr
> cisely such as this, when the very be
things to eat and drink have been e
haustively discussed [ am bound
saw that on these occasions the dreadf
IA beings representing business interes
re- have been very human indeed.
es' | know you will not do me the We
ur- grea, injustice of supposing that in t
ias ~ least underrate the Importance of t
an an. comm, rcial and financial interests he
ex- represented On the contrary, no o
'rk appreciates more fully than l that, VIII
ant a proper adjustment of all intere
r. should be maintained, you represt
those which are utterly indispensable
= our national growth and prosperity.
do not believe that any other intere
should be obliged to feed from
crumbs which fall from the table of bu
ness, nor do | believe that table shol
ued be robbed of the good things which
mp. honestly and fairly there, merely beca
OF some other tables are not well provide
uVn on 1t comes to this, we are all interest
/ IL as Americans in common pursuit {
said purpose is, or ought to be, IN our seve
ter ter spheres, tc add to the general fund
hin national prosperity. From this fund
ded are all entitled to draw, perhaps
equally, but justly, each receiving
,s ieSt 81 portion Of individual prosperity. Lei
east avoid trampling on each other IN
the anxiety to be first IN the distribution
Ga. shares, and let US not attempt to apr
20 u pirate the shares of others.
Q or AS close, cannot refrain from
ands pressing my thanks for the courte
d. $50. OF often extended me by the organization
y I,v bv whose hospitable bard l have sat
evening l beg to assure you
7 ent though | may not meet you on ano
pro. pro. occasion like this l shall remember
lock. lock. particular pleasure, the friends m
among your membership and shall n.