Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-10-14
ALL TO HIS GLORY
The Brilliant Columbian Ban-
quet at lenox Lyceum
NEW YORK'S FESTIVITIES END
Presiden, Harrison is Absent, as is De-
Pew-Secretary Fosters Brilliant Re-
sponse to "The United States"

NEw YORK. Oct. lS.-As il to justify
Sidney Smith's wittcism, tnat every
event, even an earthquake, must be
celebrated by the Ang o Saxon race by
. banquet, even If they had to hunt =
place amid the runs in which to dine.
New York's celebration of the discov-
cry of America WAS closed by ban
ouet tonight, which was, IN . measure,
as successful IS the ceremonisls which
had preceded 1t. 1t is no light task TO
seat comfortably and dine over 800
guests, but TINS was accomplished by
the celebration committee in satisfac-
tory manner.
The auditorium Of the Lenox ly-
ceum, where the feast was held, is an
ideal banquet hail. Well proporuoned
and lofty, its natural advantages were
enhanced by decorations and wonder
fully artistic electric lighting to point
OF excelliag beauty. The balconies
we're hung with hand embroidered
designs of ancient armor of Italy and
Spain, on a background of crimson
plush, interspersed with United States
flags and the colors of Italy and Spain.
At the top of each plaster there was a
gilt eagle holding an American flag IN
its beak, and from the center of the
dome, scars of red, white and blue fell
IN graceful sweeps 10 the cornice. Ths
dinner Was excellent and we'll served,
the wines OF good quality and the
music In full keeping with the rest OF
the service. The guests of honor
dined on the stage, which was
SO draped as to resemble an alcove of
the main banquetting hall and in the
center appeared portrait OF Column
bus enclrcled by the flags of Itay,
Spain and the United States.
Mayor Grant presided, supported on
the right by Vice President Morton,
Secretary Of State Foster, ex-president
Grover Cleveland, Mr.. Arnold. presi-
dent of the board Of aldermen; Baron
Fava. Italian minister, and G.. +. Wahl,
Jr.; on the left by Governor Flower,
ex-President Hayes, Gen. Hprace Por-
ter and Bishop Potter.
In the Boxes.
The boxes were assigned amongst
others to the Spanish minister and
suite; Secretary Foster Of the treasury
Seer tary Rusk, the French charge in
the affairs Mr.. Fairchild, Commodore
Erben, the Spanish admiral. the Hon.
Benjamin Wood, the Italian admiral
and Mr.. and Mrs. Cleveland. Ripples
OF laughter from the ladies III the
boxes enlivened the proceedings,
The 500 guests included the gov
ernors of Massachusetts,, Connecticut
Pennsylvania, New Jersey and
General Schofield and many others of
eminence. But there was one empty
chair at the table of honor, Chauncey
Depew, who was to have acted as toast
master, was absent. Mayor Grant sup.
piled his place as best he could. Mr.
Depew's unexplained absence deprived
the after dinner oratory Of much
of its sparkle. At the close
of the dinner, at 10 o'clock p. M,
Mayor Grant arose to propose the
toasts but as the wines had all by thu.
time been removed, the drinking of the
toasts was fguratlvely only. The
mayor, after thanking all of the or
CARNATIONS who had contributed &c
make the Columbian celebration sue
cess, briefly proposed: "The President
Of .he limited Stateso