The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-11-19
MOST NOTABLE EVER HELD.
Annual Banquet of New York Chamber
of Commerce Last Night.

New York. Nov. 1.-The one hundred
and twenty-eighth annual banquet of the
Chamber of Commerce of the State OF
New York, which was held this evening
Mt DelmonicO's, was the most notable
yearly gathering that has been held by
the great organization. In view OF the
outcome of the election it might have
justly been called "commerciai slorliica INCA
tion' by the 400 members and the 800
guests who attended the, dinner. Many
of the speeches were distinctly of a con-
gratulatOry character, and those who led
the fight against free coinage were
given unstinted praise, while every men
ton of their names was greeted with APP
plause.
President Cleveland and Governor
Morton were unable to attend the BAN
met. but they wrote letters which, when
read, were received with wild cheering.
President Cleveland said:
Executive Mansion. Washington,
ID. c., Nov. 16, 1S96.-TO Alex. u. Orr,
President. Etc: My Dear Sir--The
pleasure which a participation in
banquet of the Chamber of Commerce
has afforded me in the past, and the
kindly feeling and broad spirit of enter
prise which always pervaded those occa-
sions, cause me to regret most sincerely
| that | can not join the -goodly company
that will gather around the chambers
hospitable board tomorrow evening. he
cent events may well cause those who.
represent these interests to rejoice III
their escape from threatened peril. But,
while they have abundant reason for le-
ioicing and can view with great satlsfac-
ton the support they have given to the
cause of sound money in the contest
lately waged for it, | earnestly hope that
in this time of cOngratulation it will be
remembered that constant vigilance and
continued efforts are required to even
maintain present conditions; but that alb
solute safety will only be secured when
our financial system is protected Ivy
Il affirmative and thorough reforms.
when our business men are habitualy
alert and watchful and when they are,
moreover, fully aroused to the impor-
lance of such legislative action concern
ing our finances as business methods ap-
prove and the welfare of the country re-
Quires, much good may be confidently
anticipated, not only in the accomplish
ment of practical results, but in the re-
moval of hurtful prejudices through an
assurance to the people that business
and patriotism are becoming more and
more united. Yours very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND
The main hall in which President Orr
and the guests of honor were seated vas
tastefully decorated.
Speeches were made by Bourke Cock
ran. Gen. Miles, Senator Hawley, Mayor
Strong. Gen. Porter and Postmaster
General Wilson.
Responding to the toast. Free Gov
eminent on Trial. Mr.. Wilson said, in
part:
Every general election in this country
is trial of free government and not
less trial of free institutions through
which we are attempting to work out
free government. We have just had
test of the capacity of universal suf-
frage to deal with the question so con-
fessedly difficult that in no other country
is it committed to any but trained eX-
perts and specially educated statesmen.
That the result has been triumph fer
national integrity is cause for thanks
giving; that the result has been achieved
by partial and temporary dissolution of
party ties. and the hearty concert of
forces irreconciiably antagonistic on
other policies is ground for quickened
patriotism and loftier pride in American
citizenship To make forever safe thes
fruits of such victory is now the duty
and responsibility of those to whom the
initiative and power have come with the
verdict of the late election