The daily morning journal and courier., 1896-02-13
RETAIL MERCHANTS DINE
ENTH USIASM AND GOOD CHEER AT
 THE ANNUAL BANQUET.

Speeches by Prominent Citizens in Which
 Some Very Plain Truths Were Mingled
 Along With m Abundance of Pleasant
 Words to New Haven's Business Men-It
 Was Grand Time Throughout.
 The second annual banquet of the New Haven Retail Merchants associa- tlon was held last evening at the New Haven house There were 10S members present against 52 upon the occasion of the first banquet held last year. The menu served by MT. Moseley was one which did credit to him and gave emi- nent satisfaction to all who partook of the banquet. It was a session OF good- fellowship, and the hours were spent in a most delightful way. The substan- tial business men of the retail trade of the Elm City laid by their cares for the time. The tables were artistically ar ranged and the room decorated with palms and other plants. About the cham deiiers was festooned SmilaX. Sitting at the table at the entrance of the large dining room were the orators of the ev- ening. and the president, Walter Leigh, and Vice President Edward I. Atwater of the association.
 It was 10 o'clock before the menu was despatched and President Leigh, the toastmaster of the evening, called the aSSemblage to order
 Attorney O'Connor spoke for the as- sociation, outlining the methods by which the organization was to succeed. He was received with applause.
 In the absence of Mayor HendrclS, who was indisposed, John Addison Por- ter was called upon.
 He said: "Gentlemen-I thank you ex- ceedingly and heartily for this recep- tion. l feel a great deal of pride in be- ing the guest of this occasion, In being called upon to participate in any event which betokens the progress of New Ha- ven, my native city. But I wish to re- mind the toastmaster that he has one real live mayor present. I refer to l.. z. Smith os Putnam, the last surviving democratic mayor in the state. I am sure that I speak the minds of all who hear me when I say that no man has a spark of manhood i'll him if he forgets, when he goes out into the world his na- tive place. As has been referred to, I left New Haven, but I want to say now that 1t was because of the missionary work needed to be done in the city at the head of sloop navigation, and I have had my hands full ever since.
 | fI,N,,,o .r1., T second anniversary on Li"coln's birth- day. In the last few years there has swept over the country mighty wave 1 of patriotism and enthusiasm, which has had it's center in the memory of Abra ham Lincoln. We admire that grand and noble character of George ;! Washington, the father of his country; we point with admiration to the far-see- ing eye of Alexander Hamilton; the l dauntless Jackson and the silent Grant are all stamped indellibly upon our mem ories; but the name that stands out peerless and above all others to-day in this country of ours is that of the great | friend of the common people, Abraham Lincoln. Gentlemen, I believe in or | ganizations, and it is by the feelings Iengendered by unions such as yours that the world is to be conquered by the Anglo-Saxon race, and it is by them tha t the United States is to lead old Eng land.
 But, gentlemen, there are ten orators going through the form of applause, all wanting me to stop. Go on with your good work, gentlemen, and may you have many dinners of this kind, at some os which I hope to be present. And if Walter Leigh, your toastmaster, comes to Hartford, he will not be asked ito surrender to Ernest Cady, though Lee did surrender to Grant
 The second speaker was Herbert E. Benton, who spoke on the relations of state to schools. He said:
 T am much obliged to you, Mr. Toastmaster, for the introduction and 1 gentlemen, to you for this reception, and to the committee of arrangements for the invitation to speak to you this evening. I, like my friend, John Addi- son Porter, believe in organization There is nothing so likely in this day and generation as a long pull. a strong pull and a pull all together, and if our city had recognized this in for 1 iilei yedlS lleE pIOSpeLlly WOulQ De greater to-day. And were talking poli- l tics I could say that it might be well | for both the parties to remember this, but I am not talking politics. I see 1 that I am down to speak on The Rela- | ton of the State to the Schools Since | the inception of the state of Counecti- cut she has recognized popular educa- | tion, and it is her crowning glory. Con- | necticut has recognized the importance of an enlightened ballot. Years ago, when the state disposed of her western | lands, it was a question whether the funds should be given to the church or | to the school. Fortunately the fund went to the school, and since that day, | through the wise management of my | predecessors the amount of that fund | has been greatly enhanced"
 l In conclusion the speaker said: 'I am 1 informed that one of the objects of this association is protection against non- l taxpaying itinerants. l am proud to see you, MT Postmaster, who have so long advocated free trade, so strong a protectionist. May you become thor oughly converted
 C. N. Kendall responded to the city school and said: "Gentlemen of the as sociation-I appreciate very much the honor you pay the public schools when you ask me to peak at your ban | quet about those schools. I trust, MT. Speaker, that I am not appearing too often at public dinners. I understand