Evening star., 1897-01-27
IN NOR OF PCAFT
Largest Dinner Ever Given q Political
Leader.
The Standardized Discusses the Re
Results-Caution on Cuba.

4 banquet given in honor of Senator
elect Platt at Albany. N Y, last night. III
was the largest dinner ever given to po-
Htical leader in this country. and its tribute
list included letters from the presence OF
every distinguished republican leader In
the country .es
Nearly a thousand republicans sat down
at the dining table I'm Harmanus Bleeker
Hall. while many more, including wo-
men looked on and afterward enjoyed the
speechmaking.
The principal guest did not appear in
the hall until 1:15. over an hour late MI
Platt was given great ovation. The Sen
ator-elect appeared infirm. He read from q
manuscript. and stammered. once excusins
himself stating that he had a cold
The other speakers were Governor Black,
General Russell A Alger of Michigan. Sloat
Fassett. Chauncey NJ Depew, d. D. Wood
mansee of Ohio president of the National
League OF Republican Clubs; William Pitt
Kellogg of Louisiana. Lieutenan: Governor
Woodruff the last speaker and the
banquet was over shortly after IL clock.
Mr. PIatt's Remarks.
Senator-elect PIatt said. in part: 1T is
without hesitation that L have again ac-
cepted the responsibilities of public office.
Indeed ii seemed as though the temptation
to do so had been put by, and that the
remainder of my life would have no other
relation to public affairs than such as be-
comes every citizen. | shall be acquitted,
| think of any affectatfon about office
seeking and office-holding. but 1t is a fact
that | have not been candidate for the
Senate. | have not asked any member OF
the legislature to vote for me- i did hot
even intimate until after the caucus that
should accept the office if it We're rendered
That 1t has come under these circumstances
and with such generous expressions of good
will and confidence from republicans
throughout the state makes it a pleasing
burden and rich compensation for all
that / have done and tried to do IN my
party'S service.
And so i shall go to Washington CRATE
full to the republican party. devoted to the
state of New York. and earnest in reSou
tion to exert whatever influence / may
have may acquire for the welfare of Cur
Incompatible country.
1T is especially gratifying to re-enter the
Senate coincidentally with the Inaugural
tion of republican President. The sup
port given by the state OF New York 10
Major Mckiney's candidacy abundanuy
testifies of the high hopes which our people
base on his patriotic wisdom. The success
of his administration will he the success
of the republican party. and no contribu-
tion that | make TO that great cause
will be wanting.
Results of the Election.
Sufficient time has passed since the No
venber election 10 permit close examna-
tion of its results 1t cannot be said that
they are wholly satisfactory. The be-
wilderins program of legislation proposed
by Mr.. Bryan obtained great popular
support as to FORBID the idea that agitation
in its favor Will be abandoned, and our
GernCCratlc friends. who without giving un-
qualified adhesion to republican principles,
were nevertheless constrained by their con-
ViciiOus the money question 10 support
the republican candidates. should give sober
colSide ration to this fact. 1t is not yet
certain that any plan for the relief of the
treasury can pass the Senate as it will be
1aFr +h.al n .IFl al
VIII rot invest. production VIII not in
crease, labor Will not be adequately en-
pioyei until laws are passed To insure the
treasury against insolvency and 20 guaran-
tee 10 the business interests of the country
safe ard reasonably permanent basis on
which to operate If the changes in the
composition OF the Senate in progress
fai. TO produce a majority that hold
toge ther Tor the enactment of such legisla-
ton, We shall have the same fight cut of
which We have just come to make again
four years from now under probably less
favorable conditions
Democrats Welcome.
The lesson which this possibly teaches
20 the sound money democrats and the duty
II enforces upon them seem entirely clear.
They can find TO home in the democratic
party Their presence there is not wanted,
whereas with US ii is held in just esteem.
They must come into the republican party,
exert their due influence upon its politics
and accept their share of the responsibility
for its work. And, without abandoning alyy
vital principle, which they would not ask or
expect. We must seek in all do TO hold
their confidence and support.
The people do not want the Wilson bill
patched up They want it repealed. and in
Its place their plain demand, to which the
election Of two successive republican ma
jorities in the House of Representatives
sufficiently testifies. is for tine enactment
CT an Intelligent and consistent tariff, based
in every schedule upon the prin1 iple Of pre-
venting the foreign producer of goods that
compete with American goods from whole
sailing his wares in the American market
at prices which compel the American maker
or such wares either to go out Of business
or TO reduce the wages he pays 10 his Ia
Dor.
If there is no other respect in which the
country ia 20 be congTatula ted upon the re-
suit OF Mr. Cleveiands administration it
may be admitted that since the present
Secretary Of State assumed the direction of
our foreign affairs the position Of our
country abroad has improved. 1t has been
demonstrated again that the consistent Up
holding CT American interests In foreign
lands does not necessarily involve disagree
able relations with foreign governments,
and that the just influence Of our country
can be preserved without offense TO our
HeigEbors- 1 have had no fair opportunity
10 examine the text of the arbitration
treaty or &c consider the possibilities that
may arise uEder its various provisions. but
with the principle involved II seems as
though all civilized men must be syInpa-
thetic.''
The Cuban Question.
Briefly referring 10 the Cuban question,
Mr. Plat said:
The attitude Of our government, how
ever. cannot always express the sympa thies
of the people. 1t has its treaties to observe
and its cCde OF public law 70 respect. Acts
of Intervention moreover involve RESPONSE
bllities. and these must be assumed with
caution. We neither wish 10 govern Cuba
or night Spain, and no act of government
sECCld be performed that leads US IN the
direction OF either Of the enterprises"