New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-21
BOARD OF TRADE DINNER.
HENRY wATTERsON TALKS OF THE DAYS
WHEN UNCLE SAM WAS YOUNG.

BREEZY COMPARISON OF PAST SIMPLICITY AND
PRESENT SOCIAL DANGERs-GENERAL BUCK
NER LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WOOD
RUFF AND THE REV. MADISON C.
PETERS AMONG THE OTHER
SPEAKERS
The bnnquet-room Of the Waldorf echoed once
more last night with the song OF them that
feast" and the ears OF some two hundred guests
were charmed with the harmony of post -prandial
wit and eloquence which lends added apprecia-
ton to good dinner. The occa sion the an
nual dinner Of the New-York Board OF Trade and
Transportation. Two graceful groups OF palms. In
the northery corners Of the room. were the only
decoration. beyond the flowers that adorned the
seven tables II contained The guests OF honor
were seated at raised table at the north end Of
the room. William II. Parsons. vice-president OF
the Board. presided In place Of Darwin X. James.
who was absent. His neighbors were Henry Wat
terson. General Simon b. Buckner. Lieutenant
Governor Woodruff. Postmaster Dayton. Commits
sioner c. H. T. Coils. James T. Kilbreth George
W. Adridge the Rev Madison {. Peters, J. T..
Simmons. C. ". Jordan. Charles s. Fairchild and
Isidor Straus.
Mr.. Parsons referred to the defeat OF the Forestry
Constitutional amendment In his opening remarks
result to a considerable extent, Of the efforts
Of the board He also expressed his belief that the
country was entering upon an era OF Unprecedented
prosperity. but added that increased Governmental
revenue. sound financial legislation and peace with
England were necessary 10 a restoration OF conf
dence.
Senator John VI. Thurstor 10 have been the
next speaker but absent. that Henry Wat
terson's response TO the toast. when Uncle Sam
Was Young. was firsi on the programme. He sald
in part: 'In these degenerate days. with their deep
dark and dire contrasis-when not 10 be million
nare is to be pauper-wheD IL a cannot draw
his check for 100000 he is apt to he in need OF
overcoat-and solemn occasion like this. II
seems fitting. indeed, 1t is both a privilege and
pleasure TO rever. to the older and better days OF
the Republic when nobody had anything. and when.
consequence. everybody had something
when Uncle Sam young could walk
the whole length OF Broadway between Chambers
st. and South Ferry. and reach his destination
without having his pockets picked his virtue
assailed But then the man had not become the
machine: the game OF speculation was played with
limit; water used but sparincy. in
stocks; and II amid the plans and schemes OF
certain hardy pioneer-nay. II among his widest
dreams as he wrapped his furs about him and lay
down to bssful slumber the banks OF the Mo-
nawkaso much as a vision OF this gorgeous palace
vi "a ms Iancy, ne failed to mention II IN MS
ing fund u architectural suggestion
ever else we may say OF them-of their primitive
conditions, their provincial limitations and their
National foundaio in type of civilization which
mas come TO be known and respected. and is begin
can manhood. and which of ell our possesslons is
Sun the best we have. II can hold to this man
me in admiration for the secretary's iatestN and
greatest diplomatic achievement. l am not so sure
II am myself a man of peace had my All OF
whsG Cod 81 Mr. osy we by
have another experience of that kind | want TO
Win he u II we of are Do
gong 10 have any more battles. II we are to go on
nltaton. Behold our young barbar i ali at
play. We are to facilitate ourselves in their ac-
athletes and 81
givers where shall we look for our boosted man
sn Res the Of Sta
OF good New-England stock. and has not merely
in his veins-must revise his line of universal peace
somewhat. and leave us az least one-Just one
Sam getting his second wind and reminded of his
younger days. should turn over the pages OF his
miliar refrain:
Sound the the sSd sSss are tho sesHs
Forgive the seeming levity. do not mean TO
be hippant to deal lightly with serious things
There are dangers and dangers and those that
menaced the Republic when its titular saint was
young. not those that menace Il; now. We
were Nation of individuals. We are a Nation of
Of Aecn Hn saUery our it
The wolf at our door is the institution Of profess
have had our new birth of freedom; but before we
can come out of the fiery ordeal perfect Nation
must IS h Sosr owH ' aa OF the
falling attain with The yO IDEAL own
am no GassandTa the contrary believe
that we are tSe nS the s d
sSst there are yet gories in store FOR US as
Nation and as a people; But 1t REQUIRES no seer
peeq IN orde Se aH obi a the
aceretons not only Of Wealth S%t OF boss nnn
gives them great an authority. do not take from
his claim Of class dIstincion-lf they do stop
making money long enough to consider as wise
hugging along with their riches. the delusion that.
when the danger line is reached. they can buy the
bordes of disorder taking advantage OF some one
Of the Years of famine which periodically visit US:
sweep over the conservative barriers that
restrain them Then we shall see done ruthiessly
cost OF free insttutions-what had been better
done II committed in time to the hands OF states
I'VE are to reconcile capital and labor and to
this end h We lesson ns ha the exists for the
Government. not the Government for ne citizen
Awe Ina OF the days when Uncle Sam young
but we can inculcate individual character and
1hs Of propertynoi less sacred in the form Of
aggregat tons OF capital than n that OF private
not leave the prosecution and punishment of dis
ionest and unlawful combinat ions to the indis.
,rimin,te outcry OF irresponsible agitation. but |
ourselves lead such movements toward redress and
-eform as the public interest and credit may re- |
,uire. Just policies. directed by wise men never
he good of humankind and they never will. 1t is |
Tor This noble city to lead the way; II is for you
ycntlcmer who represent great part OF it's |
wealth and worth. TO say the word. and as surely
as the night follows the day the rest OF us will
follow after. ~,
,tburst of applause he rose TO speak on Patriot
80, Country and Party" He paid tribute
% tho pstrotic spirit Of the American peop.e and
hon warned his hearers against the evils OF class
egsla ion. referring. in conclusion. TO his expert
.rces In the recent campaign.
ISeutonant- Governor Timothy L. Woodruff then re- |
,onded N the toast 1.-THE Prospective Benefits TO !
lrade and Transportation Incident 20 the Creation
# the Greater New-York" lie was heartily re;
With a speech on The Postal Service. the Adjunct
= TRADE en ake on 'Immgraon The Mayor had
,een expected TO speak. but was kept away by
Among the guests were Darwin r. James jr. J. W.
,rooman the Rev. d. =. O'Flynn. George S. Sea-
Jury James Hartford. Charles II. Patrick. William