The herald., 1898-10-20
IN THE EvMMo
The Last Scene the Most Brilliant
Of All

CHICAGO, Oct. l9.-For the third time
since the commencement, the jubilee festiv-
tiles were shifted to the interior of the audi
torium and the third and last scene enacted
within the great hall was the most brilliant,
beautiful and successful of them all. 1t
was the great national peace jubilee banquet
rendered to the president Of the United
States and distinguished guests by the citi.
zens of Chicago. No similar event ever held
within the auditorium surpassed in bril-
liancy and simple elegance the banquet Of
tonight.
Twelve hundred guests, among them men
prominent in all branches of business, sci
ence, art, men with brilliant records made
upoa the sea, and men of the deeds of arms
done on shore were standing by their chairs
when tap from the gavel of franklin Nc
Neagh, the presiding officer announced the
approach of President Mckinley. The or
chestra struck up Hail to the Chief" and
as the strains of the old welcoming march
were heard the president, attended by the
jubilee reception committee, came down the
center aisle, bowing right and left in ac-
acknowledgement of the applause his pres
ence evoked. He was escorted to his seat
at the west end of the hall, and as he took
his seat the 1900 guests followed his ex-
ample, only to rise an instant later while
DR.. Frank Crane delivered q short and elo-
uuent invocation. Then, for two hours, the
material wants of the 1900 men received
close and careful attention.
The toastmasters table was placed across
the hall, the nine seats reserved for the dis
tinguished guests being placed at the side
and directly in front of that at which the
president was seated. The remainder OF the
Mr.. Mckinley was seated at the righ
hand of Toastmaster McVeagh, the others
at the presidential table being Secretary
Gage, Secretary Wilson, Secretary Lillis,
Archbishop Ireland, Clark Howell, Gen.
Miles, Gov. Tanner, DR.. Frank Crane, ex-
Vice President Stevenson, Admiral Brown,
Capt. Sigsbee, Judge Emory Porter, Gen.
Shafter, Samuel Gompers, President Angel
of Michigan university and President North
rup of the University of Minnesota.
At 10 o'clock the preliminary portion OF
the banquet having been disposed OF, rap
from the gavel of Chairman McVeagh
claimed the attention of the guests, and he
introduced President Mckinley, announc-
ing that he would reply to the toast, "Onr
Country"
1t was several minutes before the cheer
ing had subsidized sufficiently to allow the
president to be heard and when he was at
forded an opportunity he made the follow
ing address, his utterances being greeted
with most vociferous applause:
The Presidents Speech
"It affords me qualification to meet the
people of the city of Chicago, and to par
ticipate with them in this patriotic celebra-
ton. Upon the suspension OF hostillties
of foreign war, the first in our history for
over half century, we have met in spirit
of peace, profoundly grateful for the glori-
GUS advancement already made, and earn
estly wishing in the final termination to
realize an equally glorious ful6llmeHt.
"With no feeling of exultation, but with
profound thankfulness, we contemplate the
events of the past five months: They have
been too serious to admit OF boasting or
of responsibilities, immediate and prospec-
tive, as to admonish the soberest judgment
and counsel the most conservative action
This is not the time to fire the imagination,
but rather to discover in calm the way to
truth and justice, and when discovered to
follow it with fidelity and courage, without
fear, hesitation or weakness.
"The war has put upon the nation grave
responsibilities; their extent was not an
ticipated, and could not have been well fore.
seen. We cannot escape the obligations OF
victory. We cannot avoid the serious
questions which have been brought home to
us by the achievements of our arms on land
and sea. We are bound in conscience to
keep and perform the covenants which the
war has sacredly sealed with mankind. Ac-
cepting war for humanity's sake, we must
accept all obligations which the war, in duty
and honor, imposed on U.S., The splendid
victories we have achieved would be our our
eternal shame, and not our everlasting
glory, if they led to the weakening of our
original lofty purposes, or to the desertion
of the immortal principles on which the ma.
tienal government was founded, and in ac-
cordance with its ennobling spirit it has
ever since been faithfully administered.
"The war with Spain was undertaken not
that the United States should increase its
territory, but that oppression at our very
doors should be stopped. This noble senti.
ment must continue to animate. us, and we
must give to the world the full demonstra
tion of the sincerity of our purpose.
"Duty determines destiny. Destiny
which results from duty performed may
bring anxiety and perils, but never failure
and dishonor. Pursuing duty may not al
ways lead by. smooth paths. Another
course may look easier and more attractive
but pursuing duty for duty's sake is al
ways sure, safe and honorable.
"It is not within the power of man to fore
tell the future and to solve unerringly its
mighty problems Almighty God has his
plans and methods for human progress, anc
not infrequently they are shrouded for the
time being in impenetrable mystery. Look
ing backward, we can see how the hand o1
destiny builded for us and assigned us tasks
whose full meaning was not appreh,,nded
even by the wisest statesmen OF theil D INES
Our colonial ancestors did not enter upor
their war originally for independence
Abraham Lincoln did not start out to free
the slaves, but to save the Union. The
war with Spain was not of our seeking, anc
some of it's consequences may not be to oul
liking. Our vision is often defective
short -sightedness is a common malady, but
the closer we get to things or they get to us
the clearer our view and the less obcsure oul
duty. Patriotism must be faithful as wei
as fervent; craftsmanship must be wise al
well as fearless-not the statesmanshiI
which will command the applause of the
hour, but the judgement of posterity.
"The progress of the nation can alone
prevent degeneration. There must be new
fife and purpose or there will be weakness
and decay. There must be broadening OF
thought as well as broadening of trade. Ter.
ritorial expansion is not alone and always
necessary to national advancement. There
must be a constant movement toward a
higher and nobler civilization, civilization
that shall make its conquests without resort
to war and achieve its greatest victories pur-
suing the arts of peace; In our present gen
Grafton duty, and duty alone, should pre-
and the scope of our undertakings.
"The final determination of our purpose
awaits the action of the eminent men who
are charged by the executive with the max
ing of the treaty of peace and that of the
senate of the limited States, which, by ollI