Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-01

in what esteem the Secretary OF the In
terror is held by his friends.
Shortly after ) o'c.ock the visitors from
New York and Pennsylvania arrived by
special train. and were driven at once to
the Arlington. Secretary Wilbur f.
Wakeman mad the affair in charge, and
welcomed the guests. 1t was past
o'clock when Secretary Bliss -eaning on
the arm of ex-Mayor Strong of New York,
the president of the league, entered the
parlors They were Immediately surround
ed by their friends, and Secretary Bliss
renewed the acquaintance of many he had
rot seen since the first tocsin of the
league was sounded for protection.
Called to Order.
President Strong called the meeting to
order, and said it was net necessary to
dwell upon the introduction of Mr.. Bliss.
He was too well known to the friends of
protection and the lovers of liberty and
republican Institutions. President Strong
then gave way to Vice President ]. Z.
Thropp, who presented the testimonial on
the part of the league in a speech of some
length, in which he reviewed Mr.. Bliss
career both in business and politics, and
complimented him highly for the aid he
had given the cause of protection
The Testfmoniai.
At the close of his address he handed Mr..
Bliss the testimonial. 1t was in the form
of book mounted in silver inclosing beau
tiful sheets of highly ornamented letter
ing. After the name comes the address
with a large initial. through which is shown
the caduceus representing husness) and
the ivy leaves of friendship. Then fol-
lows the title of the league on a ribbon.
back of which is shown the horn of plenty
with its flowers and fruits. Then the
wording in old English text with orna-
mental capitals, showing the leagues ap-
probation of his valuable services to that
organization. The cover is of blue leather
mounted on silver, the centerpiece being
the shield of the league with the mono
gram &C. N. b surrounded by the pillow,
anvil and loom. The corners are highly
orramented in silver. and the book was
inclosed in a highly polished box of ma
hogany.
L cannot express the sentiments of my
heart for the honor that you are this day
comforting upon me. Thirteen years ago
L was one OF party of ten or twelve men
who met in small room on Madison ave-
rue, Nfw York, to consult regarding the
formation OF local society for dissemina-
ton of the principles of protection to Amer
lean industries and labor. few of the
original members are / believe, here to-
day Some have passed away. Colonel
LIE Grand b. Cannon and one or two others
are still living and in the enjoyment OF
Inc retrospect of long lives well spent in
the service of their fellow-citizens-a SER
vice for which no recompense was ever
ness of duty performed.
AT the time Of which 1 speak there
were signs OF growing opposition to the
national policy Of protection and Ii was
10 COMBAT such opposition in our own city
that our society was formed Mr. E "A
Ammidown. an able writer on political
economy, was our first president
Inc origlnators had no intention of en-
terins upon a national work, but circum-
stances led to extension of the orisinaI
off
were provided the work grew to its present
grand proportions. and the American pro-
tecuve Tarin League has become one of
country. "a ehe
1t is the central home and the execpt;va
agent OF prosperous auxiliary societies CO
taoiished In every state of the Union It's
c ~Vrk' Nv wniis confined principally to the
cause TOT winch IT was chartered has mada
II one OF the chief bulwarks against tne
usnserous anarchistic wave that in a time
Oh depression swept over the country. and
"hich was largely caused by the yery dis
regard Of the system which had when in
the ascendant, brought prosperity and han
Piness TO the people, and which has as sure
distress to thousands of homes
There was time when some of ia
.nousnt mat conservative men of all par
. .ies VINO recognized the danger of policy
tnat looked to the overthrow of a system
That had received the sanction of ali the
great men, whom We refer to as fathers
OF the republic could unite with our league
without abandoning other distinctive noIi
cieS OF their respective parties but narty
government and discipline was too strong
and the little experiment in non ma rtisan
poiItica! enort was no more successful than
later EFFORTS OF others have been in that di-
rection. va
Government by Party,
Government by party is likely to continue
for generations to come, and any great
domestic policy to be successful must be
supported b. one or other of the chief ma
tionai parties of the country. The realizs
ton OF this fact has brought the league
INTO close connection with the existing re-
publican party In loyal support of that
party, we have found our strength and the
increase of our influence
In the last national campaign the lea eue
supplied to all sections of the country many
millions of documents; 1T provided lectures
for the village lyceums, accurate fnforma-
ton ana statistics OF trade. commerce and
manufactures to legislators, facts and fig
ures for the campaign orators, with texts
and briefs of speeches If required and in
the end. We had the qualification of wit
Messing the passage of a tariff act in extra
session of Congress which would, in time
of peace, have undoubtedly furnished sum
cfent means for the expenses of the gov
eminent. with that protection to industry
and labor which majority of the people
demanded.
No one will claim that the league alone
accomplished all that has been done for
has ce-operated loyalty and efficiently, by
the power Of its organization, with the.
people and for the pee pie in bringing about
a settlement of the protection issue that Is
to be beneficial and lasting. But al po-
litfcai contests of a domestic character will.
am sure, lie tut aside for the present by
this association, willie the league Joins
with patriotic zeal all Americans of all
parties in loyal de tense of the land we love.
and assists in giving to our neighbors of the
adjacent Islands the bcon of freedom 50
lopg denied to them by the incapable
tyranny of Spain.
I congratulate the league on the election
of my frien1. Col Strong to the presi-
deLcy. and that you have been able to re-
tain Mr.. Wtken.an as secretary. To his
services in organization and executive
work IS due much of the success of the re-.
cent years.
Gentlemen. friends of these many years.
for the more than kind sentiments that
you have ex PRESSED for me personally. ana
for the magnificent album wherein / shall
see the hand (and faces) of so many with
whom II has been pleasure and honor to
be associated. render to you my grateful
thanks, and to ore and all wish long Hfe
Pre- sperity and happiness.
Senator Carriers RemarS<s
After the acceptance of the testimonial
by Secretary Bliss. President Strong of the
tariff league introduced Senator Carter of
kn ~ 80