Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-16
SPEECHES AND SONGS
Blending Of the Two at Second Army
Corps Banquet.
POSSIBILITIES OF WAR DISCUSSED
Gen. Miles Hopes for Peace, but
Advises Against SIumber.
TOASTS AND RESPONSES


Second Army Corps at the Shoreham last
night. Interspersed with the patriotic
speeches were the old songs which made
the wearers of the trefoil famous during
the rebellion. The banquet was notable
by the presence of prominent men, Mai.
Gen. Nelson A. Miles being among those in
attendance. The handsome banquet hall
Of the Shoreham was lavishly decorated,
the corps badge, trefoil. being prominent
in incandescent electric lights.
After an excellent menu, President Lud-
ington opened the speechmaking. He re-
ferred in affectionatc terms to the Second
corps, the gallant struggles it had engaged
In and the brilliant record it had made in
the fight for the flag.
Head of the Nation.
Representative Brosius responded to the
toast THE Head Of the Nation" He deliv-
cred mastery address and referred to the
trying times through which the head of
the nation Is now passing, saying in part
Whatever immunities the head of the
nation may enjoy by reason of his elevation
and distinction. exemption from the fiery
trials which reveal his character and tenn
per Is not one of them. His crucial hour,
his supreme test, comes when formidable
events involving his country's foreign re-
lations present formidable alternatives:
when war looms huge and hideous in the
in the midst of alarms by lingo journalists,
purveyors of sensational transformation:
when events are leading on toward the
prec1pfce; when peace or war hangs upon
the nerve, the Judgment the courage, the
wisdom of the chief executive; when undue
precipitancy or a too-ready yielding to the
tumultuous clamor Of the unthinking when
single mistake, an error of judgment an
oversight in the wide generalization neces-
sary in marking pathway through the
obscurties and complications of the situa-
ton would doom us to the horrors of war
In such fiery crucible is the head of the
nation being tested. How we'll he is endur-
ing the terrible trial of events the united
and enthusiastic commentator Of the
thinking, conservative masses testifies No
such imposing exhibition of confidence in
u ruler has ever been witnessed in the his
tory of the world. The representatives of
the people signalized their sublime trust
by vote of confidence unexampled in the
annals of legislation. 1t was the heart Of
the nation leaping to her tongue to utter
her supreme faith in the patriotism, fldel-
ity and ability of the chief magistrate.
Nor VIII the people be disappointed.
They have not bestowed their trust un-
worthliy. The sequel will show. whether in
peace or war; the wisdom of both ruler and
people; the former by his judicious and
dignified behavior inviting, and the latter
in yielding implicit confidence
Inc next speaker was Repres sntative
Belknap of Illinois, who took for his theme
The Land We Love" He said that pa
triotism in this country was not on the
wane. The old differences between the
north and the south are forgotten and the
watchword Is now onward and upward
The south stretched forth her arms and
welcomed the north, and with heart full
of gratitude, the American people cherish
with pride the progress of the Union and
stand together never more to be divided.
Hoping for Peace.
Gen. Nelson A. Miles was the next speak
er. He said, in part:
No nation has ever had so much to say
against war, against the maintenance of
large army, or against anything that may
lead US into conflict. And no nation has
had SO much to say in favor of peace and
arbitration. No people are as anxious to
Taintafn peace at home and abroad as the
American people. We should not enter into
any conflict without just provocation or
righteous cause We are slow to take I'D
our arms, but when the time does come I
trl st we will not be found slumbering
hope there will BE- no war. 1, as a soldier,
trust that If there is war there will be no
Bull Run to begin with, but an Appomat-
tex. We will be prepared, and the conflict
should be short, sharp and decisive
Representative Hull responded to the last
regular toast, Our National Defenders on
Land and Sea-" He said the ARMY of the
United States has always been a CONSERVATION
OF peace-never a menace to the law He
paid glowing tribute to the army, and re-
viewed the civil war, claiming the Union
forces had accomplished greater results
ti-an any people Of history in the extent of
territory conquered. But the great victory
is found, he said, in the fact that now the
biue and the gray are dwelling together as
brothers, both willing to risk life for the
flag of a reunited and common country"
The toast Our fallen comrades was
drunk in silence, and Maj. George A.
Armes made short speech and presented
a bowl of punch made from apple brandy
ia
pomattox.
A number of guests were called on for
short speeches, and responded as follows:
One Thing Worse Than War.
General Joseph r. Hawley said:
There is only one thing worse than an
unjust war. and that is cowardly peace I
hope We shall not have war, but If it Gomez.
let us maintain it manfully.
speaking in behalf of the Senate, 1 have
to say that all its members, without excep-
ton, voted to sustain the country. Men are
patriotic without regard to education or
high intellectual attainments"
Personal "reminiscences were given sus-
tanning this view.
"The salvation Of the country is in the
such men as Washington, Lincoln and
Grant"
General D. B. Henderson spoke in a
felicitous strain. Just now" said he, 1--WE
SSShA " NC ESdSiLS ldSteT imam we are
passing away. Generosity is mingled with
patriotism. Representative Cannon will
give $4,000 In minute If the country de-
mands 1t. In this presence, with the old
I'd Corps as an example. my advice Is to
keep cool and give our President the lead,
Representative Joseph G. Cannon said;
Your leadership was made possible in the
last war because you had fifty millions of
people behind you. The people have sense
and will not be misled. If through mis-
taken guidance the country is led into a
wrong position, the people will grind such
leaders into powder. The country has
doubled. yes, trebled In resources, SO that
no enemy can find successful Judgment
upon our shores. we need a kind of pa
triotism, not of those who would shed their
blood in the execution of fat contracts but
that kind which has real interest in the
country"
Representative j. ]. Dolliver Of Iowa:
General Jackson whenever a man who had
not been soldier came up for Office used
to say: He is a good man. but where was
ne when / fought the battle of New Or
leans? For personal reasons was not in
the war of the rebellion, but feel at home
among you. feel sure that the tributes
paid to you here tonight are worthily paid.
I believe the best book for family use is an
authentic history OF the last forty years Of
this nation. There was a great deal Of un-