Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-10-27
FEAST CROWNS 1T
BRILLIANT PEACE JUBILEE BAN
QUIET IN CHICAGO.
1900 PEOPLE PRESENT
Mckinley Expresses Highly Patriotic
Sentiments in Responding to Toast,
Our Country-tormer Vice Presi
dent Stevenson Lauds the Chief Ex-
ecutive-The Big Parade a Success.

Chicago, Oct. 2O.-For the third time
since their commencement the jubilee
festivities shifted to the interior OF the
Auditorium last night and the third
and last scene to be enacted within
the great hall was the most brilliant,
beautiful and successful OF them all
the great naval jubilee banquet ten
dered to the president OF the United
States and the distinguished guests OF
the citizens OF Chicago. Twelve hum
dred guests, among them men of
prominence in all branches of bust
ness, science and art, men OF brilliant
record upon the sea and men famed for
deeds of arms done on shore were
standing by their chairs, when tap
from the gavel of Franklin McVeagh,
presiding officer, announced the ap-
proach Of the president. The orches-
ira struck up Hail to the Chief, and
the president, attended by the jubilee
reception committee, came down the
center aisle bowling to the right and
left in acknowledgement of the ap-
plause that his presence evoked. He
was escorted to his seat at the west
end of the hall, and as he took his seat
the 1000 guests followed his example,
only to rise an instant later, while
Dr.. Franklin Crane delivered
short and eloquent invocation. Then
for two hours the material wants OF
the 1900 men received close and care
full attention At 10 o'clock, the pre-
liminary portion Of the banquet having
been disposed of, rap from the gavel
of Chairman McVeagh claimed the at
tention of the guests and in most
happy manner he introduced President
Mckinley, announcing that he would
reply to the toast Our Country. 1t was
several minutes before the cheering
had subsidized sufficiently to allow the
presidents voice to be heard, and when
he was afforded an opportunity, he
made the following address, his utter
ances being greeted with much voci-
ferrous applause:
Upon the suspension OF
hostilities of the foreign war, the first
in our history for over half a century,
we meet in a spirit of peace, profound
y grateful for the glorious advance
ment OF peace already made, and earn
estly wishing in the final termination
to realize an equally glorious fulfill
ment. With no feeling OF eXaltatlon,
but with profound thankfulness, we
contemplate the events OF the past five
months. They nave been too serious
to admit of boasting or yain-glorifica-
ton. They have been so full of re-
sponsibilities, immediate and prospec-
tive, as to admonish the soberest judg-
ment and counsel the most conSerya-
tive action. The war has put upon the
nation grave responsibilities. Their
extent was not anticipated and could
not be foreseen. 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 man
kind. Accepting the war for human
ity's sake, we must accept all the OBJ
legations which the war in duty and
honor imposed upon US. The splendid
victories that we achieved would be
our eternal shame and not our ever
lasting glory if they led to a weaken
ing of our original lofty purpose or a
desertion of the immortal principles
on which the national government was
founded and in accordance with whose
ennobling spirit it has ever since been
faithfully administered. 1t is not
within the power of man to foretell the
future and to solve unerringly its
mighty problems. Our colonial ances-
tors did not enter upon 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, and
some Of its consequences may not be
to our liking. The progress of the ma
ton can alone prevent degeneration.
There must be broadening of thought
as well as a broadening of trade. The
final determination of our purpose
awaits the action of the eminent men
who are charged by the executive with
making the treaty Of peace and that
sf the senate of the United States,
which, by our constitution, must ratify
and confirm it. We all hope and pray
that the confirmation of peace will be
as just and humane as the conduct and
| contamination of the war. When the
work of the treaty makers is done, the
work Of the lawmakers will begin.
One will settle the extent Of our re-
| sponsibilities; the other must provide
| legislation to meet them. The army
and navy nobly and heroically per-
| formed their part. May God give the
executive and congress wisdom to per-
| form theirs"
The president was followed by Clark
Howell of Atlanta, Ga, who responded
to the sentiment Our Reunited Country
| North and South.
| The President, was the next toast,
and to that eX-Vice President Steven
son replied. He said in part: mot
Chicago alone, but Illinois-the state
that gave the immortal Lincoln to
| the presidency and to the ages-bids
| you welcome, Mr.. President. The in
! cumbent of this great office holds with
unchallenged title the most exalted
| station known to men. Monarchs rule
by hereditary right, or hold high place
only by force of arms. The elevation
Of citizen to the presidency Of the
| United States is a deliberate act. IN
der forms of law. of a sovereign peo-
| pie. The aspirant. who may have been
| the choice of only one political party,
! as the incumbent of the great Office is