The silver star., 1898-11-17
HoNORT GEN. MILES.
OWEN AsANouEr ArNEw YORK
Notable Gathering Of Prominent Mon 70
Meet Him-Captain Paget Speaks .
Friendly Word.

New York. Nov. 1.-THE compli-
mentary banquet given to Major Gen
eral Miles, commanding the United
states army, at the Waldorf-Astoria,
tonight, In point of numbers, extern
siye preparation and brllliancy, rivaled
the great banquet given last year in
honor of President Mckinley by the
merchants and manufacturers Of the
country.
The leading persons, military, naval
ana business men, were represented
700 were present. All of the second
floor Of the Astoria portion Of the not
ed hotel was utilized for the dinner.
The grand banquet han was too small,
md small tables were set In the adjOin-
ing rooms.
The menu cards were bound in vel
lum, with portrait of General Miles
and small pictures representing some
Of the scenes through which the gen.
eral has passed In his military career,
scenes in the Civil, Indian and Spanish
wars. :
At 7:5O o'clock Hon. Joseph H.
Choate. the toastmaster, took General
Miles by the arm and after brief
levee In the AstOr gallery, headed the
long line to the banquet room. AS the
general and Mr.. ChOate entered the din
ing room large orchestra struck up
Hail to the Chief
Just after the oysters were served n
cOmmOtiOn was heard on the north side
of the banquet hall. Soon after cheers
were heard as GOverIOr-elect Roosevelt
appeared opposite the guest table.
There was more cheering, every one
rising to his feet, the ladies' in the
boxes growing enthusiastic and waving
their handkerchiefs at the colonel. He
was escorted to n place made vacant by
the illness of General Shafter, who sent
regrets at the last moment. Colonel
Roosevelt shook hands with General
Miles and this was the occasion for
more cheering.
Among those who sat at the guests
table, presided over by Joseph H.
ChOate, were Major General Nelson A.
Miles at his right, and Rear Admiral
Henry Erben at his left. Governor Rog-
er A. WOlcott of Massachusetts, Cover
nor-elect Roosevelt, Hon. Asa Bushnell,
governor Of Ohio; Major General DAN
lei +. Sickels, Hon. Benjamin f..
Tracy, Ex-Governor Levi p. Morton,
Captain Arthur Paget, r. N; Hon,
Daniel II. Hastings, governor of Penn
sylvania; Major General o. o. How
ard. Hon. Seth Low, Roswell p. Flow
er. Chauncey NJ. Depew. Hon. William
j. Sewall and Hon. Lloyd Lowndes,
governor Of Maryland.
Half n dozen members of the Cover
nOr's Foot Guards Of New Haven,
Connecticut, were present in the pic
turesque uniforms Of 1774.
After brief speech by Mr.. Choate,
In which he warmly eulogized the
guest Of the evening, General Miles
was given an ovation. He smilingly
bowed his acknowledgment Of the ex-
cited applause and snid, In part:
"Joyfully dear is the homeward track.
II we nre but sure Of n welcome back" )"
"Such generous reception has been
rendered to me tonight as few are per-
mitted to enjoy, and should be want
ing In gratitude did l not appreciate
the sentiment expressed In this cordial
greeting.
II should he vain, indeed, to ascribe
II to myself, or for n moment accept It
solely as personal tributS. AS an ex-
preston Of appreciation of the gallant
troops which l have the honor to COM
mand. 1t is accepted In behalf of the
living, and for them I thank you, as
well as for those whose lips are for
ever silent, and whose heroism and
sacrifice now is here remembered and
revered.
"The wars of the past have had their
objects, their achievements and glo-
riOus results. This last was In the In
terest of humanity and In behalf of n
heroic people. who for many years
have, been struggling against cruel
atrocities, oppression and the despot-
ism Of cruel monarchy.
ut has been most remarkable in
many respects. 1t has presented one
series Of victories without single dis
aster or a single defeat. The nag Of
the United States has not been low
cred; not a soldier. gun or rife has
been captured by the enemy. The
American soldiers and sailors have
been true to the principles and tradi-
ti0ns Of their fathers, and maintained
the honor and glory Of the American
nrms. One grent blessing to the coun.
try In this brief but decisive war has
been to firmly unite In bonds of imper-
lshable union all sections of the United
states. North. South. East and West.
"Stlll more. II has given us reason
and opportunity to appreciate our obli-
RntiOn to the mother country for the
dlRnifed and powerful influence Of the
British empire In the maintenance Of
our principles and rights"
After General Miles had finished his
address. which was brief, Admiral
Erben spoke.
Mr.. Choate. In few words, told
Of the close relations between Great
Britain and the United States and In
troduced Captain Arthur Paget of the
royal navy. A tremendous ovation
2reeted the English representative.
He said words were inadequate to dc.
scribe his feelings for the American
soldier, the American sailor, for Ad.
mlral Sampson md for General
Miles In particular. He read an e..
tract from Lord Salibury's speech, In
which the latter pointed out the pro.
grcSs Of the United States towards
expansion. Captain Paget said there
were some who opposed expansion.
hut that they could not stay the pro.
gress Of the American nation In this
direction. lie closed by saying:
a.