Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-10-26
NEVER SURPASSED IN BRrLLIANcE.
Banquet Was q Grand Affair--Arrival of
the President.

DonquCs " 80 - 0Nohu va
the President.
Chicago, Oct. 20.-The most important
feature of the Chicago peace jubilee
was the speech delivered by the presi-
dent at the banquet last night. 1t was
delivered to an audience which COM
prised men of brains and ability from
all the walks Of life-indeed 1t was
choice audience-and 1t was spoken by
the man who will dominate the future
Of the United States In relation to ter
ritorial acquisitions to be made as the
result Of the war with Spain. 1t
seemed to be intended to indicate with
out particularizing-or even commit
ting the government irrevocably there
to-what the policy would be in a gen.
eral way as to the territory conquered
from Spain. but not acquired yet by the
United States. The president responded
to the toast: "Our Country"
No similar event ever held within
the Auditorium surpassed in brilliancy
and simple elegance the banquet last
night. The hall was most tastefully
decorated with festoons Of smilax
caught here and there by clusters of
American Beauty and LaFrance roses.
In the center of each of the thirty three
long tables placed for the accommoda-
ton Of the guests were banks of bright
flowers banked with ferns. while at
either end groups Of roses were taste
fully arranged. Twelve hundred guests
were standing by their chairs when
tap from the gavel of Franklin Mac
veagh, the presiding officer, announced
the approach of President Mckinley.
The orchestra struck up Hail to the
Chief" and the president, attended
by the jubilee reception committee,
came down the center aisle his presence
evoked. He was escorted to his seat
at the west end of the hail. and as he
took his seat twelve hundred guests fol-
lowed his example, only to rise an in
slant later while DR.. Frank Crane de-
liyered short and eloquent invocation.
Then for two hours the material wants
of the 1000 received close and careful
attention. The table of the president
was placed across the hall. the nine re-
served for distinguished guests being
placed at the side and directly in front
of that at which the president was
seated. The remainder of the tables
was arranged lengthwise of the hall.
Mckinley was seated at the right
hand of POSTMASTER MacVeagh, others
at the presidential table being Secre-
taries Gage, Wilson and Bliss; Arch
bishop Ireland. Clark Howell. General
Miles, Governor Tanner. Dr. Frank
Crane, ex-Vice President Stevenson,
Admiral Brown, Captain Sigsbee. Judge
Emory Speer and General Shafter. The
speaking was opened by Toastmaster
MacVeagh, who paid an eloquent tribute
to the president and the gallant officers
and men who had brought the war to a
successful conclusion.
When the president rose to respond
TO Our Country" there was tremendous
applause, which was repeated when
General Miles and General Shafter re-
sponded to the toast to THE Army"
and at every speech of the evening.
"The Navy" was responded to by
Captain Charles ID. Sigsbee: "Interna-
tional Arbitration" by President Angel.
of the Michigan university; Our Flu
ture" by Secretary Lyman j. Gage
and President Cyrus Northrup. of the
University of Minnesota Immediately
after the conclusion of the banquet
President Mckinley was driven to the
McWilliams residence and soon retired.
He leaves for Washington tonight.
Chicago. Oct. 2l.-Yesterday the pres
ident addressed thousands Of organized
railway employees at the First regiment
armory. and at II p. m. left for WASH
hgton well pletsed with his visit west.