New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-11-12
GEN. MILES THEIR GUEST.
A BRILLIANT DINNER IN HONOR OF THE
ARMY COMMANDER.
JOSEPH II. CHOATD Observation-Disclosures By
GENERAL MILES. COLONEL ROOSEVELT.
ADMIRAL ERBEN GOVERNOR VOL
COTr AND OTHERS

Major General Nelson A. Miles the guest
Of honor at the Waldorf Astoria last evening at
a banquet rendered him by more than seven
hundred Of the most prominent citizens Of New
York. The affair remarkable for it's brill
fancy and for the character OF the men who as
sembled at the tables less than for the
eminence Of the man who the principal
figure. Ever since General Miles returned from
Porto Rico plans for the banquet had been go
ing on. and the elimination last evening just-
fled all the pains that had been taken 10 give
to the General such reception would i'm
press deeply upon his mind the fact that the
many and great services OF his long and varied
career have not been forgotten by the citizens
OF the metropolis of the country
General Mess appearance in the banquet
hall was greeted with the first OF many great
outbursts Of applause. and his address
heard with the deepest attention and most
heartily applauded.
The big banquet hall presented a brilliant ap-
pearance while the dinner in progress Its
walls were covered with the red. white and blue
OF the National flag overturned with trailing
smilax while the banners OF every State in the
Union hung from the boxes. The Astor Gallery
was utilized the reception room. and here the
guests met socially before dinner. The assem-
bly, included eminent mon OF nearly every pro-
fesson. soldiers and sailors active and retired;
lawyers bankers BROKERS physicians railroad
presidents and clergymen. Indeed, rarely have
many men whose names are known ever the
country been gathered any social function in
this city. The big hall looked much as 1t did
last winter at the dinner given for President
Mckinley by the Manufacturers Association.
As then too. the guests overfowed from the
hall proper into the corridors and the ante
rooms.
At the long guests table Joseph II. Choate
presided with all his inimitable grace and elo-
querce. At his right sat General Miles, the
guest Of honor. Upon his left, the chief
representative OF the Navy, sat Rear-Admral
Henry Erben, retired. Rear-Admral Schey
was to have been present, but was called 70
Washington in the afternoon. General Shafter
also absent account Of illness. but among
those at the guests table were four Governors.
one Acting Governor and Governor elect. Gov
ernor Lowndes Of Maryland. Governor Wolcott
Of Massachusetts. Governor Hastings Of Penn
syvania. Governor Bushnell Of - Acting
Governor Watkins of New-Jersey and Governor
elect Roosevelt Of New York The staff ot each
Governor attended him and enllyened the scene
with the picturesqueness OF their uniforms
Others at the guests table included the Rev
Dr. G. r Van De Water. Senator William J.
NJ.
Justice Charles H. Van Brunt, the Rev. Dr.
Henry Dyke. Seth Low Judge William !.
Wallace Major.General O o. Howard. Major
General Daniel F.. sickes General BENJAMIN r
Tracy, Commodore Francis ). Hgginson, Judge
Addison Brown Ex-Governor Levi T. Morton
the Rev Dr. A. F. Kittredge. Captain Arthur
Paget, II. y. and the Rev J. O. Wilson
WOMEN IN THE BONES
Every of the many boxes that overlooked
the tables was filled with women and their es-
corts. the central box in the first tier being oc-
cupied by Mrs. Miles The souvenir menu
showed striking portrait Of General Miles at
tired in his uniform. the same he wore last
evening. while the shorbet was served in
dainty box surmounted by representation ot the
dove OF peace While the last course was being
served unique procession made the round of
the hall. It headed by three figures one
hfer and two drummers. attired to represent the
famous painting called Spirit ~ 20" These
three were followed by a procession bearing
miniature ships Of war manufactured Of various
confections
The band stationed in the gallery played all
the patriotic airs that have SO often stirred the
blood of NewYorkers in tho last eventful six
months. and In each the guests did their
best to drown the band out. II was feared that
Colonel Roosevelt would not be able tn be pres
ent. but at the last moment he came and his ap-
pearance and the mention Of his name by Mr.
Choate evoked cheers that were only excelled by
the greeting given the guest Of honor
INTRODUCED BY MIR. CHOATE.
When Mr.. Choate raped for order his efforts
we're vocferously Interrupted by cheers that
started by a man who called for Three
cheers for our next United States Senator" Mr.
Choate said:
gods and with glance At tho boxes god
desses Caushterl; We have not come here TO talk
our our 1r his & D @ TSpss1 S
appreciation for his splendid career and our graft
his country prolonged cheers But he would
forgive ma II omitted To mention the nams
Den; dent McKinIey at The mention Of he President,
name every guest and stood until the cheering
ceased) II is fitting at this time 10 mention few
things that have recently taken place
have been placed on n inpersha bic Ia sis Of pure
gold second. general and reasonable prosperity
stay: third. the last vestigs Of Spanish power
soi-5srea "af gre % cheering5"and 50 deSt that AMERICA
has owed to humanity for the last nifty years has
America nave been advanced among the Nations ot
the earth so that all pay 10 her respect. deference
and wholesome apprehension never given her be-
Mr. Choate then read letter from, President
Mckinley who said that while his engagements
prevented his presence ne yet desired to express
his hearty congratulations TO the General
manding the United States Army. The reading
~ the Presidents letter was received with
cheers.
THE GUESTS RECORD.
And now" said Mr.. Choate, this is no politi
cal occasion. When my eyes rest Colonel
Roosevelt (here cheering broke out again and
that | have had enough Of politics. and want
10 hear no more Of them for two years to come.
daughter and cheers) We assembled here
Z % axtend q Welcome TO one Of the greatest sol