The herald., 1898-02-13
Celebrated With a Banquet
by the Republicans
FIVE HUNDRED PARTICIPANTS
LOCAL AND VISITING SPELL
BINDERS CRATE
President Mckinley and Others Send
Regrets-Orators Differ as to
Hanna's Work For His Party

birth of Abraham Lincoln was celebrat-
ed last night by making it the occasion
for the second annual banquet of th'
Young Mems Republican league of this
city, at Music hall. Preparations had
been made for the event weeks in ad-
vance, and the banquet was on scale
which eclipsed all former efforts of the
organization OF course the affair was
very much Republican, but in point OF
attendance and enthusiasm it was as
successful as the promoters of it could
have hoped for.
Covers were laid for 423 members and
guests, and every seat was occupied. A
more good-natured crowd could not be
imagined There was none of that some
times stiff formality about the occasion
which makes such functions at times
wearisome. Those who were not mem
bers of the league were made as well
come. officers and members vieing with
each other in their efforts to add to the
endowment of all. Across the room, near
the stage, was a long table at which
seats had been reserved for the orators
in number, were placed at right angles
to this table and extended to within
few feet of the front wall of the build
ing. Had all of the tables been placed
end to end they would have made line
several blocks long.
The menu was in keeping with the oc-
casion. There was an abundance or
good things solid and as great an abunu-
ance liquid. Draperies of the national
emblem, pictures of Washington, Lin
coin and other presidents. palms and cut
flowers, composed the decorations, the
whole making a pretty picture. BEFORE
the doors were opened the members OF
the league and their friends assembled
in the upper hall. A column was formed
and by twos they marched to the ban
ouet hall. 1t did not take long to dispose
of the eatables, for the banqueters were
anxious for the feast of oratory which
was to follow.
A. w. Kinney, president of the Cali
fornia State league, in brief speech
introduced as toastmaster Luther e.
Brown, president of the Young Men
Republican league. Mr.. Brown spoke at
considerable length upon the purposes
and intentions of the organization. He
asserted that the league was not formed
in the interest of any candidate or class
of candidates except that of the Repub-
lican class. All that the club demanded
of the party was the nomination OF the
best men for office. If that was done he
pledged the support of the club to all
nominees of the party. At the conclu-
sion of his speech Mr.. Brown read let
ter from President Mckinley to the
league. An invitation to attend the
BANQUET had been sent to the president,
and the letter from him, or, rather, from
7. A. Porter, his private secretary, was
simply the usual formal expression of
regret at not being able to attend. Of
course the letter was received with ap-
plause.
Hon. Thomas Fitch was the next
speaker and Abraham Lincoln was his
subject. Great as We're the opportuni-
ties for flights of oratory in speaking
on such a theme, Mr.. Fitch seemed to
include them all, for he delivered one or
the best speeches of his life. 1t was only
to a slight degree a political address,
but instead was eulogy of the great
emancipator, the sentiments OF Whlch
could and would be approved and ap-
plauded by any lover of American insti-
tutions of whatever party. He began
his speech with a statement of the con-
ditions which prevailed in this country
before and up to the time of Lincoln S
first appearance in public affairs, and
then. with only few references to par
ty victories, followed the course of his
career up to the time of the tragedy in
Fords theater
The speaker has always been out
spoken of his disapproval of the Hanna
methods in Ohio, and in comparing the
times when Lincoln lived with the pres
ent he said: "Those were times when
it was not the fashion to sell senatorial
togas to metallic accidents, and when
seats in the United States senate were
not considered as marks of distinction,
but rather as opportunities to achieve
distinction.' Later in his speech he
again referred to the Ohio senatorial
election by comparing the words of Car
field to the crowd in New York the day
after Lincon's assassination with the
telegram sent by Hanna to Mckinley
on the formers election to the senate.
Garfield, it will be remembered, had qui-
eted the mob by saying: God reigns,
and the government of America still
exists" Hanna sent Mckinley a tele-
gram saying: God reigns, and the Re-
publican party still exists" Yes" said
the speaker, the Republican party lives,
but not because of the senatorial cleo
ton in Ohio, but rather despite it." He
closed with a brilliant flight of oratory
and his speech was greeted with ap-
plause which lasted several minutes.
Col. George Stone of San Francisco
the executive member of the national
Republican league, was then introduced
He spoke briefly of the work of the league
in other parts of the state, and pointed
out the necessity for better organiza
tion.
Senator r. N. Bulla's appearance was
the signal for applause which continued
nearly five minutes. Mr.. Bulla is one
of the most popular members of the
party in this part of the state, and the
greeting he received showed that he hat
lost none of his popularity. His sub
ject was california: A Republican
State" He began by saying that hi.
subject was a declaration. and his speech
was an able effort to prove the truth O
that declaration. He quoted largely
from statistics, giving the comparativ,
results of all the elections held in thi!
state since the time of Lincoln, and then
in an eloquent manner, gave what h,
considered good reasons for believing