The herald., 1898-11-12
IN HONOR OF GEN. MILES
A BANQUET GIVEN AT THE WAL
DoRF-ASToRIA
MILES SPEAKS FOR THE ARMY
And Refers to the New and Great
Responsibilities Now Assumed
by the Nation
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
NEW YORK, Nov. 1.-THE compliment
ary banquet given to Major General Miles,
commanding the United States army, at
the Waldorf Astoria tonight, in point of
numbers, extensive preparations and bril-
liancy, rivaled the great banquet given last
year in honor of President Mckinley by the
merchants and manufacturers of the coun-
try The leading military, naval and busl-
ness men were represented 700 being pres
ent. All the second floor of the Astoria
portion of the hotel was utilized for the
dinner. The grand banquet hall was too
small, and small tables were set in the ad-
joining rooms.
| Just after oysters were served commo-
| ton was heard on the north side of the ban
Quet hall. Soon after, cheers were heard
as Governor-elect Roosevelt appeared op-
posite the guests table. There was much
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 place made vacant by
the illness of General Shafter, who sent re-
grets at the last moment. Colonel Roose-
welt shook hands with General Miles, which
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,
Rear Admiral Henry Erben at his left, Gov
ernor Roger A. Wolcott of Massachusetts,,
Governor-elect Roosevelt, Hon. Asa Bush
nell, governor of Ohio; Major General
Daniel E. Siclles, Hon. Benjamin F. Tracey,
Ex-Governor Levi p. Morton, Captain Ar
thur Paget, r. N; Hon. Daniel Hastings,
governor of Pennsylvania; Major General
o. 0. Howard, Hon. Seth Low, Hon. Ros-
we'll ?. Flower, Chauncey Nj. Depew, Hon.
Wm j. Sewall and Hon. Lloyd Lowndes,
governor of Maryland.
A place was reserved for Rear Admiral
w. S. Schley who had gone to Washington.
After brief speech by Mr.. Choate, in
which he warmly eulogized the guest of the
evening, General Miles was given an ova-
ton. He smilingly bowed his acknowledge
ments of the excited applause.
After acknowledging his appreciation OF
the magnificent reception, though refusing
to appropriate to himself what he consd-
cred an expression of gratitude to the army
he commanded, General Miles said:
"The wars of the past have had their OBJ
iects, their achievements and glorious re-
suits This last was in the interest of hui
manity and in behalf of a heroic people who
for many years have been struggling against
atrocities, oppression and the despotism of
a cruel monarchy. 1t has been most re-
markabe in many respects. 1t has presented
one series of victories without a single dis
aster or a single defeat. The flag OF the
United States has not been lowered in a
single instance. Not foot of ground has
been surrendered; not soldier, gun or rifle
has been captured by the enemy. The
American soldiers and sailors have been
true to the principles and traditions of their
fathers and maintained the honor and glory
of the American arms. One great blessing
to the country in this brief but decisive war
has been to firmly unite in bonds of i'm
perishable union all sections of the United
States-north, SOUTH east and west
Still more, it has given us reason and op-
portunity to appreciate our obligation to
the mother country for the dignifed and
powerful influence of the British empire in
the maintenance of our principles and
rights.
There are other fields to conquer The
past has gone and the future opens the doors
to greater responsibilities and 1 trust to
greater progress and prosperity.
eve are ascending to a clearer atmos-
phere, up to higher mesa, where We should
take a stronger position than ever before
occupied by our government and people. We
cannot longer contine ourselves to the mar
row limits that governed us in the past.
Much has been said of what has been the
ruling policy OF the people This much,
think, is apparent to all That the grave
responsibilities of the nation are too great
to be contaminated by personal, partisan or
sectional interests. Our interests are ma
tional in the highest degree. They embrace
two hemispheres. They involve the welfare
of hundred millions of the human race.
We are getting to that time when we will
require not only the ablest men, but many
of them in every department to protect and
administer the affairs of teh nation
A letter from President Mckinley was
read and the presidents health was drunk
standing.
Mr.. Choate in few words told of the
close relations between Great Britain and
the United States and introduced Captain
Arthur Paget OF the royal navy. A tre-
mendous ovation greeted the English rep
resentative. He said words were made
quate to describe his feelings for the Amer-
can soldier, the American sailor, for Ad-
miral Sampson ard for General Miles in
particular
Mr. Choate announced that General Miles
wished him to ask for three cheers for Cen
eral Shafter Then ensued storm Of ap-
plause. Letters were then read from Pres-
dent Mckinley, ex-President BENJAMIN
Harrison, General Shafter and others
Governor-elect Roosevelt was then intro
duced He was unable to proceed for sew
era minutes. so great was the applause Col
Roosevelt said he was glad to be present to
add his testimony to that given for General
Miles. He said
eve all honor the volunteers. Let us re-
member the debt which we stand under to
the regular army"