Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-12-16
BANQUET CLOSES THE JUBILEE.
President and Many Others Make Speeches
-MheeIer.s Second Ovation.


In the beautifully decorated. dining
room OF the kimbalI House the Atlanta
peace jubilee was brought to q fitting
close by an elaborate banquet. Covers
were laid for 200. All the city's distfn-
guished guests were present and seated
at the presidents table. Many prominent
men from all parts Of the south also
graced the tables. Hon. Clark Howell.
editor OF the Atlanta Constitution. acted
as toastmaster. When the speech
making began Hon. Clark Howell intro
Guced the president. The president as
he arose was the recipient of a hearty
and spontaneous greeting. The execu-
tive was compelled to stand and bow
some minutes before those about the
table would let him proceed.
The president responded to the toast
"Our Country" and said in part: -Four
years have gone since l last met the
people of Georgia in public assembly.
Much has happened in the intervening
time. The nation has been at war not
within its own shores. but with for
eign power; n war waged not for re-
venge or ACKNOWLEDGMENT, but for our
oppressed neiGhbors, for their freedom
and amelioration. 1t has
brought us together: its settlement will
keep US together.
Reunited. Glorious realization Il
expresses the thought of my mind and
the long deferred consummation of my
hearts Gesire as l stand in this pres
ence. Reunited one country
again and one country forever! Pro-
claim it from the press and pulpit,
Teach il in the schools, Write it across
the skies! The world sees and feels it.
1t cheers every heart north and south,
and briEhteEs the life of every Ameri-
can home. Let nothing ever strain it
again. At peace with all the world
and with each other. what can stand in
the pathway of our progress and pros
perity:
Speeches were then delivered in turn
by Secretary Long. General SEafter
Hon. George Il. Peck. Hon. Stephen
O'Meara (of Boston,, Secretary Gage.
General Wheeler. Postmaster General
Simth. Governor Johnson (of AIabama)
Mayor Warwick (of Philadelphia). and
others. Ali the GecorUm was laid aside
for the moment when General Joe
Wheeler arose to respond to mis- toast.
The distinguished southerner was
Cheered and Cheered and it was fully
five minutes before he was permitted to
proceed
The president boarded his special train
at midnight yesterday. His visit here
has hrer history making event and
the results Will be felt for years to
before the Georgia legislature echoed
through the Lanquet hall last night.
The memorable words of the president
having reference TO the part OF the
north in caring for the graves of the
Confederate dead was cheerel and
Choerei. The presi3e-twas in 4 splendid
humor and apDlauded the orchestral
rendit'cns Of Dixie as repeat IDLY as n
did those Of Yankee Doodle" It was
II ~ r. ct frr al 1a
decorations Of the banquet hail not one
Confederate flag appeared.
The presidents train left the Union
station shortly after midnight ard was
due in TuSkegse at s o'clock this morn
ing.
Pres. dent AIcKinley's utterances in his
address to the Georgia legislature
Wednesday were highly commended by
thai body yesterday. Immediately aft
er reading the journal in the house
Representative Calvin, Of Richmond,
secured the floor and introduced
resolutions declaring THAT Presi-
dent Mckinley, by his ready re cognition
of southern ability and southern worth
In military appointments made at the
outset and during the recent Spanish
American war won a warm place in the
hearts of ell cur people and endeared
himself to the country at large" and
That desire especially to commend
and applaud the generous and soldierly
suggestion made by his eXcellency that
the north should share in the care of
the graves Of the Confederate soldiers"
They were passed in both houses and
senate.
The president yesterday received dis
patches from prominent men N all parts
OF the country commenting in hearty
terI,.s his utterances to the effect that
the time had come for the nation to
share the care of the graves of the Con-
federate soldiers.