Evening star., 1898-03-05
Senators Gear and Allison as Guests
of Honor.
TRIBUTE TO AMERICAN PATRIOTISM
Unsparing Criticism Of the Sensa-
tionaI Newspapers.
GIVEN OVATION


the time being in Washington, either as
visitors as employees in the various gov
ernment departments, rendered a reception
to Senators Allison and Gear at Masonic
Temple last night. The occasion was one
long to be remembered, both by those who
were the projectors Of the affair and by
those who were so fortunate to be present.
There was large number of prominent
Iowans present and the large hall was
filed to overflowing when the program of
exercises was begun. The stage and hall
were handsomely decorated with palms,
while an immense American flag served as
a canopy for the speakers.
The program of exercises comprised ad-
dresses by the distinguished guests of the
evening and others and musical numbers.
President W. M. Wilson acted as master of
ceremonies, and after an overture of pa
triotic airs by Moran's Orchestra, which
reused the audience to an exhibition OF
great enthusiasm, he made an address Of
welcome. The Bischoff Ladies' Quartet
sang two selections in splendid style, and
this was succeeded by numbers by Miss
Bertha Bristow. She sang when the
Heart is Young and "Supposing' in fine
voice and with excellent effect. She was
accompanied on the piano by DR.. Bischoff.
Senator Gears Address.
Senator Gear was then introduced by
President Wilson, and was received with
enthusiasm. He spoke of the pleasure it
gave him to meet SO many representative
Iowa people, and paid a high tribute to
the state of Iowa and to her sons and
daughters He spoke Of the close Of the
first year Of the present republican ad-
ministration, and said the future contained
nothing but hope. He spoke of the need
for energetic action next fall, when the
congressional elections are to take place,
and called on every voter present to use
his influence to the utmost in having the
entire state delegation to the House re-
turned soiidly republican. only in that
way he said, "ean we be assured of an
other republican President in 1900.''
Senator Gear said every heart in this
great country beats in unison for the ma
jesty of the flag. and that if it were to be
insulted or had been the nation would rise
as one man in it's defense. He said in re-
gard to the Maine affair that all we had
to do was to wait in patience the action OF
the court of inquiry now engaged in an
investigation into the cause OF the terrible
disaster. He paid his respects to the SEN
sational newspapers with their fake dis
patches and stirring stories, and said he
hoped no one would be deceived or influ-
enced by them into doing an overt act that
would plunge this country prematurely into
the horrors Of war. If occasion shall arise,
however, he said, every man who fought
through the war of '61-65 will again come
forward and accept another chance to fight
for his nations honor and safety. He
said the sun never sets on the territory Of
the United States. When it is setting on
the coast of Alaska it is rising on the coast
Of Maine, and the time is not far off, he
declared, when We should have 200, 600 900
population and be the greatest power
without any exception on the globe. When
that time comes he said pleasantly, the
center of population will be in the state Of
Iowa, as well as the center Of everything
else.
Given nm Ovation.
At the conclusion of Senator Gears ad-
dress there was tremendous applause, which
was redoubled a moment later when Sena-
tor Allison entered the hail. The senior
senator from Iowa was escorted to the plat
form and was presented to the assemblage
by President Wilson.
Senator Allison was accorded an ovation
as he rose to say a few words. He also
paid high tribute to the state of Iowa and
her people and said that Iowa people al
ways get on the best and always do their
duty a little better than other people. He
was glad to know, he said, that the Iowa
Republican Association was such a live or
ganization and hoped it's work would be
stimulated by the fact that a hard battle
was coming in the congressional elections
next fall. He said all IoWanS had to do
was to renew their delegation in the House
of Representatives and that that victory
meant just SO much in the great race in
1900 He thanked his audience and the as
sociation for the reception which had been
rendered him and his colleague, and said il
always gave him the greatest amount Of
pleasure to meet his Iowa friends.
Other speeches were made by Rev. DR..
Smith. General Bussey, j.. D. Croissant,
Public Printer Palmer and John A. Kasson.
The latter spoke Of the excellence of the
Iowa delegation in the House at the pres
ent time, and said never in his recollection
had the state been more ably represented
in that branch of Congress than 1t Is now.
His address was one of his delightful de-
liverances for which he has ever been so
conspicuouSy noted.
After the speech-making was concluded
the audience adjourned to the refreshment
hall, after which the floor was cleared and
dancing was enjoyed until the morning
hours.