The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-10-17
PRESIDENT In CHICAGO.
Helps to Inaugurate the City's Peace
Jubilee.

Notable Gathering at the Auditorium
Tremendous Enthusiasm for Nations
HM Chief-Booker Washington's Plea for
Blotting Out Race Prejudices.
Chicago, October 16-The national
peace jubilee of Chicago was tonight in
augurated with union Thanksgiving SER
vice at the Auditorium. President
Mckinley attended and listened to ad-
dresses hy Jewish rabbi, Roman
Catholic priest, Presbyterian clergyman
and noted colored orator. The applause
for the President was terrific and at one
time he was compelled to rise in his box
and respond to the frantic cheering of the
audience. The services, however, were of
religious character. The party was
driven to the Auditorium at O'Clock.
Nearly 49, 900 were within the great Audi.
torium and probably as many more were
on the outside unable to obtain admit
tance. The President was seated in a
box and with him were Alexander H.,
Revelle, President William K. Harper of
the University of Chicago, Capt. McWil-
liams and Secretaries Porter and Corte-
you.
The first address was by Rabbi Emil g..
Hirsoh, who brought out great burst
of enthusiasm by reference to the Presi-
dent. DIR. Hirsch said: "We are proud
that when war was imminent the affairs
of the nation were in the hands of a man
-" Here DR.. Hirsch's voice was drowned
by great wave of applause. When he
could be heard, the speaker finished his
sentence, "a true American, one that
loved peace, a worshipper of the Prince
of Peace"
Rev. DIR. Thomas P. Hodnett, Catho-
lie clergyman, caught the fancy and ap-
plause of the audience by repeated ref
erence to Dewey, Sampson, Schley and
the Rough Riders, and when he men
toned President Mckinley by name the
people became SO demonstrative that the
President was compelled to rise in his box
and bow his acknowledgements.
One of the most stirring speeches of the
evening was made by Rev. DR.. John
in favor of the retention of the Philip
pines, which sentiment appeared to meet
entirely the approval of the audience.
Booker L. Washington was the last
speaker. He said In part: "This country
has been most fortunate in her vict ories.
We have succeeded in every conflict ex-
cept In the effort to conquer ourselves in
the blotting out of racial prejudices.
Until we thus conquer ourselves l make
no empty statements when I say that we
shall have. especially in the southern part
of our country, cancer gnawing at
the heart of tthis republic that shall one
day prove as dangerous as an attack from
an army from without or within.
SIN this presence and on. this auspio-
ious occasion, WANT to present the deep
gratitude of nearly ten millions Of my
people to our wise, patient and brave
chief executive for the generous manner
in which my race has been recognized
during this oonfiict-a recognition that
has done more to blot out sectional and
racial lines than any event since the
dawn of our freedom
When Mr.. Washington gave expression
to these words the most Interesting fea-
ture of the evening occurred. Ths audi
enc cheered to the echo while President
Mckinley, standing in his box, acknowl-
edged by repeated bows, the compliments
of the colored orator.
The degree of LII. D., will be conferred
tomorrow on President Mckinley by the
University of Chicago with appropriate
ceremonies.