Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-11-17
HONOR TO GEN. MILES.
OWEN AsANouEr AT NEW YORK
Notable Gathering Of Prominsnt Men to
Meet Him-csptain PARst spoAks .
Friendly Word.

New York. Nov. 1.-THE compli-
mentary banquet given to Major Cen
ernl Miles, commanding the United
States army, at the waldorf-Astoria,
tonight, IN point of numbers, extern
sive preparation and brilliancy, rivaled
the great banquet given last year In
honor OF President Mckinley by the
merchants and manufacturers OF the
country.
The leading persons, military. naval
and business men, were represented
700 were present. All Of the second
floor Of the Astoria portion Of the not
ed hotel was utilized for the dinner.
The grand banquet hail was too small,
md small tables were set In the adjoin-
ing rooms.
The menu cards were bound in vel
lum, with a portrait Of General Miles
and small pictures representing some
Of the scenes through which the gen.
eral has passed In his military career,
scenes In the Civil lndan and Spanish
wars.
At 7:JO o'clock Hon. Joseph II.
Choate. the toastmaster. took General
Miles by the arm and after brief
levee in the Astor gallery, headed the
long line to the banquet room. AS the
general and Mr.. Choate entered the din
Ing room a large orchestra struck up
'Hail to the Chief"
Just after the oysters were served a
commotion was heard on the north side
Of the banquet hall. Soon after cheers
were heard rs Governor-elect Roosevelt
appeared opposite the guest table.
There was more cheering. every one
rising to his feet. the ladies' in the
boxes growing enthusiastic and waving
their handkerchiefs at the colonel. He
WINS escorted to place made vacant by
the illness of General Shafter, who sent
regrets at the last moment. Colonel
Roosevelt shook hands with General
Miles and this was the occasion for
more cheering.
Among those who sat ut the guests
table, presided over by Joseph II.
Choate, We're Major General Nelson A.
Miles at his right and Rear Admiral
Henry Erben at his left. Governor Rog-
er A. wolcott OF Massachusetts, Cover
nor-elect Roosevelt, Hon. Asa Bushnell,
governor of Ohio; Major General Dan
lei Il. Sickels. Hon. Benjamin i.
Tracy. Ex-Governor Levi T. Morton.
Captain Arthur Paget, II. N; Hon,
Daniel II. Hastings, governor OF Penn
sylvania: Major General o. o. How
ard. Hon. Seth Low. Roswell p. Flow
er, ChEuncey NJ. Dcpew. Hon. William
J. Sewa!l md Hon. Lloyd Lowndes,
governor of Maryland.
Half n dozen members OF the Cover
nor's Foot Guards Of New Haven,
Connecticut, were present In the pic
turesque uniforms Of 1II4.
After brief speech by Mr.. Choate,
In which he warmly eulogized the
guest co the evening. General Miles
was given an ovation. He smilingly
bowed his Acknowledgements of the ex
cited applause and said. in part:
"Joyfully dear is the homeward track.
II we are but sure of a welcome back"
"Such n generous reception has been
rendered to me tonight as few are per-
mitted to enjoy, and l should be want
ing In gratitude did not appreciate
the sentiment expressed In this cordial
greeting.
II should be vain. indeed. to ascribe
II to myself, or for n moment accept 1t
solely as a personal tribut.. As an ex-
preston of appreciation of the gallant
troops which have the honor to COM
mand, 1t is accepted in behalf of the
living, and for them l thank you, as
well as for those whose lips are for
ever silent. and whose heroism and
sacrifice now is here remembered and
rcvered.
"The wars Of the past have had their
objects, their achievements and glo-
rious results. This last was in the in
tercst of humanity and in behalf Of a
heroic people. who for many years
have been struggling against cruel
atrocities, oppression and the despot-
ism of n cruel monarchy.
"It has been most remarkable in
many respects. 1t has presented one
series of victories without n single dis
aster or n single defeat. The flag of
the United States has not been low
cred; not soldier, gun or rife has
been captured by the enemy. The
American soldiers and sailors have
been true to the principles and tradi-
tions of their fathers, and maintained
the honor and glory of the American
arms. One great blessing to the coun-
try In this brief but decisive war has
been to firmly unite in bonds of imper-
ishable union all sections of the United
States. North, South. East and West.
Still more. 1t has given us reason
md opportunity to appreciate our obli-
cation to the mother country for the
dignified and powerful influence of the
British empire in the maintenance of
our principles and rights"
After General Miles had finished his
address, which was brief, Admiral
Erben spoke.
Mr.. Choate. in a few words. told
=" tHe CioSt lNihtloIS bVt"eth
Britain and the United States and in
troduccd Captain Arthur Paget of the
royal navy. A tremendous ovation
greeted the English representative.
He said words We're inadequate to de-
scribe his feelings for the American
soldier, the American sailor, for Ad-
mirnl Sampson and for General
Miles in particular. He read an eX-
tract from Lord Salibury's speech, in
which the latter pointed out the pro-
grcss of the United States towards
expansion. Captain Pnget said there
were some who opposed expansion.