The record-union., 1898-12-16

which enabled them to fix a date which
insured them the privilege of being the
hrst to celebrate the signing Of the
treaty of peace by the American and
Spanish Commissioners. Under hostile
flre on foreign soil, fighting in a COM
mon cause, the memory of old disagree
ments has faded into history. From
camp and campaign there comes the
magic feeling which has closed an an
cient wound and effaced the scars For
this reason American patriots must for
ever rejoice.
This Government has proved itself
lnvincible in the recent war, and out
of it has come a nation which will re-
main invincible forever more
No worthier contributions have been
made in patriotism and intelli-
gence than by the people of
the Southern States. Intrusted
with the able leadership Of men
dear to them, who had marched with
their fathers under another flag, now
f1ghting under the old flag again, they
nave gloriously helped to defend it's
spotless folds and added new luster to
IT'S shining stars. That flag has been
planted in two hemispheres, and there
1t remains, the symbol Of liberty and
law, Of peace and progress. Who will
Withdraw it from the people over whom
1t floats in protecting folds? Who will
haul it down?
We could have avoided all the diff
cultles that came across the pathway
OF the nation if few months ago we
had coidly ignored the piteous appeals
OF the starving and oppressed inhabi-
tants of Cuba.
II we had blinded ourselves to the
conditions SO near our shores and
turned a deaf ear to our suffering
neighbors. The issue of territorial ex-
panslon in the Antilles and the East
Indies would not have happened.
But could We have justified such a
course? Is there any one who would
not declare another to have been the
better course? With less humanity
and less courage on our part. the Span
1sh flag, instead of the Stars and
stripes would now be floating over
CaV1te, at Ponce and at Santiago. and
a chance in the race of life would be
wanting to millions of human beings
who to-day call this nation noble, and
VINO, L trust, will live to call it blessed.
Thus far we have done our supreme
DUTY. Shall We now, when the victory
won in war is written in the treaty Of
peace, and the civilized world ap-
plauds and waits in expectation. turn
mildly away from the duties imposed
upon the country by it's own great
deeds? And as the mists arise may we
not go forth rejoicing in a strength
which has been employed solely for hu-
q
justice and mercy. confident of our
ability to meet the exigencies which
arise, because confident that our course
Is one of duty and our cause that of
right?'
After three cheers for Mckinley had
been given with a will at the conclu-
sion OF his speech, General Wheeler
rose from his seat on the platform.
Ihen came such enthusiasm, such pan
demanium as is seldom seen. For
three minutes the audience cheered
and yelled and waved their hats. Over
ana over again the little Southern Gen
eral tried to begin his speech, and over
and over again he was compelled to
wait for the cheers to stop. Then the
band played Dixie" and once more
the crowd broke into frantic cheers.
dent, and expressed his pleasure at the
reception given to Mr.. Mckinley by
Georgia
Lieutenant HobSon responded to loud
calls with an impassioned speech. in
which he drew the attention of his
hearers not only to the bravery of the
American soldiers and sailors but to
the chivalry and bravery of the enemy
IF n S,.,1
General Shafter and General I,awton
scarcely more than bowed their ac-
acknowledgements to the plaudits and
the meeting closed with a short speech
from Governor Johnston of Alabama
in which he referred to his States
honor in possessing two such distin
guished sons as Wheeler and Hobson.
The Presidential party then drove
back to their hotel. On the way the
carriage in which were Generals Shat
ter and Lawton was run into bv a.
street car, and the two DISTINGUISHED
officers were thrown to the street. but
neither was hurt
A public reception at the Governors
mansion had to be postponed on ac-
count of the lateness of the Auditorium
affair.
AN ELABORATE BANQUET.
ATLANTA CGa), Dec 10. = In the
beautifully decorated dinfng-room of
the Kimball House tonight the At
lanta Peace Jubilee, which brought to
this city the President of the United
States, several members of his Cab
met and many distinguished figures of
the war with Spain, and resulted in
utterances by the Executive which
have cemented hard and fast the bonds
between the North and South. was
brought to a fitting close by an elab-
crate banquet Covers We're laid for
300 All the citys distinguished guests
were present and seated at the Presi-
dents table. The Atlantans attending
the banquet We're representative of the
clty's wealth and business interests.
Many prominent men from all parts
OF the South also graced the tables.
Hon. Clark Howell, editor of the At
lanta Constitution, acted as toast
master At the Presidents table were
seated: The President, Governor Allen
d. Gambler, Hon. r. A. Alger, Lyman
D. Gage, Hon. John D. Long, Charles
Emory Smith, Hon James Wilson, Ma
Jor General Shafter, Hon Charles F.
Warwick, Lieutenant Richmond P
Hobson, DR.. R. D. Spalding, Hon. Ste
phen O'Meare, Major Livingston Mills.
Hon. John Addison Porter, Captain r.
j. Lowry, General A. c. NJ Pennins-
ton Governor Voorhees, of New Jer-
sey, Hoke Smith, D. J. Fenno, Hon.
Frank P. Rice, General Henry W. Law
ton, Rufus B. Bullock Hon. George r.
Peck, Governor Joseph P. Johnston.
Major General Young, Hon. E E. Set
Ia ToiA
W. y. Hemphill and Mayor c. A. Col
lier.