The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-05
NJ. Niillcrnnd. Minister of Commerce.
Delivered n Fitting Tribute as TO
Friendship OF Two Nations.

4
American chamber of commerce at Paris
testliiee to the fidelity and to the strength
of the memories which unite one to the
other the two sister republics. 1t is per-
mitted TO them on the threshold of new
century to invoke with legitimate pride the
memory of the immortal period during
which one saw a young and grand people
born into independence and nation al
ready old break, you know at the price OF
what efforts, the forms OF the past to in
stall in her midst the regime of liberty
and justice which had just contributed
to founding on the other side of the Allan
tic. From the time of the playing of this
memorable drama, which is still moving
the world, these two great people have
each followed their fortunes, BY different
means which involve the most profound
difference or origin, method, race, they
sought for the solution of the same problem
to organize the government of free de-
mocracy. mistress of herself. What more
moving more comforting than that of
our two republics moving forward at an
equal pace for the peace and happiness
of the world toward the conquest of new
progress. Never, l am happy tc>say, were
the bonds of amicable sympGI,r7 which
unite the two people more strongly and
more close"
yesterday I'TeSlueUl 9dClNlHiey WAS kluu
enough to once more render public homage
to the zeal with which our ambassador
at Washington faithfully executed the in
structions of his government He was
year ago an intermediary 10 facilitate the
conclusion of peace.
Each day which draws us nearer to
the grand feast of labor to which France
has invited the nations of the world. sees
an increase in the number of members
of your colony, which is one of the fea
lures of our Paris.
FINALLY we are permitted to hope that
in few days from now definite agree
ment will have been reached on the sub
ject of French products in the United
States and also in regard to American
products in France, giving them the most
favored nation treatment. In addition to
the fact that the extraordinary develop
ment attained by all branches of the Fed
eral industy demonstrates that an excess
sive harshness would henceforth be with
out object, it would seem equitable. as
well as polite, ! think, not to refuse
certain advantages to nation which, like
France, purchases in the United States
three times more primary material and
merchandise than she sells to the United
States. 1t is the task and the honorable
admission Of the negotiators to perceive
and to place ahead of private interests
the interests of the public
THE general understanding which we
hope for will be the only consequence
aud the conclusion of the entente by which
from 1888 the two governments decided 10
apply reduced American and French tar
ifs to certain number of products.
Gentlemen, lift my glass to the Amer
lean republic and the president"
The banquet was a great success, which
was due largely to the prodominance OF
many distinguished Americans Benja-
,,IJ 10 l,a aT1fl
owing to indispostion There were 600
persons present.
The following dispatch received from
President Mckinley was read: i heartily
appreciate your good wishes and hope
our cordial relations with France may
endure and become stronger year by
year"
Rousseau, he French premier, and NJ
Delcasse. French minister Of foreign af-
fairs, expressing their regret at not being |
able to be present.
At the brief speech OF welcome, during
the course of which he referred 10 the
efforts of the American chamber of COM
merce in Paris on behalf of the reciprocity
treaty between the United States and
France, Mr.. Peartrey proposed the health
of President Mckinley and then Presi- |
dent Loubet of France. By this time Mr.. |
Harrison had arrived. Rising amid
cheers, he said he had feared that indis-
position would prevent him making a
speech, and he had therefore written one.
intending to ask some friend TO read 1t |
for him, but as he had been able to put
in an appearance he would read IL him
self, which he proceeded to do.
Mr. Harrison said; THE observance OF
this anniversary in France has peculiar
interest TO us as we celebrate the event IN
the land of Lafayette, the land whose
nd gtV g.ry1 IN
Pile did so much to convert thv Neelared |
right to be free into freedom The Aneri-
cans have grown stronger, but they have
not ceased TO be grateful When America
forgets her debt she will be unworthy and
incapable of international friendship.
I'VE have other friends, but none whose
friendship involves enmity for France.
We are pleased when she is prosperous
and grieyed when she is troubled, The
United States is most fayoraDly situated
for the cultivation of peace with other |
nations. The affairs OF nations beyond
seas nor question of balance OF power has
ever disturbed us. Neighbors could not
contest our supremacy, but we VIII never
use our power TO their disadvantage.
1.-THE United States has not set its eyes
on distant possessions. America has never
failed, either in Greece, Armenia or South |
America to make II known that she re-
probated cruelty and prosecution, but she
has not felt that she has a commission |
to police the world. She would gladly |
have welcomed settlement Of the Cuban |
question by the establishment of hu
name, just and liberal government under
Spain, II that had been possible.
We have incurred responsibilities there
and in the Philippines, and we shall not
fall to discharge them at any cost. II is |
too late to debate the question whether II
were wiser to carry out in the Philippines
purely naval campaign, or the question
whether destiny or our own choice involved
us there. We have assumed responsible
ties toward peaeeahle people there, to-
ward Spain and toward the world We
must establish order as a preliminary TO
the consideration of any questions as TO the
ultimate destiny and disposition OF the
archipelago. We are very proud OF the
magnificent achievements OF our army and
navy, and are glad II European misappre-
hension as to our naval constitution and
seamanship Is removed. We are glad If
truer appreciation OF the vast war re-.
aourcee OF the United States prevails, glad
only because II gives security in the hemis-